Malaysia mungkin terlepas menganjurkan Formula E-Prix tahun depan, dengan Thailand menjadi pilihan sebaliknya. Kerajaan Malaysia tidak menyahut jemputan Formula E, yang mungkin bermakna kehilangan peluang untuk mempamerkan Malaysia di peringkat global.
Formula E menawarkan Kuala Lumpur peluang untuk menjadi tuan rumah perlumbaan akhir setiap tahun sehingga 2030, tetapi tiada maklum balas yang jelas daripada Malaysia. Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Formula E mahu bercakap dengan Perdana Menteri Anwar Ibrahim tentang faedah, tetapi tanpa jawapan, bidaan Malaysia menghadapi masalah.
Tiada maklumat mengenai kos penganjuran acara itu, tetapi ia mungkin mahal, terutamanya memandangkan projek besar lain seperti cuba menganjurkan Sukan Commonwealth 2026. Walau bagaimanapun, penganjuran Formula E boleh mendatangkan banyak wang dan mencipta beribu-ribu pekerjaan.
Malaysia’s chance to host the Formula E-Prix final next year appears to be slipping away, with Thailand emerging as a likely contender despite initial favour towards Kuala Lumpur. The delay in response from the Malaysian government has led to uncertainty, potentially costing the nation an opportunity to showcase its potential on the global stage.
According to FMT, Formula E extended an invitation to Kuala Lumpur to host the final race annually until 2030, but the Malaysian government has yet to respond. Formula E CEO James Dodd sought an audience with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to discuss the event’s benefits, but the lack of a decisive response has put Malaysia’s bid in jeopardy.
While the cost of hosting the event remains undisclosed, there are concerns about the financial burden it may impose, especially in light of other costly initiatives like the attempted bid for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. However, economic projections suggest significant potential benefits, including injecting millions into the local economy and creating thousands of jobs over the next decade.
After a joint ground-breaking ceremony attended by Milan Nedeljković, Board Member for Production at BMW AG, representatives of the Thai government, and the German ambassador to Thailand Ernst Reichel, construction has commenced for the BMW Group’s local manufacturing facility for Gen-5 high-voltage batteries. This facility will enable the BMW Group to produce fully electric vehicles locally, with production scheduled to begin in the second half of 2025.
The forthcoming high-voltage battery assembly facility will cover 4,000 square meters and will be an integral part of BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand. The assembly line will convert imported battery cells into modules, which will then be integrated into high-voltage batteries. The BMW Group has invested over 1.6 billion baht (approximately RM211,153,426) in the project, with a significant portion earmarked for state-of-the-art equipment and systems, totalling almost 1.4 billion baht (approximately RM184,759,247).
1. Seorang jurucakap kerajaan Thailand mengumumkan bahawa pengeluar automotif Jepun akan melabur 150 bilion baht ($4.34 bilion atau RM20 billion) dalam tempoh lima tahun.
2. Ini menyokong peralihan Thailand ke pengeluaran kenderaan elektrik (EV).
3. Toyota Motor dan Honda Motor masing-masing akan melabur kira-kira 50 bilion baht, sementara Isuzu Motors akan melabur 30 bilion baht dan Mitsubishi Motors 20 bilion baht. Ini termasuk pengeluaran trak pikap elektrik.
4. Jurucakap kerajaan Thailand, Chai Wacharoke, menekankan bahawa pelaburan oleh pengeluar automotif Jepun ini selaris dengan strategi kerajaan Thailand untuk beralih dari kenderaan enjin petrol kepada EV.
5. Thailand, sebagai ekonomi kedua terbesar di Asia Tenggara, kini merupakan pengeluar dan pengeksport kereta terbesar di rantau ini.
6. Kerajaan Thailand berhasrat untuk mengubah suku pengeluaran tahunan kenderaannya ke kenderaan elektrik menjelang tahun 2030.
7. Untuk memudahkan peralihan ini, Thailand memperkenalkan insentif, termasuk potongan cukai dan subsidi, untuk menarik lebih banyak pelaburan dalam pengeluaran EV.
