The Tata Xenon one-ton pickup, the first Thai-made vehicle from India's largest automaker, will be cheaper than its Japanese and American rivals in the local market but with just as much durability and safety, say executives of Tata Motors Thailand Co.
The Xenon is expected to be a highlight at the Bangkok International Motor Show, which opens to the public today at Bitec Bang Na and runs until April 6.
The model comes in two versions, both two-wheel-drive, with the extended cab priced at 519,000 and 529,000 baht and the double cab at 599,000 baht.
''The prices announced are temporary until the end of next month,'' said Sompong Polchitcharoen, general manager for marketing.
The Xenon is slightly less than 100,000 baht cheaper than Japanese and American pickups but offers only a high-body version. The new prices will be 539,000 and 564,000 baht for the extended-cab versions and 629,000 baht for the double cab when the introductory prices expire.
Tata has appointed more than 20 dealers, three in Bangkok and 17 in central and the northeastern provinces. The network will be extended into the northern and southern areas soon.
Ravi Kant, managing director of Tata Motors Co of India, noted that Thailand was the world's second-largest market for pickup trucks after the United States.
''Sooner or later, we have to come here one day,'' he said.
He said the Xenon was developed and built in Thailand after a great effort to research Thai consumer needs.
Mr Kant attended the launch after Ratan Tata, chairman of the Tata Group, cancelled his trip to Thailand at the last minute because of illness. In a statement released at the Xenon launch, Mr Tata said he hoped that Thailand and Asean would become the key markets for Tata Motors in the near future.The Xenon was designed in England and features engine technology from Germany. It has a 2.2-litre direct-injection, commonrail engine, producing 140 horsepower. The vehicle can also run on B5 biodiesel. The body, using 0.8- to 1.55-millimetre-thick steel sheets, is thicker than other pickup trucks in Thailand to ensure durability and safety.
Tata Motors has invested 1.3 billion baht in Thailand to produce pickup trucks. Initially, the Xenon will have 50% local content to assure that inexpensive spare parts would be readily available.
The Xenon is assembled at the Thonburi Automotive Assembly Plant in Samut Prakan where luxury Mercedes-Benz cars are also made. A Xenon that runs on natural gas is scheduled to go on sale in the second half this year.
Mr Sompong said Tata hoped to obtain a 1% share of the local total pickup truck market or about 4,000 to 5,000 units this year. It hopes to have a 5% share within five years.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Bangkok International Auto Show 2008 expects huge crowd
Motorists will be packing the 29th Bangkok International Motor Show in search of the best deals for new cars and trucks.
The show, which starts today at Bitec and runs until April 6, will also provide a glimpse of the latest trends in the automotive industry.
According to organiser Dr Prachin Eamlumnow, as many as 15,000 vehicles are expected to be sold at the show this year. Sales should be worth about Bt22 billion.
"The show will give the automobile industry a strong boost," he said. "It is one of the country's main manufacturing sectors."
The show, which is one of the largest auto exhibition events in Asia, will this year promote the theme of "Environmental Auto Globalization".
The move reflects the automotive world's shift towards alternative energy and environmental concerns.
The show also welcomes Indian newcomer Tata, which has launched its pickup truck, the Xenon, in the local market.
The Xenon is assembled in Thailand and will be competing in the lucrative pickup market against powerful Japanese rivals.
Restored confidence after the election is expected to boost car sales this year. In the first two months, 94,657 units were sold, a 15.09-per-cent increase from the same period last year.
Throughout this year, vehicle sales are expected to reach 700,000 units, up 11 per cent from 631,251 last year.
The show, which starts today at Bitec and runs until April 6, will also provide a glimpse of the latest trends in the automotive industry.
According to organiser Dr Prachin Eamlumnow, as many as 15,000 vehicles are expected to be sold at the show this year. Sales should be worth about Bt22 billion.
"The show will give the automobile industry a strong boost," he said. "It is one of the country's main manufacturing sectors."
