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Since the Federation of Thai Industries expects the production of vehicles to hit 2.5 million units by 2016, Frederico Gil Sander, a World Bank economist based in Bangkok, said yesterday that it was very likely that Thailand would become one of the top 10 auto producers in the world. Read the full article here .

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday praised the growth of the local auto industry at the Thailand International Motor Expo but remained non-committal about government policy towards the sector. Suparat: Thailand to be a top-10 maker Suparat Sirisuwannangkul, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries' automobile club, said automobile production is poised to grow from 990,000 units in 2009 to 1.6 million this year, making the country the 13th-largest auto manufacturer.

Car production in Thailand may exceed this year’s target after reaching a record in October, the nation’s Automotive Industry Club said. Output may reach 1.7 million units, from an earlier projection of 1.6 million,  Surapong Paisitpatnapong , a club spokesman, told reporters in Bangkok today. Production reached 152,689 units in October, the most since Thailand started producing cars in 1961.

Volkswagen AG says it plans to invest Euro 51.6 billion ($70 billion) over the next five years as it focuses on modernizing and extending its brands' product range. The company said Friday that it will put Euro 41.3 billion of the money into property, plant and equipment for its automotive division -- 57 percent of that in Germany, where it has its Wolfsburg headquarters.

More good news about the Thai Auto Industry: BANGKOK -(Dow Jones)- Thailand's vehicle production surged to a new high in October, while exports continued to expand from a year earlier with increased shipments to every market, the Federation of Thai Industries said Wednesday. October vehicle output in Thailand, a regional manufacturing hub for many of the world's biggest automakers, rose 32.7% on year to 152,689 units, the highest ever since the first vehicle was produced in Thailand in 1961, the statement said.

Mercedes-Benz has approved the building of an engine plant in Thailand, the first manufacturing facility the German luxury carmaker has had in the kingdom in its 106-year presence. Although many luxury car models are built in Thailand, Mercedes-Benz has hired Thonburi Automotive Assembly Co for their assembly. ‘‘We started setting up the engine production line two weeks ago,’’ says Prof Paufler. Click here to read more.

Toyota Motor Co has chosen Thailand as the third location worldwide for manufacturing its Prius hybrid cars which will go on sale on the local market next month, company executives said Thursday. “Thailand will become the third country in the world that will serve as the manufacturing base of Prius this November,” Toyota Motor Thailand president Kyoichi Tanada said.

With less than two months left till the end of the year, major South-East Asian markets, such as Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines are gearing up for a stellar 2010 as far as their respective automotive industries are concerned.

Quick reminder to register for METALEX 2011 at BITEC, Bangkok - an interesting show for those who are involved in Automotive metalworking…..  You can register free online with 'special privileges' until 21 November 2011. Click here to register at METALEX

BANGKOK, Nov 11 - Thailand is maintaining its position as the "Detroit of Asia", beating all production records to produce about 1.7 million cars by year end and is now ranked as the 14th largest world auto producer, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI)'s Automotive Industry Club….

Last Friday evening, AFG Members and friends from the AUSTRADE Automotive Trade Mission enjoyed a truly excellent presentation with lots of information and insight about Thailands economic and political present and future. View or download the presentation on  Slideshare .

New vehicle sales in Thailand rose year-on-year for the 13 th  consecutive month in September. Sales were up 40.3% last month, reaching 68,261 vehicles, Toyota Motor Thailand said.

A calmer political atmosphere has returned in late 2010. No party has a clear mandate to enact new legislation or to provide us some insight into next year's election. The economy is also noticeably better, employment is strong, and the buoyant stock market makes us feel good. Yet, populist policies for energy and in a host of areas are continuing while infrastructure spending is not at the levels needed to increase the industrial and logistics competitiveness of Thailand.

… by The Thai Automotive Industry Association

The cabinet on Tuesday approved in principle for Thailand to propose for hosting Thailand World Expo in 2020, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) director Akrapol Sorasuchart said.

Great article from Khun Voranai our next speaker: The government would like to rebrand Thailand, in accordance with the slogan "Thailand in your mind". Citizens are invited to vote on four choices: Thailand as a country of open-minded people with a positive attitude, or as a country with local wisdom that is still open to the world, or as the place where business, culture and nature converge into one destination, or as a hub for investment and exemplary service.