8. Keputusan pengeluar automotif Jepun ini berlaku pada masa yang sama dengan pengeluar kereta China, seperti BYD dan Great Wall Motor, yang telah berjanji untuk melabur sebanyak $1.44 bilion di Thailand, tertarik dengan strategi perniagaan yang menggalakkan.
9. Perdana Menteri Srettha baru-baru ini juga memperkenalkan kawasan perindustrian di Thailand kepada eksekutif daripada Tesla, menunjukkan hasrat negara ini untuk menarik pelaburan lebih lanjut dalam sektor EV yang berkembang pesat.
A spokesperson for the Thai government announced recently that major Japanese automakers are set to invest a total of 150 billion baht ($4.34 billion or over RM20 billion) in Thailand over the next five years, bolstering the country’s shift towards electric vehicle (EV) production.
Toyota Motor and Honda Motor are each contributing around 50 billion baht, while Isuzu Motors is investing 30 billion baht, and Mitsubishi Motors is committing 20 billion baht. This investment encompasses the manufacturing of electric pickup trucks.
During a recent trip to Japan by Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, agreements with these Japanese automakers were solidified. Although Japanese manufacturers have long dominated Thailand’s automotive sector, the rise of Chinese EV makers has introduced new dynamics, with notable investments being made in recent times.
The spokesperson, Chai Wacharoke, highlighted that the Japanese automakers’ investment aligns with the Thai government’s strategy to transition from traditional combustion engine vehicles to electric alternatives.
Despite requests for comment by Reuters, Toyota, Honda, Isuzu, and Mitsubishi had not responded at the time of reporting.
Thailand, Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, currently holds the position of the region’s leading car producer and exporter. The government aims to convert approximately one-third of its annual vehicle production, totaling 2.5 million units, into electric vehicles by 2030. To facilitate this transition, Thailand is introducing incentives, including tax cuts and subsidies, to attract more investment in EV manufacturing.
This move by Japanese automakers comes at a time when Chinese car manufacturers, such as BYD and Great Wall Motor, have already committed to substantial investments of $1.44 billion in new production facilities in Thailand, attracted by the favorable business environment.
In a noteworthy development, Prime Minister Srettha recently showcased industrial estates in Thailand to executives from the U.S. electric vehicle giant Tesla, signaling the country’s eagerness to attract further investments in the burgeoning EV sector.
Thailand’s Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, has unveiled that the country is anticipating substantial investments, amounting to a minimum of $5 billion, from major tech entities such as Tesla, Google, and Microsoft.
Thavisin disclosed that Tesla is actively exploring the potential establishment of an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing facility in Thailand. Simultaneously, Google and Microsoft are considering the construction of data centres within the country. The meeting between the prime minister and Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, primarily centred on the electric vehicle industry.
The “Jae Fang” gang, according to Thai assistant national police chief Pol Lt-Gen Surachate Hakparn, utilises pickup trucks and lorries to transport items to Malaysia before refuelling at petrol stations there and travelling back to Thailand.
The smuggling syndicate used vehicles with modified fuel tanks to transport hundreds of thousands of litres of fuel to a storage facility at a warehouse in Hatyai, Songkhla, about 30km from the Thailand-Malaysia border.
The 40th Bangkok International Motor Show 2019 (40th BIMS) is ready to open its doors for car enthusiasts! Organised by Grand Prix International Public Company Limited under the theme of “ENJOYMENT OF AUTOMOBILES” from 27 March to 7 April 2019 at IMPACT Challenger, Muang Thong Thani.
Dr. Prachin Eamlumnow (above), CEO of Grand Prix PCL and the Chairman of the 40th Bangkok International Motor Show revealed that ““Bangkok International Motor Show” has been internationally recognized as the Greatest Motor Show of ASEAN, proven by the annual participation of various global leading automotive brands.
The show will feature 33 international automotive brands and 14 renowned motorcycle companies. This year also marks the inaugural participation of the world’s finest supercar brand like McLaren for the first time in Thailand. This significantly reflects how important the 40th BIMS is as the event that strengthen the image and the growth of Thailand’s automotive industry in the international arena.” he said.
