Top 5 Car Launches of 2015 in Thailand

BANGKOK: The Thai auto industry has witnessed several new car launches this year, which have marked new benchmarks in the auto world. Several facelifts, new cars and vastly anticipated cars have made their way to the Thailand auto industry that constitute the fleet of supreme car brands like Toyota, Mazda, Isuzu and Mitsubishi. The first ten months of this year have seen a total of 613,805 car sales, which is an incredible number, however it's been down by 13% as compared to the previous year, but has certainly seen some of the thrilling and amazing launches including Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, 2016 Toyota Hilux, Mazda CX-3 and many more. The country recently witnessed the 32nd Motor Expo where all the leading global auto brands exhibited their latest and upcoming productions to lure the potential buyers of the country and boost up their sales.

We at Carbay have compiled a list of top five car launches of the year based on the popularity quotient, sales and response of the Thai.

2016 Toyota Hilux

After a number of spyshots and teasers, the pick-up from the leading auto brand, Toyota launched the eighth generation Hilux with tough looks, incredible comfort and incredible performance numbers. Under the skin, it underpins a powerful and reliable 2.8-litres engine with 177hp and 450 Nm torque.

With the flourishing pick-up segment in the country, Toyota Hilux attracts a number of buyers to the showrooms for a grab. Till October, it has dominated the auto market in terms of sales and sits on the first place with a total of 101,496 units sold.

All-new Isuzu D-Max

Coming from the fleet of Japanese auto manufacturer, it constitutes the pick-up segment of the Thailand, which has seen a tremendous growth over a period of time. The facelift version of the D-Max has been launched in Thailand, which sports a new 1.9 Ddi turbocharged engine capable of yielding out a max power of 150 hp and a peak torque of 350 Nm. The old 2.5-litres engine has been replaced by the new engine, which is reported to be more powerful, has more torque and more fuel efficient than the older engine option.

Over the last ten months, it has registered a total of 93,028 sales making it the second most vehicle sold in the country after Hilux.

All-new Toyota Fortuner

The world's most reliable auto brand wasted no time in bringing the second-generation Fortuner to the Land of Smiles joining the league of SUVs. The new Fortuner grabbed a vast number of fans since its launch in July this year. Featuring a new ladder-frame chassis, this Fortuner allows the customers to choice from two diesel engine choices,2.4-litres and 2.8-litres turbocharged engine. While, a 2.7-litres gasoline engine is also on offer that generates 166hp power and 245 Nm torque.

2015 has been fruitful for the brand as another SUV makes to the list of top ten cars sold till October. A total 18,505 units have been sold impacting immensely the SUV market.

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

All-new Pajero Sport entered the SUV segment of the country in August and made a terrific impact on the segment with its stylish character, robust structure and mesmerizing interior. It underpins a powerful 2.4-litres turbocharged diesel engine with AWD drive system that can bang out a max power of 180 hp and a peak torque of 430 Nm.

Offered with a range of top-notch safety features, the all-new Pajero Sport banked a total of 8,838 sales in its account book for the first ten months of 2015.

Mazda CX-3

Although, the CX-3 from the fleet of Japanese automaker launched on 10th November, but it was on the first place of the highly anticipated cars this year in Thailand. It came to limelight to lure the Thai with a base price tag of THB 8.35 million. Equipped with SkyActiv technology, drooling looks and exquisite features, the freestyle crossover created a lot of buzz prior and after its launch on the Thai shores. It is available for grab in five different trims depending upon the customer's taste and budget.

Mazda CX-3 underpins a highly fuel efficient 1.5-litres turbocharged diesel engine with SkyActiv technology that can churn out power of 105 hp and 270 Nm of torque. Further, it can yield out a terrific fuel economy of 23.3 Kmpl making it a perfect choice for the buyers in case of a city commuter.

All the cars marked their names in the respective segments in which they turned up and attracted a huge number of customers contributing drastically to the company's overall sales. However, the buyers were inclined towards the prospering pick-up segment as seen on the sales chart as well. Hilux and D-Max acquiring the first and second spots respectively on the sales chart, while the Toyota Yaris and Vios followed them sitting on the third and fourth places.