Incentives abound as auto-makers bid to recoup
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Auto-makers are hoping to make up for lost sales due to last year's flooding with highly attractive sales promotions at the Bangkok International Motor Show, which opens today at the Challenger Hall, Muang Thong Thani.
The event, which runs until April 8, marks the start of the second-quarter buying season, and organisers are expecting a record number of orders to be placed.
Prachin Eamlumnow, organiser of the event, yesterday said as many as 40,000 orders could be placed this year. “As much as Bt30 billion to Bt40 billion will be used for auto purchases, while another Bt10 billion will come from accessories,” he said.
Between 1.5 million and 1.7 million visitors are expected to visit the show.
Kasikorn Leasing managing director Akranant Thtisiriwit said the company would be able to finance 5,000 vehicles at the event, more than half of them from the eco-car project.
The company is offering 30-minute credit checks, interest rates of 2.3-2.6 per cent, a 72-month instalment period and a Bt1,500 monthly instalment for Bt100,000 loans.
“Government promotions like the eco-car and first-car buyer programme will help the market grow further. Auto-makers and finance companies are now ready to serve customers once again, after the floods last year caused parts disruption problems,” he added.
Meanwhile, Krungsri Auto is offering 5-per-cent interest and a 84-month instalment period, without guarantor requirement, at the show. Customers can check their credit rating within 15 minutes by bringing their ID cards.
From the auto-maker side, Mercedes-Benz if offering a 60-month interest-free package for the S-Class range and E300 Avantgarde, while C250 Coupe buyers can benefit from a 36-month interest-free promotion.
Volvo is offering free sports accessories worth Bt240,000 for the S40 Sport, while S80 2.5FT buyers can choose between a Bt260,000 Dynamic Package and a 48-month interest-free offer.
AAS Auto Service, the official Porsche importer, is offering a 36-month interest-free package plus a nine-year warranty. The price of the new Boxster has also been slashed from Bt8.2 million to Bt7.99 million, and it also comes with a four-year service package.
Buyers of the Jaguar XF 3.0 V6 get an introductory price of Bt4.99 million plus free comfort pack worth Bt300,000.
Hyundai is offering a four-year/120,000-kilometre warranty, four-year/80,000km free maintenance and four-year 24-hour emergency service.
Mitsubishi is hoping to accelerate sales of its newly launched Mirage Eco Car by giving away free first-class insurance and a Bt10,000 cash rebate for the first 9,000 customers.
The company is also offering extra-low interest for models such as the Triton Double Cab and Pajero Sport, while Nissan is offering easy payment promotions for the March, Navara and Almera.
Buyers of the new Suzuki Swift are eligible to purchase first-class insurance at 50 per cent of the normal price.
Honda, back from a factory shutdown due to the floods, is offering buyers of the CR-V free insurance, while buyers of the Freed E Limited model enjoy interest-free instalments and insurance.
The Brio, which had a terrible year in 2011 due to parts disruptions caused by the Japanese disaster and the Thai floods, comes with 1.79-per-cent interest, which is among the lowest at the show.
