Zero interest on loans, free accessories, discounts, and heavy reductions on down payments are commonplace - and whoever thought a buyer could snap up a brand-new Benz for 1 per cent down and zero interest over 48 months?

For the first time, DaimlerChrysler (Thailand) has been moved by the sluggish market sentiment to offer special deals to people buying at the show.

The company is offering zero interest over an instalment period of 48 months after laying down just 1 per cent of the car's price. Buyers of Benz A-class models will end up paying just Bt19,990 per month.

"The sentiment for buying new cars this year is expected to be silent," a staff member said, adding that the company also has more Benz models on offer this year.

Bentley Thailand - distributor of super-luxury Bentley cars - also joins the wheeling and dealing, but on a somewhat different scale. It is offering free accessories worth up to Bt1 million for its Bentley Continental GT and Continental Flying Spur models and Bt3 million for a new Bentley Arnage.

 However, buyers first have to meet the price of the cars: the Bentley Continental Flying Spur starts from Bt22 million, and the Bentley Arnage R from Bt29.6 million.

Only BMW's 320i and 325 models are being offered at special credit rates, but the figures have not yet been disclosed.

Toyota Motor Thailand is offering a four-day domestic tour package for the first 40 buyers of its Lexus IS250 model. Other models - including the Yaris, Altis, and Vios - will come with free accessories and first-class insurance as well as zero interest on instalment payments, but the deal will differ from model to model.

Buyers of Honda Jazz, Civic, and Accord models will be offered accessories valued at between Bt18,000 and Bt30,000. Only Honda's CRV models will go for the zero interest on instalment deals.

Mazda Sales (Thailand) says it will accept a down payment of Bt99,999 for its four-door Mazda M3s with 1,600cc or 2,000cc engines. The offer includes free first-class insurance.

Buyers of Land Rovers at the show will receive a zero-interest loans over 48 months, while Mitsubishi distributors are offering down-payment levels and instalment conditions "below market rates".

Chevrolet Thailand will accept 5-per-cent down payments with instalments over as long as 72 months.

Isuzu (Thailand) is offering a Bt10,000 gift voucher for buyers of its Dmax models and Bt20,000 for those who buy an Isuzu Mu7.

Ssangyong (Thailand) wants a 15-per-cent down payment, but will offer instalment deals over 72 months for its Stavic, Kyron, and Rexton models.

PVA Motors -, importer and modifier of Wuling pickups from China - will accept a down payment of just Bt5,000. Prices for modified Wuling pickups - for example, one decorated as a coffee shop - range from Bt300,000 to Bt390,000 depending on the decorative options.

The Bangkok International Motor Show runs until April 2.

Sasithorn Ongdee

The Nation