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Published on April 2, 2008

Bookings have shot up to almost 6,200 in the first four days of the 29th Bangkok International Motor Show as motorists clamour for low-priced E20-compatible cars.

The launch of vehicles and brands by Honda, Tata and Malaysia's Nasa have also helped drive up advance orders, according to figures from Grand Prix International, organiser of the 10-day show at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre on Bang Na-Trat Road.

By the end of the event, 15,000 vehicles are expected to be sold.

Toyota, the country's best seller, also led the show, receiving 1,939 orders for popular models like the Vios, Corolla, Camry, Yaris and Hilux Vigo. Sunday was the best day for Toyota, with more than 750 orders pouring in.

Honda was second with 1,148 orders, thanks to hot demand for its new Jazz.

Pitak Pruittisarikorn, an executive with Honda Automobile (Thailand), said sales had so far nearly matched bookings received at last year's 10-day event. About half have been for new Jazzes and 30 per cent for Civics.

Pitak expects to double last year's orders for 1,300 units.

Commercial-vehicle giant Isuzu, offering only pickups and pickup passenger vehicles, received 1,073 orders, with almost 500 coming in last Saturday.

Chevrolet took 475 orders, Nissan 342, Mazda 286 and Mitsubishi 208.

Luxury-car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz wrote 169 orders, followed by Ford with 156 and Kia with 108.

Budget-car producer Naza, offering a Bt349,000 Forza subcompact from Malaysia, has already sold 86 units.

But in a separate report from Naza, it said it had already sold 200 units in the first four days, which is what it had planned to sell during the entire show. Now it hopes sales will reach 500 by the end of the show on Sunday.

Other brands and orders were Audi (12), BMW (38), Citroen (10), Grand Carryboy (25), Hyundai (15), Mini (16), Mitsuoka (2), MTM (5), Ssangyong (19), Subaru (16), Volkswagen (11) and Wuling (10).

India's Tata, participating for the first time, and Swedish auto-maker Volvo have not reported any sales.

The Nation