The sixth-generation Sonata from Hyundai has been deliberately styled to make Japanese saloons like the Honda Accord, Nissan Teana and Toyota Camry look bland.
As seen in these pictures taken during the Sonata's launch in Korea late last month, the all-new midsize family saloon possesses sleek and modern design cues all over the car.
The same has been done to the Sonata's interior with many features like the steering wheel and centre console looking like those found in the Teana.
Hyundai believes that the new Sonata has lots of showroom appeal to divert buyers from cars offered by its Japanese rivals.
As the Koreans know that customers in Asia and the US prioritise spacious interiors, the Sonata has new-found dimensions to basically match the classleading Accord.
The wheelbase length of 2,795mm is only 5mm short of the Accord's and promises loads of legroom comfort for rear passengers.
The Sonata is 20mm longer than before at 4,820mm,5mm wider at 1,835mm and 5mm shorter in height at 1,470mm. Giving cars a more dynamic appearance has already become the norm today for their makers.
The new Sonata is said to tip the scales at 1,410kg,which is roughly 30-60kg lighter than the fourthgen model.
Engine &Transmission
At the time of launch Hyundai announced just one engine: an improved 2.0-litre petrol inlinefour with 165hp and 12.8kpl fuel economy that Hyundai says is the best in its class.
That claim can be attributed to a brand new sixspeed automatic transmission developed in-house,which is said to be 12% more fuel efficient than a five-speeder and 12kg lighter in weight.
The Camry uses four-speed and Accord fivespeed auto 'boxes, while the Teana takes a more sophisticated route with the stepless CVT type.
The current 2.4-litre in the Sonata, which could be possibly tweaked to nearly 180hp, will appear next year when the Sonata is launched in the United States.
Late next year when the car hits European showrooms, the Sonata is most likely to highlight a new range of highly efficient diesel engines that Hyundai announced in a statement earlier this year, well before the launch.
The R Diesel engines feature a third-generation common-rail fuel injection. In 2.0-litre form, it produces 184hp/392Nm;2.2-litre generates 200hp/426Nm. This figures put the engines on par with those of BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Market & Pricing
Apart from having a package and drivetrain technologies matching established players from Japan,the new Sonata will also be equipped with a comprehensive range of kits.
Six airbags are standard, while a host of active safety tech like brake assist and stability control will be offered. Convenience items include sat-nav and an array of IT compatibility features.
Although the previous Sonata was assembled in Thailand in 2.0,2.4 and bi-fuel CNG forms, the new model won't come immediately - its arrival here could be held back as late as 2011, long after it has made its debut in major markets around the world.
Ever since Hyundai made a comeback to the Thai market, it has seriously considered offering the diesel version to make the Sonata stand out in its class in the B1.2-1.7m price bracket. None of the its intended rivals have diesels because they are not sold in Europe in their existing body variations.
The Sonata seen here is dubbed the Asian and US version, while the Europeans could get a more compact variant possibly in the guise of hatchback or estate.
Sources at Hyundai told Motoring that the Thai office has shown interest in assembling the new Sonata in the country, but it has yet to get the green light from its parent firm in Korea.
Friday, October 2, 2009
FROM MINOR TO NANO
Although there is a new automatic gearbox for the diesel, it's not coming to Thailand
Honda has given its popular compact sportutility vehicle a mid-life refresh including new grille, bumpers and wheels, along with some mild alteration inside to the centre console.
The minor-change CR-V - to be launched in November this year shortly before the Motor Expo will also see more sound-deadening materials to reduce road noise inside.
Since virtually all SUVs in the B1-1.5m range offer a navigation system in top models, Honda will do the same with the CR-V. This will also give Honda the chance to up prices.
The engines are carried over unchanged:150hp/190Nm 2.0-litre and 170hp/220Nm 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol heads matched to five-speed auto.For the first time, there will also be FWDonly in 2.4 form, taking the choice of drivetrain to four.
