Honda is showing its latest fuel-cell car, the FCX, which was unveiled at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show.

Last year, as many as 15,000 vehicles were ordered at the show, the region's largest automotive exhibition, up from 13,000 the year before.

But organisers say high oil prices and the uncertain political situation could prevent customers from shopping for new vehicles despite the large number of new products being introduced at this year's shindig. The show opens to the public tomorrow at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Bitec) and runs to April 2.

"We hope the problem won't cause the Thai car industry to slow its development or vehicle exports to fall," said show organiser Prachin Eamlumnow.

More than 300 companies are taking part in this year's event, including 27 car and five motorcycle brands.

Carmakers present this year are Audi, Bentley, BMW, Chevrolet, Citroen, Ford, Grand Carryboy, Honda, Isuzu, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Ssangyong, Subaru, Suzuki, Thairung, Toyota, Volvo, Volkswagen and Wuling.

Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Tiger are the motorcycle companies being represented. Unlike carmakers, the motorcycle companies do not sell their products at the show.

Sales of luxury cars are expected to drop because of the political situation, but companies like Mercedes-Benz are not worried.

"The demonstrations are considered democratic, and this further stresses the level of democracy in Thailand," said Karl-Heinz Heckhausen, president and chief executive of DaimlerChrysler (Thailand) Ltd.

Heckhausen, who is also the chairman of the Thai-German Chamber of Commerce, pointed out there had been no violence to date.

"Some countries are issuing travel warnings for tourists coming to Thailand, due to the situation, but I ask whether travel warnings were issued for France during the riots," he quipped. "I would accept a warning for Thailand only if they had also been given for France."

Last year, Mercedes-Benz sold more than 500 vehicles at the motor show and plans to sell the same amount this year.

Apart from new models, several companies have brought over concept vehicles that show the direction of new-vehicle development.

Toyota is showing its Fine-T, a hybrid model with in-wheel electric motors and a petrol engine that was shown at the Tokyo Motor Show last October; and the i-Swing, a personal mobility concept.

Lexus is displaying the LF-A, a sports concept with a 500hp engine and a top speed of 320km/h.

Honda is showing its latest fuel-cell car, the FCX, also brought over from last year's Tokyo Motor Show, while Mazda is showing the prototype of its new BT-50 pickup.

The Bangkok International Motor Show serves as a curtain raiser to the annual car-buying season, and companies compete for customers by offering new models and attractive sales campaigns, including low down payments and low interest rates, as well as free gifts and other privileges. Anyone looking to buy a new vehicle can compare all of the offers at once, easily and conveniently.

This year, a large number of new models are available for buyers, ranging from new Ford and Mazda 1-tonne pickups to mid-sized saloons like the improved Honda Accord and luxury models like the Mercedes-Benz R-Class, ML-Class and SL Class.

BMW is showing its Z4 and the 550i, a 5 Series powered by a 5-litre engine and priced at Bt13 million.

British luxury carmaker Bentley will also be there to show off three of its cars costing more than Bt20 million each.

Kingsley Wijayasinha

The Nation