Japanese manufacturer Honda Automobile (Thailand) shipped vehicles worth a total of 83.1 billion baht in 2015, up 19% year-on-year and supported by rising demand in foreign markets.
Chief operating officer Pitak Pruittisarikorn said exports of completely built-up (CBU) vehicles were worth 37.9 billion baht, up 44% from 2014.
This growth was driven by strong demand for Honda models in countries such as Australia and Mexico. The City, HR-V, and CR-V were top export models, accounting for about 70% of the total export units, he said.
Exports of completely knocked-down (CKD) units rose by 5% in 2015 to 40.4 billion baht, to supply assembly plants in Indonesia, Malaysia and India.
Mr Pitak said this was supported by demand for Honda models such as the HR-V and Jazz in these countries.
Honda also exports supporting products such as automobile spare parts, accessories, and jigs and moulds for automobile production lines from its Thai-based facilities.
Exports of automobile parts and accessories increased by 30% in value to 3.4 billion baht, thanks mainly to the increasing demand in Malaysia, Australia and India.
Mr Pitak said Honda plans to start up its new plant in Prachin Buri in 2016, adding to its current facility at Rojana Industrial Park in Ayutthaya.