The 150hp/350Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel sold in Europe now comes with a fivespeed automatic. Even though Thai marketers at Honda once requested a diesel engine for the CR-V from its parent firm in Japan to match the Chevrolet Captiva and all the pickupbased SUVs, it is not coming to Thailand in this generation form.
Since European diesel engines have particulate filter (PF) to comply with Euro 4 emissions standards,the PF must be removed if it comes to Thailand where Euro 3 is still in force.
Sources at Honda said it was "against the corporate philosophy of the brand" to tamper engines to suit the needs of another market or region. Mitsubishi is also said to uphold such values.
This means the diesel CR-V will hit Thai shores in 2012 at the earliest when Euro 4 standards come into effect. So far Honda is the only mass-market brand not to offer a diesel variation in the Thai SUV market.
Honda has given its popular compact sportutility vehicle a mid-life refresh including new grille, bumpers and wheels, along with some mild alteration inside to the centre console.
The minor-change CR-V - to be launched in November this year shortly before the Motor Expo will also see more sound-deadening materials to reduce road noise inside.
Since virtually all SUVs in the B1-1.5m range offer a navigation system in top models, Honda will do the same with the CR-V. This will also give Honda the chance to up prices.
The engines are carried over unchanged:150hp/190Nm 2.0-litre and 170hp/220Nm 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol heads matched to five-speed auto.For the first time, there will also be FWDonly in 2.4 form, taking the choice of drivetrain to four.
The 150hp/350Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel sold in Europe now comes with a fivespeed automatic. Even though Thai marketers at Honda once requested a diesel engine for the CR-V from its parent firm in Japan to match the Chevrolet Captiva and all the pickupbased SUVs, it is not coming to Thailand in this generation form.
Since European diesel engines have particulate filter (PF) to comply with Euro 4 emissions standards,the PF must be removed if it comes to Thailand where Euro 3 is still in force.
Sources at Honda said it was "against the corporate philosophy of the brand" to tamper engines to suit the needs of another market or region. Mitsubishi is also said to uphold such values.
This means the diesel CR-V will hit Thai shores in 2012 at the earliest when Euro 4 standards come into effect. So far Honda is the only mass-market brand not to offer a diesel variation in the Thai SUV market.
World's first HYBRID SPORTS CAR
Uhh... it still looks like the original concept car...
Yeah, except for some small details like the new rear bumper. That clearly shows the positive reaction Honda has received from the 2007 show car. Actually, the whole idea of the CR-Z is to launch a follow-up of the CR-X hatchback that was popular in the US during the late '80s.
This is how it usually works with concept cars: come up with an early prototype to gauge public reaction, follow it up with a (very) nearproduction variation to drum up demand and launch it shortly after that.
That's why the interior of the CR-Z you see here in this first pictures is remarkably the one you will see in showrooms. In fact, this is the biggest development of this so-called 2009 CRZ Concept (ignore the last word, if you need so).
Wow! So Honda is making it...
Definitely! That's what the company's top brass announced earlier this year, even though they haven't been specific about the launch date. But Motoring understands that the CR-Z will be launched in Japan next February after this final prototype is shown to the public at this month's Tokyo motor show.
Honda intends to make the CR-Z its first sports car to get hybrid drivetrain. It follows the Civic Hybrid and Insight Hybrid. And it won't stop here; the Jazz will follow with a petrol/electric combination trailed by more offerings - just like archrival Toyota plans to do so in the next decade.
Is the CR-Z getting Insight power?
Technical information on the CR-Z is still being kept secret. Of course, the obvious candidate would be that from the Insight:88hp 1.3-litre petrol engine mated in parallel with electric assistance. But that system could prove a little to meek for the CR-Z's sporty nature. So in all likelihood the internal combustion engine could be sourced from the City/Jazz's:120hp 1.5-litre.Together with the battery-backed electric motors,power could reach 140hp.
If you note the picture showing its interior,the CR-Z comes with a manual shiftstick to suit the sports car tradition. Hybrids usually come with CVT transmissions, but it is not known whether Honda will offer two-pedal setup for automatic-loving nations like Thailand.