The show, which is one of the largest auto exhibition events in Asia, will this year promote the theme of "Environmental Auto Globalization".
The move reflects the automotive world's shift towards alternative energy and environmental concerns.
The show also welcomes Indian newcomer Tata, which has launched its pickup truck, the Xenon, in the local market.
The Xenon is assembled in Thailand and will be competing in the lucrative pickup market against powerful Japanese rivals.
Restored confidence after the election is expected to boost car sales this year. In the first two months, 94,657 units were sold, a 15.09-per-cent increase from the same period last year.
Throughout this year, vehicle sales are expected to reach 700,000 units, up 11 per cent from 631,251 last year.
Tata Motors close to building Thai plant
Newspaper reports indicate BoI likely to give approval next week for aggressive auto firm to begin manufacturing in the Kingdom.
Indian auto-maker Tata Motors, following its takeover of Jaguar and Land Rover in the UK, will likely have one more achievement to cheer about.
The Madras-based Business Standard daily newspaper reported there was a likelihood of Thailand's Board of Investment (BoI) approving the company's proposal to manufacture eco-cars in the Kingdom.
The move is part of plans by India's third-largest passenger-car manufacturer to expand into the global automotive market.
The Business Standard quoted a BoI official as saying approval for Tata's eco-car proposal could be reached at the board's meeting next Wednesday.
This would make Tata the fourth carmaker to win tax privileges under government plans to turn Thailand into a production centre for environmentally friendly vehicles. The other three are Honda, Suzuki Motor and Siam Nissan Automobile.
To win the tax privileges, auto-makers must commit to investing at least Bt5 billion. Eco-cars are either petrol-fuelled vehicles with an engine size of no more than 1,300cc or diesel-fuelled vehicles with engines up to 1400cc. They must not consume more than 1 litre of fuel for every 20 kilometres and must emit no more than 120 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre.
A BoI official yesterday told The Nation that the agency would also likely to approve proposals from Toyota and Mitsubishi, while that from Volkswagen would be delayed.
Tata managing director Ravi Kant yesterday confirmed in Bangkok that Tata had concluded a deal to acquire the two British brands for US$2.3 billion (Bt72.47 billion). He went on to discuss the eco-car project.
"The eco-car is a very important segment of the market for Tata," Kant told the Thai media. "We'll consider which car will be appropriate for the Thai market after proper research in Thailand."
Tata makes the world's cheapest car, the Nano, for the Indian market. It promises a fuel economy of about 20km per litre, which fits BoI specifications.
On the acquisition of Land Rover and Jaguar from Ford, Kant said: "These two companies have lots of potential, and we will allow them to operate by themselves. Although the market in the US might be down, there are other markets that can offset this loss. We have looked at the business plans of both companies for the next five years and are satisfied with what we see."
Kant said he believed his company had settled on a good price. However, whether the companies will enter the Indian market will be a matter for each one's management.
Asked why Tata decided to buy the companies when the US market was not doing well, he replied that Tata was given no choice.
"Ford decided to sell the companies now, and we had to take advantage of the opportunity. The automotive trade is cyclical. The markets will bounce back in a while. We have been doing business for 60 years at Tata and know this only too well," he said, adding that action would be taken to mitigate the companies' risks.
With its acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover, Tata's total international sales now exceed its domestic sales in India.
Indian auto-maker Tata Motors, following its takeover of Jaguar and Land Rover in the UK, will likely have one more achievement to cheer about.
The Madras-based Business Standard daily newspaper reported there was a likelihood of Thailand's Board of Investment (BoI) approving the company's proposal to manufacture eco-cars in the Kingdom.
The move is part of plans by India's third-largest passenger-car manufacturer to expand into the global automotive market.
The Business Standard quoted a BoI official as saying approval for Tata's eco-car proposal could be reached at the board's meeting next Wednesday.
This would make Tata the fourth carmaker to win tax privileges under government plans to turn Thailand into a production centre for environmentally friendly vehicles. The other three are Honda, Suzuki Motor and Siam Nissan Automobile.
