Bangkok Marvelous

MANILA, Philippines—Thundering presentations, glittering new cars, a couple of concept vehicles, alluring models and one global debut—these are some of the ingredients of the 2011 Bangkok Motor Show. The 12-day motor show took place at the IMPACT Arena. Covering 60,000 square meters, the venue is an appropriate one for an industry that is growing by leaps and bounds.

The world debut is Chevrolet’s new global midsize pickup, the Colorado. The new vehicle was unveiled in “Show Truck” form, a close precursor to the production model, which will start rolling off the assembly plant in Thailand later this year. As a left-hand drive market, the Philippines is expected to receive the model also in late 2011. A handful of GM’s top executives were on hand to show off the new pickup, from Ed Wellburn, vice president of global design for GM (of 2010 Camaro fame), to Martin Apfel, president of GM South East Asia Operations. The new pickup is an effort to break into the lucrative market, particularly in Thailand. Apfel said that after the Bangkok show, he is looking forward to visiting the Manila International Auto Show for another exciting vehicle unveiling.

Stoking the pickup wars, just next door, Ford was showing off at its booth the new Ranger truck, in trademark Ford blue paint. The new Ranger is also a global vehicle, described as a 90th-percent in size of the North American topseller, the F150.

Meanwhile, there were plenty of passenger cars on hand to please the hedonists and practical motorists alike. Here’s a rundown of some of them:

Chevrolet had a CNG Aveo and a Cruze diesel on display. The Cruze diesel, powered by a 2.0 liter inline-four, combined with a responsive six-speed automatic, is already available in Manila.

Mini had a display that seemed lifted from the set of “Tron.” Blue lines crisscrossed the area, leading to, among others, a John Cooper Works hatchback, and a Mini Clubman S.

Mercedes-Benz showed off right-hand drive versions of a couple of new cars, including the all-new SLK hardtop-roadster. The car on the floor did not sport the glass roof option, which has the ability to turn opaque or transparent at the touch of a switch. There was also the new generation of Mercedes’ “four-door coupe,” the CLS hardtop.

BMW had a massive two-story display, with a row of its cars displayed on a shelf like so many Matchboxes. The newest car on the main show floor was the new 6 Series convertible. There was one done in serious-looking gray, and one in eye-searing yellow.

Volvo displayed its subtly styled hatchbacks, sedans and wagons, from the C30 sport compact to the V50 wagon and XC60 crossover.

Honda is reasserting its potential supremacy in the A-class race with its new Brio hatchback. The Brio is roomy inside but quite compact, with a distinctive glass hatchback, a la Volvo C30.

Chery featured a modified A1 as part of a sportily styled lineup of hatchbacks.

As a country’s motor show is an indication of how the country’s auto industry is faring, Bangkok seems to be firing on all cylinders.