Since sports cars are driven usually harder than hatchbacks or saloons, Honda could be looking at another form of automatic transmission to suit the driving styles of CR-Z's customers.
Are there only two seats like in the CR-X?
Judging from its proportions, the CR-Z should maintain tradition. Since it is based on a truncated front-engine, front-drive platform of the Insight,which itself is already a small-ish B-segment car,it's highly unlikely that the CR-Z will have rear seats. You didn't hear CR-X owners screaming for them, right?
So it'll be cheaper than the Insight?
Not likely, mate. This is a sporty car, after all.So it could do with some image and right market positioning. Despite its B-segment size, the CRZ could wear C-segment prices to match specialties like the Volkswagen Scirocco, Volvo C30 and, to a certain extent, Mini.
This means we are talking about B2-2.3m in Thailand including taxes. The Insight currently sells for B2m in the Thai grey market.
And in case you might want to know, official imports of the CR-Z are unlikely because Honda Automobiles (Thailand) doesn't want to undertake sales of imported cars, fearing its large nationwide dealer network will have to bear increased spare parts costs and servicing complexities associated with hybrid-powered cars.
But Toyota is selling the Camry Hybrid...
True. But the Camry Hybrid is assembled in Thailand and is meant to be sold in large numbers.That's why the investment is more justified than in the case of Honda, which has yet to make a hybrid-equipped car on a scale similar to Toyota.
Noteworthy, however, is Nissan's strategy to satisfy niche car buyers in Thailand, whereby it has entrusted 10 dealers around the country to handle sales and servicing of the 370Z sports car. In theory, this means these dedicated outlets could be selling more imported Nissans in the future.
Mini-MPV preview
Honda aims to make its next-generation MPVs more environment-friendly and versatile by previewing the Skydeck concept vehicle.Due to make its world premiere at this month's Tokyo motor show alongside the C-
Z and EV-N, the Skydeck embodies the CR-Z's aggressiv-
looking snout, headlights and aero-friendly bumper.
Since it has three rows of seats, the Skydeck
could preview the next-generation Stream-
a mini-MPV whose sales have stopped in
Thailand due to low popularity - with
rear sliding doors for the first time.
The engine in the Skydeck is unknown but could be a hybrid variation of the CR-Z. Honda has already made it clear that it wants to extend petrol/electric hybrid systems into as many production models as possible - just like Toyota.
Yeah, except for some small details like the new rear bumper. That clearly shows the positive reaction Honda has received from the 2007 show car. Actually, the whole idea of the CR-Z is to launch a follow-up of the CR-X hatchback that was popular in the US during the late '80s.
This is how it usually works with concept cars: come up with an early prototype to gauge public reaction, follow it up with a (very) nearproduction variation to drum up demand and launch it shortly after that.
That's why the interior of the CR-Z you see here in this first pictures is remarkably the one you will see in showrooms. In fact, this is the biggest development of this so-called 2009 CRZ Concept (ignore the last word, if you need so).
Wow! So Honda is making it...
Definitely! That's what the company's top brass announced earlier this year, even though they haven't been specific about the launch date. But Motoring understands that the CR-Z will be launched in Japan next February after this final prototype is shown to the public at this month's Tokyo motor show.
Honda intends to make the CR-Z its first sports car to get hybrid drivetrain. It follows the Civic Hybrid and Insight Hybrid. And it won't stop here; the Jazz will follow with a petrol/electric combination trailed by more offerings - just like archrival Toyota plans to do so in the next decade.
Is the CR-Z getting Insight power?
Technical information on the CR-Z is still being kept secret. Of course, the obvious candidate would be that from the Insight:88hp 1.3-litre petrol engine mated in parallel with electric assistance. But that system could prove a little to meek for the CR-Z's sporty nature. So in all likelihood the internal combustion engine could be sourced from the City/Jazz's:120hp 1.5-litre.Together with the battery-backed electric motors,power could reach 140hp.
