Bangkok, 26 November, 2008 - Volvo announced a double first for Thailand that set to benefit the Thai economy and environment.

Not only does Volvo formally launched the importation of the Volvo C30 1.8F, but astonished all with the launch of Thailand’s first and only locally produced E85 Flexifuel vehicle with the reveal of the Volvo S80 2.5FT at the Bangkok Racing Circuit, attended by HE The Ambassador of Sweden, Lennart Linner, Minister of Energy, Dr. Wannarat Chamnukul, and the CEO’s of PTT, Bangchak Petroleum, Mitr Phol, PetroGreen and the Thai Ethanol manufacturing Association amongst many other VIP guests.

This move is seen as another critically needed and key step in Thailand’s development towards a more secure energy future through the promotion and use of less polluting and more importantly renewable biofuels made from home-grown agricultural products. Embraced by the people, businesses and the government, renewable local biofuels will save more money for Thai motorists and reduce the Kingdom’s economic burden from the need to buy foreign oil which last year accounted for some 9 percent of GDP.

This announcement comes in parallel with the efforts of the Ministry of Energy, PTT Plc and Bangchak Petroleum to sell E85 gasohol commercially. And to excite Thai consumers even more, these two E85 FlexiFuel Vehicles, Volvo S80 2.5FT and Volvo C30 1.8F will make public sales debut from 28 November onwards.

President of Volvo Car Thailand, Paul Stokes said, “ For Volvo, environment has been a core value of our brand for decades and so we have always fully supported the efforts of the Royal Thai Government, and particularly the Ministry of Energy in advancing renewable biofuels with an aim of energy security for Thailand from the very beginning. Today, Volvo announces yet another milestone commitment in this journey as we will be the first car company to produce E85-compatible FlexiFuel Vehicles locally here in Thailand, starting with our globally successful and award winning large prestige sedan Volvo S80 2.5FT, and also to formally launch the Volvo C30 1.8F as an imported product.”

Minister of Energy, Dr. Wannarat Chamnukul said, ”The government holds as a main policy to promote the use of alternative energy no matter what change happens to the oil price. The higher mixture of ethanol in gasohol would reduce the country’s reliance on crude oil imports and reduce the cost of living. It would also strengthen the country’s long-term energy security and economy. Over the past several months, we have deeply appreciated the friendly cooperation from Volvo in supporting the government’s energy policy. I think Volvo S80 2.5FT E85 will be another compelling choice for Thai motorists.”

Launched in September last year, in diesel and petrol variants, the all-new Volvo S80 is second generation of Volvo’s large prestige sedan sculpted with timeless Scandinavian design and brimming with world-class safety firsts that together form a cohesive network of exterior and interior systems working in a seamless concert which drew universal applause from world’s auto industry as one of the world’s safest cars. The Model Year 2009 is no exception, adding both Volvo’ Blindspot Information System (BLIS); Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Driver Alert technology to the locally made versions alongside the keyless entry/drive Personal Car Communicate (PCC) and much more already in place.

Adding the bioethanol 2.5FT E85 FlexiFuel engine to the line-up, Volvo S80 guarantees its responsible exclusiveness as an intelligent choice in a way that you simply cannot find in other cars.

“It really is time for the critics of the E85 project to open their eyes, and see that this is, right now, the right choice for Thailand and that with fuel stations being opened by both PTT and Bangchak and now with both large and small, imported and locally produced cars available, businesses and consumers can make the intelligent and responsible choice for both the environment and the Kingdom with confidence,” added Paul. “From race-track to road-going reality, with proven E85 Volvo FlexiFuel technology, I believe the E85 FFV models of Volvo S80 and C30 will receive a good response from both Thai business and individual consumers,” add Paul Stokes further.

“To produce E85-compatible cars and launch two E85 models – the locally-made Volvo S80 2.5FT E85 and the fully-imported Volvo C30 1.8F E85 – here in Thailand, we believe it will be a great opportunity to encourage Thai consumers to become more and more aware about the importance and benefits of alternative energy for both the country and Thai people. The fuel price may tend to go down at the moment, but it always rises in the longer term so it is surely better for Thai motorists and businesses to prepare themselves by using fuel that can renew by local agricultural products and help reduce the country’s dependence on imported oil,” commented Isara Vongkusolkit, president of Mitr Phol Sugar Corp. “We’ve already placed an order for over 21 S80s to show that Mitr Phol Group is committed to the best action for the environment,”

Meanwhile, during the launching event of Volvo S80 2.5FT and Volvo C30 1.8F at Bangkok Racing Circuit, Volvo added to the fever pitch excitement with the dramatic appearance of the STTCC championship Volvo Green Race Team Driver himself, Robert Dahlgren, who came with his Volvo C30 E85 STCC Racer inviting guests to a white knuckle hot-lap professional driving demonstration in his bioethanol-powered vehicle with him at full race speed.

Interested in doing your bit for pollution, the environment and the future energy security of your country? Be amongst the first to take a look or even to book the Volvo S80 1.5FT and Volvo C30 1.8F which can operate on 100 percent petrol, or any blend of petrol and ethanol from E10, E20 to E85.

Source: Fleet-asia.com’s correspondent in Thailand