Try selling it after a couple of months and see a 50% reduction in value. Warranty is great but have an accident and the repair costs are horrendous--don't mention any battery replacement!
we bought an ZEEKR X EV , its a Sub compact SUV , we live in Udon Thani and this is where it stays, charge at home with a zeekr charger 7 kw. with PEA charging us 4.88 thb per kwh unit and an ongrid solar - we charge during day , I top up from 25-30 % every time I charge . the last month its cost approx 1200 thb - I am honing the cost per klm this month , we still have a triton truck that we travel in long distance RV holidays. I love the ev so far , a few weird dislikes , only 1 key fob , panoramic window gets too warm, front wheel steering is weird but all wheel is ok , set regen braking is getting used too.
its also the Fastest Car ever driven and owned, and cheapest car ever driven as far energy , gas or diesel , if I could afford it my next ev will be a Truck , Rivian is what I am invested in and would dearly love a NEW R2 S ibn 2 years , but because we live in Thailand would most likely pass on our deposit
As a retired auto mechanic from the US, stay away from FORD products. Toyota HILUX or Isuzu trucks are best suited for the long term. The BYD products are decent. Check the used price for the Ford, and you will find they do not hold their value and parts availability is poor as well as the maintenance. Avoid the sealion. The model is being modified, so I would avoid it in 2024 and 2025. Ford is a "strong looking" vehicle, the image of the ranger appeals to a certain crowd in the us. You will regret the purchase when it breaks, and it will. Toyota Rocco is a better bet overall, or the isuzu 3.0 M 4 door AT or MT. Or just get a 1974 VW bug....
@jamesabroad8589 the VW bug, has 4 bolts holding the engine to the transaxle. Pop those off, disconnect the accelerator cable, and you can start your 3 hour engine rebuild.
I bought an MG HS PHEV 4 years ago similar size and EV only range to the Sealion. We did all of our local driving on EV only powered by solar. A year ago I bought a BYD Seal AWD and love the car. It has bi-directional charging and I use it help power my house at night. Lots of videos on my channel on my EVs and off-grid living
I would also have to look at the resale value on them. I bought an RV and paid $100K for it and now trying to sell it after two years. I’m having a tough time selling it and only asking $50K which sucks.
I think you need a vintage Range Rover with a reworked newish engine for reliability , your playboy look and brand is not meant for an electic economy anything....please stay on-brand and don't disappoint me ❤😂
Hi James, I've been driving electric (Ora Good Cat) for 2 1/2 years now and I would never go back to combustion engines. Everything is better: smooth driving experience, no noise, low consumption and low maintenance costs, no toxic fumes.
Nice one, James. Toyotas new generation of Hilux comes out next year, I believe. There will be hybrid options to choose from aswell from what I've read. Another contender if you want a manly car with conventional engine is the Mitsubishi pajero sport. Highly recommend taking one for a spin.
I'm in Chonburi. I have 2 EVs. A Tesla model 3 dual motor. And an MG Cyberster. I charge from home on a TOU (Time Of Use meter from PEA at 2.7 baht per kWh while I sleep. The cost of operation compared with ICE is 8-9 times cheaper. 48,000 km on the Tesla with zero maintenance or service cost. Still on 1st set of tires. The Cyberster only at 7,000 km. Both cars very satisfying to drive. I've test driven most of the Chinese EVs and they present as excellent well built and performing cars. I've traveled in the Tesla north to Chiang Mai, south to Phuket, all over Isaan etc. Charge infrastructure quite good (both Tesla chargers and all the other brands and Tesla can use them all. Don't underestimate the value of the Tesla charge experience. It's really next level. Go with EV IF you can charge from home. (I also have full house solar which supports some juice on most days but that's another story,,,,,a good one) The Tesla like it or not is substantially better than any of the EVs available. Better in every respect. While BYD is very good and sells greater volume of cars they do so at lower price segments. Tesla is basically around 1.6 to 1.9 mil baht and sells just shy of 5,000 units per year. They are solid here and well supported. My first choice for you would be the Tesla single motor rear wheel drive, LFP battery. Then a choice of the BYD or MG offerings as value for money. The more upscale brands such as Deepal are nice but maybe not justified at the slightly higher price points compared with the volume brands of BYD and MG. I drove the Dolphin and with it's front wheel drive architecture it was not a confidence inspiring handler. The MG4 with it's rear wheel drive platform was much more competent. I'm an EV convert. Between my wife and I we've had 23 cars over the past 32 years (all ICE mostly premium German brands) but we will NOT revert back to ICE as our ownership experience with EV is just awesome. The Tesla? Best car I've ever owned,,,,by far. Way ahead of all the EV competition. Go test drive one. The Cyberster is pretty cool,,,but a totally different animal. 😊
@@jamesabroad8589If you find your way to Sri Racha area (rural up in the hills) you might be interested to see my set up. 2 wallboxes. One attached exclusively to a time of use meter expressly for EV charging only. The 2nd wallbox is attached to my main distribution panel which has a full house solar system on the carport roof. My house energy cost is now less than 3,000 baht per YEAR! And the solar system will pay for itself in about 5.5 years. The 2 EVs cost about 13,000 baht per year combined for both with a total of 30,000+ km per year. My last full ICE car costs over 130,000 baht to go the same 30,000 km. I actually have a 3rd car which is a Volvo V60 PHEV wagon. Goes about 85 km on battery alone and is awesome quality. But thats another segment. Ok, I guess too much time on my hands! Good luck.
Definitely the BYD , I love the name Build your dreams very much positive vibes. I do think the Chinese electric car industry are amazing making some fantastic cars, not 100% sure if it’s the future for automotive. As for a pickup they is only one Toyota Hilux the daddy of trucks .
Just got a new Renault eScenic 87kw battery doing 350 miles in the UK for £6 best thing I ever did get a big battery and decent warranty because battery 🔋 is expensive
Considering to the milage you may made, I personally suggest you to go with Sealion because it is economical to drive and maintain. However, you may still need to keep your truck as a plan B, just in case. 🙂
I dont trust chinese cars to be durable at all. Like most of there products there cheap to purchase and made to look like its very good value. But mostly the products dont last that long.
The sealion is a phev so you have to put petrol in it to lug a big battery around.😂 PHEVs not so great for long range driving, great around town. Buy "The Beast" in orange, V6 of course!
On Chinese quality: We have a 4 year old MG HS PHEV, which is the equivalent to the BYD Sealion 6. 60,000 km on the odo. Inside and out, the car looks like the day we drove it off the showroom floor - no kids, and we have a habit to keep things neat, it probably helps. There are plenty of BYD's used as taxis, with 150,000 km and more in less than 12 months, running flawless. We also have a 1 year old BYD Seal AWD, not a hitch and looks fresh and clean inside and out. We had a Mercedes for almost 5 years and it was in and out of repairs constantly - could have been an outlier. My advice: If you live in the city, but an electric vehicle, if you live in the sticks, go with a PHEV like the BYD Sealion 6.
Hi James. It is absolutely tragic that your choice has come down to a Build Your Disaster EV or a Ford. My deepest sympathies. There are so many things to consider in buying a new car (it’s way more than how it looks and drives) and this is further complicated by having to choose a ribbon for your man bun if you go the way of an EV. I would highly recommend that you take advice from someone who knows a bit about this. There is an Australian motoring expert who is a wealth of knowledge on such things and he is entertaining as well. Watch John Cadogan on RUclips 😁 Thank me later
If bringing in money from your home country be wary as the proposed new Tax ID may treat a lump sum as income & you may get hit with a tax bill Buy what ever you consider best for your needs whether that choice be electric or ICE or hybrid I'm sure yo will b pleased with your choice The BYD Sealion 6 whether hybrid or the incoming electric version Sealion 7 would seem a good practical & logical choice Wish you Good Luck with your choice & happy motoring
Well, I can't tell what you need to do, but me thinking about the state of electric cars at the moment, I would wait another five years before buying one. In my opinion it takes too long to charge a car. Batteries are too heavy and not environmentally friendly. No car is that, but those are, from what I hear, even worse. The development of energy storage for cars is still in an early stage. I'm gonna get a sollar system for my house this year and that's one of the reasons why an electric car will be my choice as well, but like I said, not so soon.
