Photos by Ulysses Ang and Mazda Press

Fresh from winning the Japan Car of the Year 2014-2015 award, the Mazda2 gains a new sedan form which debuts at the 31st Thailand Motor Expo 2014. The all-new sedan variant joins the hatchback in offering the most up-to-date Skyactiv technology in the Mazda line-up. In Thailand, the Mazda2 also brandishes a 1.5-liter Skyactiv-D clean diesel (Euro 5) engine good for a healthy 105 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 250 Nm of torque from 1,500 rpm. It makes the all-new Mazda2 sedan the first vehicle to quality for Phase II of Thailand’s Eco Car program. It easily exceeds the requirements of doing 23.2 km/L and CO2 emissions not above 100g/km.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

UPDATE 2: This is how the Honda HR-V squares up against the competition. (6/9)

UPDATE 1: Honda Cars Philippines just launched the HR-V for the Philippines. (6/7)

Readying its assault in the growing sub-compact crossover segment, Honda finally pulled the wraps off the Jazz-based HR-V at the 31st Bangkok Motor Expo 2014. Dubbed the “Premium Sport Crossover”, the HR-V gets a unique powertrain configuration for the Thai market which will most likely be carried over to the rest of the ASEAN region.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

In time with the Ford Mustang’s 50th anniversary, Ford shows off the all-new 2015 version of the iconic muscle car for the first time in the ASEAN region at the 31st Thailand Motor Expo 2014. Showcased in a left-hand drive configuration at the show, the all-new Mustang is expected to make its arrival in the Philippines early 2015.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Not to be outdone and outgunned in the pick-up race, Nissan Philippines invited a couple of journalists to preview the all-new 2015 NP300 Navara at the 31st Thailand Motor Expo 2014. Although the X-Trail is the main highlight of Nissan Thailand’s pavilion (it’s the venue for the Thai market’s launch), Filipino eyes looked straight towards the striking NP300 Navara which shared the stage with Nissan’s premium compact crossover.

Photo by Ulysses Ang

First showcased at the 2013 Seoul Motor Show, Hyundai is showing off its future design direction with the HND-9 Concept, a luxury sports coupe that’s being shown in ASEAN for the very first time at the 31st Thailand Motor Expo 2014. A further evolution of the company’s “Fluidic Sculpture” design philosophy, the HND-9 is Hyundai’s modern interpretation of the classic premium sports coupe. It was developed at the company’s R&D Center in Namyang, Korea.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

UPDATE 1: The all-new 2015 Mitsubishi Strada is officially launched (3/20).

One of Mitsubishi’s best-selling and most important products, the Triton (Philippine market Strada) receives the lion share of attention at the 31st Thailand Motor Expo 2014. Not only does it occupy the majority of Mitsubishi’s huge pavilion, but several examples of the pick-up are displayed around the Impact Challenger convention center. The first major re-design in nine years, the all-new 2015 Strada is Mitsubishi’s revamped entrant in the ever competitive pick-up segment.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Subaru’s flagship crossover, the all-new 2015 Outback, takes center stage at the brand’s pavilion at the 31st Thailand Motor Expo 2014. It serves as the venue for the regional launch of the said crossover along with the all-new Legacy (which isn’t shown at the show itself). As always, the Outback combines passenger car comfort with the long-distance touring capabilities and load space of a sport utility vehicle. In developing the latest Outback, Subaru delivers class-leading performance, confident all-wheel drive handling, and all-around safety.

Re-invigorating the stagnant Thai automotive industry, Inter-Media Consultant Co., Ltd. has formally opened the doors to the 31st Thailand Motor Expo at the Impact Challenger Convention Center in Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok. The show brings the biggest brands and names together showcasing the capability and readiness of Thailand to maintain its status as ASEAN’s main automotive hub.