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AUTO MANIA: by Dr. Iain Corness
 


Pro Races at Bira this weekend

Thomas Raldorf in the CEA Honda.

The Pro Racing folk are at Bira this weekend, with a full card of events. This group is a little less formal than the SuperCar promotions, but you should see plenty of action on the tight Bira circuit.

They do have a Retro class, but running under different regulations from the Nitto 3K promotions compared to what we run in with the Securitas Ford Escort Mk 1 Retro race car, so we will not be present. (The start of the season for us has been delayed and is now May 4, 5, 6.)

The start of the F1 season is also two weeks away, with the first GP in Australia March 18, followed one week later by the Malaysian GP.


The 33rd Bangkok International Motor Show

Our motor show is on again this year from March 28 to April 8. Once again it is going to be held at the Challenger Hall, Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani and the organizers are promising a bigger, better show with plenty of new vehicle launches to whet your appetite.

33rd BIMS.

This is the second year of running at the Challenger Halls, and last year it showed that it was more than capable of holding the largest motor show in Thailand.

The Grand Prix International Group, the organizers of the Bangkok International Motor Show realizes the significance of the show to the automotive industry which is trying to recover after having been badly affected by the tsunami in Japan and the floods in Thailand.

Last year’s event was an overwhelming success in the history of the show. This year, exhibition space has been booked by BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Kia, Lexus, Lotus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Mitsubishi Motors, Mitsuoka, Nissan, Peugeot, Rolls-Royce, SsangYong, Suzuki, Thairung, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo. One exhibitor from last year which will not be present is Proton, while the parent company sorts out its financial situation, having been bought into by DRB in Malaysia. Mitsubishi Motor and Suzuki are expected to launch their eco-cars at the event, and Hyundai from Korea will launch their latest model, the Elantra.

The motorcycle ranks will feature Big Bull, BMW, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, Modern Bike, Stallions, Suzuki, UDA, Vespa and Yamaha. 2012 is set to be a great year for new bikes and the BIMS is where you’ll be able to throw a leg over the latest and greatest. From bling cruisers to the latest hi-tech sportsbikes, there’s something for everyone here. New are Ducati and Harley-Davidson.

Organizers are also preparing a special area for visitors who want to do a test drive. Last year’s show featured 20 of the leading automotive brands and between them more than 1,000 test drives were taken during the event by enthusiastic show visitors. Other attractions for the general public include a music corner, automotive auction, photography competition, and a variety of automotive-themed talk shows.

And yes, the “Pretties” yawn*.

The Bangkok International Motor Show continues to show signs of healthy growth and popularity with a roster that promises not only to expand over last year’s 20 car companies but also to showcase top models. Concept cars and production cars from Japan, Europe, America, Korea and China are presenting technology right up to the future, signifying that the automotive industry of Thailand is still relevant in the automotive world of SE Asia as well as being important in the world stage.

President of Grand Prix International and chairman of the organizing committee, Dr Prachin Eamlumnow said, “I’m confident that this 33rd Bangkok International Motor Show will endeavor to overturn the fortunes of the Thai automotive industry again and be the gauge of the Thai economy.”

The BIMS runs from 28 March to 8 April 2012 at the Challenger Hall 1-3, Impact Muang Thong Thani - Thailand’s biggest automotive showcase.


China attacks Europe

Qoros.

China, the world’s most populous nation, is not content to just making vehicles for home consumption, but is now entering the European market as European manufacturers.

For example, the Great Wall company has just opened a factory in Bulgaria, and like most Chinese cars they are inexpensive, with models ranging from just over 300,000 THB, drive away. This company has 10 manufacturing plants in China and is predicting sales of half a million cars overseas per year.

Chery, the largest producer in China now has a plant in Italy, having bought a Fiat plant in Sicily. Taking a leaf from Toyota and Lexus, or Nissan and Infiniti and Honda and Acura, Geely has its own brand as well, called Qoros.

Geely is another powerful brand in China, and they already have a foot in Europe, having bought Volvo from Ford a couple of years back. Geely will also sell under its own brand name in the UK, with a mid-sized car selling for 500,000 THB.

Beijing Automotive Industry Holding tried to buy Germany’s Opel, when GM was in the middle of its turmoil and bankruptcy, but GM hung on. GM also hung on to the now bankrupt SAAB, but there are signs that GM might relent and let SAAB go over the Great Wall of China!


Made in der Black Forest by der Elves

VW Kombi.

Have you noticed the number of old Beetles on the roads these days, plus a fair smattering of Kombi wagons? I had previously noted some in Chiang Mai, but not many in Pattaya. Now it is the other way around. Go along the Railway Road and there are two VW places around the Naklua areas.

I have also seen one genuine Beetle cabriolet (I think they were done by Karmann) and a couple of Karmann Ghia’s. A couple of years ago I spotted a Kubelwagon and Wiki tells me that the Volkswagen Kbelwagen (short for Kbelsitzwagen, meaning “bucket seat car”) was a military vehicle designed by Ferdinand Porsche and built by Volkswagen during World War II for use by the German military (both Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS). Based heavily on the Volkswagen Beetle, it was prototyped as the Type 62, but eventually became known internally as the Type 82. It was to the Germans, what the Jeep was to the Allies.

The Kombi was first produced in 1950 and became an instant success with the hippy movement in the 60’s, and for Australians going to “do Europe” where there were Kombi’s for sale or exchange in the Earls Court suburb of London. Kombi’s were not known for performance and zero to 100 kph is quoted as being 1 minute 15 seconds. 100 kph was also its top speed. I’m sure there are lots of Kombi tales out there.


Ferrari is the hottest brand in China

Ferrari FF (Fully Flamed?)

An almost-new Ferrari FF apparently burst into flames on a motorway in Shanghai, China. As can be imagined, the photos of the flaming supercar are all over the internet.

According to Chinese news site Wenzhou City News, witnesses saw the Italian supercar driving along when smoke started billowing from under the bonnet. The driver stopped and jumped out just before the car burst into flames.

Police and fire-fighters were called, but by the time they arrived the car was a write-off.

In China, the FF costs close to $850,000 as it attracts import duties and high taxes, so let’s hope he was insured.

In the past 18 months Ferrari has had a number of its cars spontaneously ignite, particularly with its 458 Italia. Ferrari issued a recall in September 2010 for the 458, blaming an adhesive in the wheel arches that could ignite in some circumstance. This is apparently the first fire involving an FF.

Despite the recent spate of embarrassing fires, Ferrari buyers have not been deterred. Sales were up by 9.5 percent to 7195 units in 2011, while the company’s revenue was up by a record 17.3 percent. Certainly hot results against the poor financial situation of Italy.


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