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29th Bangkok International Motorshow
Since embarking on a course (from the early 1990s) to become an automotive hub in Asia, Thailand has succeeded in becoming a ‘Detroit of the East’. While a certain Malaysian ‘professor’ argued that it cannot be called a ‘Detroit’ because ‘they don’t even sell many American cars there’, the point is that it is referred as such because like the Detroit of North America, Thailand has numerous global automakers in its country and even significantly (like Detroit), there are also hundreds of global suppliers which have set up factories in Thailand to support the big carmakers.
The success of Thailand’s course to automotive industrialisation - as compared to that chosen by Malaysia which was to have a national car company instead and limit foreign presence - is clear. It continues to get more and more investments and some major carmakers have even begun to expand their factories to cater not only for the domestic market but also to export to other markets beyond ASEAN. It is what Malaysia wants to have but has not achieved in a similar fashion because the policies still in place deter foreign carmakers who do not see themselves being given a fair deal.
The presence of the major carmakers is most evident when it comes to the two motorshows in Thailand where it is the manufacturers that participate and they are the ones who have the big budgets to pay for impressive booths. After all, they are the owners of the brands and so it is in their interest to spend money on such brand-building activities (although it is well known that the Thai events are more of ’sales events’ than for branding, which is what most international motorshows are all about).
The 29th Bangkok International Motorshow which is on this week reflects the growing significance of the Thai market and auto industry with not only new players making an entry but also regional premieres of new models. Furthermore, with the Eco-Car initiative now picking up speed, the industry is poised to go into a ‘Phase 2′ of its development after having successfully become the second largest pick-up market and manufacturing hub in the world. The Eco-Car program has already attracted over half a dozen global automakers who are expected to produce 100,000 units of such cars within a time-frame of a few years. That the manufacturers want to support this is partly because the Thai government has shown itself to be reliable in sticking to policies it declares and doesn’t simply make changes to suit ‘vested interests’.
At this year’s motorshow, the theme was one which focussed on fuel efficiency and the environment, two concerns which are growing globally. Diesels are popular and there is also growing interest in compressed natural gas (CNG, or NGV to Malaysians) which costs less. GM Thailand was among the companies which has started to offer the option of CNG for a couple of their models and it is certainly going to be a common option before long.
Popularity: 7% [?]
Fabulous Finishes - Auto Shows
Not that we don’t love concours-quality paint jobs that look miles deep and require mountains of cash, but they’re not the only way to properly express form, volume, and dynamism. Like a flattering dress, a good surface can do wonders for an awkward silhouette, just as a poorly chosen or rendered one can turn a Porsche into a pig.
SEMA offered a number of compelling alternatives. Flat and satin-finish paint jobs are here to stay, and that’s fine with us—they look spectacular. Nonglossy finishes covered a notable percentage of show cars at SEMA this year, be they hot rods, muscle cars, or brand-new concept cars. These aren’t the simple primer jobs of yesteryear but often complex multistage finishes. Matte or satin surfaces are often combined with glossy on the same car.
It’s been a few years coming. The first production use of nonglossy paint on a modern production vehicle that we know of was the Ducati Monster Dark motorcycle in 1997. In 2003, Yamaha offered its R1 in “black matte” shot over a metallic pearl, for a rich, unconventional finish. The aftermarket, as seen in the accompanying photos, has taken it from there.
If this whole SEMA business is based on modifying a car’s parts, then there’s no reason not to take advantage of its sheetmetal, too (fiberglass Vettes and plastic Saturns be damned). This year we saw oxidized-rust-looking—as well as actually rusty—steel, steel or aluminum finished and sprayed with matte or glossy clear-coats, and vehicles painted with metal-look finishes.
Volvo’s S80, built in Germany by Heico Sportiv, is simply stunning in luscious aluminum-look paint. The depth of the finish and the resulting light play of the S80’s curves make it one of our show favorites.
We hope some part of this Heico Sportiv–built S80 T6 will make it into production—the aluminum-look paint, the flattering body kit, or the meaty, high-offset 20-inch forged wheels.
Wet-lay-up carbon fiber can be sprayed with a dulled clear-coat to replicate the more expensive preimpregnated (or dry) carbon fiber.
This Harley looks great in flat-metallic copper and, equipped with a turbocharger, probably sounds less horrendously flatulent.
We like the combination of matte and glossy reds. We like that Hyundai is trying, but given that it has actually competed in the World Rally Championship, it should have more pride than to bolt on that wannabe wing.
Clear-coat over brushed steel—what’s not to like?
If you put the hours (or dollars) into a hand-formed aluminum body, there’s no reason not to show it off with a high polish.
It was only a matter of time: Kustom Shop, a paint supplier, offers 45 flat/satin solid colors and 20 shades of metallics and pearls under the Hot Rod Flatz label.
The aged-to-match Drakes sign on the door is a bit contrived, but kudos to the embrace of oxidation as a finish.
No color works like flat black to make mean meaner.
Five Axis shot its wide-body IS F commission for Lexus with Satin Black Pearl and painted the one-off billet wheels in satin bronze.
A big “don’t” is wrapping a car, particularly a Nomad, in carbon-fiber-look vinyl.
Popularity: 9% [?]
1965 Mini - Auto Shows
If one vehicle illustrates the SEMA ethos, this is it. Monster all-wheel-drive power provided by two turbocharged and nitrous-huffing 500-plus-hp Honda B16 engines: check. A paint job that surely cost more than the GDP of Chad: check. A gazillion watts of amplified music: check. Big chrome wheels: check. Interior pulled from an alien spacecraft: check.
Popularity: 9% [?]
F-32 Ford Roadster - Auto Shows
It’s easy to gloss over the many hot rods at SEMA, especially when one is an expected ’32 Ford. It’s the little things about this one, the “F-32,” built by Barry White’s Street Rod Repair Company, that made it special enough to win the 2007 Goodguys Street Rod of the Year. All the bolt heads line up, even under the car. The wheels may look like Halibrands, but they’re one-off billet designs. The body is hand-formed aluminum.
The simple presentation of 427 cubic inches of hand-built aluminum Windsor belies its formidable grunt. An Italian exotic should be so lucky as to be dressed with an interior as meticulously trimmed. The same Italian leather that is used in the interior acts as tie-rod boots. A bit over the top? Perhaps, but it’s what pushes this car toward more complicated discussions of craft and art.
Popularity: 13% [?]