My Thai far-right mom (61) is still fears the EV fires and hates Chinese products, stereotyping them as very bad and very dangerous, so I don't want to buy them yet, when she is still alive. Surprising that you are living in the Tak area or maybe Maesot, which I personally think they are not so common choices for western foreigners to live in. But it is understandable that living with the Thai family. By the way, both Ford and BYD are having many dealerships around Thailand, so I think it is no need to go (far) to Bangkok or Chiang Mai.
Hang on, is that the long-awaited first appearance of the phantom Mrs. Abroad on this channel? Surely that's the significance of this video. And, as I found out buying a car with my Mrs., no matter what logic you use for choosing a car, she will base her decision solely on the color scheme. That said, for me it would have to be a Japanese manual 4WD. For Chinese cars, I'd wait for a few more years....
I've had a new Toyota Hilux 2.5 rear wheel drive in Thailand for 1 year and a Tesla Model 3 in the UK for the past 4 years. I love them both. The Tesla is cheaper to run (even with UK electric prices!) and a joy to drive on long journeys. Battery degradation is about 5% after 4 years and slowing down. The Toyota is rugged, reliable and fun to drive but nowhere near as comfortable on long drives. If I didn't need the load capacity of a truck in Thailand, I'd probably go for a Tesla Model Y, especially if doing a lot of motorway driving. However, the price of the BYD is appealing enough to warrant a serious look! I see the charging infrastructure in Thailand is improving rapidly - so I have no real worries there. And if you can charge at home for most journeys it's much more convenient.
Cheers Steven. The infrastructure here for EVs is growing rapidly. Thais seem to be more on it with new technology. Internet here has always been better than the UK.👍🍺
Refueling a conventional car or recharging an electric car are one of the biggest differences for me. If I really would need to go electric then I would go for hybrid myself. As long as an electric car doesn't become a requirement for my yearly visa renewal, I will stick with conventional cars
In America with two electric vehicles. A Hyundai IONIQ 5 and a Genesis GV70. A couple of things you should take note of. The cost of putting a charger at your home and how much amperage you will have available at your home to charge. Another thing is the charging infrastructure in Thailand. Where will you charge in Bangkok, how available are those chargers - is there a high demand for them? And how long will it take you to charge while traveling outside your charge radius. Keep in mind, you don’t want a practice of charging >80% as this degrades the life of the battery
With the amount of kilometres you do and the years you will keep an EV, you need to consider that batteries do not last forever and will cost you tens of thousands of dollars to replace. Plus, you will need to carry your balls around in a little purse if you drive an electric car, especially a Chinese one.
Just make sure you can charge overnight, have solar energy, can park the EV at least 30M from your house, and only use for short runs, you should be fine. You will need to keep it as the 2nd-hand value will plummet rapidly and continuously.
@@AjG007 you forgot the wind turbine, and rain water collector. Also a solar heat collector to directly heat your water. Very common on Brasil, wonder why not in SE Asia. Pump water through heat collector into a heat insulated water tank. Very cost effective.
I am buying the stormtrak next year. 1279 000. I really like the interior haha Think you sit like a king and it feels very spacious. 210 hk is enough. So happy I live in thailand that I don't have to buy these BYD/Tesla cars yet like in Europe where you get stoned if you drive a petrol/diesel car 😂
If fuel consumption is your concern, I'd suggest you consider more about the EV range of Sealion. Once you run out of battery, PHEV will consume more gas than its counterpart because of its weight. I drive Haval H6 PHEV here and the fuel consumption goes between 13-16L per 100km. This is a little more than Honda CRV or even larger diesel PPV like Pajero/Forturner, and I'd imagine BYD would share the same problem. What's made Haval worth it is the EV range it offers, 200km or about 170km irl. Sealion EV range is only 95km and I expected the irl range would be 85% of that or 80km. If your 90% of your drive is within 40km radius, then Sealion is a good choice. Also, I'd recommend for you to wait a little longer as well. Chang'An is about to release its own EREV pickup truck and B-segment, they have ev range of 100-150km and also have electric generator that consumes fuel as well.
The BYD sea lion looks spot on and very capable, you need to study location of charging points along your typical journey routes, do some research on the actual range of the battery as opposed to the manufacturers range there are very often discrepancies between the manufacturers range and the actual range, also check the cost of charging your car at home and on the road at charging stations, another thing to check is the battery pack life, they don’t last forever and can be very expensive if they need replacement….then there’s your mazda, it might be old but you like it, look at worse case scenario costs, maybe the engine will need a rebuild how much is that? Or would it be cheaper to fit a replacement reconditioned engine that will soldier on for another 300,000 + km for not a lot of money, do you really need to spend nearly a million baht on a car and what is the depreciation like? Will your million baht car only be worth 300,000 baht in five years…lots to think about but I would be keeping the mazda pickup. Anyway great video and interesting to be riding along with you on the test drives, not a mountain or shower head to be seen
The main problem with ev cars that nobody talks about? It will drive you mad? When you drive an ev the power is always on. No freewheeling... this means driving along the road feeling seasickness as you are on off the throttle all the time.
Don’t go electric, it’s GAF. Your car after this one will be electric or hybrid like it or not, so for the next 20yr motor, be a man, get a d-max and move on.
I would go BYD if you went EV. A battery maker gone car marker. Personally for a truck after seeing all the issues we have in Australia for these, probably DMAX or hilux. Rangers are the most popular atm but I still hear too many problems and the running joke is that if you spot a truck on a tow from a distance “it’s probably a Ford ranger”
Living in rural Isaan we have an Isuzu Highlander.if we lived in Bangkok it would be a car..you say your missus has a car so you should stick to a truck and the advantages it brings...personally steer clear of Ford stick with an Isuzu or Toyota and give electric a miss
Their out here in Thailand. Many many low miles late model trucks or cars. Hate to say this but their are credit issues effecting many here.. Many got into these rigs but later have trouble paying. Used market is flooded with vehicles because banks tightened the reigns and used car finance rates are high for lookers.
I just bought an MG4 EV and im very pleased with it. I wouldn't consider an EV unless you can get home charging, which for you James isn't a problem. Electric is the future, in 5 years time you won't be able to give away an ICE vehicle.
It will be disposable and outdated like your mobile phone in a few years and therefore worth next to nothing whereas a normal vehicle will still have some value and aside from the looks will still be modern
The BYD is a GREAT car but With you travelling long distance kindly check the range for the BYD or any other EVs. And how are you going to charge it when you are at a hotel ? Why don't you just change the engine or overhaul it or refurbish your Mazda? The Ford pickups are overpriced. Why not a Hilux ? Have a look at the Hilux Rogue (diesel) . Another thing about EVs is there is minimal maintenance cos there's no engine to service . No engine oil change gear oil change etc ...
Depends in allot of things 😂 Hows the infrastrucutre in the surrounding area for elektric cars. Also if you have time in long distant driving , elektric can be an option. But if you dont like to weight of wanna drive long distant witout stopping allot, u. Should stick fossile energie. Also if you have youre OWN solar panels it can be intresting Goodluck 😂
Bought an electric bike recently. So much fun to ride... As cars go, i think i'll make the transition after the last fuel station goes out of business.
