Mazda begins production of All-new Mazda2 in Thailand

2015 Mazda2

HIROSHIMA, Japan : September 17, 2014 - Mazda Motor Corporation announced that production of the all-new Mazda2 (known as Mazda Demio in Japan) began today at its Thai production facility, Auto Alliance (Thailand) (AAT). The all-new Mazda2 currently being produced at AAT is bound for Australia.

Continue reading ..

MAZDA BEGINS CONSTRUCTION OF NEW TRANSMISSION PLANT IN THAILAND

A rendering of the plant at completion

HIROSHIMA, Japan : July 5, 2013 - Mazda Motor Corporation held a groundbreaking ceremony today at the construction site of its new transmission plant in Thailand's Chonburi province, Mazda Powertrain Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (MPMT). Approximately 50 people attended the ceremony including Senior Executive Investment Advisor from the Thailand Board of Investment, Ajarin Pattanapanchai; Governor of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, Verapong Chaiperm; President of Kajima Corporation, Mitsuyoshi Nakamura; Mazda's Representative Director and Vice Chairman of the Board, Seita Kanai and the president of MPMT, Hidenori Kawakami.

Continue reading ..

MAZDA TO BUILD TRANSMISSION PLANT IN THAILAND

Mazda SKYACTIV-DRIVE Transmission 

HIROSHIMA, Japan : January 30, 2013 - Mazda Motor Corporation will construct a transmission plant with an annual production capacity of approximately 400,000 units in the Chonburi Province of Thailand representing an investment of 26 billion yen. Mazda has decided to establish the plant in order to respond to increasing demand for models featuring SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY and to strengthen its global production footprint. Operations at the new plant will commence in the first half of the fiscal year ending March 2016.

Continue reading ..

Mazda and Ford invest additional us$27 million in Autoalliance Thailand to boost pickup production capacity

•  New investment made to meet extraordinary global demand for all-new pickup trucks
• New production capacity comes online from next month
• AAT’s pickup line was upgraded in 2011 for production of the all-new Mazda BT-50 and all-new Ford Ranger

HIROSHIMA : April 26, 2012 - Mazda Motor Corporation and Ford Motor Company today announced an additional investment of US$27 million (approximately THB 837 million) in their AutoAlliance (Thailand) (AAT) joint venture to upgrade production equipment and increase pickup truck production capacity by 20,000 units per year.

Continue reading ..

Mitsubishi and Thai Government agree on jointstudy for testing of The i-MiEV for the popularisation of electric vehicles in Thailand

2010 Mitsubishi iMiEV

BANGKOK : December 13, 2010 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and the government of Thailand announced today that they agreed to start joint study for fleet testing of electric vehicles (EV). MMC, through its local producer and distributor Mitsubishi Motors Thailand (MMTh), will begin initiatives for future market introduction of the i-MiEV new-generation EV.

Continue reading ..

Honda exhibits world premiere of Honda BRIO prototype, developed for Asian Markets at the 27th Thailand International Motor Expo 2010

2011 Honda BRIO Prototype

BANGKOK, Thailand - November 30, 2010 - Honda debuted the world premiere of a prototype of Honda BRIO, the new small-sized vehicle developed for Asian markets and scheduled to be introduced in Thailand and India in 2011, at the 27th Thailand International Motor Expo starting November 30, 2010 (press day: November 30, public days: December 1-12.)

Continue reading ..

Nissan Motor Thailand announces start of production for all-new March

2010 Nissan Micra/March - New vehicle will lead Thailand's eco-car segment

BANGKOK, Thailand : March 12, 2010 - Nissan Motor (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (NMT) today celebrated the start of production for the all-new Nissan March, a global compact vehicle. More than 200 guests and employees were at the kick-off event, which included representatives from the Thai government, including Trirong Suwanakiri, deputy prime minister.


Officially launching March 26 at the Bangkok International Motor Show 2010, the Nissan March will be the first model offered for sale under Thailand's "eco-car" program, created to encourage the development of energy-efficient vehicles.

To receive eco-car designation, requirements for low fuel consumption and emissions must be met, as well as passenger safety standards for front and side impact under the stringent standards of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE regulation 94 and 95). The Thai eco-car program is an initiative of the Ministry of Industry's Board of Investment, which was successful in establishing Thailand as a manufacturing hub for pickup trucks.

"With an increasing vehicle population in Thailand and valid concerns about higher pollution levels in cities across the country, we're introducing a product that will have fewer CO₂ emissions and less environmental impact," said Toshiyuki Shiga, COO of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. "Very importantly, too, producing and selling the eco-friendly Nissan March in Thailand, as well as exporting it to other countries in the Asian and Oceania markets, will create jobs and contribute to the country's progressive auto industry development," added Shiga, who attended the event.

The start of production for March positions NMT as a center for excellence in manufacturing, R&D and customer care. Thailand will join China, India and Mexico as one of Nissan's global manufacturing hubs for Nissan March (known as the Micra in Europe and other countries), which ultimately will be offered in 160 world markets.

