MG alone has received more than 1,000 orders for its ZS EV, which is competitively priced at Bt1.19 million.

PEA deputy governor Khemmarat Sartpreecha said the partnership was “grounded on a mutual objective to prepare for installation of chargers for owners of EVs by MG and for authorised distributors of MG”.

“The PEA is ready to accommodate rising number of EVs and standards for both home-chargers and public chargers. We will also be a driving force in boosting the confidence of MG customers regarding home electricity-system inspection, installation and modification, with services like home electricity-meter replacement and changes in transformer so they can use EVs with ease,” he said.

The PEA will provide MG with the coordinates of its 11 active public chargers, a number expected to increase to 62 “in the near future”. Owners of EVs by MG with i-SMART will be able to search and locate these chargers.

“And MG will provide the coordinates of its chargers so we can include them in our PEA Volta platform,” Khemmarat said. “And the PEA will organise courses and consultations on the basics of electricity system to customers and personnel of MG.

“The PEA is certain that this partnership between energy sector and automotive sector should raise both awareness of EVs and stimulate sustainable growth in this emerging segment of vehicles.”

MG Sales (Thailand) vice president Pongsak Lertruedeewattanavong said the ZS EV was unveiled in June “to redefine Thai automotive industry and be a driving force stimulating Thais to consider vehicles with alternative engine platforms according to the Ministry of Industry’s Industry 4.0 Policy”.

“The EV ecosystem should be strengthened in order to simplify and expand the use of EVs in Thailand.”The three entities aim to transfer knowhow in electricity infrastructure, installation and modification and equipment related to the use of home chargers and all public equipment in 74 provinces excluding Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan, where public chargers are the responsibility of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority, which struck its own deal with MG in June.

They also plan to establish a resource pool to train MG personnel at authorised distributors across the nation about electricity infrastructure and other equipment.

“MG also collaborates with government agencies, state enterprises and the private sector to ensure customer confidence,” said Pongsak. “This includes a partnership with Energy Absolute PCL on installing chargers at 110 authorised MG distributors and another with the MEA to run campaigns on the fundamentals of EVs in Bangkok and the vicinity.”

Priced at Bt2.49 million, the A 200 AMG Dynamic comes with a turbocharged 1.3-litre engine that develops 163 horsepower and 250Nm of torque. Mercedes-Benz claims 0-100km/h acceleration in 8.1 seconds and a top speed of 230km/h.

The engine-size reduction is result of stricter emission laws that have forced virtually all automakers to lower engine displacement in newer models.

The A 200 AMG Dynamic produces just 130g/km of CO2 and 0.02g/km of nitrous oxide while boasting 0g/km of particulate matter, according to official Eco Sticker figures. The average fuel economy is claimed at 17.5km/litre.

Currently only the imported version is available, while lower-priced CKD versions will follow later, once local assembly commences, although the timing has not been confirmed by the German automaker, which is also building a battery plant in Thailand for use in its PHEV (Plugin Electric Hybrid Vehicle) line-up and possibly EVs if it decides to assemble one here in the future.

The lowest-priced Mercedes-Benzes in Thailand currently are A-Class variants from the previous generation, including the CLA 200 Urban (Bt2.14 million), GLA 200 Urban (Bt2.175 million), and C 220 Avantgarde (Bt2.379 million).

Last year, one out of four Mercedes-Benz passenger cars sold in Thailand were small models, said Roland Folger, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz (Thailand) Ltd.

“Positioned as an appealing product for young owners who love freedom, digital lifestyles and work-life balance, the new A 200 AMG Dynamic features an attractive, all-new sporty design axiom inside and out that retains unique qualities of passenger cars in the A-Class family, including an agile exterior, a large cabin centred on daily utility, a stunning engine offering fuel economy and best-in-class safety features,” he said.

The A-Class has a newly introduced multimedia system called Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX), Folger added.

“The system is intuitive when using and learns the habits of users. This is also the first time in a [sub] compact car model that MBUX can function in sync with our trusted Mercedes Me Connect to establish a strong, seamless connection between owner, the vehicle, authorised dealers and other compatible services,” he said.

“This amazing system integration means Mercedes-Benz can offer new functions to owners of the A-Class, especially intelligent voice control with natural speech recognition. In this case, the system can understand various English dialects and is easy to activate by voice with the key-phrase ‘Hey, Mercedes’, so focus on the road can remain unchanged when a command is being input.”

During the first six months of this year, Mercedes-Benz sold 7,289 vehicles in the country, a 3.1-per-cent decline compared to the corresponding period last year.

Meanwhile, arch rival BMW is close behind at 5,474 vehicles, down 1.5 per cent, followed by Volvo with 1,079 units, a surge of over 90 per cent thanks to high popularity of the new XC40 compact SUV.

The 7-seater SUV features foldable third-row seating and the latest AI-based Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) multimedia system as well as intelligent connectivity between the owner, the vehicle and service centres.

