It is the first NREDI concept showroom in Thailand and is managed by Ch. Erawan Motors Kanchanaburi Co Ltd.

“Nissan is working to bring this new concept to dealerships across Thailand. It represents the company’s commitment to providing customers with globally consistent high quality dealership experiences – from sales to service – so as to not just meet, but to exceed, their expectations,” said Antoine Barthes, president, Nissan Motor (Thailand) Co Ltd, at the opening event.

He said the design goal is to ensure that the layout of the showroom connects customers to the entire service operation, whether they have come to buy a new vehicle or to get their existing vehicle serviced. It provides customers with a comfortable environment that enables Nissan dealer partners to provide whatever services valued customers need as efficiently as possible.

Ch.Erawan’s new concept showroom includes 8,800 square metres of sales and service space in a prime area of downtown Kanchanaburi on Changsuto Road. It will have a specially laid out car display space with a capacity of nine units.

“The board decided to propose to renew the mandate of Mr Carlos Ghosn which will be put before the general assembly of shareholders on June 15,” the company said in a statement.

However Ghosn agreed a 30 percent pay cut in line with government demands, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told AFP.

“Now we have the best conditions to prepare for the upcoming general assembly” in June, he added.

Renault praised the “exceptional results” at the alliance of Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi under the Brazilian-born Frenchman of Lebanese origin.

The carmaker is due to report earnings on Friday with analysts expecting net profit to soar to 4.3 billion euros ($5.4 billion) from the 3.5 billion euros it earned in 2016.

The board “renewed its full confidence” in chairman and chief executive Ghosn, who took over at Renault in 2005, setting out three priorities for the next four years.

Ghosn was tasked with piloting the “Drive the Future” plan aimed at reaching turnover of 70 billion euros in 2022 compared with more than 50 billion in 2016.

He was also urged “to strengthen the succession plan at the top of Renault Group”.

The French government did not hide its wish for a Frenchman to be groomed to take over from Ghosn, who will be 64 in March, and supported Thierry Bollore for the job.

Bollore, who joined Renault in 2012, would become deputy chief executive on Friday, Renault said.

The 54-year-old has worked extensively in Asia as well as for tyre manufacturer Michelin.

Among a handful of foreign-born CEOs at Japanese firms, Ghosn earned the nickname Le Cost Killer for his aggressive restructuring at Renault and later the nearly-bankrupt Nissan in the late nineties.

Renault holds 43.4 percent of Nissan, while Nissan holds 15 percent of Renault and 34 percent of Mitsubishi, where it is the top shareholder.

The French state owns 15.01 percent of Renault.

Ghosn handed over the chief executive reins at Nissan last year but stayed on as chairman, in large part to focus more on turning around Mitsubishi, where he is also chairman.

The entire Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance took the mantle of top-selling carmaker last year with 10.6 million vehicles worldwide.

In an interview with AFP, Ghosn said it was “too early to say” how the alliance must evolve to be long-lasting.

“We all agree that the alliance is a good thing that benefits each of the companies that compose it, so we must ensure its sustainability.”

He added: “We need to continue the convergence between the three companies while leaving each one of them quite independent in their markets, and each one in its country and in its culture.”

The showroom is located on the 2nd floor of the North Wing and has a total showroom area of 167sqm.

This is the second showroom in the kingdom built under the “Jaguar-Land Rover Experience” concept and is said to offer a memorable customer experience along with enhanced brand awareness through various customer services.

George Ashford, Inchcape’s chief executive officer for Asia, said: “Thailand is an attractive country for investments, ranking in the world top 20 for automotive industry growth. Inchcape has been business partners with Jaguar-Land Rover for over 48 years, and we are the number 11 importer and distributor for Jaguar-Land Rover in the world.

“We are determined to expand our investment and create continued business growth in Thailand, and the opening of this new showroom shows our confidence in the Thai automobile market.”

Charnchai Mahantakhun, managing director of Inchcape (Thailand), added: “The new Jaguar-Land Rover showroom is part of our aggressive business plan for 2018, and offers increased opportunities for customers to experience our brand through various services, apart from vehicle purchase.”

In the first phase, pods will be installed at Vittorio, Rhythm Rangnam, Rhythm Ekkamai, Life Pinklao, Life Asoke and Life Sukhumvit 48.

AP homeowners will also benefit from a nationwide ChargeNow network of more than 50 charging stations. The locations are listed on the phone application Greenlots and at http://chargenow-th.greenlots.com.

“This year AP has decided to build on its collaboration with visionary leading companies who share the same business direction – the focus on elevating life quality in Thailand up to international standards,” said Vittakarn Chandavimol of AP.

“BMW Group Thailand, GLT Green Thailand and Central Group formed a partnership that kicked off a revolution with an EV charging network through the ChargeNow initiative, the largest comprehensive network in Thailand.

