Fast Auto Show expects to see sales of 6,000 vehicles

Organising committee vice chairman Chalatchai Paphatphong says that as auto deliveries generated by the government’s First Car Buyer Programme are being completed, the automobile market is ready to regain new sales.

“This is the time when the true demand for automobiles in Thailand will start to show up, and this is the right time to stage Fast Auto Show Thailand 2013,” he said.

“We are confident that auto sales will start to improve during the mid-year period, and to publicise the event, we have raised our advertising budget by 30 per cent compared to last year,” he added.

Organisers say that consumers in Eastern Bangkok and Samut Prakarn have high purchasing power, and as many as 400,000 visitors are expected to show up.

Among the brands participating will be Chevrolet, Citroen, Deva, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Sammitr Green Power, Skoda, Subaru, Toyota, Suzuki and DFSK. 

Asadavuth Asasappakij, vice chairman of the organising committee responsible for used cars, said the market has shown signs of improvement.

“Last year the First Car scheme attracted a large number of potential buyers to the new car market, but this year, the trend is shifting back to the used car market, especially in the popular 1,500cc segment priced from Bt300,000-Bt400,000. As for vehicles above 1,500cc and European makes, the market is moving at its own pace since they are not affected by the First Car scheme,” he said.

A large number of used car dealers from Bangkok and upcountry will be present at the show, and every vehicle will go through selection and quality inspection by famous auto critic Pattanadesh Asasappakij.

“Our aim is for sellers and buyers to quickly come to an agreement happily. Apart from sales of new and used cars, we also provide promotion areas, a test-drive course located close to the venue and quality inspection by used-car experts. We are confident the event will help stimulate the automobile market during the mid-year period and benefit the industry,” Asadavuth said