Roland Folger, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz (Thailand) Ltd said: “Mercedes-Benz commenced global sales of our premium SUV in 1997 with the M-Class. It became a global phenomenon as more than 2 million customers worldwide decided to put their trust in our first premium off-road vehicle model. The GLE was introduced back in 2015 and it has been positioned as an SUV in the E-Class family since then. The GLE is currently our best-selling premium SUV line in the history of Mercedes-Benz.”

Bjoern Gustreau, vice president for sales and marketing at Mercedes-Benz (Thailand), said the new infotainment system supports voice recognition and can intelligently learn the owner’s habits and provide essential information accordingly. It can also remember to adjust cabin parameters based on the owner’s preferences.

“At a touch, the ‘Mercedes me connect’ interface brings our customers closer to their vehicles and our comprehensive authorised distributor network,” he said.

The GLE 300 d is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine producing 245hp and 500Nm of torque. Acceleration from 0-100km/h takes 7.2 seconds and the top speed is claimed at 225km/h.

Baraka succeeds Christian Wiedmann, who is to assume a new position as president and chief executive of BMW Group Japan.

Baraka joined the BMW Group in 2005 and has since served in various functions across many regions including Spain, Germany and South Africa. In 2017, he was appointed as the general manager of BMW Brand Management and Marketing Services for BMW Group South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa after two years in an overall supervisory role as general manager for BMW Motorrad in the same market. In his new position, Baraka’s responsibilities will cover the management of all BMW Group Thailand business divisions – including BMW, MINI, and BMW Motorrad.

Hendrik von Kuenheim, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing Region Asia Pacific, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, BMW Group, said: “This is yet another exciting time for us as we welcome Mr Baraka to his new role in Thailand – a market which has been one of our strategic locations in the region with significant growth potential for the premium automobile segment. Throughout the years, Mr. Baraka has been a figure of exceptional aptitude and leadership in sales, marketing, and management duties within the BMW Group network, and I am certain that he will lead BMW Group Thailand to many more milestone moments in the years to come.

“I would also like to express our appreciation to Mr Wiedmann for his dedication and contribution to BMW Group Thailand, leading up to record-setting deliveries for all three brands in 2018 with BMW Thailand achieving the highest growth rate across our entire global network for the second consecutive year. I have no doubt that Mr. Wiedmann will go on to accomplish great things in Japan.”

During the first 6 months of this year BMW sold 5,474 vehicles in the Kingdom, a 1.5-per cent decline over the same period last year.

 The electric bus is a joint project between Korea and Thailand, led mainly by Korean automaker Edison Motors, which currently provides public transport services with eco-friendly buses at Namsan in Seoul and on Jeju Island.

The project involves 11 organizations from both sides, including Korea’s Industry Ministry and Korean Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning. The Thai side includes the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand and King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, where the bus is being tested.

“Edison — together with the Thai government and university — is testing whether its bus is suitable for very hot climate and traffic congestion like Bangkok,” said Kitchanon Ruangjirakit, a lecturer in the department of mechanical engineering at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi.

“We are jointly working on traffic data collection, standards, energy consumption and battery capacity with Edison’s electric bus,” he said. They plan to share the results of their research with the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority and the Ministry of Transport there, so the government can use the information in its future electric bus procurement plans.

The pilot project, which started in August last year, is in its final phase and is slated for completion this year, according to Ruangjirakit. When complete, the bus will run 200 kilometers on a single charge. It uses an LG Chem battery.

An electric bus, part of a pilot project between Korea and Thailand (Shin Ji-hye/The Korea Herald)

The project, however, is only for research and not for commercial use. If Edison wants to produce electric buses in Bangkok, it has to take part in a bidding process. The Thai government plans to bid on 35 electric buses in the near future. Edison is willing to join the bidding, according to the government official.

As Thailand ramps up its efforts to curb vehicle emissions, opportunities are opening up for Korean automotive and parts makers.

“Thailand is the biggest exporter of cars (as an assembler) in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. We have 1,000 local parts suppliers. We are ready for the next step of the automotive industry,” said Narit Therdsteerasukdi, deputy secretary-general of the Thailand Board of Investment.

He said Thailand is in the beginning stage of the EV industry and there is a long way to go. “But we believe it is the right direction in the automotive industry.” The Thai government intends to encourage its agencies to use electric vehicles in the future to create demand.

“We are also trying hard to attract Korean battery makers, LG Chem and Samsung SDI, because we would like to build a whole supply chain of electric vehicles in Thailand. Not only car assembly, but we also want to build key parts of EVs like battery and motors,” he said.

The Thai government is promoting cooperation between Thai and foreign agencies. BOI said the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand is cooperating closely with the Korea Electric Vehicle Association.

Korea has been one of Thailand’s major investors since 2010. Between 2010 and 2018, Korea invested a combined $1.8 billion in Thailand, mainly in the electronics, iron, steel and service sectors.

“Some companies like Samsung, LG, Posco and Hanwha have invested in Thailand for more than 30 years. We hope more Korean investors are coming in the near future,” Therdsteerasukdi said.