@@jamesabroad8589 believe it’s release date is beginning of 25. Even going to be built in Thailand. Plenty info on YT about it. I’m going to check it out.
I hope so too, as the RHD version of Shark is already available in Australia and New Zealand, but BYD is seems to not ready for the highly competitive Thai pickup market (which I am surprised about, as that kind of cowardliness is not the BYD I know), so the Riddara (and maybe Nevo/Deepal E07) can launching in Thailand before BYD.
@@jamesabroad8589Hi, I really think you have been mislead a bit on a Tesla. As you know Tesla can use any charge brand such as EV Pluz or Elex, or PEA Volta etc etc AND Tesla of course can use Tesla's own charge network which now covers a great deal of the country. But,,,many locations are in Central malls so maybe not so convenient with long travel but the Tesla charge experience is pretty darn perfect. The model 3 or model Y are world leading for good reason. They are simply the best. Tesla may be reconsidering their factory in Thailand but they are well entrenched here and here to stay. The model Y being the globes best selling single model of vehicle (ICE or EV). It's earned it. Although I prefer the look of the 3. Just took delivery of an MG Cyberster 2 months back. Amazing car but being a 2 seat convertible EV with 544 HP it's not exactly a family car! 😂 Good luck and hope whatever you decide you'll enjoy it.
Ha ha..... you said it at 1:21..... you do a lot of km. No further discussion required, stick with a diesel that gives you a 900km+ range and refuelling in 5 minutes. Obviously if you have finally lost the plot here, you can go electric - have constant range anxiety; high costs away from home, not just with electric costs but all the refreshsments and an overnight room stay whilst charging in Nakhom Sawan; poor infrastructure; a real risk of fire anywhere; depreciation of 65%+ over 3 years; limited battery lifespan that will be a killer cost when it gets to 160k km (and I suspect the batteries are programmed to fail just outside of the warranty); increasingly costly insurance due to high rates of accident write off due to worries over battery damage or, poor repairs due to complexity adding significant risks of battery fires; lack of backstreet servicing and repairs because of complexity and fire risk; huge damage to the environment in their build and disposal and I have no doubt, in Thailand, a huge increase in accidents because they are silent.
@aaaces01 so a total waste of time then. Buy a compromised ICE car to get a few km of electric power when you are feeling green? And the electric range is even worse because it is hauling a redundant ICE.... Electric cars are a joke and a con at present. Wait until the world tries to charge all their electrics cars and there is no power because the idiots in charge (no pun intended) have done away with coal and gas fired power stations and it has been raining for a week with the wind too strong for the windmills. And they aren't green.... the manufacturing process is killing the planet same as everything.
@@sunriseinisaan I have been test driving ICE and EV's lately. EV's are much more comfy and drive better for the price. ICE cars are seriously noisy and the interiors scream 10+ years ago. It's sad (for me). I understand what you say about PHEV's - 2 of everything right? I don't like that idea but may settle for it in the end. I will do some calculations on fuel and see how they come out - if the SeaLion 6 can drag around it's battery pack for under 8 KLM/100, I might end up with that. The 2008 Camry probably gets 12+ ATM so the SL6 would still be considerably more efficient and has an 8 year warranty, 8 years roadside assistance etc. Honda and Toyota are at 3.
@aaaces01 fortunately for me, with my view on electric vehicles, I am old enough to not be forced to buy one. Good ICE cars will still be around for decades! I love my Ford Everest and don't notice engine noise. I love the interior as well. And it suits me very well for my lifestyle, which is mainly long journeys, with a bike for around town. Atm for me, there are serious issues with infrastructure, charging times, range, battery safety in both an accident and in normal use. Add in depreciation, potential life changing battery replacement, lol, and my view is stick with what you like and are happy with.
A Chinese ev ?!? you cant be serious....and also, a mechanic in my family said if I must go electric go hybrid, too many things in Ev’s that not enough mechanics know about.
GWM should have released a pickup plugin hybrid in thailand but for some reason they didn’t, BYD also have a plugin hybrid pickup truck in the pipeline but I don’t know when it will be available in thailand, i would go for a plugin hybrid car since the charging stations are not easy available outside populated areas, so if you live in rural areas i would go for a plugin hybrid instead of a full electric model, but that said the BYD sea-lion looks pretty cool, just a bummer it’s not AWD
@@jamesabroad8589 The AWD version is available now 1,039,000 THB. Comes with the ICE, turbocharged. I test drove it in Chon Buri about 3 weeks ago. Nice ride.
Forget the name, have the name badge removed, remember it's only a name it's not why you buy a car / truck Buy the vehicle you feel best in that fit fits your needs
I bought a Ford Ranger 7 years ago, the best all-around vehicle I've owned in Thailand. I have had a new Mercedes, and a new BMW cost me 4.5 m each. The Ranger is great. Get yourself the new 2.2 Ranger.
Ive had my used Ranger 4 years now in Thailand. In shop once for a wore out door handle. Drive the hell out of it. Nothing wrong with those Rangers as far as it's been for me.
Neither. The thought of driving a laptop with wheels or an overpriced Ford both option don't excite me. Just out of curiosity what range do you get from a full battery charge and how long does it take to re-charge the battery? How much is that range cut when driving with the A / Cond on? Electric vehicles are OK for short trips or city driving but waiting around at a charging point for a couple of hours during a long drive would shit me? I would probably look in to top of range Mitsubishi ute or Isuzu D-Max?
@@jamesabroad8589 Unfortunately from what I've seen on a few YT channels about EV's is the range given is for perfect driving conditions. Most testing for range is done on flat roads or test circuits without the A/C, headlights or anything that can drain the battery. Maybe a Hybrid vehicle would be more suited to your needs?
Until they build replaceable batteries it's a total waste of time to buy a BYD, you'll lose value much faster than a conventional engine, not only that, repairs may cost a lot more, especially if you get a faulty battery (although they do seem to give some warranty, it may not be enough). Unless you are buying it cash, with a hugeeeee discount, you should reconsider.
Thanks for that. I will do some more investigation. The BYD warranty is a bit dodgy I recently found out, not covering all parts. Plenty to think about.👍🍺
very nice james. im moving to PKK in 10 days i wonder if there is electric charging available between PKK, Bangkok, and my mother in law in Nakhon Nayok?
but the price though, a Chinese car for a 1.3 mil really, have you seen toyota and honda price, camry is 1.4 mil, you're going to take a chinese car over a camry
Stick with a truck in Thailand...it's utility is unmatched. I'm interested in a Toyota Hilux Champ with the diesel engine. I'd get it raised 2-4" with bigger tires for a less rigid ride and the ability to drive on flooded streets during the rainy season. The idea of getting an electric car in southeast Asia, where flooding is common, seems like a bad idea.
Hi James great video mate. My experience with Chinese products are they don't last, had a motorbike and scooter both fall apart in no time. Initial investment low and appears very attractive, also parts cheap but need regular maintenance so false economy in my view and how long do the batteries and company last for replacement. Ford Raptor is a proper mans car and love them but don't buy a Ford either. I have a ford fiesta 10 years old and having issues with it they don't last either. Do what the Thais do and get a Toyota or Isuzu D Max as they are bullet proof mate that's what I am going to do when I retire out there. Contact Jason on good vibes pattaya he is an expert in cars despite being an Aussie 😄 he seems a really nice guy on you tube before you commit.
Why the Ford for a truck? Why not Isuzu, Toyota etc.? As for electric, does Thailand have the charging infrastructure for your driving habits? Will you be forever hunting a charging point on longer journeys? Personally I think EVs are okay for town and city driving but not for travelling greater distances.
