BANGKOK, Jan 30 – Thailand’s political situation has severely reduced sales of large trucks, according to Thai Autoparts Manufacturers Association.
Prasartsilp On-Aht, the association’s honorary chairman, said as there are vehicles in stock, manufacturers for large vehicles were forced to slow down their orders of spare parts to 70 per cent, thus also causing spare parts producers to be affected by the political stalemate.
However, the chairman said small vehicles can still be sold, though at a lower volume than previously predicted at the end of 2013. Originally, the number of cars assembled in the country was projected at 2.7 million units throughout this year, but the current auto production figure is now forecast at no more than 2.55 million units.
Mr Prasartsilp said manufacturers in the spare parts industry have adjusted in order to sustain their businesses. He commented that the production trend of spare parts should improve in Q3 and Q4. The overall value of Thailand’s automobile spare parts industry should reach Bt700 billion.
The problem being faced by the manufacturers, particularly those small- and medium-sized enterprises, is the lack of workforce, which is substituted by foreign labour, he noted.
