Suzuki has been highly successful in the Thai automobile market thanks to the popularity of small and fuel-efficient cars among the nation’s motorists.

The Thai government’s Eco Car projects have also helped boost the small-car market, with major players making huge investments to produce city cars and selling them with super-low excise tax. Suzuki was among the first companies to sign up, with production of the Swift subcompact hatchback.

While the Swift is also the company’s most popular model, there are also other models from its eco car project, including the Celerio (also a 5-door hatchback) and the Ciaz sedan featured today.

The Ciaz has been in the market for several years, and gets regular improvements. For example the current model now comes with new projector headlights as well air-conditioning vents for the rear passengers, offering a higher level of comfort.

Although it is classified as an “eco car”, the Ciaz is pretty large. The Ciaz RS, priced at Bt675,000 (Bt50,000 higher than the GLX trim), comes with sporty exterior upgrades including skirts and spoilers, plus upsized 16-inch alloy wheels with sporty 195/55 tires, which looks great. However it may seem a little ironic that the 1,000-kilogram car is powered by a 1.25-litre engine (due to the eco car requirement) rather than a 1.5-litre engine like the Toyota Vios or Honda City.

The 4-cylinder engine taken from the Swift is capable of producing 91 horsepower and 118Nm, which is mated to a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).

Weighing in at almost 1,000kgs, the Ciaz seems too heavy for its engine and doesn’t accelerate very well, a common eco-car symptom. The good part is that the powertrain is highly economical, and the Ciaz does promise a 20km/litre fuel economy.

The suspension offers higher comfort than the Swift, which allows the Ciaz to cruise comfortably on the highways. The 2,650mm wheelbase and 1,500mm track also provides for plenty of cabin space that also welcomes tall passengers thanks to decent headroom.

The brakes are front disc and rear drums, with ABS and Brake Assist, while in the cabin there are dual front airbags.

The interior features black and silver styling, with a multi-function 3-spoke steering wheel and a 7-inch touchscreen offering the Suzuki Smart Connect infotainment system with GPS navigation and Apple CarPlay.

In addition to the rear air vents, there is also an additional 12V socket for rear passengers (which should actually be upgraded to USB ports) and a total of 8 cupholders spread around the cabin. And apart from the large interior space, the trunk is capable of storing 565 litres.

After driving the CIAZ for a few days, I related to it as a 1.5-litre sedan that had gone through engine downsizing for fuel economy and emission purposes.

But while performance may not be the selling point, the Ciaz RS has many other things to offer, particularly great design and plenty of cabin space, comfortable suspension setup and good connectivity. Last but not least, its Bt675,000 price tag is pretty friendly too.

Suzuki Ciaz RS specs

Engine: 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve

Displacement: 1,242cc

Bore and stroke: 73.0×74.2mm

Compression ratio: 11.0:1

Max power: 91hp/6,000rpm

Max torque: 118Nm/4,800rpm

Transmission: CVT

Ratios: 4.006-1.001 (low), 2.200-0.550 (high)

Fuel economy: 20km/litre

Suspension (f/r): McPherson strut, coil springs/torsion beam, coil springs

Steering: powered rack-and-pinion

Turning circle: 10.8 metres

Brakes (f/r): vented discs/drums

Dimensions (mm)

Length: 4,490

Width: 1,730

Height: 1,475

Wheelbase: 2,650

Track (f/r): 1,495/1,505

Weight: 1,005kgs

Wheels: 16-inch alloys

Tyres: 195/55 R16

Fuel tank capacity: 42 litres

Price: Bt675,000

Distributor: Suzuki Motor Thailand

Last year the Renault-Nissan Alliance took a controlling 34-per-cent stake in ailing Mitsubishi Motors, making it an equal partner. New business plans have been announced at the global level, and will start taking effect in 2018.

According to the Alliance 2022, a six-year plan announced in September that has set a new target to double annual synergies to 10 billion euros by the end of the plan, Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors will accelerate collaboration on common platforms, powertrains and next-generation electric, autonomous and connected technologies.

In addition, synergies will be enhanced by the group’s growing scale. Total annual sales are forecast to exceed 14 million units, generating revenues expected at US$240 billion by the sixth year.

Meanwhile in Thailand, Morikazu Chokki, president of Mitsubishi Motor (Thailand), said Mitsubishi and Nissan have started sharing vehicle logistics and financing, with Nissan Leasing stepping in to start up Mitsu Leasing to serve Mitsubishi customers.

Engineers from both companies will also collaborate in joint purchasing cost reduction and vehicle production.

“We have already commenced the collaborations and we plan to increase the level of cooperation in the future,” he said.

Mitsubishi was highly successful in 2017, with sales of almost 70,000 units, an increase of 26 per cent and equal to a market share of 9 per cent.

Mitsubishi hopes to grow sales this year with the launch of the Expander SUV model from Indonesia during the midyear period, apart from 3 minor change models.

Mitsubishi exports from Thailand grew by 2 per cent to 333,000 units last year. CBU exports dropped by 6 per cent, as more CKD parts from Thailand were sent for local assembly in the Philippines and Indonesia, Chokki said.

