NONTHABURI, Nov 29 – Deputy Prime Minister/Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit opened Motor Expo 2019 and expected it to increase purchasing power in the country.
Motor Expo 2019 was organized late this year and played important roles in boosting purchasing power and the growth of the automotive industry, Mr Jurin said.
Chalatchai Papaspong, vice chairman of the exposition-organizing committee, said manufacturers of 34 car brands and 26 motorcycle brands from nine countries participated in the event.
Despite the economic slowdown, the exposition should create orders for 50,000 cars and 9,000 motorcycles worth about 56 billion baht and attracted 1.6 million visitors, he said.
Mr Chalatchai also said that electric vehicles were gaining popularity and the most favorite was hybrid cars. Electric vehicles formed 1-2% of all vehicles in the country, he said.
Krissada Uttamote, corporate communications director of BMW Group Thailand, said the market of plug-in electric vehicles was steadily growing at 22% a year and BMW expected electric vehicles to account for 14% of its total sales.
He attributed the trend to environmental conservation, lower prices of electric vehicles and better batteries.
Motor Expo 2019 was set at the IMPACT exhibition and convention complex in Nonthaburi from Nov 29 to Dec 10. (TNA)
