Autoblog

Toyota Camry Hybrid gets nip/tuck for ASEAN market intro

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:27:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Green, Toyota

Toyota Camry Hybrid for Thailand - Click above for a high-res image gallery

It may have taken a year to make it happen, but the locally-built Toyota Camry Hybrid is finally ready to go on sale in Thailand. This new version of the Camry Hybrid is the first of its kind (not assembled in Japan) and features unique new front and rear fascias that are derived from the Australian Aurion. Our take? The front grille is vaguely reminiscent of the three-bar chrome schnoz used by Ford in America, although it also reminds somewhat of the Venza, as well.

Although final pricing has not yet been announced, Toyota expects to sell the new Camry Hybrid in Thailand with just a small premium over the standard model due to a reduced 10% excise tax on locally-built hybrid vehicles. Thanks to this favorable pricing situation, Toyota expects the Hybrid to make up 60-70% of all Camry sales in the region. Soon, the Japanese automaker will begin exporting the Thai-built Camry Hybrid to other countries in Southeast Asia.

Gallery: Toyota Camry Hybrid for Thailand

[Source: Paul Tan]

Toyota Camry Hybrid gets nip/tuck for ASEAN market intro originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Thai-market 2010 Ford Ranger MAX

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Truck, Ford, Misc. Auto Shows

A cunning photographer has grabbed some shots of what appears to be production versions of the Thailand-bound Ford Ranger Max. While hardware and interior information are scarce at this point, it's clear that some of the details have been toned down from what was shown on the concept (namely the notches on the fender flares and the hood intakes). That said, the production compact pickup remains essentially true to what we saw at last Fall's Thailand Motor Expo, giving it a bed-load of personality. Wouldn't be a bad thing to bring over to America, eh, Ford? Thanks for the tip,Torrent!

Gallery: Ford Ranger Max Thai Spy Shots

Gallery: Ford Ranger Max Concept

[Source: Ford Club]

Spy Shots: Thai-market 2010 Ford Ranger MAX originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Toyota puts hold on Russia, Thailand plant plans

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 07:28:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota, Earnings/Financials, Russia

Just because Toyota is still spending on Formula 1 and the Lexus LF-A doesn't mean its not cinching up the fiscal belts -- scaling back at the Detroit Auto Show, killing Australia's TRD division, and delaying a highly anticipated sports car. And now you can add stopping construction on new factories to that list.

Toyota has a Camry assembly plant in St. Petersburg, Russia where it expected to build 20,000 cars in its first year. The plant didn't make its quota, so a proposed expansion of the facility to begin in 2010 has been put on hold.

In Thailand, Toyota intended to build a diesel engine plant this summer. The $155 million factory would have gone online in 2010 and made powerplants for Toyota pickups. That plan has also been scrapped for the time being.

[Source:Bloomberg]

REPORT: Toyota puts hold on Russia, Thailand plant plans originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 07:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Ranger Max concept debuts at Thailand Motor Show (w/VIDEO)

Alex Nunez — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 21:19:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Truck, Ford, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Ford Ranger Max Concept

At the Thailand Motor Expo this week, Ford's rolling out a show truck based on the locally-produced Ford Ranger. Dubbed the Ranger Max, it's a styling exercise designed to infuse the compact pickup with some visual muscle and toughness. According to Ford, power tools were among the inspirations for the project, hence the blend of matte accents and this OSHA-friendly orange paint job. Anyway, it's pretty cool, what with the embossed "RANGER" logos on the grille and tailgate; vented, domed hood; chunky wheel/tire package; flared fenders and integrated step rails. If Ford were to (finally) replace the U.S.-market Ranger with something incorporating the main cues from this (especially the overall grille/front-end treatment), you wouldn't hear a peep of complaint from us -- we'd be too busy listening to "One Night in Bangkok" on the stereo while we cruised down that street from the Ford Flex ads. PR from Ford Asia-Pacific follows the jump.

