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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.