At the 43rd Bangkok International Motor Show, which is held from March 23 to April 3, there are 33,936 car reservations — a 13.6 percent increase from last year, at the event. This is partially due to the government measures to promote electric vehicles by providing a discount of up to 150,000 baht, together with the new car and motorcycle models introduced during the event, which comes with a campaign to stimulate sales from the car companies. While consumers are confident in the safety standards of the event, resulting in a high number of visitors at 1,578,898 people.

Mr. Jaturont Komolmis, the Chief Operating Officer of Grand Prix International Public Company Limited, as the Vice Chairman of the 43rd Bangkok International Motor Show organizer, revealed that “In regard to the automobile companies have started to focus more on electric vehicles, up to 20 electric vehicle models are exhibited within this year event. In addition, the government has started a policy to support the electric vehicle industry with a promotion through a discount of more than 150,000 baht, resulting in more than 10 percent of car reservations at the event being electric car reservations.”

“For this issuance of government support policies, it obviously has a positive effect on Thai automotive industry in two aspects. The first aspect is to help stimulate consumers’ interest and desire to own due to lower selling prices, easy access to new products and technologies like electric cars, and more confidence to try this type of car. In the aspect of the manufacturers and car dealers, there are distinctly government support measures. As a result, the automakers have more confidence and courage in the investment in the electric vehicle market in Thailand.”

For this reason, the submission of the proposal to join the government’s project from the car company, the price reduction of electric vehicles, and the preparation for the production of electric cars in the country, have clearly shown through all parties that this is the development of the Thai automotive industry to be the center of the electric vehicle in ASEAN as well.

The electric cars that receive a lot of attention from the public are from MG and Great Wall Motor. Both companies have signed with the government to promote campaigns and offer discounts of up to 150,000 baht. MG comes with 2 EV models — MG EP and MG ZS EV. As for the Ora Good Cat from Great Wall Motors, the model comes with the promotion to reduce the retail price by around 160,500-161,000 Baht. Both companies have a total reservation of more than 2,000 cars within the event.

There are also electric vehicles from Japanese and European brands, such as Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Volvo. All receive a lot of attention from the visitors as well. This year, the number of electric car reservations at the event has grown exponentially.

In the past, we have faced the impact of COVID-19 causing the reservation amount to decrease from the normal range, however, with the higher number of reservations this year, it is believed that the purchasing power of Thai people who want a new car has not disappeared but wait for the right time. When there are interesting campaigns and promotions for vehicles making it easier to own a new car, the consumers can then choose a vehicle that suits their needs.

The factor that clearly reinforces the consumers’ behavior of responding to the new models being launched and taking reservations at the event for the first time is the number of reservations from Great Wall Motor. Great Wall Motor joins the Bangkok International Motor Show for the second time this year, but it is their first time accepting the vehicle reservation at the event. However, Great Wall Motor was able to generate reservations within the event from all 3 electric car models at up to 1,520 vehicles. 

The number of new car reservations at the event is 31,896 units, an increase of about 14.4 percent from the previous year. The companies that made the highest bookings at the event were:

The number of motorcycle reservations at the event is 2,040 units, an increase of about 2 percent from the previous year. The companies that made the highest bookings at the event were:

“The 44th Bangkok International Motor Show” will be held from March 22 to April 2, 2023, which March 20 is a VIP Day. The Press Day is scheduled to be held on March 21, 2023, at IMPACT Challenger 1-3, Muang Thong Thani.

Remark: Thai Honda Manufacturing Co., Ltd., the manufacturer and distributor of Honda motorcycles wishes to not inform the reservation amount at the event.