Mitsubishi and Thai Government agree on jointstudy for testing of The i-MiEV for the popularisation of electric vehicles in Thailand

2010 Mitsubishi iMiEV

BANGKOK : December 13, 2010 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and the government of Thailand announced today that they agreed to start joint study for fleet testing of electric vehicles (EV). MMC, through its local producer and distributor Mitsubishi Motors Thailand (MMTh), will begin initiatives for future market introduction of the i-MiEV new-generation EV.

Meanwhile, the Thai government will move forward with its Electric Vehicle Project, creating an integrated organisation with related ministries and government agencies under the direction of the Ministry of Industry (MOI).

The Thai MOI has already been aiming towards advancement of EVs as part of its policies to expand the Thailand automobile industry, however through the start of this EV joint project with

MMC, the MOI moves forward with specific testing for the popularisation of EVs, through use of the i-MiEV, researching the acceptability and marketability of EVs in Thailand, setting up user support systems, and expanding charging infrastructure, etc.

MMC President Osamu Masuko celebrated the move, mentioning: “This joint EV study project with the Thai Ministry of Industry is a happy occasion for both Mitsubishi Motors and Mitsubishi Motors Thailand. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Minister of Industry, who recently gathered a group consisting of the Ministry of Industry, the Board of Investment, the Thai Automotive Institute, and other concerned authorities to act as an advisory board for the project. The popularisation of EVs in Thailand will not only contribute to the reduction of environmental burdens, but I also firmly believe that the popularisation of EVs in Thailand will be an important aspect in bolstering Thailand’s competitive edge in the next-generation vehicle industry.”

MMC is currently selling the i-MiEV in Japan, Hong Kong, Australia and European markets. In addition, MMC is already collaborating on initiatives to promote the popularisation of EVs centred on agreements with various governments including the governments of the Principality of Monaco, Iceland, Denmark, and Singapore, among others.

Mitsubishi and Thai Government agree on jointstudy for testing of The i-MiEV for the popularisation of electric vehicles in Thailand.

[Source : MITSUBISHI]

Honda exhibits world premiere of Honda BRIO prototype, developed for Asian Markets at the 27th Thailand International Motor Expo 2010

2011 Honda BRIO Prototype

BANGKOK, Thailand - November 30, 2010 - Honda debuted the world premiere of a prototype of Honda BRIO, the new small-sized vehicle developed for Asian markets and scheduled to be introduced in Thailand and India in 2011, at the 27th Thailand International Motor Expo starting November 30, 2010 (press day: November 30, public days: December 1-12.)

Honda BRIO Prototype is being developed with Honda’s advanced technologies, while further advancing Honda’s “man maximum, machine minimum” concept^*1. Being developed as a commuter which is easy-to-use even in urban areas, the Honda BRIO prototype adopts an easy-to-handle compact body (length 3,610mm x width 1,680mm x height 1,475 mm) while ensuring enough cabin space achieved by highly efficient packaging. With this vehicle, Honda thoroughly pursued the creation of an advanced exterior form, which is compact while asserting a strong presence.

For the mass-production model, which will be an entry-level car, for which demand is increasing in newly emerging nations, Honda will develop unique versions for Thailand and India to reflect different customer needs in those markets. Moreover, with this vehicle, Honda will leverage the resources Honda has cultivated through its motorcycle business and utilize local sourcing of parts and materials such as sheet steel.

For the Thai model that is scheduled to be introduced in March 2011, the fuel economy of more than 5liters/100km^*2 will be targeted so that the vehicle will qualify as an eco-car by the Thai government, and a starting price of approximately 400,000 baht will be targeted as well. For the Indian model that is scheduled to be introduced within 2011, local customer needs for a small car will be reflected and local content will be increased to create a model that achieves a good balance between vehicle performance and price.

“Honda would like to expand the joy of mobility to more customers in Thailand, India and other Asian countries through the introduction of a new small vehicle with compact and highly efficient packaging by utilizing our own experiences cultivated by motorcycle business here in Asia,” said Takanobu Ito, President and CEO of Honda Motor.

*1 Honda’s “man maximum, machine minimum” concept is a basic approach to Honda car design calling for maximizing the space available for people and minimizing the space required for mechanical components.
*2 Measures with ECE R101 mode

Images : 2011 Honda BRIO Prototype

[Source : HONDA]

Nissan Motor Thailand announces start of production for all-new March

2010 Nissan Micra/March - New vehicle will lead Thailand's eco-car segment

BANGKOK, Thailand : March 12, 2010 - Nissan Motor (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (NMT) today celebrated the start of production for the all-new Nissan March, a global compact vehicle. More than 200 guests and employees were at the kick-off event, which included representatives from the Thai government, including Trirong Suwanakiri, deputy prime minister.


Officially launching March 26 at the Bangkok International Motor Show 2010, the Nissan March will be the first model offered for sale under Thailand's "eco-car" program, created to encourage the development of energy-efficient vehicles.

To receive eco-car designation, requirements for low fuel consumption and emissions must be met, as well as passenger safety standards for front and side impact under the stringent standards of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE regulation 94 and 95). The Thai eco-car program is an initiative of the Ministry of Industry's Board of Investment, which was successful in establishing Thailand as a manufacturing hub for pickup trucks.

"With an increasing vehicle population in Thailand and valid concerns about higher pollution levels in cities across the country, we're introducing a product that will have fewer CO₂ emissions and less environmental impact," said Toshiyuki Shiga, COO of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. "Very importantly, too, producing and selling the eco-friendly Nissan March in Thailand, as well as exporting it to other countries in the Asian and Oceania markets, will create jobs and contribute to the country's progressive auto industry development," added Shiga, who attended the event.

The start of production for March positions NMT as a center for excellence in manufacturing, R&D and customer care. Thailand will join China, India and Mexico as one of Nissan's global manufacturing hubs for Nissan March (known as the Micra in Europe and other countries), which ultimately will be offered in 160 world markets.

Nissan March is built on a new versatile platform, the V-platform, and is designed to have broad appeal to customers in both developed and emerging markets. The designers in Japan worked to create a vehicle that would convey agility and robustness in the design. On this, they delivered. As well, March is a reliable, stylish and eco-friendly car for people who enjoy everyday driving. The compact hatchback, with its affable appearance, also is engineered for easy handling and sprightly performance, while realizing class-leading fuel efficiency. The newly developed March powertrain features a 1.2-liter, 3-cylinder engine with an output of 79PS (108Nm) and 120g/km CO₂ emissions (under UNECE regulation 101). March is available with a five-speed manual transmission or an all-new continuous variable transmission (CVT).

"The all-new March will simplify city life," said Toru Hasegawa, NMT president. "March is a smart eco-car for people who enjoy their daily drives. New March drivers in Thailand will be pleased as well with the car's modern and roomy interior and the many user-friendly technologies. It's really the right car at the right time for this market."

Dealers will accept customer bookings for Nissan March starting tomorrow, and vehicle delivery will start within a few weeks for the five-speed manual transmission version. Delivery of the March with CVT will begin in early June.

Priced from 375,000 baht to 537,000 baht, March will be sold through the NMT dealer network across Thailand.

As part of its mid-term business plan (named "Revolution 2012") announced last October, NMT has targeted a more than 10 percent market share for Thailand. The company expects to achieve this mainly through the success of the eco-car project, launch of at least one new vehicle every year through 2012 and continuing quality improvements in the sales network. NMT FY2009 sales are expected to total 34,000 units, an increase of 22 percent versus FY2008. The company plans to sell 48,000 vehicles in FY2010, including 20,000 units of March.

Images : 2010 Nissan Micra/March

[Source : NISSAN]