Potential first-time car buyers will have a last chance to shop for new vehicles from different manufacturers under one roof at an upcoming event.
Tax rebates of up to 100,000 baht on purchases of certain new vehicles under the government's first-time car buyer scheme is set to expire at the end of the year.
To be eligible for tax rebates, bookings for new vehicles must be placed in 2012, but delivery can be taken after this year.
Vehicles eligible for tax rebates include passenger cars with engine sizes smaller than 1,500cc and pickup trucks with retail prices not over 1 million baht.
A total of 38 car brands and eight motorcycle brands either built locally or imported will be displayed at the Thailand International Motor Expo 2012, to be held at Muang Thong Thani from Nov 29-Dec 10.
Organiser Kwanchai Paphatphong said 60,000 square metres of display space have already been booked by car and motorcycle manufacturers and distributors.
"Highlights of this year's show will be many new car debuts, and we're confident the cars on show will fit in with this year's theme of 'Meeting Tomorrow's Cars Today', which focuses on convenience, economy, safety and eco-friendliness," said Mr Kwanchai.
He estimates 50,000 vehicles will be sold during the 12-day event, up from 30,000 last year, spurred by the first-time car buyer scheme.
The number of visitors is also expected to increase to 1.6 million from 1.3 million last year as the organiser hopes there will be no repeat of massive floods this year.
Mr Kwanchai said 150 million baht will be spent to stage this year's event, 20 million more than last year.
He warned, however, that the lack of a specific deadline for taking delivery under the scheme could ultimately see carmakers using this as an excuse to push back promised delivery dates.