The Japanese participating brands include those of Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Mazda, Subaru, Suzuki – KIA, Hyundai represent Korean manufacturers, while Europe and USA brands are the likes of Audi, Aston Martin, BMW, Bentley, Chevrolet, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Maserati, McLaren, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Volvo alongside with FOMM and MIND the newcomers from the EV segment. For the motorbike zone, this year will see 14 brands in total, namely Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Harley-Davidson, Triumph, Vespiario, GPX, etc.
This year, the “Bangkok International Motor Show” will be travelling through time to its 40th Anniversary. The Organizer then decided to celebrate this auspicious occasion with special setups that will bring everyone back 4 decades ago to the time when Bangkok International Motor Show was held for the first time at Lumpini Park in 1979 before the legendary story move on to other venues and the current one. The exhibition will feature the history of BIMS along with the development, growth and how BIMS take part in the automotive industry in a retro vibe that many will feel nostalgic of the good old days.
“Many thanks to the Royal Automobile Association of Thailand Under Royal Patronage, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Society of Automotive Engineer – Thailand, Thai Auto Parts Manufacturers Association, Kits and Accessory Parts of Motorcycle (Thai) Association and Impact Exhibition Management Company Limited for the kind support as always.” – GPI International.
Mr. Jaturont Komolmis (above), Executive Committee / COO of Grand Prix International PCL and the Vice Chairman of the 40th Bangkok International Motor Show said “The 40th BIMS is held under the theme of “ENJOYMENT OF AUTOMOBILES”, conveying the craftmanship of modern-day automobiles that have been finely designed to blend well with cutting-edge technologies equipped with the car to bring out the most enjoyable experience between man and machine on all journeys.”
“The Bangkok International Motor Show is said to be the first auto event of Thailand that has been able to keep its leadership in the organizing standard for more than 4 decades – and is also the significant index which trigger the bustle atmosphere of Thailand’s automotive industry since the very first quarter of each year. Despite the current upslope trend, in which consumer behavior is dramatically shifted from offline to online, our study found that consumers still require to see, test, touch and feel the actual vehicle before buying a car of their choice. So, we believe that such changing trend will not affect the number of visitors.” he added.
Last year, the total number of visitors through out the 12-day event is as high as 1,620,000 people, while the number expected this year is not lesser than last year. Visitors to the show will have first-hand experience of the latest models as well as concept cars, embrace cutting-edge technology and innovation of today and tomorrow. More than 10 new models will be launched by world renowned brands, especially those of alternative energy vehicles like EV, Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid, which conform to the government policy of developing Thailand as the leader of Electric Vehicle in the near future. Special promotions and campaigns offering by individual brand will surely attract attention of visitors and potential buyers, allowing great ease of purchase within one visit, while ensuring the growth of domestic car market at the same time.
Most of the exhibition spaces have been vigorously booked by car and bike companies as usual, even though the rent-out space in the Accessories Hall is dropped by 40% due to many small entrepreneurs have changed their business model to online platform more and more. However, there is no impact on the overall business turnover because the revenue generated from the event grows by 1.17% compared to last year. To respond to the growing demand of SUV market, a specially designed SUV test drive ground is added to this year’s event, reflecting the Organizer’s dedication and attention to details in developing the show.
As every year, the admission fee is maintained at 100 THB and comes with the ‘Lucky Draw’ campaign. Every ticket purchased will have a chance to win cars and motorcycles that worth more than 3.5 million Baht. All lucky draw participants are required to complete the registration and fill in the questionnaire via www.bangkok-motorshow.com
For further convenience in visiting the show, the Organizer of the 40th BIMS also team up with Kasikorn Bank in selling advance ticket through online channel. The ticket can be purchased in advance via ‘K-PLUS’ application under special campaign of ‘40-Day : 40-Baht’. The special rate ticket will be available from 13 February through 26 March 2019.