If you note the picture showing its interior,the CR-Z comes with a manual shiftstick to suit the sports car tradition. Hybrids usually come with CVT transmissions, but it is not known whether Honda will offer two-pedal setup for automatic-loving nations like Thailand.
Since sports cars are driven usually harder than hatchbacks or saloons, Honda could be looking at another form of automatic transmission to suit the driving styles of CR-Z's customers.
Are there only two seats like in the CR-X?
Judging from its proportions, the CR-Z should maintain tradition. Since it is based on a truncated front-engine, front-drive platform of the Insight,which itself is already a small-ish B-segment car,it's highly unlikely that the CR-Z will have rear seats. You didn't hear CR-X owners screaming for them, right?
So it'll be cheaper than the Insight?
Not likely, mate. This is a sporty car, after all.So it could do with some image and right market positioning. Despite its B-segment size, the CRZ could wear C-segment prices to match specialties like the Volkswagen Scirocco, Volvo C30 and, to a certain extent, Mini.
This means we are talking about B2-2.3m in Thailand including taxes. The Insight currently sells for B2m in the Thai grey market.
And in case you might want to know, official imports of the CR-Z are unlikely because Honda Automobiles (Thailand) doesn't want to undertake sales of imported cars, fearing its large nationwide dealer network will have to bear increased spare parts costs and servicing complexities associated with hybrid-powered cars.
But Toyota is selling the Camry Hybrid...
True. But the Camry Hybrid is assembled in Thailand and is meant to be sold in large numbers.That's why the investment is more justified than in the case of Honda, which has yet to make a hybrid-equipped car on a scale similar to Toyota.
Noteworthy, however, is Nissan's strategy to satisfy niche car buyers in Thailand, whereby it has entrusted 10 dealers around the country to handle sales and servicing of the 370Z sports car. In theory, this means these dedicated outlets could be selling more imported Nissans in the future.
Mini-MPV preview
Honda aims to make its next-generation MPVs more environment-friendly and versatile by previewing the Skydeck concept vehicle.Due to make its world premiere at this month's Tokyo motor show alongside the C-
Z and EV-N, the Skydeck embodies the CR-Z's aggressiv-
looking snout, headlights and aero-friendly bumper.
Since it has three rows of seats, the Skydeck
could preview the next-generation Stream-
a mini-MPV whose sales have stopped in
Thailand due to low popularity - with
rear sliding doors for the first time.
The engine in the Skydeck is unknown but could be a hybrid variation of the CR-Z. Honda has already made it clear that it wants to extend petrol/electric hybrid systems into as many production models as possible - just like Toyota.
General Motors to wind up Saturn brand as buyer drops bid
General Motors said on Tuesday it would down its Saturn brand after talks broke off with Penske Automotive GTroup on a bid for the nameplate.
GM said in a statement that Penske "has decided to terminate discussions" to acquire Saturn "because of the inability to source new products beyond what it had asked GM to build on contract."
"This is very disappointing news and comes after months of hard work by hundreds of dedicated employees and Saturn retailers who tried to make the new Saturn a reality," the US auto-maker said.
As a result of the decision, GM said, "we will be winding down the Saturn brand and dealership network, in accordance with the wind-down agreements that Saturn dealers recently signed with GM".
Penske said in a separate statement it had been unable to secure a deal with a car manufacturer to produce vehicles after the expiration of an agreement with GM to make cars on a contract basis.
"Penske Automotive Group negotiated the terms and conditions of an agreement with another manufacturer; however, that agreement was rejected by the manufacturer's board of directors," the statement said.
"Without that agreement, the company has determined that the risks kand uncertainties related to the availability of future products prohibit the company from moving forward with this transaction."
Penske agreed in June to acquire the Saturn brand in a deal aimed at saving some 350 dealerships and 13,000 jobs at Saturn and its retailers in the US.