@@jamesabroad8589 Won't they be manufacturing all the models in Thailand? China is LH drive like the states, so won't the RH drive vehicles originate from Thailand? From what I heard BYD want to supply the SE Asian region incl Indonesia from the Thai factory - makes sense
I had a Ford f250 had to many problems as an American we all know Fords unreliable and cheap, I'm waiting for a Toyota Hilux ev I would buy one as I'm on solar. But even then I don't drive that much. So it will never pencil out either way. The used market looks good here to.
08:32 good to find out what you want in the future.....but just drive in the good old car you have. There will be no other car tha will save you some satang than the one you have.
Think of it as a BYD and not a Build Your Dreams ....LOL BYD have been building EVs for a lot longer than Tesla From all the reviews by experts they are a better car - more development, better specs, better performance, much better price I hear from the wife that there has been a lot criticism against EVs in Thailand, but they are an inevitable evolution Many ICE car makers are closing down their factories ( VW) and pulling out of China There is actually an existential threat to the ICE vehicle industry - The CEO at FORD in the US just said he imported a chinese EV and does not want to give it up = not a great endorsement for his own product! They can't compete with the myriad chinese carmakers plus no one can compete with the govt support program (opaque) that the central govt puts in place when they want to dominate an industry EVs will also dominate the landscape here in Australia as there are zero import tariffs plus we also have tax incentives to own one - we are a little slow to catch on to new trends here, but its pretty obvious how this plays out In Thailand the wife got rid of her old hilux pickup and we shortlisted the replacement between an Everest or the Isuzu MUX The Everest looks more macho with better styling but I preferred the MUX for its Japanese engineering and better reliability I reckon you will be happy with the BYD as long as Thailand has enough charging stations in place for all the trips you do, but long terms its still an unknown how reliable they will be or how well the battery will perform over time. I would guess 5 to 10 yrs but certainly it won't live for as long as your Mazda has, but they don't make cars like they used to right?
If you are getting another truck go for the new hilux you can't beat them for reliability. Thailand hasn't got the infrastructure for EVs. The new rangers are knowing for giving trouble
Hi, for what it’s worth keep clear of ford. There inundated with issues! BYD is the fastest selling electric vehicle in Europe and to be no issues for now. I have Id4 VW and let me tell you it’s the worst car I have ever owned also inundated with problems. Stick to Japanese manufacturers 🙌.
Sounds like you’ve lost the plot mate. Too much happy leaf perhaps. Fell for a shiny coin hook line and sinker. Except this one’s a Chinese made brass coin. Depreciation. And especially where you live. Ergh, hello! 👋 and Imagine standing around PTT for hours waiting for that thing to charge. Even more so, you know how well petroleum trucks hold their money in Thailand. No brainer. Final answer, Toyota pick up.
Well, just investigating at this point. I felt similar to you, but things are changing here and the charging times/infrastructure have improved considerably. Will see
Can you convert your truck to LPG? Years ago we rented my wife’s friends Nissan that kind of looked like an old Jeep Cherokee and it was converted to LPG and it was about half the price as gasoline. It had one conversions that you supposed to be able to switch back-and-forth, but this switch was stuck on LPG. Back in USA I do own a Tesla model Y. I brought it for the technology due to my eye condition not for the electric part. I have loved the almost 0 maintenance. Had it for a couple years and put 38,000 miles on it. I charge it at home so it’s a lot cheaper than fuel. But if you go to supercharger i, you’re paying about the same as driving a hybrid using gasoline.
Its a diesel so not likely to convert to LPG Besides, diesel engine is already more fuel efficient than LPG We have a small truck in Thailand that has dual fuel LPG or petrol and it lacks a lot of power when running on LPG. We just keep it running on petrol - hang the expense!
@@kevhall4802 yeah I know from having a generator you lose about 20% of the power. Only thing I remember is we did a lot of writing around and it seemed to be cheaper.
I think that is the smallest problem. 30 minutes charging and you are on the road again. In Thailand I do not often want to drive more than 300 km in a row without a break. In Thailand a lot more happens in parking lots than for example in Europe. I think you will always be able to find a food stand (not KFC, Macdonald) nearby.
Try selling it after a couple of months and see a 50% reduction in value. Warranty is great but have an accident and the repair costs are horrendous--don't mention any battery replacement!
I have been driving my BYD Atto 3 for almost 2 years mainly in Bangkok and Chonburi. I can honestly say go for the BYD Sealion. You will not regret!
The Atto is very popular here.👍🍺
@@jamesabroad8589 You will regret buying a BYD !!
Diesel power 💪! The old truck has served you well.
I ordered a BYD Sealion 6, and I was going to pick it up on the 29th, but I changed my mind on the color. Now I got to wait another month
It will be worth the wait. Nice choice.
we bought an ZEEKR X EV , its a Sub compact SUV , we live in Udon Thani and this is where it stays, charge at home with a zeekr charger 7 kw. with PEA charging us 4.88 thb per kwh unit and an ongrid solar - we charge during day , I top up from 25-30 % every time I charge . the last month its cost approx 1200 thb - I am honing the cost per klm this month , we still have a triton truck that we travel in long distance RV holidays. I love the ev so far , a few weird dislikes , only 1 key fob , panoramic window gets too warm, front wheel steering is weird but all wheel is ok , set regen braking is getting used too.
its also the Fastest Car ever driven and owned, and cheapest car ever driven as far energy , gas or diesel , if I could afford it my next ev will be a Truck , Rivian is what I am invested in and would dearly love a NEW R2 S ibn 2 years , but because we live in Thailand would most likely pass on our deposit
Got a BYD seal its fantastic done 31000km never had a problem. Got a wildtrack as well had several problems with that but its great fun to drive
As a retired auto mechanic from the US, stay away from FORD products. Toyota HILUX or Isuzu trucks are best suited for the long term. The BYD products are decent. Check the used price for the Ford, and you will find they do not hold their value and parts availability is poor as well as the maintenance. Avoid the sealion. The model is being modified, so I would avoid it in 2024 and 2025. Ford is a "strong looking" vehicle, the image of the ranger appeals to a certain crowd in the us. You will regret the purchase when it breaks, and it will. Toyota Rocco is a better bet overall, or the isuzu 3.0 M 4 door AT or MT. Or just get a 1974 VW bug....
Cheers, appreciate the info. Isuzu does have a good reputation. I might wait and see what EV trucks are released here.👍🍺
@jamesabroad8589 the VW bug, has 4 bolts holding the engine to the transaxle. Pop those off, disconnect the accelerator cable, and you can start your 3 hour engine rebuild.
I bought an MG HS PHEV 4 years ago similar size and EV only range to the Sealion. We did all of our local driving on EV only powered by solar. A year ago I bought a BYD Seal AWD and love the car. It has bi-directional charging and I use it help power my house at night. Lots of videos on my channel on my EVs and off-grid living
Charging off house solar is certainly the way forward. Cheers.🍺👍
@@jamesabroad8589Definitely, especially if you can charge the EV in the middle of the day when you have excess solar production
As an American of course I like the Raptor but if I was going to finally go electric the Sealion looks very nice. I just can’t get over the name too.
I would also have to look at the resale value on them. I bought an RV and paid $100K for it and now trying to sell it after two years. I’m having a tough time selling it and only asking $50K which sucks.
I think you need a vintage Range Rover with a reworked newish engine for reliability , your playboy look and brand is not meant for an electic economy anything....please stay on-brand and don't disappoint me ❤😂
Haha yes, not quite playboy territory. Could be a game changer.😁👍🍺
Hi James, I've been driving electric (Ora Good Cat) for 2 1/2 years now and I would never go back to combustion engines. Everything is better: smooth driving experience, no noise, low consumption and low maintenance costs, no toxic fumes.
Nice one, James.
Toyotas new generation of Hilux comes out next year, I believe. There will be hybrid options to choose from aswell from what I've read.
