P.C.S. Machine Group Holding Plc (PCSGH), a SET-listed auto parts manufacturer, is mulling an expansion to cover other types of vehicles and curb risk from being too reliant on pickup trucks.
"Though pickup trucks are still growing in both the domestic and export market, we expect to expand to supply parts to passenger cars and eco-cars, which should be churned out in the foreseeable future once the production in the second phase of the eco-car scheme is in place," said chief executive Prasong Adulratananukul.
Some 96% of P.C.S.'s revenue comes from parts orders from pickup truck makers such as Isuzu, Chevrolet, Mazda and Ford.
The company makes components for engines, transmissions, final drives and steering for pickup trucks. P.C.S. is a tier-1 and tier-2 supplier.
P.C.S. also secures auto parts orders from truck manufacturer Volvo and big-bike makers Triumph and Ducati.
Mr Prasong said the auto parts industry was expected to drop in line with the falling automotive industry, which has been hit by lower consumer spending, political chaos in the first half of the year and an absence of new incentives to stimulate purchases.
The Thai Auto-Parts Manufacturers Association reports the sector's market value at 600-800 billion baht a year, with 60% from exports.
Demand for Thailand-made parts has been growing in recent years. Of the 2,300 automotive suppliers in the country, 80% are original-equipment manufacturers.
Mr Prasong said Thailand's automobile output was estimated at 2 million vehicles this year, down sharply from 2.46 million last year and 2.45 million in 2012.
Pickup truck output is projected at 1.14 million vehicles this year, down from 1.33 million last year and 1.45 million in 2012.
P.C.S. achieved first-half revenue of 2.13 billion baht, down by 26% year-on year, for a net profit of 438 million, down by 54.6%.
Last year, revenue fell by 2.6% to 5.16 billion baht, with net profit down 19.2% to 1.38 billion.
Mr Prasong said P.C.S.'s net profit margin was expected to stand at 20.5% this year, down from 26.7% last year.
PCSGH shares closed yesterday on the SET at 9.80 baht, down 10 satang, in trade worth 31.4 million baht.