Thailand's biggest motor show of the year
The 47th Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS 2026) ran from March 25 to April 5, 2026, under the theme "The Iconic Synchronicity." Two-wheeler brands present included Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Ducati, Triumph, and BMW Motorrad, making it one of the most significant motorcycle showcases in Southeast Asia this year.
Photo: Tris T7 — Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Honda: UC3 electric commuter and an 11-model plan for 2026
Honda's presence centred on two things: continuing its electric two-wheeler push, and a broad refresh of its combustion lineup.
- Honda UC3 — a fixed-battery electric two-wheeled personal commuter, with sales beginning in Thailand and Vietnam starting spring 2026.
- Thai Honda's 2026 model plan — the company signalled plans to introduce 11 new motorcycle models across the year, spanning both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric variants.
- Honda WN7 — also displayed at BIMS 2026, Honda's first full-size electric motorcycle, which won the Gold Award at the iF DESIGN AWARD 2026 in Product Design.
Kawasaki: refreshed 2026 lineup
Kawasaki used the show to display its refreshed 2026 line-up for the Thai market, including the Ninja 250 ABS and the flagship 1000SX sport-tourer — giving Thai buyers an updated look at both ends of Kawasaki's range.
Yamaha: electrification prototypes alongside production bikes
Yamaha Motor showcased its electric technology direction by displaying prototype PHEV (plug-in hybrid) and HEV (hybrid electric) models alongside its popular production motorcycles, signalling the brand is actively exploring electrified drivetrains without yet committing to full production versions.
Show results
BIMS 2026 closed with strong numbers: 2,056 motorcycle bookings and 1,798,312 total visitors across the show's run, underscoring the event's continued importance as a launchpad for new models in the Thai and wider Southeast Asian market.
FAQ
Q: What is the Honda UC3? A fixed-battery electric two-wheeled personal commuter that Honda began selling in Thailand and Vietnam starting spring 2026.
Q: How many new models is Thai Honda planning for 2026? Thai Honda signalled plans for 11 new motorcycle models across the year, spanning both ICE and electric variants.
Q: What did Kawasaki show at BIMS 2026? A refreshed 2026 line-up for the Thai market, including the Ninja 250 ABS and the 1000SX sport-tourer.
Q: Is Yamaha launching a production hybrid or plug-in hybrid motorcycle? At BIMS 2026, Yamaha displayed prototype PHEV and HEV models alongside its production range — these were shown as prototypes/technology demonstrations, not confirmed production launches.
Q: How big was BIMS 2026? The show recorded 2,056 motorcycle bookings and 1,798,312 total visitors over its March 25 – April 5, 2026 run.
Sources: Bangkok International Motor Show 2026 — Yamaha Motor official, Thai Honda debuts first electric motorcycle, targets Vietnam export in 2026 — Reccessary, Honda Launches Fixed-Battery Electric Two-Wheeled Personal Commuter “Honda UC3” — Honda Global, Bangkok Motor Show: Retro cool meets EV caution — Australian Motorcycle News.
