Thailand’s GS Battery has introduced a maintenance-free (MF) automotive battery suited to vehicles equipped with idling stop systems (ISS) to underline its leadership in innovative product development.
Imported batteries are not a threat to locally produced batteries given the strength of local manufacturers and the preference of consumers for quality over price, says mr Saran.
The local leader in both the original equipment and replacement markets said ISS technology was available in the Nissan March, the first eco-car marketed in Thailand.
Sales for the Nissan March since its launch early last year have reached 40,000 units, said Saran Chinprahat, managing director of Siam GS Sales, the battery distribution arm for the replacement market.
The new Q-85 model battery is primed to take advantage of the shift to passenger cars from pickups, which previously made up 60% of the automobile market, due mainly to concerns about rising fuel costs.
The Q-85 was produced with expertise from GS’s parent company in Japan for high charge acceptance, longer life and high current and cold-cranking ampere capacity. The model aims to be more efficient than conventional MF batteries.
It will go on sale early next month through GS dealers and exclusive shops nationwide and outlets of ACT, Bridgestone’s integrated car maintenance centres. in the future, it expects to be sold through the service centres of local car brands.
The retail price has not been announced but will likely be 5% higher than for existing MF batteries, he said.
The production target for the Q-85 is about 240,000 units per year to cope with the growth of the eco-car market and replacing imported batteries. some 70% are slated for the replacement market with the rest for car manufacturing and direct export markets.
Mr Saran said GS aims to sell 2.1 million batteries worth 4.2 billion baht in the replacement market this year, a 5% increase from 2010. through the first half this year, 1.3 million units worth 2.5 billion baht have been sold, a little over the mid-year sales target.
The overall replacement market is projected at 4.5-4.7 million units worth nearly 10 billion baht this year. GS expects a share of 42-43%.
Mr Saran said imported batteries are not a threat to locally produced batteries given the strength of local manufacturers and the preference of consumers for quality over price.
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