“By joining ChargeNow, AP shows its willingness to take responsibility for society and the environment, in line with good corporate governance, while paying attention to living and social quality as evidenced in its efforts to improve living standards of Thai people.”

“ChargeNow connects all charging stations of the alliance on the same platform to give service users extra convenience,” Sethipong Anutarasoti of BMW Thailand pointed out.

“This programme is very successful overseas and equally successful in Thailand. We are extremely focused to work with our partners in expanding public charging stations to cover the whole country. Big thanks to AP for realising the importance of the programme and for supporting charging locations all along.”

“We are honoured to be a part of a good initiative like this,” added Narratchai Leeraphante of Polytechnology and GLT Green Thailand.

“We also see further opportunity to make public charging stations more easily accessible, thanks to AP for the convenient stations downtown and in central business districts, and also thanks to the other partners for sharing their expertise in different areas to make this good social cause possible.”

ChargeNow currently has more than 65,000 public charging outlets for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in 27 countries around the world.

ChargeNow will be open for pre-registration to any PHEV or EV owner of any make and model with AC Type 1 (SAE J1772) or Type 2 (IEC 62196) charging socket.

The good thing about having an SUV (or a crossover) is the ability to handle difficult situations that arise in daily life.

So I was glad to have the Subaru XV a few weeks back when it rained heavily. Although the area in front of my house wasn’t flooded, the first few hundred metres in the main road had turned into a canal with the deepest part covering half a wheel.

While drivers of a normal passenger car would think hard before trying to go through floods this deep, the XV had not the slightest problem. With its 220-millimetre ground clearance, it cruised comfortably through the water and I continued on to where I was going.

There are many strong players in the SUV market from Honda and Mazda. But the XV, which is made in Malaysia and exported to Thailand tax-free, seems to have what it takes to win a good number of customers.

It has that sharp and futuristic styling that attracts attention, especially if it is painted in Sunrise Orange. This is an all-new model, but not much has changed in terms of the design statement. The front- and rear-ends appear sharper than the first model though, and the vehicle looks more contemporary.

The interior is modern and stylish but isn’t as luxurious as the leading brands. Nevertheless I like the X-MODE display on top of the console that makes the XV seem more professional than the competition when it comes to off-roading. It is the crossover that you want to have when driving in the country on dirt roads that have lots of undulations, while others prefer to stay on the highways where occupants are guaranteed a comfortable ride.

Bear in mind that the XV’s fabric seat upholstery might be difficult to clean compared to leather when there’s a lot of mud. But the seating position is fine, and the large side bolsters keep you nicely in place.

The 4-cylinder boxer engine, with a displacement of 2.0 litres, develops 156 horsepower and 196Nm which isn’t too eye-opening, but the low-loss CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with paddle shifters helps improve performance. According to official figures, the XV accelerates from 0-100km/h in 10.4 seconds and has a top speed of 194kph.

What drivers will like in the XV is that the handling is sharper than with others. Developed from the new Subaru Global Platform (SGP) the second-gen XV feels light and corners with better precision, thanks to a more rigid body structure and power-assist software improvement. Meanwhile, the rear stabiliser bar is connected directly to the body and significantly lowers roll.

On the highway, wind noise is kept out of the cabin, and the front strut and rear double wishbone suspension feel firm, providing a smooth ride.

According to Distributor TC Subaru (Thailand) Co Ltd, the XV 2.0i-P is priced at Bt990,000, while the “option pack” costs another Bt289,221, so the total retail price is Bt1,279,221 (which they could have quoted in the first place).

What’s in the option pack? Goodies you don’t want to miss such as self-levelling and self-turning LED headlights with jet washers, automatic windshield wipers, leather-covered steering wheel and gearshift knob with orange stitching, dual-zone climate control, high-quality touchscreen, aluminium pedals, vanity mirrors and removable luggage compartment cover.

The standard features list includes two 12-volt outlets, powered driver’s seat, roof rails, 8-inch touchscreen, infotainment system with six speakers (USB, AUX and HDMI), cruise control, Hill Descent Control, dual front airbags, etc.

The Subaru XV isn’t about size, power or luxury, factors that buyers would be happier with in other brands. But for those who look for driving satisfaction, an excellent ride and unique styling, it ranks high in the compact SUV segment.

