In this series, we shall go to our first destination: Thailand. We all know that they love beaches plus the fact it is the hub of most car companies the region. Without further ado, lets go explore some of their offerings (some luxury brands will be skipped) and compare.
Do take note we are evaluating the current vehicles in the manufacturers line-up. These data are as of June 2014. You make look at their Thailand websites for more information.
AUDI
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Screenshot of Audi Thailands website |
WHAT THEY (THAILAND) DONT GET: A1, A7, Q3, R8
WHAT WE DONT GET: A5, A6 Avant, TT
The similarities and differences between the models:
- The Thailand market A4 gets the saloon version with the 1.8 FSI gasoline engine having 160hp which is their only choice. The Philippine market A4 has both the regular and RS4 Avant versions with the former getting both 1.8 FSI gasoline and 2.0 TDI diesel engines.
- The Thailand market A6 Saloon has a 2.0 FSI gasoline engine under the hood. Philippine market models get a wide range of options: a 3.0 TFSI with Quattro technology, and two engines in the form of the 2.0 and 3.0 TDI.
- Thailands A8 has both the short and long wheelbase models while the Philippine market has the long wheelbase one.
- The Q5 in Thailand has only the 2.0 FSI engine while the Philippines get both gas and diesel engines.
- Thailands and RPs Q7 have both the 3.0 diesel under the hood.
BMW
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Screenshot of BMW Thailands website |
WHAT WE BOTH GET: 1 Seri es Hatchback, 3 Series Sedan and Gran Turismo, 4 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, 6 Series (all versions), 7 Series Sedan, X1, X3, X5, X6, Z4, M3 Convertible, M5 Sedan, M6 (all models), X6M
WHAT THEY DONT GET: 1 Series Convertible and Coupe, 5 Series Gran Turismo
WHAT WE DONT GET: 2 Series Coupe, 4 Series Convertible, Hybrid versions of the 3, 5, and 7, M3 Sedan, M4 Coupe and Convertible
The similarities and differences between the models:
- The 1 Series in Thailand only has the 116i, which has a 1.6 engine. Philippine models do get both 1.6 gasoline and 2.0 diesel engines.
- 3 Series models sold in Thailand do get the 320d, 320i, 328i M Sport, and 325d M Sport models. Philippine market units get the 328i, 318d, and 320d variants.
- Thais have the 5 Series with the 520d, 528i, and 520i models. Filipino consumers get the 528i, 520d, and 530d.
- Both countries have the 6 Series Gran C oupe and Coupe models in 640i guise. The main difference lies on the convertible model: the Philippines has the 650i while Thailand sticks to the 640i.
- Both countries have the three 7 Series models: 730Li, 740Li, and 730d. The latter model can be ordered in an indent basis in the Philippines.
- X1 models in Thailand have the sDrive 18i and sDrive 20d to choose from. Philippine based buyers have more choices to choose.
- You can get either a gasoline or diesel model (sDrive 20i and sDrive 20d respectively) for an X3 in Thailand. Whereas in the Philippines, it is all diesel engines there.
- Same case with the X3 is applied to the X5: Thailand has both gasoline and diesel engines while the Philippines only has the diesel.
- Both nations get the X6 in xDrive 3.0d guise.
- While the two countries get the sDrive 2.0i for the Z4, only the Philippines get the 28i guise.
CHEVROLET
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Screenshot of Chevrolet Thailands website |
WHAT WE BOTH GET: Sonic, Cruze, Spin, Captiva, Trailblazer, Colorado
WHAT THEY DONT GET: Spark, Malibu, Orlando, Traverse, Tahoe, Suburban, Camaro
WHAT WE DONT GET: None actually
The similarities and differences between the models:
- Both countries have the Sonic in sedan and hatchback guises. The only difference is Thailand offers both 1.4 (manual and automatic) and 1.6 (automatic only) in the two body styles, while the Philippi nes gains the former engine.
- The Cruze sold in Thailand do get 1.6 and 1.8 gasoline engines and a 2.0 diesel, with their Base variant having a 1.6 engine paired with a manual then other models have an automatic (including the 1.8). Philippine market Cruzes get the 1.8 gasoline (the L and LS can be had with a manual) and the 2.0 diesel.