To win the tax privileges, auto-makers must commit to investing at least Bt5 billion. Eco-cars are either petrol-fuelled vehicles with an engine size of no more than 1,300cc or diesel-fuelled vehicles with engines up to 1400cc. They must not consume more than 1 litre of fuel for every 20 kilometres and must emit no more than 120 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre.
A BoI official yesterday told The Nation that the agency would also likely to approve proposals from Toyota and Mitsubishi, while that from Volkswagen would be delayed.
Tata managing director Ravi Kant yesterday confirmed in Bangkok that Tata had concluded a deal to acquire the two British brands for US$2.3 billion (Bt72.47 billion). He went on to discuss the eco-car project.
"The eco-car is a very important segment of the market for Tata," Kant told the Thai media. "We'll consider which car will be appropriate for the Thai market after proper research in Thailand."
Tata makes the world's cheapest car, the Nano, for the Indian market. It promises a fuel economy of about 20km per litre, which fits BoI specifications.
On the acquisition of Land Rover and Jaguar from Ford, Kant said: "These two companies have lots of potential, and we will allow them to operate by themselves. Although the market in the US might be down, there are other markets that can offset this loss. We have looked at the business plans of both companies for the next five years and are satisfied with what we see."
Kant said he believed his company had settled on a good price. However, whether the companies will enter the Indian market will be a matter for each one's management.
Asked why Tata decided to buy the companies when the US market was not doing well, he replied that Tata was given no choice.
"Ford decided to sell the companies now, and we had to take advantage of the opportunity. The automotive trade is cyclical. The markets will bounce back in a while. We have been doing business for 60 years at Tata and know this only too well," he said, adding that action would be taken to mitigate the companies' risks.
With its acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover, Tata's total international sales now exceed its domestic sales in India.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Bangkok International Motor Show 2008
The 29th Bangkok International Motor Show 2008 kicks off from March 28 to April 06 2008 at BITEC. This event is organized by Grand Prix International Group with an exhibition of cars and motorcycles including latest technology of leading manufacturers around the world, launching of new model cars, concept cars, car accessories, and maintenance equipment.
The theme this year is "The Environmental Auto Globalization". Sounds to me like the automotives are going to be environmentally globalized? I cannot make much sense of it right now, probably another bad piece of Thai-English translation, but sounds like the "global warming buzz". So I'll have to check out this environmental theme at the show myself...
I just received loads of complimentary tickets to the venue and will be dropping by this weekend!
The theme this year is "The Environmental Auto Globalization". Sounds to me like the automotives are going to be environmentally globalized? I cannot make much sense of it right now, probably another bad piece of Thai-English translation, but sounds like the "global warming buzz". So I'll have to check out this environmental theme at the show myself...
I just received loads of complimentary tickets to the venue and will be dropping by this weekend!
Tata Motors launches Xenon pickup in Thailand
Tata Xenon pickup launched in Thailand
Latest 2.2-litre common-rail engine will offer excellent power and fuel economy
Tata Motors (Thailand) Co. Ltd. today pulled the wraps off the Tata Xenon 1-tonne pickup truck at the annual Bangkok International Motor Show. The Xenon will be sold from today across Thailand through the company's own dealer network. Over 20 dealers have already been appointed and the network is being progressively extended.
Commenting on this maiden initiative of the company in Thailand, Mr. Ratan N. Tata, Chairman of Tata Motors, stated, "I am pleased that Tata Motors (Thailand) is launching the Xenon pickup in Thailand. The Xenon pickup has been developed and built in Thailand, specifically keeping the Thai customers in mind. We are hopeful that Thailand and ASEAN region will become key markets for Tata Motors in the near future."
The Xenon features a 2.2-litre Direct Injection Common Rail (DICOR) engine with Variable Turbine Technology (VTT) and intercooler promising high durability, ease of maintenance and low spare part prices. The 2.2L VTT DICOR common-rail diesel technology offers excellent power delivery and low fuel consumption. The Xenon has been designed with high suspension from origin.