Another contender if you want a manly car with conventional engine is the Mitsubishi pajero sport. Highly recommend taking one for a spin.
Cheers, will certainly check the new Toyota truck. Could be quite a few interesting new releases next year.👍🍺
I'm in Chonburi. I have 2 EVs. A Tesla model 3 dual motor. And an MG Cyberster. I charge from home on a TOU (Time Of Use meter from PEA at 2.7 baht per kWh while I sleep. The cost of operation compared with ICE is 8-9 times cheaper. 48,000 km on the Tesla with zero maintenance or service cost. Still on 1st set of tires. The Cyberster only at 7,000 km. Both cars very satisfying to drive. I've test driven most of the Chinese EVs and they present as excellent well built and performing cars. I've traveled in the Tesla north to Chiang Mai, south to Phuket, all over Isaan etc. Charge infrastructure quite good (both Tesla chargers and all the other brands and Tesla can use them all. Don't underestimate the value of the Tesla charge experience. It's really next level. Go with EV IF you can charge from home. (I also have full house solar which supports some juice on most days but that's another story,,,,,a good one) The Tesla like it or not is substantially better than any of the EVs available. Better in every respect. While BYD is very good and sells greater volume of cars they do so at lower price segments. Tesla is basically around 1.6 to 1.9 mil baht and sells just shy of 5,000 units per year. They are solid here and well supported. My first choice for you would be the Tesla single motor rear wheel drive, LFP battery. Then a choice of the BYD or MG offerings as value for money. The more upscale brands such as Deepal are nice but maybe not justified at the slightly higher price points compared with the volume brands of BYD and MG. I drove the Dolphin and with it's front wheel drive architecture it was not a confidence inspiring handler. The MG4 with it's rear wheel drive platform was much more competent. I'm an EV convert. Between my wife and I we've had 23 cars over the past 32 years (all ICE mostly premium German brands) but we will NOT revert back to ICE as our ownership experience with EV is just awesome. The Tesla? Best car I've ever owned,,,,by far. Way ahead of all the EV competition. Go test drive one. The Cyberster is pretty cool,,,but a totally different animal. 😊
@@sunrisejak2709 Great info. I'll certainly give the Tesla a try. Appreciate it.👍🍺
@@jamesabroad8589If you find your way to Sri Racha area (rural up in the hills) you might be interested to see my set up. 2 wallboxes. One attached exclusively to a time of use meter expressly for EV charging only. The 2nd wallbox is attached to my main distribution panel which has a full house solar system on the carport roof. My house energy cost is now less than 3,000 baht per YEAR! And the solar system will pay for itself in about 5.5 years. The 2 EVs cost about 13,000 baht per year combined for both with a total of 30,000+ km per year. My last full ICE car costs over 130,000 baht to go the same 30,000 km. I actually have a 3rd car which is a Volvo V60 PHEV wagon. Goes about 85 km on battery alone and is awesome quality. But thats another segment. Ok, I guess too much time on my hands! Good luck.
Definitely the BYD , I love the name Build your dreams very much positive vibes. I do think the Chinese electric car industry are amazing making some fantastic cars, not 100% sure if it’s the future for automotive. As for a pickup they is only one Toyota Hilux the daddy of trucks .
Just got a new Renault eScenic 87kw battery doing 350 miles in the UK for £6 best thing I ever did get a big battery and decent warranty because battery 🔋 is expensive
Considering to the milage you may made, I personally suggest you to go with Sealion because it is economical to drive and maintain. However, you may still need to keep your truck as a plan B, just in case. 🙂
I love the floors in your home, they are amazing. Great video I enjoyed it. I would never buy an American car in Thailand
The Fords are made in Thailand. But same goes for me, I would never buy a Ford, full stop
I'd buy the EV but i would wait until next year-more choice and lower prices.
I dont trust chinese cars to be durable at all. Like most of there products there cheap to purchase and made to look like its very good value. But mostly the products dont last that long.
The sealion is a phev so you have to put petrol in it to lug a big battery around.😂 PHEVs not so great for long range driving, great around town.
Buy "The Beast" in orange, V6 of course!
On Chinese quality: We have a 4 year old MG HS PHEV, which is the equivalent to the BYD Sealion 6. 60,000 km on the odo. Inside and out, the car looks like the day we drove it off the showroom floor - no kids, and we have a habit to keep things neat, it probably helps. There are plenty of BYD's used as taxis, with 150,000 km and more in less than 12 months, running flawless. We also have a 1 year old BYD Seal AWD, not a hitch and looks fresh and clean inside and out. We had a Mercedes for almost 5 years and it was in and out of repairs constantly - could have been an outlier.
My advice: If you live in the city, but an electric vehicle, if you live in the sticks, go with a PHEV like the BYD Sealion 6.
Hi James. It is absolutely tragic that your choice has come down to a Build Your Disaster EV or a Ford. My deepest sympathies.
There are so many things to consider in buying a new car (it’s way more than how it looks and drives) and this is further complicated by having to choose a ribbon for your man bun if you go the way of an EV.
I would highly recommend that you take advice from someone who knows a bit about this. There is an Australian motoring expert who is a wealth of knowledge on such things and he is entertaining as well. Watch John Cadogan on RUclips 😁
Thank me later
Cheers, will check him out. Appreciate it.👍🍺
If bringing in money from your home country be wary as the proposed new Tax ID may treat a lump sum as income & you may get hit with a tax bill
Buy what ever you consider best for your needs whether that choice be electric or ICE or hybrid
I'm sure yo will b pleased with your choice
The BYD Sealion 6 whether hybrid or the incoming electric version Sealion 7 would seem a good practical & logical choice
Wish you Good Luck with your choice & happy motoring
Holding out for fortuner Hybrid here 🤞
Ranger Raptor come on ! BYD and rainy season dont mix ! I would own a Raptor and my wife a Tesla M Y update when it comes ! My wife loves the raptor @
you should do more of these cinematic views of your place - you have created a fabulous tropical world around you, show it.
Sealion looks very similar to Toyota Harrier/Lexus
Well, I can't tell what you need to do, but me thinking about the state of electric cars at the moment, I would wait another five years before buying one. In my opinion it takes too long to charge a car. Batteries are too heavy and not environmentally friendly. No car is that, but those are, from what I hear, even worse. The development of energy storage for cars is still in an early stage. I'm gonna get a sollar system for my house this year and that's one of the reasons why an electric car will be my choice as well, but like I said, not so soon.
good video, personally I'm not sold on electric cars/SUV they need to reduce the size and weight of the batteries.
My Thai far-right mom (61) is still fears the EV fires and hates Chinese products, stereotyping them as very bad and very dangerous, so I don't want to buy them yet, when she is still alive.
Surprising that you are living in the Tak area or maybe Maesot, which I personally think they are not so common choices for western foreigners to live in. But it is understandable that living with the Thai family.
By the way, both Ford and BYD are having many dealerships around Thailand, so I think it is no need to go (far) to Bangkok or Chiang Mai.
Hang on, is that the long-awaited first appearance of the phantom Mrs. Abroad on this channel? Surely that's the significance of this video. And, as I found out buying a car with my Mrs., no matter what logic you use for choosing a car, she will base her decision solely on the color scheme. That said, for me it would have to be a Japanese manual 4WD. For Chinese cars, I'd wait for a few more years....
@@vareast could be lol. Yes different criteria when choosing a motor with the other half.😁👍
I've had a new Toyota Hilux 2.5 rear wheel drive in Thailand for 1 year and a Tesla Model 3 in the UK for the past 4 years. I love them both. The Tesla is cheaper to run (even with UK electric prices!) and a joy to drive on long journeys. Battery degradation is about 5% after 4 years and slowing down. The Toyota is rugged, reliable and fun to drive but nowhere near as comfortable on long drives.