He said Mitsubishi Motors is a specialist in plugin hybrid and EV (Electric Vehicle) technology, and is studying possibilities of filing for investment promotion with the BOI within this year.

Electric GT Holdings said the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), motor sports’ governing body, has approved circuit races for the Tesla Model S P100D.

“The Championship is the first all-electric circuit race series in the world and heralds the dawn of a new electric future,” Electric GT said on its website.

Last week, the race-prepared model passed its official FIA crash test required for competition, it added.

Tesla founder Elon Musk has billed a model S P100D with “Ludicrous mode” as the third-fastest accelerating production car ever made, capable of going from zero to 60 miles per hour (96 kilometers per hour) in 2.5 seconds.

That is slower only than the LaFerrari and Porsche 918 Spyder two-seaters, according to Tesla.

No date for the races has been announced, but they will involve 20 international drivers racing for 10 professional teams, according to Electric GT.

They will be organized in two rounds of 38 miles (60 kilometers) each, one in the day and another at dusk, after a three-heat qualifying round.

Competition for 100-percent electric vehicles has grown. Formula E, which bills itself as the world’s first fully-electric international single-seater street racing series, brings competition to 10 cities around the world.

Since it began in 2014, the series has drawn an increasing number of automobile manufacturers. The 2018-2019 season will include Mercedes, Porsche and BMW.

Volkswagen on Wednesday said a 100-percent electric prototype, driven by Frenchman Romain Dumas, will join the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in the United States in June.

After winning Pikes Peak three times, Dumas aims to top the best time realized by an electric car in the race, the American Rhys Millen’s 8 min 57 sec 118/1000, which is also the third best of all times.

Dorna, which runs the MotoGP World Championship of motorcycle racing, is preparing for an electric motorcycle championship in 2019, when the RallyCross championship prepares to become the “E-WRX” in 2020.

This move will expands its authorised dealer network and strengthen its service standards, the company said.

Building on the significant demand for big bikes in Khon Kaen that has grown by more than five times over the past 5 years, the first-ever BMW Motorrad Sky Autohaus showroom will sell BMW motorcycles and lifestyle accessories and offer quality aftersales assistance.

Markus Glaeser, head of BMW Motorrad Thailand, said: “BMW Motorrad Thailand is thrilled to join with Sky Autohaus in strengthening the brand’s presence and widening BMW Motorrad’s accessibility to our customers in the Northeast of Thailand.

“With outstanding expertise in premium service and an excellent relationship with customers, as well as Sky Autohaus’ vision to prioritise customer satisfaction above all else, we are certain that the new showroom will bring the highest standard of services to our customers in Khon Kaen and nearby provinces.”

Dr Samart Yimsiri, managing director of BMW Motorrad Sky Autohaus, said: “With the exceptional performance and cutting-edge technology of BMW Motorrad motorcycles, together with the good relationship with BMW customers that we have garnered for more than 18 years, underlined by our team of experts and staff who are prepared to assist and address every customer’s need, we firmly believe that the BMW Motorrad Sky Autohaus showroom Khon Kaen will flourish and grow into a highly successful establishment.

“Our key business strategies involve an emphasis on the BMW Motorrad brand, which is widely recognised among big bike lovers in the Northeastern region for its state-of-the-art technology and powerful performance, and our commitment to deliver excellent services to Sky Autohaus’ customers in Khon Kaen and nearby provinces.

“Additionally, Sky Autohaus has a large customer base from our car dealership businesses, which in turn encourages business synergy that we believe will amplify BMW Motorrad sales.”

For this achievement, Shell was presented the Thailand Automotive Quality Awards (TAQA) 2017 at an award ceremony organised by Thailand Automotive Institute, Inter‐Media Consultant, Manager Newspaper and Custom Asia Co. TAQA results are based on consumers’ votes nationwide and reflect the strong consumer confidence in Shell Helix, according to Siriwipha Yuktadatta, ScoT sales manager – lubricants, who received the award on behalf of the company. She said: “We are honoured to receive this recognition for the fourth time especially since it is coming from our consumers. Their continued vote of confidence in Shell is strong evidence that they like the quality of our products and that our products meet their needs.”

“Such achievements are the result of Shell’s constant strive in innovation. Each year at least Bt30 billion is spent on research and development to cater to today’s increasingly demanding and discerning consumers.”

. Shell Thailand will continue its commitment to “Make Life’s Journeys Better” by developing the very best products as well as by working to collaborate with various partners to provide a superior driving experience and service to our motoring consumers.”

The $2.5 billion, eight-year plan also involves the installation of 250,000 electric vehicle charging stations and 200 hydrogen fueling stations by 2025.

“To continue to meet California’s climate goals and clean air standards, California must go even further to accelerate the market for zero-emission vehicles,” the governor’s office said in a statement.

The order aims to “dramatically reduce carbon emissions from transportation — a sector that accounts for 50 percent of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions and 80 percent of smog-forming pollutants,” it added.

The previous target, from 2012, aimed to get 1.5 million “green” vehicles on the roads of the most populated US state — which boasts the biggest automobile market, with around 14.5 million vehicles for 40 million people.