The Xenon's body boasts of 0.8 - 1.5 mm-thick steel sheets, thicker than other pickups in the market, for better durability and safety.
The company carried out extensive research in the ASEAN region and finally decided to invest Bt1.3 billion in Thailand to produce the Xenon pickup truck. Thailand is reputed as a 1-ton pickup manufacturing destination with a strong supplier base which uses modern technology to produce high-quality products. Initially the Xenon intends to have 50 percent local content, so that customers can be sure that inexpensive spare parts would be readily available.
The Xenon is assembled at the Thonburi Automotive Assembly Plant (TAAP). Thonburi's long experience and excellent reputation in quality and craftsmanship will ensure the product meets customer preference.
The Xenon is being launched in two body styles: X-tend Cab and Double Cab (4-door). All models come with the 2.2-litre DICOR common-rail engine with VTT and intercooler, as well as 32-bit ECU to produce 140 horsepower and 320Nm of torque from 1,700-2,700rpm, as well as excellent fuel economy.
Commenting on this maiden initiative of the company in Thailand, Mr. Ratan N. Tata, Chairman of Tata Motors, stated, "I am pleased that Tata Motors (Thailand) is launching the Xenon pickup in Thailand. The Xenon pickup has been developed and built in Thailand, specifically keeping the Thai customers in mind. We are hopeful that Thailand and ASEAN region will become key markets for Tata Motors in the near future."
The Xenon features a 2.2-litre Direct Injection Common Rail (DICOR) engine with Variable Turbine Technology (VTT) and intercooler promising high durability, ease of maintenance and low spare part prices. The 2.2L VTT DICOR common-rail diesel technology offers excellent power delivery and low fuel consumption. The Xenon has been designed with high suspension from origin.
The Xenon's body boasts of 0.8 - 1.5 mm-thick steel sheets, thicker than other pickups in the market, for better durability and safety.
The company carried out extensive research in the ASEAN region and finally decided to invest Bt1.3 billion in Thailand to produce the Xenon pickup truck. Thailand is reputed as a 1-ton pickup manufacturing destination with a strong supplier base which uses modern technology to produce high-quality products. Initially the Xenon intends to have 50 percent local content, so that customers can be sure that inexpensive spare parts would be readily available.
The Xenon is assembled at the Thonburi Automotive Assembly Plant (TAAP). Thonburi's long experience and excellent reputation in quality and craftsmanship will ensure the product meets customer preference.
The Xenon is being launched in two body styles: X-tend Cab and Double Cab (4-door). All models come with the 2.2-litre DICOR common-rail engine with VTT and intercooler, as well as 32-bit ECU to produce 140 horsepower and 320Nm of torque from 1,700-2,700rpm, as well as excellent fuel economy.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Daily XPRESS freesheet newspaper launched!
Daily Xpress, Thailand’s first freesheet English-language newspaper, was launched on March 5th with a big party at Central World Bangkok, celebrated by more than 3,000 guests. About 100,000 copies will be distributed daily including to all the current and future 'The Nation' subscribers, making it the largest-circulated free English daily newspaper in Thailand.
I grabbed my free copy on the launch day and was pretty impressed by the amount of content and variety it had. The Daily Xpress staff must be really busy getting stuff to write about daily.
So where to pickup your daily free copy? Here is the list of places where you can grab a copy. Places include Starbucks, Lenotre, Subway Sanwich, Iberry, Coffee World, 94c Coffee, D'Oro Coffee, Au Bon Pain, True Coffee, Delifrance, Single Shop, McDonalds, California Wow, Absolute Yoga, and all major hospitals, universities, book stores, pubs & restaurants, and office buildings.
While the Daily Express (UK) says it's "The World's Greatest Newspaper", the Daily XPRESS is definitely Thailand's greatest "free" English language newspaper.
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