- Thailand market Spins can be ordered with the 1.5 gasoline. Philippine market Spins can be had with either a 1.3 diesel or 1.5 gasoline
- This is where the two countries share their Captivas, they can be had in both gasoline and diesel engines in either 2WD or 4WD. However, while the Philippines get the LS 4x2 and LT 4x4 in both engines, Thailand has one basic model and one upgrade model in every configuration (except for their diesel 2WD, only one model is available).
- In the case of the Trailblazer, both engines with their respective transmissions (2.5 MT, 2.8 AT) are available in both countries. Except that their top of the line model is named LTZ1 4WD, with the LTZ being 2WD.
- As expected, Thailand has three body styles for the Colorado named as S-Cab (standard cab), X-Cab (extended cab), and C-Cab (crew cab). Their engine options are similar to ours, but they do have a bewildering number of variants. Thais S-Cab is basic in nature, while the others have alloy wheels and power features. Compared to the Philippine models, the 2.5 can be had in LT guise and 2WD while the 2.8 is available only in 4WD.
FORD
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Screenshot of Ford Thailands website |
WHAT WE BOTH GET: Fiesta (the facelifted model), Focus, Ecosport, Everest, Ranger
WHAT THEY DONT GET: Mustang, Explorer, Expedition, E150
WHAT WE DONT GET: Fiesta (pre-facelift), Escape (do they still make those?), Territory (basically a crossover SUV from Australia)
The similarities and differences between the models:
- Facelifted Fiestas (marked as the New Fiesta in Thailand) have the following models: Ambiente (in both 4 door and 5 door, the former can be had with either manual or automatic), Trend (both 4 door and 5 door, automatic only), Titanium (4 door, automatic), Sport (5 door, automatic), and EcoBoost (4 door Titanium and 5 door Sport). Philippine model Fiestas are available in these trims: Ambiente (4 door and 5 door, manual only), Trend (both bodies with both transmissions), Titanium (both bodies, automatic only), and EcoBoost (hatchback onl y). Both engines are similar to one another (1.5 and 1.0 EcoBoost)
- They still sell the old body Fiesta (they are manufactured in Thailand) whose starting price is 549,000 Baht (or P736,000) as opposed to the facelifted models starting price of 779,000 Baht (roughly P1,044,000). The variants are nearly the same as what had been offered in the Philippines, except we did not get a 1.5 engine.
- When it comes to the available variants of the Focus in Thailand and the Philippines, they are nearly the same (1.6 Ambiente, 1.6 Trend, 2.0 Titanium+). However, Thailand offers more options and has different names especially that the 2.0 model comes with a GDi (gasoline direct injection) model in both body styles plus 2.0 variants get a normal version (Titanium is the sedan, Sport is the hatchback) and an upgrade version (marked with a +).
- The Ecosport that the Thais and Filipinos get the same variants and engines.
- While the Escape had been discontinued in 201 3 locally, the Thai market can be had in 4x4 XLT+ guise whose price is 999,000 Baht (P1,339,000).
- Everests that both countries get are nearly identical, but Thailand misses out the 2.5 XLT AT.
- Youll be dizzied here: Thailand has 15 Ranger models (plus 6 2015 model year ones) that you can buy, so we will leave the link here to spot the differences. In comparison, there are 13 models available in the Philippines.
HONDA
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Screenshot of Honda Thailands website |
WHAT WE BOTH GET:&nbs p;Brio (soon), Brio Amaze (soon), Jazz, City, Civic, Civic Modulo, Accord, CR-V, CR-Z
WHAT THEY DONT GET: Odyssey (USDM), Pilot
WHAT WE DONT GET: Jazz Hybrid, City CNG, Civic Hybrid, Freed, Odyssey (JDM), Stepwgn
NOTE: As we write this, the 2014 Jazz would be introduced in the Philippines in a few weeks time, so we would skip it. You may want to check this brochure for the Jazz available in Thailand.
The similarities and differences between the models:
- Both City models in Thailand and the Philippines have the 1.5 engine and even the structure of variants. The S in Thailand and E in the Philippines are the ones that get a manual. However, the ones in the Philippines are rather short (E, VX, VX+) than Thailands (S, V, V+, SV, SV+) but the content level and their hierarchy is the same.
- Civics sold in Thailand and t he Philippines are nearly identical to one another, except that the former has more variants (1.8 S, 1.8 E, 1.8 ES, and 2.0 ES) as opposed to the latter (1.8 S, 1.8 E, 2.0 EL). While the 1.8 S sold in Thailand still has the manual, the Philippine sold ones do not carry after a May 2014 update. The 1.8 E and 2.0 ES can be ordered with a navigation system in Thailand.