A large number of sales promotions are being offered by auto and motorcycle companies, which expect to maximise sales during the low season.

Automakers setting up booths at the event, which opened today and goes on until August 25 at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Bitec), include Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Kia, Maserati, Mazda Mercedes-Benz, MG, Mini, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Subaru, Suzuki, Tata, Toyota, Volvo and Thairung.

Motorcycle brands present include Benelli, BMW Motorrad, Hanway, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, Lifan, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio, Royal Enfield, Ryuka, Scomadi, Suzuki, Triumph, Vespa and Yamaha.

New model highlights at this year’s show include the Toyota Majesty luxury van, the Suzuki Carry commercial vehicle that is being promoted as the perfect food truck, as well as new Peugeot models like the 3008 and 5008 that come with lower prices than expected as well as innovative features.

Meanwhile, MG will continue to reap on the popularity of its ZS EV (Electric Vehicle), which is priced at just Bt1.19 million, as well as taking up orders for its first pickup truck – the Extender.

GM said the Rayong plant is the first GM facility in the world to produce the four-cylinder Duramax turbo-diesel engine.

Hector Villarreal, president of GM Southeast Asia, said: “The Duramax engines serve as the heart of our award-winning Colorado and Trailblazer. They are one of the most important components that we manufacture in Rayong for both domestic and export markets. Reaching half a million engines is not only an important milestone for the GPS team but also for everyone at GM Thailand. You should all be rightly proud of achieving this together.”

Amnat Saengjan, vice pesident of manufacturing for GM Thailand, added: “GM Powertrain Thailand is the only GM facility that fully manufactures the 2.8L Duramax diesel engine. Our exports represented over 20 per cent of total production, 80,000 engines of the four-cylinder diesel 2.5L and 2.8L Duramax engines in 2018. Today, we celebrate not only the successful production of the 500,000th Duramax engine by GM Powertrain Thailand, but the teamwork from all of you that has made this possible.

“I am very proud of our team members who have taken a key role in helping us achieve this milestone, thanks not only to every team member’s hard work and dedication, but also to the growing popularity of the products that use the Duramax engine, the Chevrolet Colorado and Trailblazer. It shows how far we have come.

“We are a world-class facility, but we need to keep up the momentum by staying together as a team and making quality the number-one principle in everything we do today and in the future.”

He said GM Thailand’s Rayong facility was recognised for its efforts in environmental conservation at the Prime Minister’s Industry Awards of 2018. It was one of two automotive companies that received this award. The facility is part of GM’s 142 manufacturing and non-manufacturing landfill-free facilities globally.

Benz Star Flag was formed in 2013 and has become the top Mercedes-Benz dealership in the country with sales of over 1,200 units in 2018.

Located on the fourth floor of Benz Star Flag on Vibhavadee Rangsit Road, the newly-built Benz Star Flag AMG Performance Centre features a comprehensive 2,000-square-metre after-sales centre, specially for Mercedes-AMG cars.

There is also a 600sqm area for display of various AMG models, both imported and locally assembled.

“With my fascination for cars and speed, together with my racing experience and expertise, I understand the importance of careful selection of equipment, tools or new innovation to keep high-performance cars like AMG in good condition. The AMG Service Centre is an integral part of Benz Star Flag,” managing director Chayut Yangpichit said.

Chayut, a well-known personality in Thailand’s exotic car and motorsports scene, said the facility has a large number of AMG-certified specialists.

“Maintaining the highest performance is an important philosophy for this business because high-performance cars like Mercedes-Benz AMG have distinctive body structures and engine that require good understanding and meticulous care from specialised experts who have been certified,” he said.

For more info visit www.starflagmercedes-benz.co.th.

They include the Ranger Standard Cab XL 2.2L 4×2 manual 6-speed (Bt559,000), Standard Cab XL 2.2L 4×4 manual 6-speed (Bt649,000), Open Cab XL 2.2L 4×2 manual 6-speed (Bt599,000) and Double Cab XL 2.2L 4×2 manual 6-speed (Bt689,000).

“Ford is aware of the importance of Thai farmers who have the need for vehicles that are durable enough for demanding jobs,” Ford Thailand managing director Wichit Wpngwatakarn said.

The trucks are powered by a 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine capable of producing 160hp and 385Nm. Standard features include power steering and ABS brakes.

Bridgestone says that apart from improved wet handling and braking performance, the new tyres come with an optimised contact patch to help increase tread life while improving rolling resistance. This results in improved fuel efficiency.

“The Ecopia H/L 001 is positioned for SUV drivers who prioritise the safety of themselves and other passengers and want to achieve fuel savings and a smaller carbon footprint,” Hideyuki Takeda, managing director of Thai Bridgestone Co Ltd, said. “Through our market feedback, SUV drivers’ key attributes when evaluating tyres are grip, wet performance, wear life and comfort. With the Ecopia H/L 001, our aim is to give them a tyre that exceeds their expectations in all these fields with the added bonus of fuel savings.”