BANGKOK, April 22 – Thailand has targeted auto production at 2.55 million units this year and a jump to three million units in the next four years, a senior Commerce Ministry official said.
Srirat Rastapana, director general of the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), said Thailand ranks No. 1 as the world’s manufacturer of one-tonne pick-up trucks and No. 9 for vehicles.
Exports of automobiles, motorcycles and parts in the first two months of this year were reported at Bt123 billion, she said, adding that the country’s rapid expansion was mainly due to its geographic advantage as a manufacturing base, highly skilled labour and the government’s successive support of the industry.
To promote and stimulate the auto industry in Thailand, the DITP has cooperated with the Thai Autoparts Manufacturers Association and auto industrialists in organising ‘Thailand Auto Parts and Accessories’ (TAPA) to be held in Bangkok on April 28-May 1 next year, she said.
More than 400 manufacturers in Thailand and other countries including Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, China and Vietnam will join the trade exhibition.