- The Civic Modulo model in both countries are available in the 1.8 E. It is priced at 939,000 Baht (or P1,258,000)
- Thankfully, we do have the 2.4 and 3.0 V6 Accord in the Philippines. In this case, the Thais have the 2.0 and 2.4 engines but they get a tech variant for the latter, while the navigation is available for both engines.
- While the CR-V sold in both countries nearly follow the same structure, Thais get a 2WD (EL) option that is paired with the 2.4 and a 2.0 paired with 4WD (E) that we dont get. No Modulo cladded model is available in Thailand.
- Only one CR-Z variant is availabl e in Thailand, which is named JP and only available in CVT. In the Philippines, you can get a base (1.5), Modulo, or Mugen variant in either transmission.
HYUNDAI
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Screenshot of Hyundai Thailands website |
WHAT WE BOTH GET: Grand Starex/H1, Tucson, Elantra, Sonata
WHAT THEY DONT GET: i10, Grand i10, Eon, Accent, Azera, Genesis, Genesis Coupe, Santa Fe, H100
WHAT WE DONT GET: Veloster
The similarities and differenc es between the models:
- The Grand Starex and H1 sold in Thailand are basically one car, but the two are different. The Grand Starex has more plusher appointments and a different grille and its engine produces 175hp and 441Nm, compared to its similar model sold in the Philippines with 168hp and 392Nm. On the other hand, the H1 has three models including the Touring (base model), Executive, and Deluxe. The Starexes here have a 2.5 engine carrying either 99hp or 168hp. Oh, the H1 Touring has a six speed manual, as opposed to our five speed ones.
- Only one Tucson variant is available in Thailand: the 2.0 diesel 4WD. Philippine buyers get gasoline engines and a manual transmission apart from the oil burner.
- Thais get their Elantras with a 1.8, while that engine had been dropped from the line-up in January 2014 in the Philippines.
- Sonatas sold in Thailand are only available in 2.0 guise. Philippine market ones have a 2.4 engine while a 2.0 is also a vailable.
ISUZU
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Screenshot of Isuzu Thailands website |
WHAT WE BOTH GET: D-Max, Trucks
WHAT THEY DONT GET: Crosswind
WHAT WE DONT GET: Mu-X (basically a second generation Alterra)
The similarities and differences between the models:
- The D-Max is Isuzus bread and butter model in Thailand, and incidentally their best seller there. They do offer a wide range of models including a two door, four door, V-Cross (a more sporty variant), and Spark (a basic truck meant for businesses). In the Philippines, we do get the LT in both 2WD and 4WD and LS (in both 2WD and 4WD and MT and AT). Oh, Thailand gets the upgraded engines whose specs are the 2.5 carrying 136hp and 320Nm (against the PHs 108hp and 280Nm) and 3.0 having 177hp and 380Nm (local models have 144hp and 294Nm).
KIA
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Screenshot of Kia Thailands website |
WHAT WE BOTH GET: Picanto, Rio, Carnival, Sorento, Soul, K2700
WHAT THEY DONT GET: Optima, Carens, Sportage
WHAT WE DONT GET: None, since Kia is strong here.
The similarities and differences between the models:
- Apart from the K1 moniker, the Picanto sold in Thailand has a 1.2 engine which can be paired with either a manual or automatic. Philippine market Picantos do only currently have a 1.0 engine as the 1.2 was dropped.
- The Rio Hatchback sold in Thailand is identical to the Philippines as regards to the engine and transmission option, except there is a different interior color scheme and the exterior colors available in Thailand.
- Were not sure about the Rio sedan sold in Thailand, especially that the e-brochure provided was that of the previous generation model.
- Thailand market Carnivals (they are sold as the Grand Carnival) can accommodate 11 people and available in either Touring or CEO variants. Philippine market Carnivals ar e available in either short wheelbase (it is the one with a manual) or long wheelbase that can seat eight people. The engine, a 2.9 diesel, is fitted in both markets.
- Unlike in the Philippines which had a variety of models to choose from, Thais can only have their Sorentos in 2WD 7 seater guise carrying the same diesel burner as ours.
- Luckily for the Philippine market, the Soul we have is the second generation model. The Thais still have the older model.
- The Thai K2700 is only available in pick-up truck model. The Filipinos have freedom in choosing since we get a single cab dropside, double cab dropside, single cab aluminum, and high side pick-up with roof with an option of 4WD.
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