T

he Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS) 2011 is providing a glimpse into what cars may look like in the future, fielding a number of concept and show cars from various carmakers.

Toyota has its FT-EV II on display, a small electric concept car running on batteries.

The FT-EV II was first introduced at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2009 and is based on the Toyota iQ, a production microcar first introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2008.

With a top speed of more than 100 kilometers per hour (kph), the car range is 90 kilometers.

Toyota is also showcasing the FT-86 Concept, which is jointly manufactured with Subaru.

The coupe looks more like a production car than the rather futuristic FT-EV II.

Another concept car that is to hit the road soon is Mitsubishi’s Global Small Concept, which was first introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2011.

Mitsubishi says the five-seater, four-door car, claimed to conform to Thailand’s Eco-car Project, will be produced starting from March 2012 at the Japanese carmaker’s third factory in Laem Chabang Industrial Estate with a price under 400,000 baht (US$13,220).

Thailand will premier this car, which has a production rate of 150,000 cars per year and is said to be boosted to 200,000 cars.

Mitsubishi says the Global Small Concept will be powered by a 3-cylinder 1,000 cc MIVEC engine equipped with a Auto Stop&Go feature and a regenerative braking system.

Also in the Eco-car segment is the Honda Brio, which made its world premier in Bangkok on March 17.

The E-20 compatible, 1,200 cc engine is claimed to be able to deliver a fuel efficiency of 20 kilometers per liter of gasoline. The price ranges from 399,900 baht to 508,500 baht.

Meanwhile, Nissan has taken the LEAF electric car, the first of its kind to enter mass production. The carmaker was the first to answer the Eco-Car Project with the Nissan March, launched in March 2010.

Thailand is surely one step ahead of Indonesia in terms of attracting and persuading carmakers to make and sell fuel efficient eco-cars.

Other progress Thailand has made over Indonesia is the use of alternative fuel such as the mandatory use of biofuels and CNG.

Mitsubishi, for example, is fielding its CNG lineup including the Lancer 1.6L sedan as well as the Triton Mega Cab and Double Cab Plus pickups.

Also showcasing its CNG model is General Motors (GM) with the Chevrolet Aveo CNG.

The Indonesian government has only just launched the “Go Gas” program early this year while CNG fuel stations are widely available at least in Greater Bangkok area. Currently, only a small number of CNG fuel stations are in Greater Jakarta area, serving mostly public transportation vehicles.

Apart from concept cars, carmakers and their distributors also use motor shows as opportunities to launch their latest models.

Ford was not the only carmaker introducing its 1-ton pickup truck as GM also had its world premier at the BIMS for Chevrolet Colorado.

“Thailand is the world’s largest market for midsize pickups, so this is the perfect location in which to unveil our new Colorado,” said Martin Apfel, GM Thailand/Southeast Asia and Chevrolet Sales (Thailand) president.

—JP/ Novan Iman Santosa