Mazda sees Thailand as global base

Mazda sees Thailand as global base

Japanese car maker Mazda Motor Corporation is set to deploy its Thai factory as the group's second global production base, mainly for pickup trucks and eco-cars.

Hidesuke Takesue, newly appointed president of Mazda Sales (Thailand), said the comprehensive new facility, designed to make not only vehicles but also transmissions and engines, similar to the factory in Japan, is almost complete.

The production facility for engines and SkyActiv transmissions in Chon Buri province with annual capacity of 200,000 and 400,000 units, respectively, is scheduled to start next year.

"The parent company plans to use the Thai factory as the global blueprint, with 60% of production serving the domestic market and the rest for export," Mr Takesue said.

"However, the proportion may change each year, based on market demand."

Mazda now operates a production facility called AutoAlliance (Thailand) or AAT in Rayong's Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate.

AAT is a joint venture formed with Michigan-based Ford Motor Co.

Founded in 1995, AAT has annual production capacity of 140,000 one-tonne pickup trucks and 100,000 passenger cars.

Of that, 120,000 vehicles — 70,000 pickup trucks and 50,000 passenger cars — belong to Mazda.

Ford recently moved its passenger-car production line from AAT to its wholly owned manufacturing facility in Rayong. Its pickup truck line will remain at AAT.

Mazda last month officially kicked off its local Mazda2 eco-car production, with a combined investment of 12.6 billion baht.

Of that amount, 9.73 billion baht will go to make 158,000 eco-cars and 200,000 auto parts annually.

The other 2.87 billion baht will be invested in engine production, scheduled to kick off next month.

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