The SET-listed auto-parts maker Somboon Advance Technology (SAT) is planning to invest 3.5 billion baht to expand its production over the next three years to serve expected high growth of the automotive industry.

Excerpt: Alexander Becker, executive assistant to the president of Continental's chassis and safety division, said the company plans to step up its presence in Thailand through new investment to build a new automotive parts plant. Its first engine plant in Thailand started in 2009. Continental wants to double its revenue in Thailand from 30 million euros at present to 60 million in 2015 partly through seeking closer access to Japanese customers such as Toyota and Honda to gain more market share. "Despite a (political) crisis over recent months, Thailand has shown a very good rate of economic growth and growing vehicle sales," said Dr Becker. "The eco-car programme is a very good strategy for developing the auto industry."

Thailand's gross domestic product ( GDP) in the 1st half of 2010 could increase 10 percent year on year, Bank of Thailand (BOT) governor Tarisa Watanagase said on Thursday, the Bangkok Post's website reported.

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Great presentation about history and future of the Chinese electric car industry….must read!

Ford Motor Co. said it will build a $450 million car factory in Thailand, its first wholly owned plant in the country, undeterred by fatal anti-government protests in Bangkok earlier this year.

Wallop Tiasiri, Director Thai Automotive Institute noted that one major hindrance blocking Thailand from this achievement is the labour shortage. To accommodate the higher capacity, the industry will need an additional 150,000 workers, he said…. After the institute's board meeting, chaired by Industry Permanent Secretary Witoon Simachokdee, Wallop said yes'terday that there was a consen'sus that the automotive industry will show continued expan\sion. While the capacity will rise to 2.95 million units in 2014, the actual output will hit 2.1 million, thanks to the invest'ment in five ecocar projects as well as expansion of other projects.

The SET-listed automotive parts maker Aapico Hitech Plc (AH) is planning a major expansion in China as it seeks to increase its revenue from the mainland to 3 billion baht in three years from the current 800 million.

BUSINESS WEEK: General Motors Co. boosted vehicle sales in Thailand 62 percent in April as political unrest failed to dent rising demand fueled by the nation’s growing economy.

Bangkok Post article via American Chronicle: The Thailand Automotive Institute plans roadshows to invite foreign parts manufacturers to use Thailand as a production base in an attempt to reduce parts imports by 80% within five years, says director Wallop Tiasiri.

Dr Iain Corness The very active Automotive Focus Group (AFG) on the Eastern Seaboard held its meeting before the Australian Chamber of Commerce meeting at the Pullman Pattaya Aisawan Resort. Check out the full review here .

BANGKOK, THAILAND -- 03/29/10 -- Thailand expects its auto parts industry to grow as demand for vehicles and auto parts increase in South East Asia.

Local auto-parts manufacturers are being forced out of business by increased competition from free-trade agreements including the Asean Free Trade Area. Fewer than 10% of local first-tier parts suppliers are wholly owned Thai companies at present compared with 80% a decade ago, said Prasartsilp On-Aht, president of the Thai Auto-Parts Manufacturers Association. "The only competitive advantage of the Thai auto-parts industry is skilled labour. The country lacks raw materials and technological know-how," said Mr Prasartsilp.

Thailand's automotive production rose 109.36 per cent on year in February, at the number of 127,849 units, according to the Federation of Thai Industries' Automotive Industry Club.

Via Jim Beeson:  Interesting report across all industries with good information about the state of the Automotive Industry….check it out

Mitsubishi Motors Corp., Japan's sixth-largest automaker, plans to increase production at a plant in Thailand this month to meet growing demand for its vehicles in Asia. The carmaker will add a shift at the plant, which makes cars including Pajero Sport SUVs and Triton pickup trucks, it said in a faxed statement today. It will add 1,300 workers at the factory, it said. Mitsubishi Motors made 5,603 vehicles with one shift at the factory in July, company spokesman Yuuki Murata said. The company didn't disclose how much it will increase production.

The launch of Nissan's new sub-B car next week marks yet another milestone in the history of Thai automotive industry.

