News just to hand from the Thai Board of Investment (BOI), five manufacturers have been given the nod to progress with the eco 2 program. These include Ford and GM, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Toyota. Notably the future presence of VW that everyone though would be producing a Polo sized light car for the eco 2, is not mentioned.
Thailand aims to achieve annual motor vehicle production of three millions units by 2015. The projects announced under the eco 2 program so far are expected to add a further 800,000 vehicles from 2019.
The five manufacturers receive tax concessions in return for the commitment to invest in expanded manufacturing facilities in Thailand.
Ford and GM’s investment plans are for about THB 1.8 Bn and THB 1.2 Bn respectively.
According to the Thai BOI announcement, Ford plans to boost the output of its Rayong manufacturing plant by 180,000 vehicles a year, while also adding production capacity for 2000 engines a year.
Ford already builds products such as the Fiesta, Focus, Ranger and – soon – Everest SUV in Thailand, exporting them to Australia and other countries.
The third-generation Ford Ka five-door hatch and four-door sedan that went into production in Brazil earlier this year could be a prospect for the new Ford plant, with speculations that Ka production will be extended to Thailand, China and India.
So, despite the FTI gloom, doom and disaster, the big players look to making hay while the sun still shines.
