32nd BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

Bangkok International Motor Show is the only OICA (Organisation International des Constructeur’s d’Automobiles) approved motor show in South East Asia. This year’s show was the biggest ever event, the presence of 79 car and 119 accessories companies boasted 1.9 million visitors during the twelve days.

After 13 years the Bangkok International Motor Show in 2011 has been relocated to the Challenger Hall, Impact, which with its 60,000sq meters is currently the world’s largest column free hall. This year’s show was the biggest ever due to the larger space and the exceptional growth in the Thai automobile and motorcycle industry, which peaked at over 1.6 million vehicles in 2010, from which 900.000 units were exported. For this year the overall industry’s production target is 1.8 million units – 800.000 for domestic sales and one million for export.

Thailand’s automotive industry is a strong and reliable pillar industry of the country, known also as the „Detroit of Asia“. In 1962 there was only one automobile assembly plant, and now Thailand is a world-class production hub currently ranking 13th globally. Almost all major automotive companies (Ford, GM, Mercedes, BMW, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Mazda, Nissan, Isuzu and Tata) have established assembly factories in Thailand.

Besides remarkable passenger car production, Thailand boasts a world’s number 1 status in the 1-ton pickup trucks segment. So it's not suprising at all that visitors followed the launch of small trucks with special interest. One of the world premieres held here was the unveiling of the Chevrolet Colorado Show Truck. Its  basic proportions and form previews the next-generation Colorado pickup truck, which will go on sale in Thailand later this year.

“Thailand is the world’s largest market for midsize pickups, so this is the perfect location to unveil our new Colorado,” said Mr. Martin Apfel, president, GM Thailand/Southeast Asia and Chevrolet Sales. While the new Colorado was developed within GM’s global product development organization, engineers took careful steps to ensure it would meet local market needs in Southeast Asia.

The show truck features an extended-cab body atop a high-ride all-wheel-drive chassis and comes with large, 20-inch wheels and off-road tires. Power is derived from an efficient 2.8L turbo-diesel engine, which produces a broad torque band for excellent cargo and towing capability, in addition to enhancing drivability and fuel efficiency.

The interior is designed to deliver a premium and inviting environment, with a greater feeling of spaciousness than is typically found in midsize trucks. Contrasting trim used with the light-colored leather seating, dark wood trim accented with chrome and low-gloss and soft-touch materials are used throughout for a premium feel. A number of storage compartments are located throughout the interior, including a covered center bin for concealment of valuable items, and a large, dual glovebox.

Additional features include a dual-zone, digital climate control system and the latest in “infotainment” technology. The show truck highlights an ergonomically positioned 7-inch LCD display in the center stack, for easy viewing and intuitive control of Web access, navigation, music and hands-free phone features.

Beside the latest pick-up show truck the Americans showcased some vehicles from past 80 years when the single-cab replaced the horse and carriage and became the workhorse of the rural community and farmers.

The second most significant pick-up showcase meant the ASEAN debut of the all-new Ford Ranger after its worldwide debut in Sydney last October. The new Ford Ranger will be produced from a highly robust single global platform that replaces the two platforms currently in production regionally. Designed and developed in Australia for more than 180 markets worldwide, it is the first truck to be built under the One Ford strategy as part of a global product programme. It will be manufactured beside South Africa and Argentina in Ford-Mazda joint venture AutoAlliance Thailand plant in Rayong as well.

Ford’s newest global compact pickup will be offered in three cab bodystyles – Regular, Super and Double – along with an extensive list of practical features that are available in up to five series choices depending on the market. 
Three new engines are available to suit every purpose and pocket: a new 2.2-litre Ford Duratorq TDCi four-cylinder diesel engine with peak torque output of 375Nm and power output of 110kW (150PS); a highly responsive and efficient new 3.2-litre Ford Duratorq TDCi five-cylinder diesel engine with a substantial 470Nm of torque and power rated at 147kW (200PS); and a 2.5-litre Ford Duratec four-cylinder petrol engine with 226Nm of torque and outstanding power at 122kW (166PS), which can be upfitted to run on LPG. During the show the Ranger Capability Simulator allowed visitors to experience the new Ranger’s handling features, including 4x4 traction control, Adaptive Load Control, Hill launch Assist and Trailer Sway Control. The Ranger Towing Game enabled visitors to test how much they could pull compared to the new Ranger. Visitors were also invited to test their personal „torque performance“, to see how they measure up against the new Ranger at the Torque and Power Touch Table.

Isuzu in Thailand supplies one-third of the Japanese maker’s global output, producing four pickup truck models and derivatives PPV (Pickup-Passenger Vehicles). The Thai facility, one of Isuzu’s four pickup truck plants worldwide, now runs at nearly full capacity, with output of 200.000 vehicles forecast this year.

The Isuzu booth designed in black and red color paraded full lineup featuring new-era lifestyle pickups like Isuzu Super Titanium and Isuzu MU-7 Super Titanium in addition to the Isuzu D-Max X-Series, and the Special Edition Isuzu MU-7 „Choiz” for the first time at this Motor Show. This special edition is the in-trend model of choice with its unique exterior and interior design which reflects its personalized style, sporty look, performance and fuel efficiency.

For offroaders Isuzu D-Max with 3000 Ddi VGS Turbo engine completes what's missing from an exciting lively lifestyle with an off-road accessory kit. Robust and tough with special front and rear bumper accessories, side mould protectors by ARB, electric-operated winch by Warn, IPF spotlights and Super Swamper tires.

Another interesting vehicles also based on Isuzu pickup platforms have been seen at the booth of  Thairung. The MUV4 Military Utility Vehicle was specially designed to meet the requirements of Thai Military Forces, the prototype was launched 2 years ago right here, at Impact Muang Thong Thani at Defense & Security Exhibition. The company, founded in 1967 by Mr. Vichien Phaoenchoke „king of modified pickup trucks in Thailand“, had become the leading manufacturer of Isuzu-based multi-purpose vehicles and has produced more than twenty different models. For example the TR Exclusive Limousine, which is an Isuzu also with extended wheelbase and 6-door luxurious cabin. If the response is good, the MUV4 can also be transformed into a commercial or passenger car as well.

Among the new SUV models Audi highlighted the Q5, BMW featured X1, Hyundai presented the Tucson and Ssangyong the new Korando.

Visitors of the Bangkok Motor Show were invited to attend numerous side events, and accompanying activities ranging from off-road competitions, tuning car contests to car audio shows and a wide variety of cars on show from local clubs.