In photos: 'Bangkok International Motor Show'

By James Wray Mar 25, 2009, 17:02 GMT

Visitors look at a Chery QQ Faira prototype car at the Bangkok International Motor Show in Bangkok, Thailand, 25 March 2009. China's Chery Automobile launched two new passenger car models on the Thai market, despite a gloomy outlook for automobile sales this year. Chery, the fourth ranking automobile manufacturer on the huge China market, is a newcomer to Thailand - which is the main hub for automobile manufacturing in South-East Asia. Local distributor Thai Chery Yarnyon used the Bangkok International Motor Show to launch the Chery QQ model, a 1,100 cc engine passenger car selling for about 400,000 baht (11,111 dollars) and the Tigo, a 2,000 cc engine car selling for about 800,000 baht (22,222 dollars). The modest price is deemed the Chery's chief selling point in Thailand, which is likely to experience a 20 per cent drop in vehicle sales this year when compared with the 650,000 units sold in 2008. EPA/BARBARA WALTON

Cleaning a German Mercedes Benz, new E class right hand drive series car from the luxury car maker Mercedes Benz, the number one luxury car seller in Thailand for the past eight years in a row, at the Bangkok International Motor Show in Bangkok, Thailand, 25 March 2009. The show opens with a sombre gloss as plummeting car sales across the world in face of the global slowdown sees overall production of cars this year in Thailand expected to fall by more than 20 percent, but with local automobile production already falling by half in the month of February. EPA/BARBARA WALTON

Japan's carmaker Honda with the Insight car at the preview press day of the Bangkok International Motor Show opening to the public Friday in Bangkok, Thailand, 25 March 2009 as figures from Japan showed a 49.4 percent drop in exports in February adding to worsening economic conditions. The show opens with a sombre gloss as plummeting car sales across the world in face of the global slowdown sees overall production of cars this year in Thailand expected to fall by more than 20 percent, but with local automobile production already falling by half in the month of February. EPA/BARBARA WALTON

A dancer performs near Japan's Honda Insight car at the preview press day of the Bangkok International Motor Show opening to the public Friday in Bangkok, Thailand, 25 March 2009 as figures from Japan showed a 49.4 percent drop in exports in February adding to worsening economic conditions. The show opens with a sombre gloss as plummeting car sales across the world in face of the global slowdown sees overall production of cars this year in Thailand expected to fall by more than 20 percent, but with local automobile production already falling by half in the month of February. EPA/BARBARA WALTON

A worker polishes the new Ford Focus ready for show at the preview day of the Bangkok International Motor Show in Bangkok, Thailand, 25 March 2009. Ford is continuing with its $US500m investment in a new plant for 100,000 unit small cars in thailand, despite lay offs in other carmakers and plummeting car sales across the world in face of the global slowdown with overall production of cars this year in Thailand expected to fall by more than 20 percent, but with local automobile production already falling by half in the month of February. EPA/BARBARA WALTON

Lexus present their luxury cars at the Bangkok International Motor Show in Bangkok, Thailand, 25 March 2009 as export figures from Japan are down 49.4 percent, with huge drops in the car export arena in February adding to worsening economic conditions. The show opens with a sombre gloss as plummeting car sales across the world in face of the global slowdown sees overall production of cars this year in Thailand expected to fall by more than 20 percent, but with local automobile production already falling by half in the month of February. EPA/BARBARA WALTON

Dancers perdorm during Japan's biggest carmaker Toyota show at the preview press day of the Bangkok International Motor Show in Bangkok, Thailand, 25 March 2009 as figures from Japan are down 49.4 percent in February adding to worsening economic conditions. The show opens with a sombre gloss as plummeting car sales across the world in face of the global slowdown sees overall production of cars this year in Thailand expected to fall by more than 20 percent, but with local automobile production already falling by half in the month of February. EPA/BARBARA WALTON

A Thai worker cleans a new launch Chery QQ car at the Bangkok International Motor Show in Bangkok, Thailand, 25 March 2009. China's Chery Automobile launched two new passenger car models on the Thai market, despite a gloomy outlook for automobile sales this year. Chery, the fourth ranking automobile manufacturer on the huge China market, is a newcomer to Thailand - which is the main hub for automobile manufacturing in South-East Asia. Local distributor Thai Chery Yarnyon used the Bangkok International Motor Show to launch the Chery QQ model, a 1,100 cc engine passenger car selling for about 400,000 baht (11,111 dollars) and the Tigo, a 2,000 cc engine car selling for about 800,000 baht (22,222 dollars). The modest price is deemed the Chery's chief selling point in Thailand, which is likely to experience a 20 per cent drop in vehicle sales this year when compared with the 650,000 units sold in 2008. EPA/BARBARA WALTON

Dancers perform in front of the German Mercedes Benz, new E class right hand drive series car which has its woold premiere launch, from the luxury car maker Mercedes Benz, the number one luxury car seller in Thailand for the past eight years in a row, at the Bangkok International Motor Show in Bangkok, Thailand, 25 March 2009. The show opens with a sombre gloss as plummeting car sales across the world in face of the global slowdown sees overall production of cars this year in Thailand expected to fall by more than 20 percent, but with local automobile production already falling by half in the month of February. EPA/BARBARA WALTON

Workers polish the Mazda 3 Move 2000 at the Bangkok International Motor Show in Bangkok, Thailand, 25 March 2009 as export figures from Japan are down 49.4 percent in February adding to worsening economic conditions. The show opens with a sombre gloss as plummeting car sales across the world in face of the global slowdown sees overall production of cars this year in Thailand expected to fall by more than 20 percent, but with local automobile production already falling by half in the month of February. EPA/BARBARA WALTON

