HISTORY OF THAIYARNYON
1950s Our Beginnings
Founders Attaphorn and Attaphong Leenutaphong opened “Lee Leng” – a shop house that sold scrap metal and spare parts in ChiengKong. With the founders’ hardworking ethics and vision, the business flourished and expanded to selling World War II military surplus vehicles imported from neighboring countries and from Europe under the company Leng Thai Co., Ltd.
1960s BMW Era
Attaphong’s fascination with BMW motorbikes, considered one of the most fashionable rides at the time, inspired Atthaporn to expand the business to importing BMW cars.
1961
The BMW business started in Thailand.
1964
• A caravan of BMW 700 cars driven from Singapore to Bangkok demonstrated the quality and endurance of BMW automobile engineering. It was such a spectacle that it generated much excitement among the public and automobile fans.
• The BMW 700, BMW’s first ever model introduced to Thailand, was officially unveiled in a spectacular event and made big headlines across all major newspapers.
• The BMW 700, BMW’s first ever model introduced to Thailand, was officially unveiled in a spectacular event and made big headlines across all major newspapers.
1969
BMW 2000 was the official police vehicle
Three Decades of Growth
1970s – 1980s Parts Manufacturing & Assembly Era
Adversity Strikes: Under the new National Economic and Social Development Plan, Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn’s government increased tariffs on imported cars imposing:
• 80% import duty on Completely Built Up (CBU) import vehicles
• 30% import duty on Completely Knocked Down (CKD) kits
• 80% import duty on Completely Built Up (CBU) import vehicles
• 30% import duty on Completely Knocked Down (CKD) kits
1973
• YMC Assembly Co., Ltd. was established.
• 1973 More Tough Rules.
• Government issued a new policy to make Thailand the automotive hub of Asia.
• Government bars the import of Completely Built Up (CBU) cars.
• Government enacted a 45% local content and parts rule gradually increasing to 54%.
• Parts manufacturing factory was founded to produce local content parts in-house, for all locally-assembled models of BMW, Peugeot and Citroen.
• 1973 More Tough Rules.
• Government issued a new policy to make Thailand the automotive hub of Asia.
• Government bars the import of Completely Built Up (CBU) cars.
• Government enacted a 45% local content and parts rule gradually increasing to 54%.
• Parts manufacturing factory was founded to produce local content parts in-house, for all locally-assembled models of BMW, Peugeot and Citroen.
1975
• BMW AG introduced the model Series system.
• Imported BMW 3 and 5 Series CKDs.
• Assembly started on BMW 520 (E12).
• CKD (completely-knocked down) production started for Citroen CX 20, CX Prestige, BX16, BX19 and Peugeot 305, 309, 505.
• Imported BMW 3 and 5 Series CKDs.
• Assembly started on BMW 520 (E12).
• CKD (completely-knocked down) production started for Citroen CX 20, CX Prestige, BX16, BX19 and Peugeot 305, 309, 505.
1980s
Family, as the official BMW importer, expanded the BMW business.
1980
Commercial launch of the BMW 316
1984
BMW 316/4, an all-time bestseller, started flying out of the showroom when the 4-door version replaced the 2-door sedan sold elsewhere in the world.
1985
• Family acquired the former Jeep and Ford importer, Thaiyarnyon which was bestowed the royal
Garuda (Phra Khrut) in recognition of exceptional service to the nation.
• BMW AG recognized the exceptional sales prowess of the founding fathers by presenting the 4-cylinder model of BMW AG HQ, a symbolic representation of “Commitment to the Future”.
• Achieved double-digit export market share for Thailand.
• BMW AG recognized the exceptional sales prowess of the founding fathers by presenting the 4-cylinder model of BMW AG HQ, a symbolic representation of “Commitment to the Future”.
• Achieved double-digit export market share for Thailand.
1986
• BMW 7 Series successfully launched at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.
• Family acquired Commercial Motor Works (former Volkswagen importer) and obtained the Volkswagen Passenger Car and Commercial Vehicle franchise.
• YMC Assembly Co., Ltd. received an award of manufacturing excellence from BMW AG, Munich, Germany.
• Family acquired Commercial Motor Works (former Volkswagen importer) and obtained the Volkswagen Passenger Car and Commercial Vehicle franchise.
• YMC Assembly Co., Ltd. received an award of manufacturing excellence from BMW AG, Munich, Germany.
1990s - 2000s Defining Moments
1991
• Khun Anand Panyarachun's government re-opened the door for imports of Completely Built UP (CBU) vehicles, in a reversal of automotive tax policy promoting a free market.
• Thai Yarnyon group companies were appointed the official distributors for Audi and SEAT.
• Launched the Audi 80 and Audi 100.
• Thai Yarnyon group companies were appointed the official distributors for Audi and SEAT.
• Launched the Audi 80 and Audi 100.
1993
Introduced the Audi TT Coupe.
1994
Volkswagen passenger cars namely Golf Ill and Vento were re-introduced after a hiatus of several years.
1995
• Appointed the SEAT importer and launched the Cordoba.
• The BMW 7 series (E38) was launched at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The Audi A4, A6, and Passat B4 were launched.
• The BMW 7 series (E38) was launched at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The Audi A4, A6, and Passat B4 were launched.
1996
• The Volkswagen Variant made its debut.
• Mr. Bernd Pischetsrieder, Chairman of the Board, BMW AG, visited Thailand.
• Mr. Bernd Pischetsrieder, Chairman of the Board, BMW AG, visited Thailand.
1997
Launch of the Volkswagen Sharan.
1998
Launch of the Seat Alhambra
1999
Local assembly of Volkswagen Passat and Audi A6 began.
2000
Officially appointed as Rolls-Royce & Bentley importer.
2000-2007
• Thaiyarnyon introduced VW Synchro and Caravelle V6.
• Thaiyarnyon initiated luxury van conversions with the T4 as donor vehicles.
• Thaiyarnyon engaged in R&D for the first luxury van conversions.
• The first Volkswagen Caravelle T4 was installed with glass partitions to ensure privacy.
2008
Thaiyarnyon launched the Volkswagen Caravelle T5.
2009
Launch of the Volkswagen New Beetle, Golf GTI, Scirocco and Tiguan.
2010-2013
Introduction of the iconic Volkswagen Golf, Scirocco, Passat B5, and Passat CC.
2016
Thaiyarnyon launched the Volkswagen Caravelle T6 at The Mandarin Oriental, a memorable event held for 3 consecutive weeks.