If I didn't need the load capacity of a truck in Thailand, I'd probably go for a Tesla Model Y, especially if doing a lot of motorway driving. However, the price of the BYD is appealing enough to warrant a serious look! I see the charging infrastructure in Thailand is improving rapidly - so I have no real worries there. And if you can charge at home for most journeys it's much more convenient.
Cheers Steven. The infrastructure here for EVs is growing rapidly. Thais seem to be more on it with new technology. Internet here has always been better than the UK.👍🍺
Refueling a conventional car or recharging an electric car are one of the biggest differences for me. If I really would need to go electric then I would go for hybrid myself. As long as an electric car doesn't become a requirement for my yearly visa renewal, I will stick with conventional cars
In America with two electric vehicles. A Hyundai IONIQ 5 and a Genesis GV70. A couple of things you should take note of. The cost of putting a charger at your home and how much amperage you will have available at your home to charge. Another thing is the charging infrastructure in Thailand. Where will you charge in Bangkok, how available are those chargers - is there a high demand for them? And how long will it take you to charge while traveling outside your charge radius. Keep in mind, you don’t want a practice of charging >80% as this degrades the life of the battery
Charging infrastructure is good but yes I'll have to investigate how much to put in electric charger at home. thanks for the info.👍🍺
Go for Zeekr or Denza. These are premium sub brands.
With the amount of kilometres you do and the years you will keep an EV, you need to consider that batteries do not last forever and will cost you tens of thousands of dollars to replace. Plus, you will need to carry your balls around in a little purse if you drive an electric car, especially a Chinese one.
Haha, yes, battery life is an issue. The technology is advancing, so will see.👍🍺
Do it!!! Go for it. Waste your money so I don't have to
Just make sure you can charge overnight, have solar energy, can park the EV at least 30M from your house, and only use for short runs, you should be fine. You will need to keep it as the 2nd-hand value will plummet rapidly and continuously.
@@AjG007 you forgot the wind turbine, and rain water collector. Also a solar heat collector to directly heat your water. Very common on Brasil, wonder why not in SE Asia. Pump water through heat collector into a heat insulated water tank. Very cost effective.
I am buying the stormtrak next year. 1279 000. I really like the interior haha
Think you sit like a king and it feels very spacious. 210 hk is enough.
So happy I live in thailand that I don't have to buy these BYD/Tesla cars yet like in Europe where you get stoned if you drive a petrol/diesel car 😂
Your car is fine and you want to go full "build your dreams"? Never go full "build your dreams"!
If fuel consumption is your concern, I'd suggest you consider more about the EV range of Sealion. Once you run out of battery, PHEV will consume more gas than its counterpart because of its weight. I drive Haval H6 PHEV here and the fuel consumption goes between 13-16L per 100km. This is a little more than Honda CRV or even larger diesel PPV like Pajero/Forturner, and I'd imagine BYD would share the same problem.
What's made Haval worth it is the EV range it offers, 200km or about 170km irl. Sealion EV range is only 95km and I expected the irl range would be 85% of that or 80km. If your 90% of your drive is within 40km radius, then Sealion is a good choice.
Also, I'd recommend for you to wait a little longer as well. Chang'An is about to release its own EREV pickup truck and B-segment, they have ev range of 100-150km and also have electric generator that consumes fuel as well.
Yes, I might wait to see what gets released next year. Thanks for the info.👍🍺
The BYD sea lion looks spot on and very capable, you need to study location of charging points along your typical journey routes, do some research on the actual range of the battery as opposed to the manufacturers range there are very often discrepancies between the manufacturers range and the actual range, also check the cost of charging your car at home and on the road at charging stations, another thing to check is the battery pack life, they don’t last forever and can be very expensive if they need replacement….then there’s your mazda, it might be old but you like it, look at worse case scenario costs, maybe the engine will need a rebuild how much is that? Or would it be cheaper to fit a replacement reconditioned engine that will soldier on for another 300,000 + km for not a lot of money, do you really need to spend nearly a million baht on a car and what is the depreciation like? Will your million baht car only be worth 300,000 baht in five years…lots to think about but I would be keeping the mazda pickup. Anyway great video and interesting to be riding along with you on the test drives, not a mountain or shower head to be seen
Haha, yes, love my truck and will always keep it. Still going well, so we'll see what happens in the future. Hope all's well.👍🍺
i have now a mazda cx3 2.0 base 2021 and i also think about raptor
The main problem with ev cars that nobody talks about? It will drive you mad? When you drive an ev the power is always on. No freewheeling... this means driving along the road feeling seasickness as you are on off the throttle all the time.
Don’t go electric, it’s GAF. Your car after this one will be electric or hybrid like it or not, so for the next 20yr motor, be a man, get a d-max and move on.
I would go BYD if you went EV. A battery maker gone car marker. Personally for a truck after seeing all the issues we have in Australia for these, probably DMAX or hilux. Rangers are the most popular atm but I still hear too many problems and the running joke is that if you spot a truck on a tow from a distance “it’s probably a Ford ranger”
True,The new Ford Ranger's reliability has been a bit suspect. 👍🍺
No interested in cars but like this conversational style of video.
I got the house cleaned too lol. 😁👍🍺
Living in rural Isaan we have an Isuzu Highlander.if we lived in Bangkok it would be a car..you say your missus has a car so you should stick to a truck and the advantages it brings...personally steer clear of Ford stick with an Isuzu or Toyota and give electric a miss
Wait for the BYD Sealion 7 AWD Dual motor same performance as the Seal but in a mid size SUV in showrooms 11th November or around then 👍
Great video, I was so enthralled I lost track of time and ate a packet of chocolate biscuits.
Thanks.
Glad to be of assistance.😁👍🍺
Is Zeekr in Thailand yet? Zeekr X (the SUV) may be interesting to compare with the sealion
I have been driving EV for 5 years. Never go back. EVs are soooo the future.
You go for a mint condition hilux hero or mighty x. Not more than 100k baht and better than anything else on the road.
Their out here in Thailand. Many many low miles late model trucks or cars. Hate to say this but their are credit issues effecting many here.. Many got into these rigs but later have trouble paying. Used market is flooded with vehicles because banks tightened the reigns and used car finance rates are high for lookers.
I just bought an MG4 EV and im very pleased with it. I wouldn't consider an EV unless you can get home charging, which for you James isn't a problem. Electric is the future, in 5 years time you won't be able to give away an ICE vehicle.
It will be disposable and outdated like your mobile phone in a few years and therefore worth next to nothing whereas a normal vehicle will still have some value and aside from the looks will still be modern
The BYD is a GREAT car but With you travelling long distance kindly check the range for the BYD or any other EVs. And how are you going to charge it when you are at a hotel ?
Why don't you just change the engine or overhaul it or refurbish your Mazda?
The Ford pickups are overpriced. Why not a Hilux ? Have a look at the Hilux Rogue (diesel) .
Another thing about EVs is there is minimal maintenance cos there's no engine to service . No engine oil change gear oil change etc ...
Depends in allot of things 😂
Hows the infrastrucutre in the surrounding area for elektric cars.
Also if you have time in long distant driving , elektric can be an option. But if you dont like to weight of wanna drive long distant witout stopping allot, u. Should stick fossile energie.
Also if you have youre OWN solar panels it can be intresting
Goodluck 😂
Bought an electric bike recently. So much fun to ride... As cars go, i think i'll make the transition after the last fuel station goes out of business.
Yes, crazy good Electric bikes out at the moment. Maybe a cheaper option lol.👍🍺
The BYD Shark is coming to Thailand. Picikup hybrid plug in.
