Bangkok Motor Show 2026 recap: Chinese EV surge as Toyota dethroned in top 10 booking shake-up

The Bangkok International Motor Show 2026 has officially wrapped up, boasting a staggering 132,951 bookings. The long-standing champion, Toyota, was "knocked out" from the top spot by BYD, sliding into second place.

While the rise of Electric Vehicles (EVs) was predictable, the recent volatility in domestic fuel prices acted as a massive catalyst. This shift accelerated the market's transition, surprisingly pushing several legacy Japanese brands off the leaderboard.

The Top 10 Bookings by Brand:

1. BYD: 17,354 units
2. Toyota: 15,750 units
3. Omoda & Jaecoo : 15,088 units
4. MG: 10,537 units
5. DEEPAL & NEVO: 8,573 units
6. Geely: 7,811 units
7. CHERY: 7,509 units
8. Great Wall Motor (GWM): 6,819 units
9. GAC: 6,287 units
10. Honda: 5,907 units

Toyota dethrone to #2 in booking numbers, despite a great demands on SUV&Pick-ups.

The takeaway is clear: demand for EVs has reached a fever pitch. 8 out of the top 10 spots are now occupied by Chinese EV manufacturers. Toyota, which once held an undisputed lead in the SUV and pickup segments, has been relegated to second, while Honda—the only other Japanese brand in the top tier—barely held on at the #10 spot.

Note: It is important to remember that these figures represent "bookings" and do not yet reflect "actual registrations."

Nevertheless, these numbers serve as a powerful indicator of the Thai automotive industry's direction. Interestingly, this surge in the automotive sector seems to be moving in stark contrast to the broader economic climate.

Total Car Booking Comparison. 

For those who missed out this year, mark your calendars for the next battle of the automotive industry, 2-13 December, 2026 at Thailand International Motor Expo 2026 at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani. The battle is guaranteed to be even more intense as every brand races to refine their strategies and seize their share of the rapidly expanding EV pie.

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