A total of 35 automobile and motorcycle brands are taking part in this year’s Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS) from March 23 to April 3 at IMPACT Challenger Muangthong Thani.
Electric vehicles are making a strong presence at the show this year, with 20 models being displayed, along with a large number of all-new and minor change models.
On March 24, Honda also held the global unveiling of its new Civic Hybrid at the BIMS, with the new model to be officially sold during the mid-year period.
Thanks to the new excise tax structure announced by the Thai government to help promote EVs, retail prices of EVs in the Thai market have dropped significantly. For example the MG EP Plus, previously priced at Bt998,000, gets a Bt227,000 discount and now retails at only Bt771,000.
Dr Prachin Eamlumnow, chairman of the organizing committee, said the Thai automobile industry is recovering this year, after the market was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic during the past two years.
“This year government agencies forecast that automobile and motorcycle production in Thailand will grow compared to last year,” he said. “Many countries around the world have been able to control the spread of Covid-19 and this has allowed people to return to normal life while the economy is able to move forward again.”
“At the same time, Thailand’s automotive industry is preparing for a major technological transition from internal combustion engine technology to electric technology. And there is crucial support from the government in terms of production for domestic use and for export. The Bangkok International Motor Show plays an important role in driving the Thai automotive industry, by presenting a large variety of electric cars and motorcycles, including a special zone to showcasing future technologies,” he added.
The EV Smart City Zone showcases innovative electric vehicles and state-of-the-art electronic equipment, answering to the increasing consumer interest in electric vehicle technology. Eight models of BEVs (battery powered electric vehicles) and PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) will be exhibited by BMW, Great Wall Motor, MG, MINI, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche and Volvo.
In addition, Arun+, belonging to the PTT Group, is taking part in the BIMS for the first time by presenting a new generation of electric vehicle platforms, electric vehicle-related equipment and presenting future business trends related to electric vehicles on an exhibition area of more than 1,085 square meters.
Jaturont Komolmis, vice chairman of the organizing committee, said the Arun+ booth also features metaverse virtual reality technology in collaboration with Finn Solutions.
“Would-be car buyers can choose a car and test drive it in interactive format via personal mobile phone, which creates a new experience for our visitors,” he said.
ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Audi e-tron, Audi e-tron Sportback, Audi e-Tron GT quattro, Audi RS e-Tron GT, BMW iX, BMW iX3, BMW i4, Lexus UX 300e, Mercedes-Benz EQS, New MG ZS EV, MG EP Plus, MINI Cooper SE, MINI Electric Collection Edition, Nissan Leaf, ORA Good Cat, ORA Good Cat GT, ORA Black Cat, Porsche Taycan, Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo, All-New Toyota bZ4X (Concept Car), Volvo XC40 Pure Electric, Volvo C40 Pure Electric and Takano.
NEW AND MINOR CHANGE MODELS
Audi RS7 Sportback, Audi Q7 60 TFSI e Quattro, Audi Q8 60 TFSI e Quattro, Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid, Bentley Bentayga Hybrid, BMW X4 M Competition, BMW X4 xDrive20d M Sport, BMW X5 xDrive30d M Sport, BMW M440i xDrive Coupe, Ford Ranger Raptor, Ford Ranger, Ford Everest, Hyundai Creta, Isuzu V-Cross 4X4 Master of All Roads, Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, New Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG 4MATIC Coupe Special Edition, MINI Cooper S Hatch 3-Door Brick Lane Edition, Mitsubishi Xpander, Mitsubishi Mirage Ralliart, Mitsubishi Triton Ralliart, MG HS, MG HS PHEV, Nissan Almera Sportech, Porsche Taycan GTS, Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge, Toyota C-HR GR Sport, Toyota Veloz, Tank 300 HEV, Subaru BRZ Eyesight and 2022 Suzuki XL-7.
NEW AND MINOR CHANGE MOTORCYCLES
BMW R 1250 RT, BMW C 400 GT, BMW R 18 B, Honda Click160, Honda Rebel 1100 DCT, Honda ADV350, Yamaha XMAX 300, Ducati Panigale V4/V4S (2022), Ducati Panigale V4 SP2, Ducati Streetfighter V2, Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP, Ducati Multistrada V2S, Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, Kawasaki Z650RS, Kawasaki KLR650, Harley-Davidson Street Glide ST and Harley-Davidson Road Glide ST.