Subaru XV 2.0i-P specs

Engine: 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve

Displacement: 1,995cc

Bore and stroke: 84.0×90.0mm

Compression ratio: 12.5:1

Max power: 156hp/6,000rpm

Max torque: 196Nm/4,000rpm

0-100kmh: 10.4 secs

Top speed: 194km/h

Average fuel economy: 14.2km/litre

City: 10.8km/litre

Highway: 17.5km/litre

Average CO2: 162g/km

Suspension (f/r): McPherson strut, stabiliser/double wishbone, stabiliser

Steering: electrically powered rack-and-pinion

Turning circle: 10.8 metres

Brakes (f/r): vented disc/vented disc

Dimensions (mm)

Length: 4,465

Width: 1,800

Height: 1,615

Wheelbase: 2,665

Track (f/r): 1,550/1,555

Ground clearance: 220mm

Weight: 1,439kgs

Wheels: 17-in alloy

Tires: 225/60R17

Fuel tank capacity: 63 litres

Price: Bt1,279,221 (Bt990,000 + Bt289,221)

Distributor: TC Subaru (Thailand) Co Ltd

Sales of the Mazda2 subcompact reached 2,436 units, making it the most popular model in Thailand’s small car market, while the CX-5 jumped to first place in SUV marketing with sales of 847 units.

“This year we plan to continue introducing vehicles that are fun to drive and come with the best technology and design into the Thai market. We will also concentrate on after-sales with the Mazda Active Service programme, which involves looking after the customer right from brand interest to becoming a customer,” said Mazda Sales (Thailand)’s president, Chanchai Trakarnudomsuk.

“We believe that by beating the expectations of customers, we will be able to establish a strong and lasting relationship with our customers. That’s why Mazda is quickly developing its dealer network and servicing procedures in order to make it easy for customers to reach the Mazda brand like a family member,” he added.

The regulations were changed in December in a bid to stop cars being imported for illegal purposes, said Oramon Sapthaveetham, deputy director general of the ministry’s Department of Trade Negotiations.

She said new vehicles made in China and Thailand entering Myanmar must have country-of-origin certificates, and used vehicles must have export certificates.

Vehicles not produced in those countries but imported from them will not be allowed into the country.

Oramon said the ministry had given Thailand and China the classifications and models of vehicles that can enter Myanmar legally.

Myammar has 380,000 vehicles on its roads, of which 90 per cent are used cars from Japan five years or older.

“This is the eighth consecutive year Nissan has held its Skills Contest, which started with just a few categories, but over the years has grown to today’s 11 categories,” said Nissan Motor (Thailand) president Antoine Barthes.

Some 1,400 staff from dealerships countrywide participated at the Nissan Education and Training Centre in Bangkok.

The contest is designed to help sales consultants, service advisers, CROs and technicians reach their utmost capabilities and polish their skills.

“This contest is just one of the many ways Nissan Motor Thailand continues to invest in customer care,” Barthes said.

“We know that investing in our employees, our dealer partners and their employees results in greater customer service and ever-improving professionalism.”

A total of 130 representatives from 52 dealers and 72 showrooms participated in the contest, with Siam Nissan Chonburi (Nong Mon) and Siam Nissan Uttaradith winning Super Champ awards in two segments.

The new Swift was officially launched in Bangkok yesterday with prices ranging from Bt499,000 to Bt629,000 for the top model with a navigation system –presently, only the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) version is offered.

Wallop Treererkngam, executive director for sales and marketing at Suzuki Motor (Thailand) Co Ltd, said the Swift is targeted at first-car buyers aged from 21-39 years old.

Suzuki is aggressively marketing the new Swift, offering a Bt3,999-per-month installment as well as a loyalty programme with free accessories worth Bt20,000 being given away for current Swift owners purchasing the new model.

Wallop said while the eco car market in 2017 reached sales of 156,239 units, Suzuki accounted a total of 21,300 eco cars, an increase of 13.3 per cent compared to the previous year. It commanded 13.6 per cent of market share.

“The Swift has maintained its high popularity in the market, with more than 8,000 units sold last year,” he said. “We believe, with the growing automobile market, Suzuki will be able to again register significant growth this year .”

The Swift is powered by a newly-developed 1.2-litre engine boasting a fuel economy of 23km/litre.

Unilke the current Ranger, the Ranger “Raptor” is powered by a new twin-turbo 2.0-litre diesel engine capable of pumping our 213hp and 500Nm of torque. A new 10-speed automatic transmission is also offered along with a large number of driver assistance systems.

Ford has not announced retail prices, as Ford distributors in each market will be responsible for announcing prices at the national launch events.

Inheriting vital capability from the truly successful Ranger and complementing that with DNA from the F-150 Raptor, the new Ranger Raptor is set to turn heads throughout Asia Pacific and around the world.

“It is amazing to enable this level of performance and create a vehicle that can provide off-road enthusiasts such an adrenaline rush,” said Jamal Hameedi, chief engineer, Ford Performance

“It really is like a motocross bike, snowmobile and an ATV rolled up into a pickup truck – it’s an incredible, awesome experience!”