Penske, a big auto-dealership operator headed by former race car driver Roger Penske, made the deal shortly after GM filed for bankruptcy protection in a government-backed reorganisation.
GM was to continue to produce Saturn cars on a contract basis, including the Saturn Aura sedan, and the Vue and Outlook sport utility vehicles.
GM said in a statement that Penske "has decided to terminate discussions" to acquire Saturn "because of the inability to source new products beyond what it had asked GM to build on contract."
"This is very disappointing news and comes after months of hard work by hundreds of dedicated employees and Saturn retailers who tried to make the new Saturn a reality," the US auto-maker said.
As a result of the decision, GM said, "we will be winding down the Saturn brand and dealership network, in accordance with the wind-down agreements that Saturn dealers recently signed with GM".
Penske said in a separate statement it had been unable to secure a deal with a car manufacturer to produce vehicles after the expiration of an agreement with GM to make cars on a contract basis.
"Penske Automotive Group negotiated the terms and conditions of an agreement with another manufacturer; however, that agreement was rejected by the manufacturer's board of directors," the statement said.
"Without that agreement, the company has determined that the risks kand uncertainties related to the availability of future products prohibit the company from moving forward with this transaction."
Penske agreed in June to acquire the Saturn brand in a deal aimed at saving some 350 dealerships and 13,000 jobs at Saturn and its retailers in the US.
Penske, a big auto-dealership operator headed by former race car driver Roger Penske, made the deal shortly after GM filed for bankruptcy protection in a government-backed reorganisation.
GM was to continue to produce Saturn cars on a contract basis, including the Saturn Aura sedan, and the Vue and Outlook sport utility vehicles.
HONDA RACES TO ATTRACT A BIG CROWD
Japanese auto-maker Honda is expecting a big crowd at the fourth leg of the Honda Racing Fest this weekend at a temporary track built around His Majesty the King's 80th Birthday Anniversary Sports Complex in Nakhon Ratchasima.
dThe event will be televised live on True Visions True Sport 2 channel from 2-4pm on Sunday.
Organiser Anothai Eamlumnow said the track, a high-speed 2.4-kilometre circuit, was 90-per-cent ready for the weekend's races.
"Tt's similar to last year's track, but we've improved many of the dangerous areas seen last year. The track is wider, and we've doubled the amount of safety equipment," he said.
There will be four races at the event, including Jazz and Civic onemake races, as well as activities for visitors, such as pit tours to allow enthusiasts to get a closer look at the cars and how the pit crews work and gokart driving.
There will also be a mini concert by Ruj, aka The Star.
Despite the decline in the local automobile market, Honda has maintained exceptional sales figures from its jazz, City, Civic and Accord passenger cars.
In the first eight months of the year, the Thai passenger-car market declined 11 per cent to 131,379 units.
However, Honda sales grew 3.6 per cent to 50,961 vehicles in that period, while in August alone its sales shot up 15.8 per cent to 6,366 units.
dThe event will be televised live on True Visions True Sport 2 channel from 2-4pm on Sunday.
Organiser Anothai Eamlumnow said the track, a high-speed 2.4-kilometre circuit, was 90-per-cent ready for the weekend's races.
"Tt's similar to last year's track, but we've improved many of the dangerous areas seen last year. The track is wider, and we've doubled the amount of safety equipment," he said.
There will be four races at the event, including Jazz and Civic onemake races, as well as activities for visitors, such as pit tours to allow enthusiasts to get a closer look at the cars and how the pit crews work and gokart driving.
There will also be a mini concert by Ruj, aka The Star.
Despite the decline in the local automobile market, Honda has maintained exceptional sales figures from its jazz, City, Civic and Accord passenger cars.
In the first eight months of the year, the Thai passenger-car market declined 11 per cent to 131,379 units.
However, Honda sales grew 3.6 per cent to 50,961 vehicles in that period, while in August alone its sales shot up 15.8 per cent to 6,366 units.
MARCH ECO-CAR SET FOR PRODUCTION IN 2010
Nissan yesterday called its March eco-car, to be introduced next March, "right car at the right time and the right place".
