AFTERMATH BANGKOK MOTOR SHOW
Show Gossip
Lots of things have been said of the cars - and what solutions makers are preparing to launch. We talk to the people behind the scenes
- Published: 2/04/2010 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: Motoring
Most of today's pickups are reaching the end of their product lifecycles which explains why no significant new ones are on view at the show, most being merely special edition models.
Isuzu’s ‘pumped up’ D-Max is obviously the most showy pickup.
Now that it is known General Motors has received financial credit to re-invest in three new facilities including pickup and SUV lines as well as engine production, top executives were not shy to talk about its plans.
GM said such investment will turn Thailand into a true production hub for the next-generation Chevrolet Colorado including an all-new SUV derivative to match the likes of the Toyota Fortuner and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.
Apart from meeting traditional demand in the country, the next Colorado will be exported to Asean and beyond. Today, the Colorado's potential to go abroad is hampered by an agreement with Isuzu, GM's partner in pickup development.
But now that GM is developing the future pickup on its own, it is free to sell the Colorado wherever it wants. A top executive said GM is open to any brand interested in buying its new 2.5 and 2.8-litre diesel engines.
This would be a sigh of relief for Isuzu because the Japanese has yet to announce whether it will develop the next D-Max on its own.
By the time Chevrolet rolls out the new Colorado, Ford and Mazda will also be gearing up for launch of the next Ranger and BT-50.
The existing 2.5- and 3.0-litre engines of Ford and Mazda are still good enough, so they should be carried over into the new bodies albeit with tweaks to cope with Euro 4 emissions standards.
The Ranger and BT-50 will get a new platform - sorely needed to yield a proper package to match rivals. But one insider groaned: "They (the parent firms) said we'll have to use this body for 12 years." Nowadays, a lifecycle usually lasts no more than 6-7 years.
March’s specification spread ‘isn’t ideal’.
- Thailand's first Ecocar in the guise of the Nissan March has become the talk of the town.
With prices starting from as low as B375,000, the March has been described as the first in a new string of people's car to grace Thai roads.
Rivals from Japanese automotive powerhouses were quick to overcome their envy of Nissan. "It's a decent car, but costing (pricing and specification) is not right," noted an executive of a major car maker.
The reason behind this is that the March starts from B375,000 in manual form. For those wanting an automatic, a hefty B75,000 more is needed - more than enough to get insurance policy and window films upon initial purchase, as well as loads of fuel in the tank.
Sources at Toyota said that pricing for manual gearbox models were only used to lure buyers into showrooms, adding that sales of a manual Vios (J spec) only numbered in tens per month.
"When it comes to cars, Thais want an automatic. Full stop. Even pickup buyers now want automatics," said one source overseeing sales and dealer network.
Another executive from a brand which has no plans for Ecocar yet noted that the March should have had anti-lock brakes as standard across the range and not driver-side airbag. In order to get the ABS active safety feature in the March, one needs to go high up to at least the B500,000 model.
Despite those reservations, most rival makers agreed the March conveyed good perceptive quality at its stated prices. The Chery A1 for one has been associated with a level of cheapness typical of Chinese-made cars.
The A1 with a 1.3-litre engine will be a potential alternative to the March when its goes on sale in Thailand next month. It is currently on display at the motor show.
Honda’s concept car will be largely toned down for Ecocar.
- Not to be outdone by Nissan, Honda is previewing its Ecocar intention with the New Small Concept that made its world debut in India in January.
The show car is a five-door hatchback praised for its stylish looks, although one insider cautioned that "concept cars always look good on stage". The production-ready version due at the year's end would have a more subtle appearance as it would be equipped with more road-friendly wheels.
An executive from an archrival brand believes that Honda will roll out a saloon first because it's the traditional choice of most Thais, particularly upcountry. The March is said to additionally come with this body style next year.
Other Ecocar candidates include Suzuki due in 2012. High-level sources told Motoring that it won't the Alto - also reskinned as Nissan Pixo - as the one in India, although the actual model hasn't been disclosed.
Potential ones include the next-generation Swift or the Splash, a sub-B hatch developed with Chevrolet's new global baby called Spark.
By the time the Suzuki Ecocar hits the Thai market, Toyota is expected to have one of its own in place.
Car makers without Ecocar are trying to look at some options such as lobbying the government to lower excise tax on cars running on E85 gasohol. Today's price gap between the March and other B-cars is roughly B100,000.
Chevrolet is planning to make a CNG (compressed natural gas) retro-fit to the Aveo B-segment saloon, hoping to make it the cheapest car to run and own. Currently, the Optra C-segment saloon and estate have CNG system.
BMW takes interest in E20 more for reduced prices.
- As reported in Motoring last week, BMW is using special tax discounts, given on cars that can run on E20 gasohol, to lower retail prices and make them competitive against comparable models from Mercedes-Benz.
A Mercedes executive said the brand is also looking at the E20 strategy, but not all models can run on it "properly" which is why the E200 CGI is the only one with the brand's new turbo petrol engine to be able to sip E20.
"When we tested E20 with the E250 CGI, a warning light always flashed. Apparently, the ECU can't take it," said the executive.
The E200 and E250 CGI share the same basic engine albeit different management systems for their respective 184hp and 204hp power outputs.
The diesel-powered E250 CDI was originally slated to come to the motor show, but is claimed to still be under homologation. Whatever the reason, Mercedes won't be rushing with it because BMW's new 5-series only comes towards the end of this year.
"Thailand still has the problem of inconsistent fuel quality, especially when it comes to alternative fuels," said the source before concluding, "It's a pity why Shell will phase out V-Power and replace it with an E10 variation."
Ralliart for Evo wannabes.
- Mitsubishi's strategy to maintain sales zest for the Lancer EX C-segment saloon comes in the guise of Ralliart edition featuring aero kits, bespoke wheels and a raft of sporty interior appointments.
The 2.0-litre Lancer will help boost its image among the young who want to look like being driven in an Evo. The car also gives customers the chance to get familiar with the accessories being offered on the shelves of showrooms.
"There will be more to come," quipped one high-level executive. That could include more garish looks to bring the Lancer as close as possible to the real Evolution X, a 280hp all-wheel-drive Mitsu that would some B5.2m on Thai shores due to high import and excise duties.
The Thai market's other "sporty" C-segment saloon is the Mazda 3. Even though it was replaced by a second-generation model in other markets nearly two years ago, the aging 3 sold in Thailand is making the people at Mazda Sales (Thailand) happy - it still sells in hundreds each month.
Before it will be replaced - most likely next year - Mazda will be giving it its last update including special looks. The last time it did so came in the guise of aero kits for the five-door hatch aping the 260hp MPS/Mazdaspeed version sold elsewhere.
The Thai office wanted the bonnet with air scoops (to cool the turbos like in Mitsu's Evo) because it helps enhance the 3's machismo. Even though Mazda should be happy that a subsidiary is interested in recycling defunct parts, Mazda Thailand couldn't get as it must deal with Mazdaspeed - another business entity.
It's this body component that Mitsubishi is slated to offer in its next Lancer dress-up.
Relate Search: AFTERMATH BANGKOK MOTOR SHOW, Isuzu D-Max, March Chery A1, Honda Ecocar, BMW E20, Ralliart Evo
About the author
- Writer: Richard Leu
- Position: Motoring Editor
Thai elephant is selected as national animal because it has maintained close link with Thai history and custom, it has a long life, and it is closely related to the livelihood of Thai people as one of transportation means both in times of peace and battles. Especially, ‘white elephant' is deeply connected to King of Thailand, and white elephant was portrayed in the former national flag. 