The 40th Bangkok International Motor Show is held from 27 March through 7 April 2019 (12 days in total) at Challenger Hall 1-3, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani. For more information, please visit www.bangkok-motorshow.com
Terrorists! Bombs! Communists! Dangerous! You will be kidnapped and raped! There’s no petrol stations! There’s no food! You will DIE! These are just some of the unbelievable horror statements and stories I’ve heard about the infamous Route 410 (below) that goes from Danuk to Betong, close to Pattani and Yala in Southern Thailand. And that’s exactly why I needed to find out for myself…
You see, this is exactly what terrorists and terror-groups want you to believe, to instill ‘terror’ (hence the terminology) in the hearts of everyone, to the point that if you believed everything you hear from a friend – of a friend, of a friend, of a friend, ad infinium – or read about from various sources on the internet, you’ll be too afraid to even leave your house, much less undertake a 5-hour road trip like I did, in previously unexplored and unknown terrain, laden with supposed terrorists just waiting to kill you…
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have a death-wish, but I fervently believe that when your time is up, it’s up. It doesn’t matter what you could be doing at the time, a car could come crashing through the Starbucks you’re sitting at peacefully sipping your mocha-latte, and take you out spectacularly. You’ll probably make the evening news. Heck, you could die right now from a stroke or heart-attack, just ask my dear departed friend Ramesh Kanagasundram…
Hence the line from that movie “The 13th Warrior” always rings true for me: “The skane of your life was written the day you were born, go hide under a rock if it makes you feel better, you won’t live an instant longer, fear benefits man nothing…”
And that fear is what prompted me to write this article. As was the fact that after successfully and safely completing this journey with my trusted ride-buddy Buck Saleh (above, that’s his best side, snigger, snigger, arf arf) on his brand new Yamaha N-Max, there were still some who felt compelled to mention the dangers of riding here, in his later social media posts about the trip, despite the fact that I’m quite certain that some of those commenting have never even set foot in this area, much less travelled its entire distance.
Sure they can always say that ‘news reports’ said so, and if it’s online then it must be true right? Well, yes and no. Don’t forget that “sensation sells” and no news sells better than bad news. Ever been drawn inexplicably to look at a crash on the highway? You know it’s bad, you know you might see a dead body possibly in pieces, which will haunt your thoughts for days and maybe even weeks to come, and yet we are compelled to look.
It’s the same with news, a lot of it is sensationalism in order to capture an audience. I just did the exact same thing on purpose with the headline for this story. Hammer it home hard and long enough, and soon fantasy becomes reality, fabrications, embellishments and even outright lies become truths. Thus the more I heard about the (hearsay) dangers of Route 410, the more curious I became. How bad could it really be? The ‘want’ to find out manifested itself over the years and soon it became a ‘need’. I needed to know…
Let me cut to the chase. It was one of the most brilliant+/- 288km of back-roads I’d ever travelled on a bike in my life. And when it was over I wanted to turn back and ride it again. I even recall Buck and I being quite pissed-off that we’d taken to heart all the horror stories about Route 410 over the years, and seriously regretted not doing this ride sooner.
At no point did I ever feel in danger or threatened in any way, (point of fact, I’ve felt in more in danger riding in downtown KL than the whole of Route 410) since there were numerous check-points to go through, and save for the last one before the destination town of Betong (the red pointer in the map above), we were not stopped or hassled even once. Along the way there were various places to stop and take a break, like the Khao Nam Khang Historical Tunnel Complex in the National Park, where we also had some of the best coffee ever at this small hut leading to the entrance…
Route 410 proved to be one of the nicest, most well made roads I’d ever had the pleasure of riding on, and seems to be a favourite not just with the locals, but I distinctly recall seeing quite a few Malaysian registered vehicles go by as well. Average speed throughout the entire stretch was about 80kmh, and that was fine, seeing as how my steadfast rule when it comes to biking is that if you go too fast you lose the essence of what biking is all about, and you’ll completely miss everything the location has to offer, since all your concentration is taken up just staying on the road.
The other point I wanted to prove was more to myself than anyone else. I wanted to really know if #Scootouring, or touring on a scooter, was a plausibility or just a hashtag I made up because it sounded funky. It’s a real thing by the way, I even have a Facebook page on it, so it must be real, right? Well, the fact that I’m hacking away on this laptop back home after 1,233kms over 4 days through supposed terrorist-infested roads proves that it is. Just make sure your vehicle, be it bike, scoot, car or truck is properly maintained, and in tip-top condition before any long-distance trip, to anywhere, not just here.
