Impressive shows offer easier access

Impressive shows offer easier access By Vijo Varghese

The Nation

Published on June 25, 2008







Suttipark says its three Car Festivals should sell up to 800 units this year

Not interested in going from showroom to showroom in search of the right car? Feel like it is too long to wait for the Bangkok Motor Show to pick a car?    Show organisers are realising this opportunity and are organising mini motor shows in department stores and other commercial areas.

Suttipark, the company responsible for Thailand Impressive Car Festival 2008, will host three shows this year. The first show was held in February with two more set for next month and October.

The shows will be held at four Central branches: Bang Na, CentralWorld, Lat Phrao and Rama III.

"This was a segment of the automotive business that had not yet been looked into. This event brings the vehicles closer to the customers and allows easier access to them. Instead of going to a showroom where only one brand can be seen at a time, this even allows customers to compare their choices," Suttipark managing director Phungbun Na Ayudhaya said.

"Our target of 250 to 300 units that we have set for July is likely to be reached, although rising oil prices will be the main factor affecting the figure," Phungbun said.

More than 250 cars were sold during the event in February. A majority of the sales were of the Mitsubishi Space Wagon, which sold over 100 units due to a special promotion. The company hopes that a total of 750 to 800 units will be sold by the end of the year.

"A deciding factor will be if the Mitsubishi G-wagon will be launched in time for the October show. Whether we can reach 900 units will depend on which new models will be launched. We will spend Bt20 million to Bt25 million on promoting the event this year, as opposed to Bt18 million last year," Phungbun said.

A total of 13 brands will take part in Thailand Impressive Car 2008,   including BMW, Chevrolet, Honda,  Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, Subaru, Mini, Volvo, Peugeot and Isuzu.

      At a glance

n Two more shows are being organised this year, in July

and October.

n Shows will be held at four Central branches: Bang Na, CentralWorld, Lat Phrao and Rama III.

n Thirteen car brands will

take part.