California, where the number of zero emissions vehicles has risen by 1,300 percent in six years according to the order, will need to maintain similarly exponential growth to meet its latest goal.

Currently, eco-friendly vehicle sales represent five percent of sales in the state.

Two years ago, California also adopted a goal of cutting CO2 emissions to 40 percent below the 1990 level by 2030.

The “Golden State,” a leading force in the fight against climate change in the US, also aims to obtain half of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

The order also includes a $1.25 billion investment in California’s own carbon market.

This latest facility underlines the potential for the premium automotive market on the Gulf of Thailand by bringing BMW’s latest innovations and services to the southern region through a full showroom and service facility, the company said. It follows on from the opening of BMW Studio Millennium Auto in Surat Thani and the BMW and MINI showroom and service centre in Phuket over the past year.

Stefan Teuchert, president, BMW Group Thailand, said: “Millennium Auto has continuously proven itself in this regard. By reaching into new markets of the largest southern economic areas, we are positive that BMW Group Thailand and Millennium Auto will harmoniously grow towards a successful future.”

Sunhavut Thamchuanviriya, managing director of Millennium Auto, said: “Millennium Auto is devoted to expanding our service network to better serve the eclectic needs of customers nationwide. We currently have 10 showrooms across the country with the latest addition in Hat Yai, which is at the very heart of the southern economic area on the east coast, reflecting our recognition of the demands and potential in the region.

“ We are confident that the opening of this showroom and service center will elevate our service standards as well as strengthen the partnership between Millennium Auto and BMW Group Thailand.”

“Last year was a strong year, led by the Chevrolet Colorado,” Ian Nicholls, president of GM Southeast Asia, noted in his welcoming address. “With the hard work and collaboration of our teams, we grew our market share and closed sales of December at 2,789 units, the highest sales record since May 2014.

“We are also pleased to have seen some positive feedback from the JD Power 2017 Thailand APEAL Study, in which Chevrolet performed well above industry average, while the Colorado also scored extremely well in the Extended cab segments.”

The conference also included a panel discussion on “Pickups and SUVs – The Future of the Thai Automobile Industry”, led by media tycoons such as Prachin Eamlumnow of Grand Prix International, Kwanchai Prapatpong of Inter-Media Consultant and Pattanadesh Asasappakij of VA & Sons, moderated by Wit Sittivaekin.

The panellists shared a belief in a bright future for SUVs and pickups, particularly high-stance trucks, and this aligns with Chevrolet’s business direction in Thailand.

Demand for OEM accessorised pickups is expected to increase, according to the media executives.

Isuzu, which sold more than 160,500 vehicles in Thailand last year, said facelifted Speed and Speed Cab 4 models would be in showrooms by February 15, priced from Bt742,000 to Bt966,000.

Apart from the exterior design updates, new features include bi-xenon headlights, surround-sound systems and piano-black interior trim.

The new MG ZS, the world’s first Thai language-enabled smart car with i-Smart system, proved especially popular, receiving over 3,000 orders in just a month since its November 2017 launch, said a Thursday press release from the company.

MG’s impressive 45 per cent increase in combined car sales compared to 2016 included 6,033 sales of the trendy MG3 model, 2,328 of the MG GS, 2,451 of the MG5, 433 of the MG6, and 768 of the new MG ZS.

Other achievements for SAIC Motor-CP Co Ltd and MG Sales (Thailand) Co Ltd in 2017 included December’s opening of a brand new eco-friendly Bt10-billion production plant, located on a 437-rai (70-hectare) plot of land at the Hemaraj Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate 2 Chonburi. Featuring the latest automations and intelligent robotics, along with a maximum production capacity of 100,000 vehicles per year, MG hopes that the plant in Chonburi will become a global production hub for right-hand-drive MG vehicles for not only Thailand and Asean, but also for other markets around the world.

Pongsak Lertrudeewattanawong, vice-president of MG Sales (Thailand) Co, Ltd said: “It’s been a successful year for MG in Thailand, and our hard work and dedication has really paid off. MG’s strong growth is partly due to Thai people becoming more aware of the trustworthiness of MG as a high quality, luxury British brand with exceptional after-sales service. We go above and beyond with our ‘passion service’ maintenance programme, offering a 4-year or 120,000-kilometre warranty, 24-hour roadside assistance and MG call centre.

“In the coming year, the Thai economy is likely to see 4 per cent growth due to an increase in the industries of imports and travel, which will have a knock-on effect in car sales, with approximately 950,000 more cars being sold,” said Pongsak in the press release.

“The Thai market in particular will see an increase in interest in multipurpose cars and ‘smart’ cars. Internet cars will also become popular in the coming years, and as MG was the first company to invent the Internet car, we are ideally positioned to capitalise on this growing market. In the future, MG vehicles will be built inspired by SAIC Motor’s four main principles: alternative energy, autonomous drive system, Internet system, and car sharing. We also plan to expand our number of MG dealerships in Thailand from 80 to 120 in 2018, in order to strengthen our position in the market,” Pongsak said.