Before I end, let me set the record straight. I’m not telling you to go out now and drive to Beirut okay? No. All I’m trying to impart is to NOT let what you hear stop you from doing something that you’ve always wanted to do, or doing something that you love. That’s what terrorists want, to change how you think and feel; to change your way of life, to make you afraid. Remember, it’s all about how much fear they can instill in you, nothing else. And like I said earlier, if your time is up, hey, it’s up; only the man upstairs knows how and when. Your skane is written…
In the meantime, #yolo… we only get one shot at this, one chance, one life… so I don’t know about you, but I intend to make full use of it. I’m already planning the next ride, wanna come? Peace. – Chris Wee.
Spanning longer than just about any motorshow in the region, the 39th Bangkok International Motorshow (BIMS) is just around the corner and Piston.my will be there!
Themed the ‘Revolution in Motion’, Grand Prix International PLC, the organisers of BIMS, announced recently that BIMS will be held from March 28 to April 8, 2018 at IMPACT Challenger Muang Thong Thani.
Dr. Prachin Eamlumnow, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Grand Prix International PLC and the Organizing Chairman of the 39th Bangkok International Motor Show (above) revealed that “Bangkok International Motor Show is the No. 1 Motor Show in the ASEAN region, which has been certified by OICA (Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles) to be listed on the Global Motor Show Calendar.
“More than 30 car companies will jointly participate the show this year, including the leading Japanese brands like Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Mazda, Suzuki, while representing Korean brands are KIA and Hyundai, etc. For European and American brands, this year we have Audi, BMW, Bentley, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Jaguar, Porsche, Land Rover, Volvo, MG, Ford, Maserati, Chevrolet, etc. This year, there will be 15 motorcycle brands joining the show such as Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Harley-Davidson, Triumph, Royal Enfield, etc.” said Dr.Prachin.
Mr. Jaturont Komolmis, Chief Operation Officer (COO) of Grand Prix International PLC and the Vice Chairman of the 39th Bangkok International Motor Show said that “The show is still attractive for many entrepreneurs, including car and motorcycle companies, car audio brands as well as other related manufacturers, who have reserved the exhibition spaces at early stage.”
Here’s a video by MaxTV on last year’s 2017 BIMS!
The show will be even more auspicious this year since it has received the kind collaboration from the auto parts and accessories entrepreneurs association of China to participate the show for the first time! With this kind of cooperation from various countries in the region, the show is expected to grow to a new dimension in the future. Here’s a glimpse of the 2016 BIMS!
After the continuous success in the past year, the number of visitors exceeds 1.6 million and the show is likely to expand in line with the growth of Thai automotive industry. Apart from enjoying the latest innovation exhibited by many manufacturers to indicate the driving technology of today and tomorrow, many more activities await visitors to participate such as attending an automotive seminar or witnessing car show, etc.
The show will feature concept cars along with new model launchings for the first time in Thailand. In addition, visitors will be excited with plenty of enchanting shows performed under special light and sound effects equivalent to those of the world class shows. The highlight of the event is about “Electric Vehicle”. What is an electric vehicle in the future? It won’t be just a personal automobile only, but will further benefit to agriculture, transportation and Motorsports industries also. Let’s come and unveil the answer to this question together at the show.
The ticket price remains unchanged at 100 Baht (approx. RM13) along with the lucky campaign “Buy Ticket & Get a Chance to Win a Car” as the Organizer has always held every year. As usual, the big prizes awaiting are cars and motorcycles with the total value exceeding 2,500,000 Baht.
“The Bangkok International Motor Show also known as the greatest car show of Thailand and is well recognized among the car show organizers of ASEAN for its supremacy and equivalent standard to the world class events. Every year, many car show organizers from neighboring countries and worldwide car manufacturers have asked for an observation visit to further study and consult on how to host the show professionally and efficiently as well as to discuss about the investment in the automotive industry. This truly reflects our potential as the number one in hosting the Motor Show of ASEAN region with the international standard.” – BIMS.
Watch out for our coverage on BIMS 2018 ‘live’ from the venue later this month! – Chris Wee.