About 2.5 million cars and trucks will be built in Thailand in 2013. (S.L. Herman/VOA)
The automotive area is now Thailand’s third largest industry. It has 12 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product and employs 400,000 workers.
As evidence of the industry’s success, roads in Bangkok are overflowing with cars. Government tax benefits for first-time buyers have sped up sales. But can these vehicles compete with those made in Japan, Europe or the United States?
Honda executive vice president Pitak Pruittisarikorn said the Japanese automaker was making high-quality vehicles in Thailand at a competitive cost.
“For Honda, cost efficiency is one of our key strategies. So we have established the good relationship with the strong and the highest quality parts suppliers, global suppliers and local suppliers.”
Some automakers operating in Thailand import critical parts, including engines, from overseas. But GM Powertrain plant manager Jennifer Bigelow said the American automaker not only puts together its engines locally. But she says they also get their components -- their parts -- in Thailand.
“It is definitely cost-effective. We reduce shipping costs, we develop partners here that we can then work with, and develop that partnership to help improve our engine and our product.”
Manufacturers must also produce their vehicles to meet area demand. The widespread availability of reasonably priced diesel fuel promotes the design of parts like four-cylinder diesel engines.
最新
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25