"I'm confident the eco-car will be highly successful in the market," said Toru Hasegawa, president of Nissan Motor (Thailand).
Hasegawa showed journalists a sketch of the new model, the first from the eco-car project promoted by the government.
The eco-car will play a major role in helping the Japanese brand double its sales volume in the local market within three years and increase its market share to 10 per cent, Hasegawa said.
Total annual Nissan production in Thailand is expected to reach 200,000 units in 2012.
The eco-car will have fuel economy of better than 20 kilometres per litre, carbon dioxide emissions of less than 120 grams per kilometre, UNECE 94 and 95 safety standards and room to fit five adults comfortably.
Earlier in the morning, Hasegawa met with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and confirmed the eco-car would be launched next March.
He told Abhisit that due to the fluctuating market caused by the recession and unknown future events, it would be helpful if the government offered further tax privileges that would help eco-car manufacturers boost domestic volume.
Nissan plans to make 100,000 eco-cars a year within five years: one-third for the domestic market and two-thirds for export to 13 countries.
"Making 100,000 units a year is a very visible target, and I have 100-per-cent confidence in achieving this," Hasegawa said.
Nissan Motor in Japan earlier announced it would model to Thailand, due to increasing production costs at home, and the car fits nicely with the eco-car profile.
Hasegawa refused to give further details on the eco-car, including the platform.
"I cannot disclose the pricing, but it will definitely be reasonable for the market," he said.
Nissan's eco-car is not simply a "cheap" car, but rather a hit-tech small car that comes with outstanding fuel economy, high safety standards, a low emissions level and a large interior.
Before assuming his present position in February, Hasegawa helped Nissan Motor double sales in the Middle East to 200,000 units a year and Nissan Indonesia increase sales fourfold.
"I'd like to do the same here," he said.
"I'm confident the eco-car will be highly successful in the market," said Toru Hasegawa, president of Nissan Motor (Thailand).
Hasegawa showed journalists a sketch of the new model, the first from the eco-car project promoted by the government.
The eco-car will play a major role in helping the Japanese brand double its sales volume in the local market within three years and increase its market share to 10 per cent, Hasegawa said.
Total annual Nissan production in Thailand is expected to reach 200,000 units in 2012.
The eco-car will have fuel economy of better than 20 kilometres per litre, carbon dioxide emissions of less than 120 grams per kilometre, UNECE 94 and 95 safety standards and room to fit five adults comfortably.
Earlier in the morning, Hasegawa met with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and confirmed the eco-car would be launched next March.
He told Abhisit that due to the fluctuating market caused by the recession and unknown future events, it would be helpful if the government offered further tax privileges that would help eco-car manufacturers boost domestic volume.
Nissan plans to make 100,000 eco-cars a year within five years: one-third for the domestic market and two-thirds for export to 13 countries.
"Making 100,000 units a year is a very visible target, and I have 100-per-cent confidence in achieving this," Hasegawa said.
Nissan Motor in Japan earlier announced it would model to Thailand, due to increasing production costs at home, and the car fits nicely with the eco-car profile.
Hasegawa refused to give further details on the eco-car, including the platform.
"I cannot disclose the pricing, but it will definitely be reasonable for the market," he said.
Nissan's eco-car is not simply a "cheap" car, but rather a hit-tech small car that comes with outstanding fuel economy, high safety standards, a low emissions level and a large interior.
Before assuming his present position in February, Hasegawa helped Nissan Motor double sales in the Middle East to 200,000 units a year and Nissan Indonesia increase sales fourfold.
"I'd like to do the same here," he said.
Nissan pins hopes on eco-car
Nissan Motor Thailand is aiming for a double-digit market share in Thailand within four years under a business plan dubbed Revolution 2012.
The company outlined the strategy yesterday while also introducing images of the new eco-car that it will begin making in Thailand next year, becoming the first carmaker to produce the widely anticipated small vehicles.
