GM Intends to Create in Thailand A Production Hub of Small Automobiles for ASEAN
- General Motors intends to promote Thailand as a production base of small automobiles for the ASEAN market. In October 2014, GM acquired approval from the Board of Investment of Thailand for participating in the second phase of the Eco Car scheme. The automaker plans to invest to set up a manufacturing base in Rayong province with an annual production capacity of 158,000 units.
- While GM currently manufactures one-ton pickup trucks in Thailand and exports them to over 60 countries around the world, the automaker will now also engage in small passenger vehicle production for the Eco Car market.
- In Rayong province, GM has an annual production capacity of 180,000 automobiles manufacturing one-ton pickup trucks and passenger vehicles. Apparently, the automaker's passenger vehicle production capacity is around 50,000 units. Meanwhile, the Eco Car program requires an annual production scale of at least 100,000 units and local production of Eco Car-compliant gasoline engines. Although the future Eco Car model has yet to be revealed, it is forecast to be the Spark or the Sonic.
- Prior to the enhancement of the local production system, GM is stepping up activities to ensure demand. Once development functions in Thailand get on track, the importance of the Thai base will increase for GM.
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