Page 62 - MASALA Vol8 Issue4 February-March 2017

Motoring

German Styling vs
Japanese Facelifts

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Throughout 2017, German automaker Mercedes-Benz expects to stay on top of the
luxury-car market with the new generation E-Class, while four Japanese-made models
undergo styling updates. By Niran Chawla

It’s the year of mandatory styling updates, along with some minor Honda Civic
enhancements for the Honda City, Toyota Vios and the Mazda 2 and Mazda
CX-3, as well as the slightly larger versions of the Toyota Vios, the Mazda 3
and the Ford Ecosport, to entice a new generation of buyers.

While the rest of the pack is going through the motions with its “facelifts,”
Honda is going down a different road. One of the bestselling cars of last
year was the Honda Civic that changed tactics by introducing a new model
after just three years. Honda engineers even managed to incorporate the
latest drive-train technologies. That’s unusual for the Thai market, in which
the leading car companies tend to modify existing models knowing that the
masses will still pay for them anyway. The popularity of the saloon version
has finally lured Thai Honda headquarters to begin selling its hatchback
version of the Civic. This should prove to be another bestseller, given its
Japanese-origin, mass-market appeal, good looks, ergonomically friendly
cabin and vastly improved drive-train technologies.

For those who believe in the old adage that “bigger is better”, fret not. Plenty
of options will present themselves with BMW, Audi, Volvo and Mazda all
wanting a piece of the action. With changing appetites for practicality and a
demand for larger vehicles, new models like the BMW X3, Audi Q5, Volvo V60
and the Mazda CX9 are looking to attract buyers. The Mazda MX5 has the
honour of being the cheapest two-door sports car available in the country,
and Mazda’s back with its latest model as well. Fun fact: Mazda also has the
honour of being the world’s bestselling sports car, and maybe this time, the
carmaker will have done something that will not be overlooked in Thailand.

Mazda MX5

62 | Masalathai.com