Pick-up truck production drops dramatically in Thailand
- Production of mid-range pickups has been concentrated in Thailand since the 1960s. American and Japanese carmakers gradually established plants there, until they represented a production volume of 600,000 units in 2005, sold in Thailand but mainly exported throughout the world. Production doubled between 2005 and 2012-2013, going from 600,000 to 1,200,000 units, as global markets increasingly demanded this type of vehicle.
- The years 2012 and 2013 actually marked a peak in production of mid-range pickups in Thailand because their production volume began to decline from that point on.
- It is probably the decline in global demand for mid-range pick-ups that has been responsible of Thailand production, in addition to the increasing competition of other countries, such as the USA, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and South Africa. In 2024, pick-up production in Thailand will only represent 750,000 units compared to 950,000 in 2023 and 1,085,000 in 2022.
- By model, the Toyota Hilux remains the leader in pick-up production in Thailand, with 320,000 units produced in 2024 compared to 372,000 in 2023 and 439,000 in 2022. This model largely supplants the Isuzu D-Max, Ford Ranger and Mitsubishi Triton which also declined in 2024. The Nissan Navara now only represents a tiny share of production. As for the Chevrolet Colorado, Fiat Fullback and Mazda BT-50, they have completely disappeared from the Thai manufacturing program.