Plans for test centre revved up

Plans for test centre revved up

An artist's impression of Thailand's first automotive testing centre in Chachoensao province, which is expected to be completed by June 2019.
An artist's impression of Thailand's first automotive testing centre in Chachoensao province, which is expected to be completed by June 2019.

The government is revving up construction of the first-ever automotive testing centre in preparation for the ambitious policy to make electric vehicles locally.

Suthon Nikomkate, director of the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI), said the testing centre should be finished by June 2019 and become operational by early 2020.

"Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha himself has ordered the establishment of the long-delayed automotive testing centre be sped up to comply with the Thailand 4.0 policy that focuses on innovation and high technology," said Mr Suthon.

"The government is also very keen to develop a national research and development (R&D) unit to upgrade the automotive and auto parts industry to maintain the country's competitiveness."

According to the automotive testing centre's master plan, the government would invest 3.74 billion baht during 2016-20 out of the total 4.54 billion baht approved by the cabinet in June 2015, leaving the remaining 800 million baht for the centre's future development.

All facilities will be located on 1,235 rai in Chachoengsao's Sanam Chai Khet district.

Mr Suthon said the 3.74-billion-baht budget would be divided in two phases -- 800 million baht for a tyre testing track, and 2.94 billion baht for six car testing tracks and consultants' fee.

The tyre testing track with a quality on par with the UN's R-117 standard will start construction in May 2017 and be finished a year later.

Mr Suthon said the R&D unit for tyres is the top priority because the government aims to upgrade the country's rubber industry and increase rubber prices.

At present, there are 6 million farmers in the rubber sector. The government expects to increase tyre production from 530,000 tonnes per year now to 1 million tonnes in the near future.

Thailand can produce all tyres now except flat tyres which require high technology, said Mr Suthon.

He said six testing tracks are now being planned. TISI expects to start construction by 2018.

Nattapol Rangsitpol, inspector-general of the Industry Ministry, said the ministry also needed to reorganise its administrative structure to serve the national testing centre.

Mr Nattapol said the testing centre will help empower Thailand's auto industry to become an Asean hub not only for manufacturing but also for R&D.

The Industry Ministry aims the national testing centre to provide a New Car Assessment Programme tasked with evaluating new designs for safety performance, for all automotive standards from the US, Australia, Europe and Japan.

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