That our feet and backs haven’t quite yet recovered from covering the 2024 Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS) is a testament to how big this annual event is. Yes, BIMS and the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) this year happened in consecutive weeks, but in terms of sheer scale, event facilities, and overall organization, we have a lot of catching up to do.
For its 2024 staging, BIMS attracted a total of 1,610,972 visitors over its two-week run, and that’s with the first two days reserved for VIPs and the press. That number is slightly lower than last year’s 1,620,459 attendees, but more people showed up this year with the intent to purchase a vehicle.
Watch: BIMS 2024 highlights
BIMS 2024 garnered a total of 58,611 vehicle reservations—5,173 units for motorcycles and 53,438 units for cars. That accounts for a 27.5% increase in reservations compared with 2023. Electric vehicles contributed 17,517 units to total car reservations, but combustion-engined vehicles still made up most of the total at 35,921 units.
OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:
Toyota will now be responsible for developing the cars once overseen by Daihatsu
The steelies- and roll-cage-equipped Subaru BRZ Cup Car Basic costs only P1.37-M*
Unsurprisingly, Toyota got the most number of reservations, at 8,540 units. Second place went to Chinese carmaker BYD, which racked up 5,435 units—and if you’ve visited the Thai capital recently, you’ve surely noticed the abundance of BYD cars on the road.
BIMS 2024: Brands with the highest number of reservations
- Toyota – 8,540 units
- BYD – 5,345 units
- Honda – 4,607 units
- MG – 3,518 units
- Mitsubishi – 3,409 units
- Changan – 3,018 units
- GWM – 2,815 units
- Isuzu – 2,734 units
- Nissan – 2,488 units
Now, if you thought MIAS was like a prelude to the Auto China show happening toward the end of April, BIMS also saw an influx of Chinese brands. “Due to this year’s event, there has been a significant number of new entrepreneurs, especially from China and Vietnam, showcasing a wide range of new electric vehicle models for consumers to explore and purchase, with prices ranging from several hundred thousand to several million baht,” said Jaturont Komolmis, chief operations officer of show organizer Grand Prix International and vice chairman of BIMS 2024. “This has gathered significant interest from consumers.”
“In terms of consumer behavior, there has been a notable response to newly unveiled car models at the motor show, with many making reservations for the first time at the event,” continued Komolmis. “This can be observed from the intense negotiations, particularly during the final weekend where reservation numbers doubled compared to regular days.
“However, due to changing consumer behaviors, aligning with the need for more value in purchases, many have turned to buying newer cars that offer better value for money. Despite this shift, the luxury car market continues to grow steadily, driven by car manufacturers launching new variants and products in almost every model, aiming to stimulate sales.”
Apart from the video above, you can check out our BIMS 2024 stories here. And if you want to experience the event in person, you can already save the dates for next year’s staging: The 46th Bangkok International Motor Show will be held from March 26 to April 6, 2025. See you there, and make sure to wear very comfy shoes.