Cheers, I'll definitely check that out when it arrives.👍🍺
@@jamesabroad8589 believe it’s release date is beginning of 25. Even going to be built in Thailand. Plenty info on YT about it. I’m going to check it out.
@@pamy5965 Thanks for the info. 👍🍺
I hope so too, as the RHD version of Shark is already available in Australia and New Zealand, but BYD is seems to not ready for the highly competitive Thai pickup market (which I am surprised about, as that kind of cowardliness is not the BYD I know), so the Riddara (and maybe Nevo/Deepal E07) can launching in Thailand before BYD.
Only thing I would consider if buying the BYD what's the EV Charging infrastructure like in Thailand for when you go on trips
Infrastructure here is rapidly expanding. Charging points in all supermarkets. Should be fine for Bangkok runs.👍🍺
@@jamesabroad8589Hi, I really think you have been mislead a bit on a Tesla. As you know Tesla can use any charge brand such as EV Pluz or Elex, or PEA Volta etc etc AND Tesla of course can use Tesla's own charge network which now covers a great deal of the country. But,,,many locations are in Central malls so maybe not so convenient with long travel but the Tesla charge experience is pretty darn perfect. The model 3 or model Y are world leading for good reason. They are simply the best. Tesla may be reconsidering their factory in Thailand but they are well entrenched here and here to stay. The model Y being the globes best selling single model of vehicle (ICE or EV). It's earned it. Although I prefer the look of the 3. Just took delivery of an MG Cyberster 2 months back. Amazing car but being a 2 seat convertible EV with 544 HP it's not exactly a family car! 😂 Good luck and hope whatever you decide you'll enjoy it.
Ha ha..... you said it at 1:21..... you do a lot of km. No further discussion required, stick with a diesel that gives you a 900km+ range and refuelling in 5 minutes.
Obviously if you have finally lost the plot here, you can go electric - have constant range anxiety; high costs away from home, not just with electric costs but all the refreshsments and an overnight room stay whilst charging in Nakhom Sawan; poor infrastructure; a real risk of fire anywhere; depreciation of 65%+ over 3 years; limited battery lifespan that will be a killer cost when it gets to 160k km (and I suspect the batteries are programmed to fail just outside of the warranty); increasingly costly insurance due to high rates of accident write off due to worries over battery damage or, poor repairs due to complexity adding significant risks of battery fires; lack of backstreet servicing and repairs because of complexity and fire risk; huge damage to the environment in their build and disposal and I have no doubt, in Thailand, a huge increase in accidents because they are silent.
You might have just talked me into getting one. 😁👍
It's a PHEV - 850+ KLM Range.
@aaaces01 so a total waste of time then. Buy a compromised ICE car to get a few km of electric power when you are feeling green? And the electric range is even worse because it is hauling a redundant ICE....
Electric cars are a joke and a con at present. Wait until the world tries to charge all their electrics cars and there is no power because the idiots in charge (no pun intended) have done away with coal and gas fired power stations and it has been raining for a week with the wind too strong for the windmills. And they aren't green.... the manufacturing process is killing the planet same as everything.
@@sunriseinisaan I have been test driving ICE and EV's lately. EV's are much more comfy and drive better for the price. ICE cars are seriously noisy and the interiors scream 10+ years ago. It's sad (for me). I understand what you say about PHEV's - 2 of everything right? I don't like that idea but may settle for it in the end. I will do some calculations on fuel and see how they come out - if the SeaLion 6 can drag around it's battery pack for under 8 KLM/100, I might end up with that. The 2008 Camry probably gets 12+ ATM so the SL6 would still be considerably more efficient and has an 8 year warranty, 8 years roadside assistance etc. Honda and Toyota are at 3.
@aaaces01 fortunately for me, with my view on electric vehicles, I am old enough to not be forced to buy one. Good ICE cars will still be around for decades!
I love my Ford Everest and don't notice engine noise. I love the interior as well. And it suits me very well for my lifestyle, which is mainly long journeys, with a bike for around town.
Atm for me, there are serious issues with infrastructure, charging times, range, battery safety in both an accident and in normal use. Add in depreciation, potential life changing battery replacement, lol, and my view is stick with what you like and are happy with.
A Chinese ev ?!? you cant be serious....and also, a mechanic in my family said if I must go electric go hybrid, too many things in Ev’s that not enough mechanics know about.
GWM should have released a pickup plugin hybrid in thailand but for some reason they didn’t, BYD also have a plugin hybrid pickup truck in the pipeline but I don’t know when it will be available in thailand, i would go for a plugin hybrid car since the charging stations are not easy available outside populated areas, so if you live in rural areas i would go for a plugin hybrid instead of a full electric model, but that said the BYD sea-lion looks pretty cool, just a bummer it’s not AWD
The AWD version might release at the end of the year. Lovely to drive.👍🍺
@@jamesabroad8589 Ok do you know the price for the AWD ?, Oh and the BYD pickup plugin hybrid is named BYD Shark, that’s better than a Sea-lion :-)
Would be interested in the Shark for sure. Yes, better name lol.
@@jamesabroad8589 The AWD version is available now 1,039,000 THB. Comes with the ICE, turbocharged. I test drove it in Chon Buri about 3 weeks ago. Nice ride.
@@SecondlifeThailand The AWD version is available now 1,039,000 THB
You should test the MG 4 X-power.
I took my time deciding ev or gas, probably about 2 yrs. Finally had my first ev and would never go back to gas car again 😅.
Forget the name, have the name badge removed, remember it's only a name it's not why you buy a car / truck
Buy the vehicle you feel best in that fit fits your needs
I bought a Ford Ranger 7 years ago, the best all-around vehicle I've owned in Thailand. I have had a new Mercedes, and a new BMW cost me 4.5 m each. The Ranger is great. Get yourself the new 2.2 Ranger.
Ive had my used Ranger 4 years now in Thailand. In shop once for a wore out door handle.
Drive the hell out of it.
Nothing wrong with those Rangers as far as it's been for me.
Neither. The thought of driving a laptop with wheels or an overpriced Ford both option don't excite me. Just out of curiosity what range do you get from a full battery charge and how long does it take to re-charge the battery? How much is that range cut when driving with the A / Cond on? Electric vehicles are OK for short trips or city driving but waiting around at a charging point for a couple of hours during a long drive would shit me? I would probably look in to top of range Mitsubishi ute or Isuzu D-Max?
@@gavreynolds2689 About 500km range now. Tesla has just brought out a 700km variant I believe. Certainly a few things to think about.👍🍺
@@jamesabroad8589 Unfortunately from what I've seen on a few YT channels about EV's is the range given is for perfect driving conditions. Most testing for range is done on flat roads or test circuits without the A/C, headlights or anything that can drain the battery. Maybe a Hybrid vehicle would be more suited to your needs?
Until they build replaceable batteries it's a total waste of time to buy a BYD, you'll lose value much faster than a conventional engine, not only that, repairs may cost a lot more, especially if you get a faulty battery (although they do seem to give some warranty, it may not be enough). Unless you are buying it cash, with a hugeeeee discount, you should reconsider.
Thanks for that. I will do some more investigation. The BYD warranty is a bit dodgy I recently found out, not covering all parts. Plenty to think about.👍🍺
very nice james. im moving to PKK in 10 days i wonder if there is electric charging available between PKK, Bangkok, and my mother in law in Nakhon Nayok?
Charging stations everywhere along main highways here and all major supermarkets.👍🍺
but the price though, a Chinese car for a 1.3 mil really, have you seen toyota and honda price, camry is 1.4 mil, you're going to take a chinese car over a camry
Stick with a truck in Thailand...it's utility is unmatched. I'm interested in a Toyota Hilux Champ with the diesel engine. I'd get it raised 2-4" with bigger tires for a less rigid ride and the ability to drive on flooded streets during the rainy season. The idea of getting an electric car in southeast Asia, where flooding is common, seems like a bad idea.
