Story and Images : Dr. Iain Corness
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The 29th Bangkok International Motor Show was not one for people wanting to touch a really exotic car. There were no factory exhibits from Porsche, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Maserati, Maybach, Bentley or Rolls-Royce. However, the mainstays of up-market motoring were well represented by Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Lexus and Citroen, although for most of these manufacturers, it was the mid-range that attracted most attention. 

The Lower End
There was also a stand from the unheard of Mitsuoka (unless you have lived in Japan), but more of that later. There was no getting away from the fact that the average show-goer was more interested in the lower end of the market.  The Indian invasion, spearheaded by Tata, the maker of the world’s cheapest car, the Nano (THB 87,000), presented their 1-tonne pick-up, the Xenon. 

At under THB 600,000, this represented affordable motoring for those with dry rice-fields, wishing to transport a sick buffalo and an extended family of seventeen (including grandmother and several babies).  The base model Xenon was even going out the door at THB 519,000 during the show (and you could probably throw in a suit and free shirt and tie in 24 hours at that money).

So the Indians have arrived but then so have the Chinese, although rather well disguised as Malaysians at this show. The Naza Forza, styled by Pininfarina, made its debut and at THB 349,000 for a five door was making great waves. Coming from the Malaysian Naza group, it is sold in Malaysia as the Naza Sutera, but in reality this is merely assembled in Malaysia and is the Hafei Lobo from China. In some strange deal, Naza have the rights to manufacture for RHD countries, leaving America and Europe to the Chinese. The Thailand distributors were even offering finance over 72 months at THB 4,453 per month.  That’s about the equivalent of your kid’s bus money.

Mercedes-Benz
At the other end, let’s start with Mercedes-Benz, a manufacturer who have managed to maintain their image of ‘quality’, despite some disastrous times a few years back. A Benz probably says you have solidly ‘arrived’, whilst the exotics generally are construed as being owned by the ‘nouveau riche’.  Yet you can get yourself into a Mercedes-Benz rather cheaply with the new C200 Kompressor at THB 2.999 million or finance at THB 31,600 per month.  With excellent air-conditioning and lovely leather seats you will remain cool and look good, at a bargain price, while sitting in the commuter traffic jam.

Of course there were more expensive examples of the Tri-Star, with the lovely little sporty SLK 200 Kompressor allowing you to get the wind gently through the undetectable hair-piece for THB 4.5 million. With deeper pockets you can sit yourself in the 300 SL V6 for THB 7.599 million, or the SL 350 at THB 11.9 million. You could go  the whole hog in the CL 500 V8 for THB 15.5 million, but that figure does not include the mandatory chauffeur’s wages.

BMW
Just across the walkway at BITEC was BMW, still (currently) persisting with the infamous Bangle bottom, the unloved rear end styling from Chris Bangle, though the spies say that the next generation will have toned the bustle right down. BMW have money on every horse in the race this year with the 320d (diesel) getting excellent reviews world-wide from the green movement and at THB 2.85 million a relatively cheap introduction to the fuel miser world of diesel injection.

Variety is the spice of life over there in Munich and there are nine variants in the 3 Series running from THB 2.3 million up to 7.5 million for the 335 coupe and the green movement be damned.  But there’s more!  The M3 coupe at THB 9.9 million with 420 horsepower has enough for anyone. This is performance, but you’ll pay for it at the pumps.

With the 5 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series, X Series, M Series and Z Series, BMW provides you with a veritable alphabet and you’ll need to dig deep for the 760Li at THB 18.2 million.  Very deep!

Best of The Rest
Lexus was relying on you getting excited at hybrid technology, now extending to their SUV range and the LS luxury limousine but, frankly, I think Lexus is somehow missing the boat and, with some prices over THB 10 million, now becoming too expensive.

Citroen had the C6 sedan.  A wonderfully Gallic exercise with lines reminiscent of the old CX series and at THB 5.6 million probably a bargain provided you have a servicing agent next door.

Finally, I did promise you the Mitsuoko, Japanese copies of Bentley sedans, without the class or the heritage. Based on Nissan sedans, these ghastly creations ranged in price between THB 3.85 to 5.85 million, but they also had a two door open sports called the Orochi (I believe this is Japanese for “I am about to vomit”) for a staggering THB 11.7 million. You will do better with a 33 Naza Forzas for that money.  Believe me.