The ZS comes with the world’s first Thai-language voice-control technology and allows users to connect to the Internet as well as locate the vehicle in case of theft.

Prices range from Bt679,000 to Bt789,000.

MG Sales Thailand plans to sell 12,000 units of the ZS annually.

The concept, named Oxygene, features living moss growing within the sidewall.

The open structure and the tyre’s “smart tread” design absorb and circulate moisture and water from the road surface, allowing photosynthesis to occur and therefore releasing oxygen into the air.

“With more than two-thirds of the world population expected to live in cities by 2050, the demands on transport networks in urban environments will increase substantially,” said Chris Delaney, president of Goodyear Europe for the Middle East and Africa.

“Smarter, greener infrastructure and transport will be crucial in addressing the most pressing challenges of urban mobility and development.”

Inspired by the principles of the circular economy, with emphasis on reducing material waste, emissions, and energy loss, Goodyear’s Oxygene concept is designed to integrate seamlessly into future cityscapes.

“Oxygene is meant to challenge our thinking and help drive the debate around smart, safe and sustainable future mobility,” Delaney said. “By contributing in this way to cleaner air generation, the tire could help enhance quality of life and health for city-dwellers.”

The annual skills contest is “one of our core programs of people development for our dealerships apart from the regular knowledge and skill training programmes,” said Morikazu Chokki, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co Ltd.

Valuing customers is a key mission of the company, said Chokki, leading to “an emphasis on [employee] development and recognition among our dealer network nationwide, as the staff play a crucial role to directly provide support, troubleshooting, and satisfaction to Mitsubishi’s customers.”

The 18th Mitsubishi Motors Skills Contest 2017 was designed for six professional functions – sales consultant, customer relations, technician troubleshooting, technician periodic maintenance, service advice and parts.

This year, Mitsubishi Motors Thailand for the first time brought more intensive assessment to the sales consultant and customer relations functions with an online pre-test prior to the regional and final rounds.

More than 1,700 contestants from Mitsubishi dealer network nationwide participated in the skills contests.

The company also holds an annual competition for students under the Vocational School Support Project (VSSP) to provide educational and career opportunities to vocational programme students.

Jaturont Komolmis, chairman of the organising committee, said on Monday that all used vehicles on display for sale had been thoroughly inspected and screened for quality.

“We are also raising the standard of the used-car show to the international level, by offering warranties and sales promotions matching those of new cars,” he added.

A total of 14 used-car dealers are participating in the event, which kicked off today.

The main Motor Show started on March 28.

Nissan said the free inspection service by skilled technicians is offered through its dealers nationwide and supports the Department of Land Transport’s Anti Road Accident campaign.

Nissan customers can visit any of the almost 200 Nissan service center outlets between April 1 and May 31, 2018 to receive the free vehicle inspection.

Wallop Chalermvongsavej, the company’s vice president for after sales, said registration fee for the A1, A2, A3, A4, Q2 and Q3 models is Bt20,000, while for the A5, A6, A7, Q4, Q5 and TT the fee is Bt50,000.

A fee of Bt100,000 is required for the Q7, A8, Q8, R8 and all S and RS models.

“Apart from quicker service due to the database, the vehicles will also get a free 40-item inspection as well as all software updates,” he said.

The original warranty of the vehicles are not affected, he said.

Over 39,000 orders were placed for new models at last year’s event, which attracted 1.6 million visitors.

Organiser Prachin Eamlumnow says that 30 auto and 15 motorcycle brands are taking part in the show, which is considered the largest automotive exhibition event in the region. The event officially starts today and runs until April 8 at the Challenger Hall, IMPACT Muanthongthani.

The theme of this year’s event Is “Revolution in Motion”, and many are expecting to see the latest innovations in the automotive world, including EVs (Electric Vehicles) and PHEVs (Plugin Electric Hybrid Vehicles).

One of the most talked about EVs being displayed is the MINE Mobility, which is owned by Energy Absolute PCL, a Thai company. Three models are being shown,  all priced under Bt1 million, each offering an operating range of 200250kms on a single charge. Energy cost per kilometre  is approximately Bt0.30.

Other EVs being shown include models from FOMM, developed in Japan, China’s BYD and Hyundai’s Ioniq EV, coming with  a top speed of 165km/h and a range of 280kms, priced at Bt1.749 million. One of Nissan’s highlight is the Leaf EV, which is being marketed commercially for the first time in Thailand.

Meanwhile German luxury car makers are putting emphasis on PHEVs such as  MercedesBenz C 350 e as well as MHEVs (Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles)  the Audi A7 Sportback.

Ford is also attracting big crowds at its booth, with the official launch of the Ranger Raptor fulloption pickup. Priced at Bt1.699 million, it is the most expensive 1tonne pickup made in Thailand.

Toyota staged the soft launch of its  CHR sporty subcompact crossover late last year, but will be hoping to collect more orders from the Bangkok Motor Show.

Luxury cars have a strong position here, with RollsRoyce introducing the new Phantom, which is the costliest production car at the show with retail prices starting at Bt59.5 million for the longwheelbase version.

Nissan fans are celebrating as Nissan Motor Thailand has decided to officially offer the GTR in Thailand. Retail pricing for the 555horsepower allwheeldrive sportscar has been set at Bt13.5 million.