Army Coup Not Sidetracking Thailand Eco-Car Project

Thailand is pinning its hopes on its eco-car project to reach its goal of building 3 million vehicles a year by 2019.

The Board of Trade is sticking to its target, the Bangkok Post reports, despite weak domestic demand following more than six months of political unrest that culminated in the military coup.

“The eco-car project will play a crucial role to drive domestic production to achieve that goal,” Deputy Secretary Chokedee Kaewsang tells an automotive summit in Bangkok.

He says the Board of Trade likely will approve details of investment plans by the 10 automakers signed up for the second phase of the eco-car scheme sometime this year. The 10 projects are set to produce 1.58 million eco-cars.

Meantime, The Nation newspaper predicts domestic sales will get a boost next month with two motor shows scheduled for Bangkok.

The Fast Auto Show Thailand 2014 will be held July 2-6, followed by the 6th Bangkok Imported Car & Used Car Show from July 18-27.

The “fast” concept refers to the speed of buyers getting financing, rather than on the vehicle performance.

Vice Organizing Chairman Chalatchai Paphatphong says Citroen, Deva, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Skoda, Suzuki, Toyota, Kia, Dongfeng and Subaru will take part in the third annual event.

“Automakers will join forces to launch new models at the Fast Auto Show,” he says. “That includes the Suzuki Celerio, Honda Jazz and Nissan Navara.”