Nonthaburi, Thailand - 22 March 2016
1. Aston Martin DB11 on display
2. Mercedes Benz vehicle on display
3. Wide of Mercedes Benz presentation
4. Tilt down to BMW i8
5. Pan of rear lights of BMW i8
6. Tilt down from sign, reading (English) "The next 100 years" to BMW i8
7. Matthias Pfalz, BMW Group Thailand, riding in a BMW Isetta three wheel vehicle
8. Wide of crowd and media
9. Wide of cars on display at Bangkok International Motor Show
10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Matthias Pfalz, President - BMW Group Thailand:
"This year, the first time that we bring the hybrid, plug-in technology to the 3 series with the 330E, which comes with a four cylinder and an electric motor. And the combined system power comes up to 252 horsepower and with an outstanding fuel consumption of 41 grams per kilometre."
11. Wide of Mercedes Benz plug-in hybrid vehicles on display
12. Close of Mercedes Benz C350e grille
13. Wide of photographers
14. SOUNDBITE: (English) Michael Grewe, President and CEO - Mercedes Benz Thailand:
++AUDIO AS INCOMING++
"Plug-in hybrids are the key technology on the road to emission-free future of automobiles. And the various driving presets; in the city, the cars can drive all in electric mode, while the long journeys outside of the cities, they benefit from the combustion engine's driving range."
15. Wide of cars on display
16. Lamborghini on display
17. Mid of models
18. Wide of models next to vehicles
19. Wide of Chevrolet display
20. Close of Chevrolet Premier
21. Tilt down of Colorado Extreme truck
22. SOUNDBITE: (English) Michael Simcoe, Vice President Global Design - GM International:
"Trucks and SUVs (sports utility vehicles) are very, very strong in this market. So what we wanted to do was show an ability to, through customisation or accesorisation, an ability for customers to personalise. But also personalise in two different ways. The Colorado Extreme is all about rugged, capable off-road performance, and a very visual demonstration of that. Whereas the Premier, is just as the name says, it's about a premium execution, beautiful detailing, and a very sophisticated execution. There's a luxury; very capable, but luxurious for families who may want to go off the beaten track, but they want to do with style and sophistication."
23. Pan of Mazda CS-5 compact SUV
24. Wide of BMW X1 compact SUV
25. Interior of BMW X1
26. Various of Ford Ecosport Black
27. SOUNDBITE: (English) Yukontorn Wisadkosin, Managing Director - Ford Sales & Service Thailand:
"It's the best of both worlds. When people are looking for a small compact vehicle that they can drive within the city, but then at the same time, they also want the utilities, right? They want to make sure that they can drive it outside, to the up-country, when they want to over the weekend. And then they want to have a cargo space where they can put a lot of things in the vehicle itself. And I think that's why the mini-SUV is becoming more popular here in Thailand."
28 . Wide of Bangkok Motor Show video screen
29. Close of Bangkok International Motor Show sign
30 . Wide of vehicles on display
31. Toyota sedans on display
32. Pan of convertible BMW sports car
33. Various of Mazda vehicle presentation with musicians
LEAD IN:
Electric vehicles and hybrids are increasingly finding their way on to motor show floors.
They're sitting alongside luxury vehicles at the 37th Bangkok International Motor Show which opens to the public on Wednesday.
STORY-LINE:
Dozens of vehicles from 30 automobile companies are on display at the Impact Challenger Exhibition Hall in Nonthaburi near Bangkok.
Organisers say that more than 25 new models are on show.
Aside from the luxury cars that are always prominent at motor shows, visitors have the opportunity to see innovative transport like electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrid vehicles that can be charged through household power outlets, as well as concept and show cars.
BMW is showing its i8 hybrid sports car with gull wing doors.
Matthias Pfalz of BMW Thailand says new models are being brought to the Thai market to mark BMW's 100th anniversary year.
The 330e plug-in hybrid, the X1, and M2 Coup are all coming to Thailand.
"This year, the first time that we bring the hybrid, plug-in technology to the 3 series with the 330E, which comes with a four cylinder and an electric motor. And the combined system power comes up to 252 horsepower and with an outstanding fuel consumption of 41 grams per kilometre," says Pfalz.
Michael Grewe, President and CEO of Mercedes Benz Thailand are presenting the local production models of the S500e and the C350e, which he describes as the new alternatives in the plug-in hybrid segment.
"Plug-in hybrids are the key technology on the road to emission-free future of automobiles. And the various driving presets; in the city, the cars can drive all in electric mode, while the long journeys outside of the cities, they benefit from the combustion engine's driving range," he told a crowd of journalists and industry experts.
Chevrolet is launching two concept cars at the motor show: the Chevrolet Premiere sports utility vehicle (SUV), and the Colorado Extreme Truck.
The SUV vehicle category is very popular in the market, according to Michael Simcoe, Vice President for Global Design of GM International.
"Trucks and SUVs (sports utility vehicles) are very, very strong in this market. So what we wanted to do was show an ability to, through customisation or accesorisation, an ability for customers to personalise. But also personalise in two different ways. The Colorado Extreme is all about rugged, capable off-road performance, and a very visual demonstration of that. Whereas the Premier, is just as the name says, it's about a premium execution, beautiful detailing, and a very sophisticated execution. There's a luxury; very capable, but luxurious for families who may want to go off the beaten track, but they want to do with style and sophistication."
The market for compact SUVs is growing in Thailand, according to Yukontorn Wisadkosin, managing director of Ford Sales & Service Thailand.
She says compact SUVs account for about six percent of Thai auto sales, compared to just two percent two years ago.
"It's the best of both worlds. When people are looking for a small compact vehicle that they can drive within the city, but then at the same time, they also want the utilities, right? They want to make sure that they can drive it outside, to the up-country, when they want to over the weekend. And then they want to have a cargo space where they can put a lot of things in the vehicle itself. And I think that's why the mini-SUV is becoming more popular here in Thailand."
With so many cars to choose from, manufacturers like Mazda are hoping this years' offerings hit the right note for drivers.
The 37th Bangkok International Motor Show will be open to the public from 23 March - 3 April.
