BANGKOK: The 42nd Bangkok International Motor Show 2021 is expected to provide important economic multiplier effects again, with at least 34 participating car and motorcycle companies on an exhibition space of 170,960 square meters.
The 12-day motor show will be open to the public from March 24 to April 4, 2021 at Challenger Hall 1-3, IMPACT, Muang Thong Thani at noon till 10pm on weekdays, and 11am till 10pm on weekends and holidays.
Entry tickets are 100 baht (around RM14) each.
The participating car and motorcycle companies are Ford, BMW, MINI, Suzuki, Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin, Maserati, Peugeot, Mazda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Great Wall Motors, Nissan, Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Audi, MG, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Bentley, Volvo, Kia, Subaru, Hyundai Truck& Bus, TAKANO, AP Honda, Suzuki Motorcycle, Yamaha, Harley-Davidson, BAJAJ, KTM and Husqvarna.
The motor show's chairman Dr Prachin Eamlumnow, who is also the CEO of organiser Grand Prix International Public Company Limited (GPI), said the event will play a vital role in propelling Thailand’s economy which has been impacted by the Covid-19 epidemic.
"The automotive industry in Thailand is a world-class production hub of many renowned brands. With the strong collaboration between the government and the private sector to fight against the Covid-19 epidemic, there are signs of economic recovery especially now that Covid-19 vaccinations have rolled out recently."
According to GPI data, in 2020, the motor show's 41st edition saw 1,049,046 visitors and a total of 22,791 vehicle bookings (consisting of 18,381 cars and 4,410 motorcycles).
Toyota saw the highest number of passenger car and pick-up truck bookings with 3,745 units; followed by Mazda (2,365 units), Honda (2,001 units), Suzuki (1,583 units), Isuzu (1,510 units), MG (1,399 units), Mitsubishi (1,227 units), Nissan (952 units), BMW (888 units) and Ford (742 units).
As for motorcycles, Honda saw the highest number of bookings at 1,545 units, followed by Yamaha (1,387 units), Kawasaki (446 units), Royal Enfield (321 units), and Suzuki (203 units).
The motor show's chairman Dr Prachin Eamlumnow
Meanwhile, this year, the motor show's 42nd edition is organised under the theme concept of “Shaping the Next Chapter”.
There will be a new special zone dubbed “Smart EV City” with a futuristic city theme and automotive innovations, electric motorcycles, electric scooters as well as other cutting-edge technological products.
The GLAMPING zone, is another lifestyle zone featuring vehicles equipped with camping gear for recreational travelers.
Sanitisation measures are similar to the 2020 edition where visitors are required to wear face masks at all times, and to always have their hands cleaned with hand sanitiser before getting into an exhibited car.
Jaturont Komolmis, chief operating officer (COO) of GPI and the motor show's vice chairman said, "The gangway width between each booth and the main walkway will be expanded to reduce crowd congestion."
Also, the motor show has obtained the “Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration” (SHA) certification from the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
To enhance visitors' experiences, GPI has rolled out a mobile application called “Car Buddy by GPI”.
"Using the app, visitors can search for information such as car maintenance, service center, repair garage, roadside assistance, search tool, DIY maintenance as well as campaigns and promotions from various car companies," said Peeraphong Eamlumnow, who is also COO of GPI and the motor show's vice chairman.