Models pose with the new Ford Ranger at the Bangkok International Motor Show in Bangkok, Thailand, 25 March 2009 as export figures from Japan reported down 49.4 percent, with huge drops in the car export arena, in February adding to worsening economic conditions. The show opens with a sombre gloss as plummeting car sales across the world in face of the global slowdown sees overall production of cars this year in Thailand expected to fall by more than 20 percent, but with local automobile production already falling by half in the month of February. EPA/BARBARA WALTON

Japan's carmaker Honda at the preview press day of the Bangkok International Motor Show opening to the public Friday in Bangkok, Thailand, 25 March 2009 as figures from Japan showed a 49.4 percent drop in exports in February adding to worsening economic conditions. The show opens with a sombre gloss as plummeting car sales across the world in face of the global slowdown sees overall production of cars this year in Thailand expected to fall by more than 20 percent, but with local automobile production already falling by half in the month of February. EPA/BARBARA WALTON

Japan's carmaker Honda offers wheels, long legs and high heels on show at the preview press day of the Bangkok International Motor Show opening to the public Friday in Bangkok, Thailand, 25 March 2009 as figures from Japan showed a 49.4 percent drop in exports in February adding to worsening economic conditions. The show opens with a sombre gloss as plummeting car sales across the world in face of the global slowdown sees overall production of cars this year in Thailand expected to fall by more than 20 percent, but with local automobile production already falling by half in the month of February. EPA/BARBARA WALTON

The Toyota A-Bat concept vehicle, on show at the press day of the Bangkok International Motor Show in Bangkok, Thailand, 25 March 2009 as figures from Japan are down 49.4 percent in February adding to worsening economic conditions. The show opens with a sombre gloss as plummeting car sales across the world in face of the global slowdown sees overall production of cars this year in Thailand expected to fall by more than 20 percent, but with local automobile production already falling by half in the month of February. EPA/BARBARA WALTON

Models with the new Ford Ranger at the Bangkok International Motor Show in Bangkok, Thailand, 25 March 2009 as export figures from Japan reported down 49.4 percent, with huge drops in the car export arena, in February adding to worsening economic conditions. The show opens with a sombre gloss as plummeting car sales across the world in face of the global slowdown sees overall production of cars this year in Thailand expected to fall by more than 20 percent, but with local automobile production already falling by half in the month of February. EPA/BARBARA WALTON

A Thai model presents the Honda Accord at the preview press day of the Bangkok International Motor Show in Bangkok, Thailand, 25 March 2009 as figures from Japan showed a 49.4 percent drop in exports in February adding to worsening economic conditions. The show opens with a sombre gloss as plummeting car sales across the world in face of the global slowdown sees overall production of cars this year in Thailand expected to fall by more than 20 percent, but with local automobile production already falling by half in the month of February. EPA/BARBARA WALTON

A worker wipes up around the Honda Insight during preparations for the opening of Japan's carmaker Honda preview at the press day of the Bangkok International Motor Show in Bangkok, Thailand, 25 March 2009 as figures from Japan showed a 49.4 percent drop in exports in February adding to worsening economic conditions. The show opens to the public with a sombre gloss as plummeting car sales across the world in face of the global slowdown sees overall production of cars this year in Thailand expected to fall by more than 20 percent, but with local automobile production already falling by half in the month of February. EPA/BARBARA WALTON

A dancer performs during Japan's biggest carmaker Toyota show at the preview press day of the Bangkok International Motor Show in Bangkok, Thailand, 25 March 2009 as figures from Japan are down 49 percent in February adding to worsening economic conditions. The show opens with a sombre gloss as plummeting car sales across the world in face of the global slowdown sees overall production of cars this year in Thailand expected to fall by more than 20 percent, but with local automobile production already falling by half in the month of February. EPA/BARBARA WALTON

A dancer performs in front of the new Hybrid car at Japan's big carmaker Toyota at the preview press day of the Bangkok International Motor Show in Bangkok, Thailand, 25 March 2009 as figures from Japan show a 70 percent drop in car exports in February adding to worsening economic conditions. The show opens with a sombre gloss as plummeting car sales across the world in face of the global slowdown sees overall production of cars this year in Thailand expected to fall by more than 20 percent, but with local automobile production already falling by half in the month of February. EPA/BARBARA WALTON

A worker washes the beetlle like faced new Beetle car made by Volkswagen on show at the preview day of the Bangkok International Motor Show in Bangkok, Thailand, 25 March 2009. Car sales have plummeted across the world in face of the global slowdown with overall production of cars this year in Thailand expected to fall by more than 20 percent, but with local automobile production already falling by half in the month of February. EPA/BARBARA WALTON

The uncanny beetlle like face of the new Beetle made by Volkswagen on show at the preview day of the Bangkok International Motor Show in Bangkok, Thailand, 25 March 2009. Car sales have plummeted across the world in face of the global slowdown with overall production of cars this year in Thailand expected to fall by more than 20 percent, but with local automobile production already falling by half in the month of February. EPA/BARBARA WALTON

Honda offers wheels. long legs and high heels on show at the preview press day of the Bangkok International Motor Show opening to the public Friday in Bangkok, Thailand, 25 March 2009 as figures from Japan showed a 70 percent drop in car exports in February adding to worsening economic conditions. The show opens with a sombre gloss as plummeting car sales across the world in face of the global slowdown sees overall production of cars this year in Thailand expected to fall by more than 20 percent, but with local automobile production already falling by half in the month of February. EPA/BARBARA WALTON