2012 was an important year for the Thai auto industry due to the effects of the government's First Car Buyer Programme.

A total of 1.25 million orders were placed under the scheme, which amounts to as much as THB 91 billion (US$ 3 billion) in excise tax rebates to be given back to qualified buyers; this is three times higher than the original THB 30-billion target.

Meanwhile, the delivery of vehicles purchased under the scheme will take some time, as there are more than 700,000 back orders. This is considered a major milestone in the Thai automobile industry, and many expect total auto sales in the country to comfortably beat the 1.2-million-vehicle mark in 2013, compared to the historic 1.45 million vehicles sold in 2012.

Many auto companies are also planning to introduce a large number of new models for the Thai market in 2013. Here's what to expect:

Japanese manufacturers

Let's start off with Toyota, the largest auto-maker in the country. In December last year, Toyota decided to start accepting orders for the 2013 Vios subcompact in order to qualify for the First Car Buyer deadline on December 31st. This drew criticism and complaints from other auto-makers, forcing the Excise Department officials to bounce off their seats.

The pictures or specifications of the new Vios were not provided to buyers, and the only information provided by Toyota was that the 2013 Vios qualified for the First Car scheme.

The all-new Vios is expected to be launched at the Bangkok International Motor Show in March.

Another new model that everyone is waiting for from Toyota is its eco-car, which will certainly be launched this year. Toyota Motor Thailand president Kyoichi Tanada has confirmed that the car will be launched no later than August, and Thai customers would love it.

There have been reports that the new car will be named Yaris, and the front design will be similar to the Vios. Toyota's eco-car is also expected to be E85-compatible, which means it will pay lower excise taxes than those that are not.

Meanwhile, Honda, which launched as many as 10 new models last year, says it still has more new models coming this year. Among them is the new Accord, which has been held back for a year.

Honda is also planning to launch its second hybrid model. The Civic Hybrid comes with a 1.5-litre petrol engine mated to an electric motor, delivering a combined 110hp.

Nissan, which has been highly successful with the March, says it's time the eco-car model was given a facelift.

The Pulsar, which is the hatchback version of the Sylphy that was first shown at the Motor Expo last year, will be officially launched during the first quarter. Replacing the ageing Tiida, the Pulsar will be offered with 1.6- and 1.8-litre engines.

The Teana midsized sedan will be another major vehicle that Nissan plans to launch this year. Nissan Motor Thailand vice president Praphat Choeychom says the new Teana will come with outstanding design along with new technologies that will heat up the midsized car market.

For Mazda, nothing is more important this year than the launch of its SkyActiv technology, after inviting high-ranking officials from the Industry Ministry to test the technology in Japan last year.

The main models are the award-winning CX-5 compact crossover, which would also be available with a diesel engine that offers excellent fuel economy and performance. The CX-5 will compete against the popular Honda CR-V.

Suzuki, enjoying tremendous success with the Swift eco-car and suffering from a large number of back orders that stretches to the end of 2013, will launch the 1.6-litre Ertiga MPV after a considerable wait.

Isuzu, after introducing the all-new D-Max in late 2011, may have a new vehicle this year if it is able to launch the all-new Mu-7 before the year ends. Otherwise, fans will have to wait until 2014.

American brands

After Chevrolet created history by achieving sales records, it overtook arch rival Ford to become the leading American brand in Thailand.

Chevrolet will be busy selling the Sonic sub-compact this year, while it is time for the Cruze compact car to get a facelift.

At the Motor Expo last year, Chevrolet highlighted the Spin, which is an Indonesian-built sub-compact MPV, but it is still unclear whether it will offer this model in Thailand as competition from the Honda Freed is very strong.

Ford, meanwhile, somewhat suffered a setback last year. Sales were good, but it didn't have vehicles to deliver, especially pickup trucks.

This year, it is time for the Ford Fiesta minor change to be introduced, which is perfect timing considering that the First Car Buyer promotions have ended.

Ford is also planning to introduce the EcoSport, which was first unveiled in India last year. For the Indian market, the EcoSport comes with Ford's award-winning 118hp 1.0-litre Ecoboost engine, while the Thai market is expected to get a larger 1.5-litre power plant.

Also in the pipeline is the Mondeo midsized car that many hope Ford will to offer in Thailand.

In the PPV market, many are waiting for the new Everest, which is based on the Ranger pickup truck platform. Considering the high popularity received for the Ranger, the new Everest is also expected to win the same level of success.

Korean vehicles

Hyundai plans to launch the Veloster 2+1 car that it first showed at the Bangkok Motor Show in March 2012. Hyundai Thailand officials say they are waiting for a new engine that would be more suitable for the Thai market.

Plans are also afoot to come out with a H1 minor change, which is expected to maintain Hyundai's success in the luxury van market. The Korean auto-maker is, besides, thinking about importing a small car from its Asean assembly facility.

Kia will penetrate the market with the 7-seater Sorento SUV, which was already shown at the Motor Expo in December.

Luxury models

Mercedes-Benz is planning to follow arch rival BMW into the luxury hybrid market with the introduction of the E300 Bluetec Hybrid during mid-2013. BMW launched the 5 Series Hybrid last year.

The E300 Bluetec Hybrid doesn't come with the conventional petrol-electric hybrid system: it gets a diesel engine plus motors instead. The result is fuel economy of 20km/litre, making it one of the most efficient luxury cars in the market.

The retail pricing is expected to be approximately THB 5 million, and a large number of cars are expected to be offered by grey importers as well.

Volvo had been quite active last year, and is planning to launch the V40 and XC40 to compete with the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

Rolls-Royce will follow up the launch of the Phantom Series 2 with the Coupe and Drophead versions, while official Posche importer AAS Auto Service will introduce the latest Porsche model - the Macan.

The luxury and supercar market is also set to witness major changes this year, especially with the entry of new players crossing over from the grey market side. It has been rumoured that a grey importer has acquired the right for Aston Martin, and the importer is expected to make an official announcement later this year.

Despite the First Car Buyer Programme ending last month, the auto market is still expected to maintain high sales in 2013 thanks to these new models.

While auto companies are busy delivering vehicles ordered in 2012 during the first half of the year, the second half of 2013 will witness fierce competition in every market segment.