UPDATE: Video added after the jump. (Thanks, Mike.)

Gallery: Ford Ranger Max Concept

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford Ranger Max concept debuts at Thailand Motor Show (w/VIDEO)

Ford Ranger Max concept debuts at Thailand Motor Show (w/VIDEO) originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Nov 2008 21:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All-new Honda City launched in Thailand

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Honda

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Honda City

Despite the fact that the entire world got an unabated view of it already, Honda has just dropped the curtain on its brand-new City economy car that's now officially on sale in Thailand. No, we won't get this car in the States; it's destined to remain primarily in Asia and emerging markets. That's a shame, 'cause we can see plenty to like here, starting with its powertrain. A 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine sends a healthy 120 horsepower to the front wheels through either an automatic or manual transmission with five speeds. As you might imagine, it will positively sip fuel in the process. In Thailand, the new City will sell for 524,000 - 694,000 baht. Not that it matters since it won't be sold here, but that equals about $15,000 in U.S. dollars.

Gallery: 2009 Honda City

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading All-new Honda City launched in Thailand

All-new Honda City launched in Thailand originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cologne plant begins pumping out 2009 Ford Fiesta

Michael Harley — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchback, Ford

Click above for high-res gallery of the Fiesta beginning production

Ford has finally begun production of the all-new 2009 Ford Fiesta in Cologne, Germany, today. After an investment of 455 million Euros (about $674 million) to restructure and modernize the plant, Ford is expecting its 4,000 employees will be able to roll out 148,000 Fiestas by the end of the year, which is an impressive 1,900 cars each day). In January 2009, the Valencia plant in Spain will also begin building the Fiesta. There are also production plants in China, Thailand, and Mexico that are tooling up for the newest small Ford in order to meet worldwide demand, which finally includes the U.S. where it will also be sold in both sedan and hatchback configurations around 2010. Based on the Verve concept, the new compact is exactly what the automaker needs in today's efficiency-conscious marketplace, and its stylish enough not to be considered a cheapskate or eco-geek while driving.

Gallery: 2009 Ford Fiesta begins production

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Cologne plant begins pumping out 2009 Ford Fiesta

Cologne plant begins pumping out 2009 Ford Fiesta originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thailand gov't delivers crushing blow to Ferrari

Chris Shunk — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 14:03:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Etc., Government/Legal, Ferrari

In Thailand, exotic car theft is a pretty common occurrence, and thieves are pretty sophisticated about it, too. First, they make off with the vehicle's important components. Then, after the police seize what's left, the criminals purchase it at auction at about 15% of its value. This is "car laundering," and local officials have caught on to the ruse. Now, rather than auction cars off to the people who stole them to begin with, the government will simply crush what's left behind. Here's an example.

In June, Thai officials seized a Ferrari 456GT that was stripped of its ABS brakes, transmission, wiring systems, and exhaust. In proper condition, the car would be valued somewhere between 30 and 40 million Baht. In its stripped state, it likely would have brought under Bt 5 million at auction. If the original thieves were to re-acquire the car at that low price, and then restore it to working order with its own stolen parts, it could be sold at a tidy profit. So the government decided to make an example of the GT and sell it off as scrap. Enter one heavy excavator, exit one Ferrari 2+2.

It's a shame, really, but Thai authorities are serious about efforts to dissuade car laundering. At the very least, thieves won't be flipping this one for a quick buck...er...Baht.

Thanks for the tip, Gregg!

