Auto industry staging major rebound

Auto industry staging major rebound

The local automobile industry is expected to experience a boom this year, said Piangjai Kaewsuwan, president of the Thai Automotive Industry Association.

Record output at or above 2.1 million units in 2012 is anticipated.

In the domestic market, sales of 1.1 million vehicles are expected, while exports of Thai-built vehicles are seen hitting 1 million units.

Honda's plants in Ayutthaya province have not been able to produce vehicles during this first quarter.

The company's facilities are still being restored and will open open at the end of this month.

Ms Piangjai said the rapid recovery of the industry over the past few months, in terms of both production and sales, could translate into a boom for the industry this year.

Confidence was restored after Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and relevant state agencies said there would be no repeat of last year's devastation.

Massive flooding battered the industry late last year. Many car factories were brought to a halt even though most of them were not directly affected by the deluge.

Their parts supplies were disrupted by the floods, and they were unable to get components.

Ms Piangjai said the implementation of a 300 baht daily minimum wage will affect the industry far less than originally feared.

Most car makers already pay that much to their employees, although some parts suppliers may pay less and will have to increase some wages to comply with the new rules.

Ms Piangjai said she does not believe politics will be a problem for the industry.

Regarding the debt crisis in Europe, she said the impact was minimal since the number of Thai-built vehicles exported to there is small.

Most exports are destined for Asia and Oceania.

Prachin Eamlumnow, the organising chairman of the Bangkok International Motor Show, said this year's event will be a true indicator of the state of the industry.

Orders booked at the motor show, now in its 33rd year, are expected to reach a record of more than 40,000 units, up from 38,000 units booked in 2011.

"Do not worry about flooding. We will make every effort to prevent the floods from occurring again," he said.

The theme of this year's auto show, organised by the Grand Prix International Group, will be "Technology Difference".

The will be held at Impact Muang Thong Thani from March 28-April 8.

Car models to be exhibited at the show include the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Peugeot 408, Toyota Camry, Prius Minor Change, Mitsubishi Mirage, Suzuki Swift, BMW Series 5 and Series 3, Mini Roadster, Mercedes-Benz M-Class and Volvo S60 DRIVe and V60.

Motorcycle participants include Big Bull, BMW, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, Modern Bike, Stallions, Suzuki, UDA, Vespa and Yamaha.

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