Julian believes that motor expos aren't just about cars. They're about life
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) reported last month that car sales rose 2.7 percent year-on-year in September to 63,516 units, marking growth for two consecutive months. The bump was fuelled by passenger car sales, which grew 14.5 percent last month to 25,857 units while pickup truck sales rose to 4.6 percent to 26,454 units.
Despite the uptick in sales, the FTI remains cautious about the domestic car market's prospects, in light of the passing of Thailand's late King.
Mr. Kwanchai Paphatphong, Motor Expo Organising Chairman, did however mention he's feeling positive about car bookings prospects for car sales this year, after last year's expo saw bookings fall by 7.4 percent. This year's 12-day expo is projected to secure bookings of 50,000 units of cars and trucks, and 4,000 units of motorbikes. Some 1.5 million visitors are expected, with a whopping estimated of 50 billion baht (approx. $2 billion) to be circulated.
And we can see why this is possible. From big monster trucks and cutesy superminis, to futuristic concept four-wheelers and fearless-looking two-wheelers, this year's 33rd Thailand International Motor Expo has plenty of take-homes.
BMW M4 GTS
This is one of 700 units in the world, which is why it has to be a take-home. Being a beefed up BMW M4, this car is the first production car to feature a water injection system, which helps to reduce intake air temperatures. This also helps to bump up power from the M4's turbocharged inline-six by 16 percent, and torque by 10 percent.
Whatever the gimmicks it has, one thing is for sure - the 493bhp, a weight reduction of about 91kg and a century sprint of 3.8 seconds sends this M4 GTS straight to the supercar segment.
This is one of 700 units in the world, which is why it has to be a take-home. Being a beefed up BMW M4, this car is the first production car to feature a water injection system, which helps to reduce intake air temperatures. This also helps to bump up power from the M4's turbocharged inline-six by 16 percent, and torque by 10 percent.
Whatever the gimmicks it has, one thing is for sure - the 493bhp, a weight reduction of about 91kg and a century sprint of 3.8 seconds sends this M4 GTS straight to the supercar segment.
Leather Customisation by MINI
It's never complete without a leather customisation booth. Thankfully, MINI had the sense to bring this in to its display, which made the Motor Expo that much more diversified. Of course, there's the hipster cafe, stylish apparel, cutesy MINI toys and the lovely cars, but nothing comes quite close to having a pair of leather boots customised to your taste.
This is indeed cool with a capital C. MINI's unassuming flavour belies its spunk and eclectic cars, which have embraced a new spirit distinct with its five-door models, quirky Clubman and its inimical John Cooper Works.
It's never complete without a leather customisation booth. Thankfully, MINI had the sense to bring this in to its display, which made the Motor Expo that much more diversified. Of course, there's the hipster cafe, stylish apparel, cutesy MINI toys and the lovely cars, but nothing comes quite close to having a pair of leather boots customised to your taste.
This is indeed cool with a capital C. MINI's unassuming flavour belies its spunk and eclectic cars, which have embraced a new spirit distinct with its five-door models, quirky Clubman and its inimical John Cooper Works.
Custom Royal Enfield Classic 500 Sidecar
This wartime custom sidecar model comes with a high front windsheild, stainless steel front bumper, front disc brakes with linked braking system, storage box with rear grille and even seatbelts for safety!
Armed with a potent fuel injected 500cc engine and clothed in disarmingly appealing post war styling, this is undoubtedly the most coveted Royal Enfield in history. This view is simply better than an attractive car model in a tight top and a short skirt - whether moving or still. Nothing more to be said.
This wartime custom sidecar model comes with a high front windsheild, stainless steel front bumper, front disc brakes with linked braking system, storage box with rear grille and even seatbelts for safety!
Armed with a potent fuel injected 500cc engine and clothed in disarmingly appealing post war styling, this is undoubtedly the most coveted Royal Enfield in history. This view is simply better than an attractive car model in a tight top and a short skirt - whether moving or still. Nothing more to be said.
As much as our reviews often praise fuel efficiency, practicality and price, sometimes when owning a car, bike or any other machine for that fact, the emotions experienced from the driver's or rider's seat, trumps every logical reason you can imagine.
While our previous feature focused on how some Thailand-sold cars are great compact city runabouts or big practical family movers, here are my picks from the 33rd Thailand International Motor Expo 2016, which have tickled my fancy, and I would buy with my heart, in a heartbeat - if my bank balance permits.
Singha Motorsport Team Thailand's Seat Leon Cup Racer
In the hands of a adept driver such as Carlo Van Dam, the Seat Leon Cup Racer is a savage weapon for conquering the TCR Thailand Touring Car Championship.
Significant upgrades to the Leon Cup Racer have been made to ensure it's perfected to chase championships. The car now benefits from improved drag and downforce thanks to a new aerodynamic package. Its cooling and redesigned exhaust systems, too, deliver stronger performance than ever before. It's fast and loud. What's not to like?
In the hands of a adept driver such as Carlo Van Dam, the Seat Leon Cup Racer is a savage weapon for conquering the TCR Thailand Touring Car Championship.
Significant upgrades to the Leon Cup Racer have been made to ensure it's perfected to chase championships. The car now benefits from improved drag and downforce thanks to a new aerodynamic package. Its cooling and redesigned exhaust systems, too, deliver stronger performance than ever before. It's fast and loud. What's not to like?
Triumph Bonneville Bobber
The Trimph Bonneville Bobber is a genuine factory custom and what a beauty it is! The British motorcycle manufacturer created this bike to perfectly encapsulates the minimalistic styling principles, muscular stance and purposeful engineering attitude of a genuine Bobber.
Its clean lines and low stance, single seat, wide flat bars, minimal bodywork, sculpted tank, wire-spoked wheels, and wide rear give this bad boy a sexy hardtail guise. There are bikes, which are cheaper to run and more comfortable to ride but they won't be as sexy as this.
The Trimph Bonneville Bobber is a genuine factory custom and what a beauty it is! The British motorcycle manufacturer created this bike to perfectly encapsulates the minimalistic styling principles, muscular stance and purposeful engineering attitude of a genuine Bobber.
Its clean lines and low stance, single seat, wide flat bars, minimal bodywork, sculpted tank, wire-spoked wheels, and wide rear give this bad boy a sexy hardtail guise. There are bikes, which are cheaper to run and more comfortable to ride but they won't be as sexy as this.
MINI kid's car
Everyone should be able to enjoy driving and kids are no exception. The MINI Cooper is one of the most fun driver's cars in the world today and any MINI provides tons of smiles for miles - even more so when the top's down.
Let your young one enjoy drives down East Coast Park in his or her own mini MINI Cooper S Convertible! This one-seater MINI is remarkably detailed, right down to MINI's signature racing stripes and emblems. As they say, start em' young! Beats Daytona racing games, that's for sure.
Everyone should be able to enjoy driving and kids are no exception. The MINI Cooper is one of the most fun driver's cars in the world today and any MINI provides tons of smiles for miles - even more so when the top's down.
Let your young one enjoy drives down East Coast Park in his or her own mini MINI Cooper S Convertible! This one-seater MINI is remarkably detailed, right down to MINI's signature racing stripes and emblems. As they say, start em' young! Beats Daytona racing games, that's for sure.