[Sources: The Nation, WreckedExotics]

Thailand gov't delivers crushing blow to Ferrari originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 30 Sep 2007 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Ranger on the ropes

Dan Roth — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 08:32:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Etc., Plants/Manufacturing, Ford

We posted some conjecture about the Ranger not too long ago, with some Photochops to illustrate possible ways Ford could keep its smallest pickup alive. Automotive News has looked in to their crystal ball and determined that the future of the Ranger is murky, at best. The first bad sign is that the St. Paul, MN Ranger plant is slated to be closed in 2008. With no place to build the Ranger, it would seem to have one foot in the grave, along with the rest of the segment, not counting the evergreen Toyota Tacoma (which is not particularly small anymore). All is not lost, however. As we offered, there are existing platforms that would lend themselves to truckification, as well as actual trucks in different markets.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Continue reading Ford Ranger on the ropes

Ford Ranger on the ropes originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How we roll in Bangkok: the Swarovski Crystal tuk-tuk

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 13 May 2007 12:33:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

In a case of turning the mundane into modern art, Crystal Lounge in Bangkok has bathed a tuk-tuk in Swarovski crystals. For those of you who don't know, a tuk-tuk is a kind of motorized, covered pedicab. There's an entire tuk-tuk customizing culture in Bangkok, and if the look of a tuk-tuk isn't crazy enough, you can be sure the driver and the ride will be. The sample you see here is just for display at Crystal Lounge -- actually, the Crystal Lounge Cafe/Restaurant/Jewelry Boutique/Cocktail Lounge -- which gives a range of items the same treatment. Their gallery also has a Harley Davidson given the same crystal bath. In light of the uncontrolled chaos that is Bangkok traffic, we wouldn't expect to see either one of them on the road.

Thanks for the tip, Austin!

[Source: Jetsetr]

How we roll in Bangkok: the Swarovski Crystal tuk-tuk originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 May 2007 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Black Thai: Galmer Arbitrage GT

Noah Joseph — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 14:54:00 EST

Filed under: Supercars

There are only a handful of car-exporting countries, even fewer building supercars. And Thailand ain't one of 'em. That'll all change in 2008 when the Galmer Arbitrage GT is scheduled to launch.

The carbon fiber supercar will be propelled by a Chevy LS7 V8 displacing seven liters and producing 500 horsepower, though the engine could be tweaked all the way up to 800. Redline-running will be managed by a six-speed transmission, and from the picture, it appears the car will run on carbon fiber rims as well.

The spacious cockpit is accessed via Enzo/SLR-style up-and-forward pivoting doors, opened with fingerprint readers. Inside the Galmer will offer a digital touchscreen panel to access auxiliary controls.

The car will be produced in a limited run of 350, a staggering 250 of which are destined for the US. Due to stiff costs associated with American homologation regulations, Galmer plans on shipping the cars semi-assembled. With a name like Arbitrage, it seems like Galmer hope to make some nice margins on the car. There are a lot of big thinkers with deep pockets out there dreaming of making their own supercar, but like all newcomers, the Arbitrage will have to post some impressive times to earn its cred.

(More pics after the jump)

[Source: Motor Authority]

Continue reading Black Thai: Galmer Arbitrage GT

Black Thai: Galmer Arbitrage GT originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Sep 2006 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Chevrolet Aveo prepares to roll out mid-month, in the east

Joel Arellano — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet

General Motors Thailand has announced that the new Chevy Aveo will be rolling off the assembly lines sometime in mid-August.

Details on the new subcompact are scarce, but we know that it's the first major collaboration between GM's international production teams, with aid from Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America and North America, joined by penmanship courtesy of the Italdesign Giugiaro Design Studio. Aside from the mutli-cultural design language, the new Aveo will include a "euro-tuned" suspension along with interior space rivaling some of the biggest players in its class.

The new sub-compacts are to be produced in Rayong Province, Thailand and will only be sold in Thailand and the Asian-Pacific region. It's unknown how much of this version will transfer over to the American Aveo (pictured) which is due for a redesign some time this year.

Related:
GM launches Aveo sedan in booming Indian market, details expansion plans
2007 Chevy Aveo - official details
GM Daewoo releases pic of next Chevy Aveo

[Source: Business Day. Registration Required]

New Chevrolet Aveo prepares to roll out mid-month, in the east originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Aug 2006 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thailand's move from trucks to parts and beyond

Joel Arellano — Sat, 20 May 2006 14:03:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Truck, Etc.