The business plan resembles parent Nissan Motor Corporation's plan in 2008 called GT 2012, which stressed a commitment to quality leadership, zeroemission vehicle leadership and 5% revenue growth on average over five years.
The five-year strategy was shelved when the global recession hit.
But Nissan's Thai unit initiated its own strategy with full support from its parent company, said Nissan Motor Thailand president Toru Hasegawa.
Nissan will launch at least one new vehicle every year until 2012, including the eco-car in March 2010. Nissan expects to be the first of six car companies that pledged to build an eco-cars in Thailand to complete the project.
The plan also called for Nissan to increase vehicle production from 63,000 units in 2008 to 200,000 in 2012.
Mr Hasegawa said the plan was based on the successful launch of the eco-car,improvement of management, product and sales/service quality, and implementation of the Nissan Way mindset for employees as a foundation for change in the corporate culture.
Nissan has invested 5.05 billion baht in tooling, in-house vehicle production and parts imports for the eco-car.
At least 30,000 units will be built next year, one-third for domestic sales and the reminder for the export market.
He declined to provide a model name or retail price but insisted the price would be reasonable and affordable.
The eco-car hatchback will be powered by a 1.3-litre gasoline engine and will be compatible with E20 fuel gasohol.
The project will make Nissan's Thai operation an export hub, taking advan-tage of cost competitiveness through localisation and economies of scale.
With its plan to raise its Thai market share to at least 10% in 2012 and with sales proportions set for the domestic and overseas markets, Mr Hasegawa is confident of selling 100,000 units by the fifth year of eco-car production as required by the Board of Investment.
"The plan has started to show steady progress, with market share growing to 5.7% in fiscal year 2009 to date versus 5% last year. The new Teana introduced in March has led the way," he added.
Hasegawa: Eco-cars to help market share
Nissan's eco-car, due for a March launch,will have a 1.3-litre engine and can use E20 gasohol.
The company outlined the strategy yesterday while also introducing images of the new eco-car that it will begin making in Thailand next year, becoming the first carmaker to produce the widely anticipated small vehicles.
The business plan resembles parent Nissan Motor Corporation's plan in 2008 called GT 2012, which stressed a commitment to quality leadership, zeroemission vehicle leadership and 5% revenue growth on average over five years.
The five-year strategy was shelved when the global recession hit.
But Nissan's Thai unit initiated its own strategy with full support from its parent company, said Nissan Motor Thailand president Toru Hasegawa.
Nissan will launch at least one new vehicle every year until 2012, including the eco-car in March 2010. Nissan expects to be the first of six car companies that pledged to build an eco-cars in Thailand to complete the project.
The plan also called for Nissan to increase vehicle production from 63,000 units in 2008 to 200,000 in 2012.
Mr Hasegawa said the plan was based on the successful launch of the eco-car,improvement of management, product and sales/service quality, and implementation of the Nissan Way mindset for employees as a foundation for change in the corporate culture.
Nissan has invested 5.05 billion baht in tooling, in-house vehicle production and parts imports for the eco-car.
At least 30,000 units will be built next year, one-third for domestic sales and the reminder for the export market.
He declined to provide a model name or retail price but insisted the price would be reasonable and affordable.
The eco-car hatchback will be powered by a 1.3-litre gasoline engine and will be compatible with E20 fuel gasohol.
The project will make Nissan's Thai operation an export hub, taking advan-tage of cost competitiveness through localisation and economies of scale.
With its plan to raise its Thai market share to at least 10% in 2012 and with sales proportions set for the domestic and overseas markets, Mr Hasegawa is confident of selling 100,000 units by the fifth year of eco-car production as required by the Board of Investment.
"The plan has started to show steady progress, with market share growing to 5.7% in fiscal year 2009 to date versus 5% last year. The new Teana introduced in March has led the way," he added.
Hasegawa: Eco-cars to help market share
Nissan's eco-car, due for a March launch,will have a 1.3-litre engine and can use E20 gasohol.
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