Have you looked at the cost of chargng when you're out and about. That put me off (in the UK) and the large depreciation of electric.
Hi James great video mate. My experience with Chinese products are they don't last, had a motorbike and scooter both fall apart in no time. Initial investment low and appears very attractive, also parts cheap but need regular maintenance so false economy in my view and how long do the batteries and company last for replacement. Ford Raptor is a proper mans car and love them but don't buy a Ford either. I have a ford fiesta 10 years old and having issues with it they don't last either. Do what the Thais do and get a Toyota or Isuzu D Max as they are bullet proof mate that's what I am going to do when I retire out there. Contact Jason on good vibes pattaya he is an expert in cars despite being an Aussie 😄 he seems a really nice guy on you tube before you commit.
Cheers Nigel. A friend of mine had a Ford Fiesta here and had constant problems. I will investigate Isuzu a bit more. 👍🍺
Why the Ford for a truck? Why not Isuzu, Toyota etc.?
As for electric, does Thailand have the charging infrastructure for your driving habits? Will you be forever hunting a charging point on longer journeys? Personally I think EVs are okay for town and city driving but not for travelling greater distances.
Thanks!
Gene, appreciate it mate. Very generous. Hope all's well your end.👍🍺
@@jamesabroad8589 Good Luck with your new ride - Hope whichever one you decide on it treats you well 👍😎
Cheers Gene.👍🍺
We finally saw the missus! I was wondering if you really had one. Lol
Might have been the sister in law. 😁👍🍺
Look at the price of a new battery, as opposed to a new engine.
Lack of infrastructure..
That's the issue really.
It's developing quick here. Noticeably in the last couple of years. EVs are popular in Thailand.👍🍺
@@jamesabroad8589I've heard Bkk is totally loaded with them. And visitors to China say that's all you see!
Do you really need a pickup truck, if not get a hybrid preferably a Toyota.
Yes, I like trucks. Not a fan of my missus's Toyota TBH.👍🍺
Hi James, I’ve had a byd for almost a year and it’s awesome. We are getting the AWD Sealion soon. Hope you get one.
I was very impressed with it. Will see if the AWD version comes out in Thailand.👍🍺
@@jamesabroad8589 Won't they be manufacturing all the models in Thailand? China is LH drive like the states, so won't the RH drive vehicles originate from Thailand? From what I heard BYD want to supply the SE Asian region incl Indonesia from the Thai factory - makes sense
If you drive into Bangkok to visit your daughter will you be able to charge it?
I had a Ford f250 had to many problems as an American we all know Fords unreliable and cheap, I'm waiting for a Toyota Hilux ev I would buy one as I'm on solar. But even then I don't drive that much. So it will never pencil out either way. The used market looks good here to.
Toyota Ev truck would be worth a look. Surprised the big companies aren't releasing them in Thailand.👍🍺
@@jamesabroad8589 there's a huge tax on cars but not on trucks here when thet do roll them out I wonder about the grid.
08:32
good to find out what you want in the future.....but just drive in the good old car you have.
There will be no other car tha will save you some satang than the one you have.
Think of it as a BYD and not a Build Your Dreams ....LOL
BYD have been building EVs for a lot longer than Tesla
From all the reviews by experts they are a better car - more development, better specs, better performance, much better price
I hear from the wife that there has been a lot criticism against EVs in Thailand, but they are an inevitable evolution
Many ICE car makers are closing down their factories ( VW) and pulling out of China
There is actually an existential threat to the ICE vehicle industry - The CEO at FORD in the US just said he imported a chinese EV and does not want to give it up = not a great endorsement for his own product!
They can't compete with the myriad chinese carmakers plus no one can compete with the govt support program (opaque) that the central govt puts in place when they want to dominate an industry
EVs will also dominate the landscape here in Australia as there are zero import tariffs plus we also have tax incentives to own one - we are a little slow to catch on to new trends here, but its pretty obvious how this plays out
In Thailand the wife got rid of her old hilux pickup and we shortlisted the replacement between an Everest or the Isuzu MUX
The Everest looks more macho with better styling but I preferred the MUX for its Japanese engineering and better reliability
I reckon you will be happy with the BYD as long as Thailand has enough charging stations in place for all the trips you do, but long terms its still an unknown how reliable they will be or how well the battery will perform over time. I would guess 5 to 10 yrs but certainly it won't live for as long as your Mazda has, but they don't make cars like they used to right?
True, the old motors are certainly better. BYD is getting a lot of stick in the comments, but as you say, their track record is pretty impressive.👍🍺
If you are getting another truck go for the new hilux you can't beat them for reliability. Thailand hasn't got the infrastructure for EVs. The new rangers are knowing for giving trouble
Hi, for what it’s worth keep clear of ford. There inundated with issues! BYD is the fastest selling electric vehicle in Europe and to be no issues for now. I have Id4 VW and let me tell you it’s the worst car I have ever owned also inundated with problems. Stick to Japanese manufacturers 🙌.
How much does it cost to install a charger for the ev at your house. I've considering an ev lately
Not sure, could be another video. Solar and EVs are developing quickly here.👍🍺
Go for the truck. Don't Burn Your Drive.
Wait for Zeekr 7X !
Sounds like you’ve lost the plot mate. Too much happy leaf perhaps. Fell for a shiny coin hook line and sinker. Except this one’s a Chinese made brass coin. Depreciation. And especially where you live. Ergh, hello! 👋 and Imagine standing around PTT for hours waiting for that thing to charge. Even more so, you know how well petroleum trucks hold their money in Thailand. No brainer. Final answer, Toyota pick up.
Well, just investigating at this point. I felt similar to you, but things are changing here and the charging times/infrastructure have improved considerably. Will see
Can you convert your truck to LPG? Years ago we rented my wife’s friends Nissan that kind of looked like an old Jeep Cherokee and it was converted to LPG and it was about half the price as gasoline. It had one conversions that you supposed to be able to switch back-and-forth, but this switch was stuck on LPG. Back in USA I do own a Tesla model Y. I brought it for the technology due to my eye condition not for the electric part. I have loved the almost 0 maintenance. Had it for a couple years and put 38,000 miles on it. I charge it at home so it’s a lot cheaper than fuel. But if you go to supercharger i, you’re paying about the same as driving a hybrid using gasoline.
Its a diesel so not likely to convert to LPG
Besides, diesel engine is already more fuel efficient than LPG
We have a small truck in Thailand that has dual fuel LPG or petrol and it lacks a lot of power when running on LPG. We just keep it running on petrol - hang the expense!
@@kevhall4802 yeah I know from having a generator you lose about 20% of the power. Only thing I remember is we did a lot of writing around and it seemed to be cheaper.
Great cars. The best. Electric. They burn even under water. No other car can do that. 👍
To for Isuzu Dmax or check its cousin mazda BT 50
It will be fun sitting at Big C waiting for the battery to charge 😂
I think that is the smallest problem. 30 minutes charging and you are on the road again. In Thailand I do not often want to drive more than 300 km in a row without a break.
In Thailand a lot more happens in parking lots than for example in Europe. I think you will always be able to find a food stand (not KFC, Macdonald) nearby.
Better than shopping with the missus.😁👍🍺
That’s true. Can it make it to Bangkok from Tak ok without changing? If so it would be cool there are definitely a ton of them on the road.
New cars are generally disappointing in my opinion. So much plastic...
Yes, I feel the same way.👍🍺
No
Buy. A. Toyota.
On average a Tesla will loose 1% of it's range per year. After 10 years will only take 90% of it's original charge Hence 10% less mileage.
How do you finance your life in Thailand?
Busking outside Big C.😁👍