With all the hoopla over China's auto industry, Thailand, which is more known among Westerns for its tourist industry than manufacturing capabilities, quietly made more than one million vehicles last year.

The country is Asia's third largest exporter of vehicles after Japan and South Korea, with much of its success attributed to its government's relaxed attitude towards foreign investors. Unlike China, automakers such as General Motors or Toyota are not required to partner with a domestic firm. Low production costs makes it simple to mass-produce vehicles, primarily trucks, to export to countries like South America and Australia. Interestingly, a study by Japan shows Thai-built vehicles have better quality than those built in China or India.

Thai industry is diversifying, however, realizing a potential weakness in only manufacturing trucks. Toyota has made the country the center for its International Multi-purpose Vehicle, a single platform on which it will base many of its vehicles. The country is increasingly manufacturing and selling car parts and kits. Finally, the government is approaching the U.S. to negotiate the 25 percent duty it currently imposes on all foreign trucks.

[Source: International Herald Tribune]

Thailand's move from trucks to parts and beyond originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 May 2006 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota asks Thai government for large hybrid tax breaks

Chris Paukert — Tue, 02 May 2006 17:32:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Green, Lexus, Toyota

Toyota's Thailand arm is lobbying the government for hybrid tax incentives. The nation's biggest automaker is hoping authorities will incentivize its Dual Synergy Drive hybrids with engines larger than 3.0-liters.

For its part, the Thai government already allots a 10-percent excise tax on sub 3.0-liter hybrids, but the cars remain unpopular, in part due to huge import tariffs (reportedly in excess of 80 percent!). However, the country has recently signed a number of free trade agreements that will go a long way towards leveling the playing field as early as next year.

That said, Toyota's request appears unlikely to be granted, as it is reportedly against government policy to encourage the use of larger vehicles that demand more resources.

[Sources: ThaiDay; Lexus]

Toyota asks Thai government for large hybrid tax breaks originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 May 2006 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2006 Gumball rally officially underway as German police impound four cars

Chris Paukert — Tue, 02 May 2006 13:32:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Government/Legal, Supercars

It isn't an official Gumball 3000 until the authorities start impounding cars. The annual event for car-loving millionaire scofflaws kicked off on Sunday in London, and various police forces around Europe have wasted little time in catching up with the cash-happy racers.

Wuerzburg, Germany authorities reportedly bagged 44 of the 120 Gumballers en route to Belgrade for various infractions, holding on to four of the racer's prized vehicles. No word on if any of the race's celebrity entrants have been ensnared, but somehow we figure that Snoop Dogg, Jodie Kidd, Hugh Hefner and their ilk can talk/photograph/autograph/buy their way out of any such issues.

This year's 3,000 mile high-speed, debauchery-laden Gumball will see stages in Europe, Thailand and the Western U.S.

More details can be found by checking out the Gumball's official website here, and CarDomain.com just launched its event coverage here (tip nod: Greg).

[Sources: MonstersandCritics; Gumball144.com; Gumball3000.com; CarDomain.com]

2006 Gumball rally officially underway as German police impound four cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 May 2006 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi to begin mass export of Triton/L200

John Neff — Tue, 14 Feb 2006 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Truck

By the second half of this year Mitsubishi will begin exporting its Triton pickup, also known as the L200 in Europe, to 140 markets around the world. The truck was developed as a global model and is produced in Thailand where Mitsubishi has produced and exported more vehicles than any other manufacturers.

The Triton, a curious-looking little pickup, will be sold in such markets as Australia, the Middle East, Latin America and Japan. We here in North America are offered the Mitsubishi Raider based on the Dodge Dakota midsize pickup instead.

[Source: Mitsubishi]

Mitsubishi to begin mass export of Triton/L200 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Feb 2006 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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