Piston.my

BIMS 2018

It’s been about 10 years since I first attended the Bangkok International Motorshow, commonly known as “BIMS” at the IMPACT Challenger just outside Bangkok, Thailand, and I have to say, both in terms of displays and organisation, this is one of the best motorshows in the region, if not THE best. Here was the first walk-around video upon arriving…

BIMS 2018 was held from 28th March to 8th April 2018, and from the time I touched down in Bangkok, till the time I left the show four days later, once again, GPI (Grand Prix International) the organisers of BIMS did a remarkable job ensuring that the media were well taken care of. Facilities included a full-fledged media centre for both local and international media, stocked with food, drinks, lockers, and tables replete with laptops for our use, printers, fax machines (yes, some still use those) and photocopiers. Having settled, it was time to head for the official opening ceremony…

The BIMS show itself is unlike anything in the region, literally. Not so much in the way it’s presented, but for the fact that BIMS is a ‘sales motorshow’ as well, one of the only, anywhere. While the actual display pavilions set-up by the various carmakers are of international standard – i.e. both the BMW and Mercedes-Benz pavilions look like they were brought in wholesale from Geneva or Frankfurt – behind the scenes, or rather display areas, and away from the main gaze of visitors, a frenzy of selling is taking place.

This year, a total of 42,499 vehicles were sold at BIMS, far surpassing their set target of 40,000; a conservative figure set forth from the 38,000 vehicles sold at BIMS 2017 . I also heard from the organiser that in 2017, one particular German brand sold more cars at BIMS than they did for the whole year on the outside. Such is the importance of this show, so much so that Ford decided it would be the perfect venue to launch the much-anticipated Ranger Raptor…

A staggering 1.6 MILLION visitors attended BIMS 2018, and while undoubtedly this was the truck everyone was waiting to see, it was just one of the many attractions to be found at BIMS, which really wouldn’t be complete without the lovely ladies that adorn every pavilion. This year, however, the organisers did something different; a catwalk! So in the span of 30min, everyone was able to meet and say hello to all the girls that would be part of BIMS 2018…

While in this day and age, many may question the need for girls to still be part of a motorshow, as Dr.Prachin Eamlumnow, (below) Chief Executive Officer of Grand Prix International himself put it…

“Cars and beautiful girls go hand-in-hand, both are lovely and both are unique, so why keep them apart; they should both always be celebrated and honoured at a motorshow; one compliments the other.” We tend to agree. So Formula One, you can just suck it for dispensing with them. And it’s not like they just stand there doing nothing at BIMS, for example this Suzuki girl was definitely waxing lyrical about the new bikes that were launched at the show…

Apart from new metal, BIMS holds the distinction of having the only “Used Car Fair” as well. Yes, you read that right, if the new cars don’t tickle your fancy, about a week after the official launch of BIMS, the organisers hold a second launch for the Used Car Show. All the cars sold here are certified and come with warranties, in addition to special ‘motorshow financing schemes’ that offer better and more flexible rates. Krungsri Auto, an official partner of BIMS for five years running, is at hand to assist anyone wishing to buy a used car at the show.

Another attraction of BIMS is the annex hall of IMPACT Challenger, which by the way is the largest piller-less hall in SEA, in which the Car Accessories section is housed. This is a must-stop for anyone visiting BIMS, because car accessories wise, it’s like a one-stop, anything-you-want-under-the-sun type of place. Here’s my walk-around, which in retrospect was ill-advised because I ended up spending half my money here later. Get this, I even found an aftermarket high-flow air-filter from Hurricane for my classic 1983 Mercedes W126 280SE… who the HELL sells stuff like that at a motorshow??? Trust BIMS to have it…

As night falls, the action doesn’t stop. Out the back of IMPACT Challenger, and at one of the many open air venues that’s home to external exhibits as well as test-drives, the car clubs and modders would take centre stage to show off their wares. I caught the tail-end of the modded truck show, and was (almost literally) blown away. The crazy amounts of bass that some of these trucks produce can apparently stop a heart from beating if you get too close….

Well, like I’ve always said, nobody wants to read about a motorshow, so until next year and the 40th Edition of BIMS, here’s the FULL photo gallery of the 39th Bangkok International Motorshow 2018! – Chris Wee.

BIMS 2018 Photo Gallery… (More Videos after the jump)

:::::::: MORE Videos ::::::::

BMW @ BIMS 2018…

Aston Martin @ BIMS 2018…

Suzuki Bikes @ BIMS 2018…

Bikes, Accessories & MORE GIRLS @ BIMS 2018…

Acknowledgement: With heartfelt gratitude, Piston.my (and me personally) would like to thank the organisers of BIMS, Grand Prix International, for the invite to cover this yearly event yet again; GPI are the most gracious hosts I’ve ever had the privilege of meeting, and it’s a genuine pleasure and honour to cover this event annually.Thank you! – Chris Wee.