Thanks to our member Randy Simmons for posting information about the new AFG board on the number one Heat Treat web site.  Please scroll down the page to see the news item.

The Automotive Focus Group Thailand (AFG) held their February meeting at the Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort , and featured an address by Kevin Gallaghan from Magnate Automotive, builders of what has been dubbed Thailand’s ‘supercar’ by some sections of the media. The February meeting was also the AGM, and president Mike Diamente (DANA) addressed the members, beginning by reporting how pleased he was to see the membership double during 2009, now being 60 members. He reported on the survey taken during 2009, with the main needs for the members (at that time) being labor relations, downsizing the correct way and keeping a hold on the cost of logistics. He also noted that although the AFG is associated with AustCham, there were three months in the year in which there were no Seaboard Sundowners and the AFG was able to arrange and organize its own venues very successfully, including the function rooms at the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya. One of the new services the AFG had given its member

Kevin Gallahan: "It wasn't the start of a company but the start of an idea." "Here we are today with a high technology, carbon composite chassis building a world class supercar in Thailand" "The cost of the prototype build has been as high as it would have been anywhere in the world." Did you know: The P 708 a collector's car – only 100 will be built. It's a true racing car. The price tag is around 15 Million Baht. For the technically minded, here are some specs: Height adjustment - front and rear Magnate SMART Instrument Panel Magnate Touch Screen Intelligence System w/ Engine Diagnostics and Security features Bi-Xenon lighting Apple iPhone Supplied Audio Air conditioning and heating Wheels: Forgeline 3 Pc. 20" X 12" rear, 20 x 9" front Engine: Magnate 7.0 liter Aluminum V8. @ 530 horsepower, (Optional Magnate 7.0 liter Twin Turbo 750 BHP / 730 lbs-ft of torque) - Custom 7.0 L aluminum block - Callies forged steel 4340 crankshaf

Join the AFG Meeting on 19 February when Kevin Gallaghan from MAGNATE Automotive will introduce his car company and the P708. A talk not to be missed!

The Eastern Seaboard’s Automotive Focus Group (AFG) held their first monthly meeting for 2010 at the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya’s function rooms. Now with around 60 members as at the end of 2009, the AFG does represent a sizable voice locally. Under the leadership of Mike Diamente (Dana), the AFG has grown in numbers, though the members present at the first meeting suggested that the group should attempt to expand even further to take in even more of the automotive manufacturers and parts and associated companies.

December closed out 2009 with sales of 72,085 new vehicles resulting in record hauls for the month in all major categories and the best year-ending performance in three years.

Local automobile production is projected to almost double in the first quarter this year in line with the recovering economy, says Surapong Phaisitpatthanapong, spokesman for Federation of Thai Industries' automobile industry club. Read the whole story here.

Car exports last month rose to 53,600 units or 23.86% year-on-year, Federation of Thai Industries' Automotive Industry Club spokesman Surapong Paisitpattanapong said. However,  auto exports in December dropped 58,665 units or 8.63 per cent from November. Last month's export value was 25.21 billion baht, up 41.81 per cent. Read the whole story here .

In 2009 Ford executives were highly visible in social media. From Twitter Q&As to open discussions on Ford’s Facebook Wall to blogger meet ups to guest blog posts. In 2010 Ford is dedicated to continuing to engage with online influencers, and Ford fans using social media channels.

You can submit a question to @HuffingtonPost for Ford CEO Alan Mulally who will be answering a few reader questions on Monday. What did YOU always want to ask Mr Mulally? Click here to learn more.

Toyota Australia expects market conditions to improve in 2010, as the economy continues to recover and help lift demand for cars. There are few negatives on the outlook for the year ahead, Toyota Australia senior executive director of sales and marketing David Buttner says.

A host of new small cars were Tuesday set to jostle for attention at the start of the Indian auto show, a showpiece event for compact vehicles in one of the world's fastest growing markets.

The cabinet yesterday deferred consideration of duty exemptions on parts imported for hybrid cars, pending a broader review of incentives for other types of fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles.

Asean integration should help not hinder Thai auto parts makers but the government needs to quickly clear hurdles to growth, say industry executives.