It was a smash and grab. Yours truly’s visit to the 2014 Thai Motor Expo‘s press day (show still on, until Dec 10) was very DIY – flights and accomodation were all self-funded and finalised just a few days before. I touched down at Don Mueang on the evening before the show, checked out in the morning and made a mad dash to the airport from Impact once everything was covered. Made it, just.
The annual year-ending Thai Motor Expo may have started out as a “year end sales” event (it’s still a great place to hunt for deals), but with ASEAN and our region’s very own “Detroit” growing in importance, world debuts gracing the show are not uncommon.
This year’s edition saw the Mazda 2 Sedan unveiled for the first time anywhere in the world, and we also brought to you comprehensive galleries of the Thai-spec Honda HR-V and Nissan X-Trail. Both SUVs will be launching in Malaysia very soon, so it’s a good preview.
Also set to arrive in the coming year is the new Mitsubishi Triton pick-up truck, which is made in Thailand for the world. Going the other way will be the Proton Iriz, which is set to be the spiritual successor to the Proton Savvy in Thailand. The latter was sold at an attention grabbing 399,000 baht and garnered some attention back then, before the Eco Car wave came and swept it away.
Not much time to spare at the show, but we understand that coverage of an Asian motor show is not complete without a gallery of the showgirls, or pretties, as they call the ladies in the Land of Smiles. So here we are, signing off in customary style.
Do “vote” for your favourite pretties in the comments below, and here’s our previous Thai Motor Expo catch, for your kind reference :)