The 39th edition of the Bangkok International Motor Show has come to a close, but not after a colossal 1.62 million visitors walked through its doors at the Impact Challenger! As BIMS is also a sales show, the numbers are equally impressive there too; a total of 42,499 vehicles (cars, trucks and motorcycles) were swept up during the show from 28th March to 8th April 2018.
Mr. Jaturont Komolmis, Vice Chairman of BIMS and COO of Grand Prix PLC, mentioned “The 39th Bangkok International Motor Show is a once again a successful event. A number of car manufacturers, motorcycles and the entrepreneurs of the automotive business attended in this event, which all of these values bring new products and technologies to exhibit. The number of visitors from the collection of statistics is 1.62 million.”
Mr. Jaturont added, “Throughout the past, Bangkok International Motor Show has continued to gain trust from car, motorcycle, and automotive entrepreneurs to attend the exhibition of automotive technologies and new innovations. These companies are willing to spend huge investments for booth design and displays. As an organizer of this event, we would like to thank you for all the great support from every company attending the 39th Bangkok International Motor Show. This year’s event has been very successful, and it proves that The 39th Bangkok International Motor Show is Thailand’s number one car show in Thailand, as well as the Asean region.”
It’s the only one of its kind insofar as Motorshows are concerned. If new cars at the show aren’t your thing, well then Grand Prix International Co., Ltd. (Thailand) led by Mr. Jaturont Komolmis, Executive Director / Chief Operating Officer and Chairman of the event, recently held a grand opening of the “Used Car Fair No. 10” at Impact Exhibition Exhibition Hall 2-4, Muang Thong Thani, the site of BIMS 2018.
The Used Car Expo has been a staple of BIMS for more than 10 years, participated in by leading automotive companies, entrepreneurs and used car dealers, as well as consumer groups.
Along with the used car companies, an MOU was signed recently to guarantee and assure the quality of cars being sold at the event. “Krungsri Auto” continues to participate as a partner, and is the main sponsor for the 5th consecutive year.
 Low down-payments and up to 84-months instalment programs are available, as well as an extended parts warranty for up to 2 years or 70,000 km (Krungsri Auto Extended Warranty). Returning customers also get a petrol card worth 1,000 baht, too.
The Used Car Fair runs from 2nd – 8th April, 2018, Monday – Friday from 12:00 to 22:00 hrs. – Saturday, Sunday and public holidays at 11:00 to 22:00. Venue is Exhibition Hall 2-4, Impact Muang Thong Thani and 20 baht per person per entry.
Log on to www.bangkokusedcarshow.com for more details.

On the first night of every BIMS, this happens! It’s a gathering of the craziest modded trucks (and a few cars too) that you’re ever gonna see, replete with girls on their decks, right behind IMPACT Challenger Hall!

More to come!

The sights and sounds of BIMS 2018, plus narration and my take on one of the best motorshows in the region. I’m just walking around saying hi to random people, it’s a blast, you really should visit this show sometime. – Chris Wee.

Trivia: BIMS is one of the only motorshows in the world where the cars on display are also for sale. Guess how many cars were sold at BIMS last year? Answer in the video below!

More to come!

Here they are! For the first time in history, the lovely showgirls of the Bangkok International Motorshow were given a ‘catwalk’ down the main thoroughfare!

Stay tuned for more to come!

Here’s a 360-degree video look at the Aston Martin, BMW and Mercedes-Benz pavilions at BIMS 2018!

ASTON MARTIN

BMW

Mercedes-Benz

 

The 2018 Bangkok International Motorshow is a GO! Here’s the video of the launch gambit that happened earlier today…

As you can see, it’s been a tradition of sorts for BIMS to have all heads of the various car companies taking part to be up on stage for the official opening ceremony, which is something quite unique to BIMS; can’t think of another motorshow that does this.

So let’s get on with it shall we? Here’s the first official photos from BIMS 2018! More to come so stay tuned!

FORD…

Undoubtedly, the star of BIMS 2018 is the all-new Ford Ranger Raptor. Here’s the launch video taken moments ago…

Boasting 500Nm of torque, it’s one of the most striking vehicles at BIMS this year, and garnering the lion’s share of shutterbug action, not to mention selfies with the thing…

 

It costs B1.69 million here, which works out to about RM170,000, and is slated to be launched in Malaysia by the middle of 2018. We can’t wait!

PORSCHE…

Needless to say, the new GT2RS is getting the most attention at the Porsche pavilion! And it’s easy to see why…

MERCEDES-BENZ…

Achingly gorgeous is the new GTc AMG, crews were constantly wiping drool off the car, I kid you not…

And of course this mean green machine parked next to it wasn’t short of attention either…

KIA…

Ah, the Kia Stinger! Seen it in the metal at the MAI Malaysia Autishow last year, but it still takes my breath away…

AUDI…

Check out how much the new R8 Coupe costs!

Yes, that’s just shy of Baht 19 million!

Well, no one wants to read about a motorshow, so enjoy the photos below cos I’m heading back into the show! Stay tuned for lots more to come! – Chris Wee.

BIMS 2018 First Day Photo Gallery…

 

It’s the truck everyone has been waiting for, priced at 1,699,000 Baht, the new Ford Ranger Raptor has been unveiled!

Stay tuned for more to come from BIMS 2018! 

 

I’ve literally just stepped through the doors of the Bangkok International Motorshow 2018 having collected my media pass at the press centre, and BIMS 2018 hasn’t officially begun yet, but here’s the first of many videos to come!

This is by no means the whole show, not by a long-shot, I haven’t even scratched the surface of what’s in store at IMPACT Challenger Muang Thong Thani in the outskirts of Bangkok. It’s the largest pillar-less hall in SEA, and definitely a sight to behold.

The official opening ceremony is set for tomorrow morning, 27th March 2018, and the show runs from 28th March to 8th April. Stay tuned for a lot more to come!

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