Nissan March is built on a new versatile platform, the V-platform, and is designed to have broad appeal to customers in both developed and emerging markets. The designers in Japan worked to create a vehicle that would convey agility and robustness in the design. On this, they delivered. As well, March is a reliable, stylish and eco-friendly car for people who enjoy everyday driving. The compact hatchback, with its affable appearance, also is engineered for easy handling and sprightly performance, while realizing class-leading fuel efficiency. The newly developed March powertrain features a 1.2-liter, 3-cylinder engine with an output of 79PS (108Nm) and 120g/km CO₂ emissions (under UNECE regulation 101). March is available with a five-speed manual transmission or an all-new continuous variable transmission (CVT).

"The all-new March will simplify city life," said Toru Hasegawa, NMT president. "March is a smart eco-car for people who enjoy their daily drives. New March drivers in Thailand will be pleased as well with the car's modern and roomy interior and the many user-friendly technologies. It's really the right car at the right time for this market."

Dealers will accept customer bookings for Nissan March starting tomorrow, and vehicle delivery will start within a few weeks for the five-speed manual transmission version. Delivery of the March with CVT will begin in early June.

Priced from 375,000 baht to 537,000 baht, March will be sold through the NMT dealer network across Thailand.

As part of its mid-term business plan (named "Revolution 2012") announced last October, NMT has targeted a more than 10 percent market share for Thailand. The company expects to achieve this mainly through the success of the eco-car project, launch of at least one new vehicle every year through 2012 and continuing quality improvements in the sales network. NMT FY2009 sales are expected to total 34,000 units, an increase of 22 percent versus FY2008. The company plans to sell 48,000 vehicles in FY2010, including 20,000 units of March.

Images : 2010 Nissan Micra/March

[Source : NISSAN]

Suzuki starts building automobile plant in Thailand

RAYONG, Thailand : November 25, 2009 - Suzuki Motor Corporation is moving forward with its plans to take part in Thailand’s eco-car project. Suzuki received Thai approval for eco-car production in December 2007. The company put its plans on hold but then got the Thai go-ahead to start building an automobile plant. It will hold a ground-breaking ceremony at the Hemaraj Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate in Rayong Province on 30 November 2009.


Suzuki plans to invest 20 billion yen in construction of an automobile plant that will have facilities for pressing, welding, painting, assembly, and engine production. It plans to start producing eco-cars at the plant in March 2012.

Suzuki is also set to reorganize its Thai automobile sales operations. It currently markets automobiles in Thailand through its local sales subsidiary, Suzuki Automobile (Thailand), but plans to gradually shift sales operations to its local production company, Suzuki Automobile Manufacturing (Thailand).

[Source : SUZUKI]

Mazda Commences Production of Mazda2 at New Passenger Car Plant in Thailand

2010 Mazda 2 - Thailand Edition

HIROSHIMA : October 8, 2009 — Mazda Motor Corporation today announced that it has commenced production of the Mazda2 (known as Mazda Demio in Japan) at the new passenger car plant at AutoAlliance Thailand Co., Ltd. (AAT), a joint venture manufacturing facility with Ford Motor Company. Mazda2 units produced at AAT will be sold mainly in the ASEAN markets.


To celebrate the start of production, AAT today held a ceremony at the new passenger car plant in Rayong’s Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate. The ceremony was attended by executive officers from Mazda’s head office in Japan, including Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer Masazumi Wakayama and Managing Executive Officer Yuji Nakamine.

The Thai-produced Mazda2 will be one of Mazda’s core products in the ASEAN region, with ASEAN sales targeted at approximately 20,000 units per year.

“The Thai-produced Mazda2 will be a key element in Mazda’s future growth in the ASEAN region, which is continuing to see growing demand for small cars. We consider that the Mazda2 model will also play a pivotal role in Mazda’s global strategy,” said Mazda’s Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer, Masazumi Wakayama, before the ceremony.

“Since its launch, the Mazda2 has received more than 50 awards globally, including Car of the Year in over 20 countries. In 2008, Mazda2 was named World Car of the Year, acclaimed for its beautiful design, sporty driving performance, and outstanding eco-friendly features,” added Wakayama. “I firmly believe that the Mazda2 being built at our state-of-the-art facility in Thailand will make an immense contribution toward establishing the Mazda brand in ASEAN markets and will be our main driving force in the region as we go forward.”

[Source : MAZDA]

Nissan Unveils Sketch of its Future Global Compact Car

New Global Nissan Compact Car

YOKOHAMA : October 1, 2009) - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today revealed the sketch of its global compact car. This model will be initially launched in Thailand in March 2010 and will be available in more than 150 countries.

At the same time, Nissan Motor (Thailand) Co., Ltd. announced that the model will qualify as Thailand’s first “Eco-car.” Thai Eco-car government policy is effective today and will help promote the development of energy efficient vehicles.

[Source : NISSAN]

New Ford Escape E20 hits Thailand market with new 4x2 XLT Model

2010 Ford Escape 4x2 XLT E20 - Thailand & Asian Market

• The new Ford Escape E20 family, which offers better driver’s visibility, arrives in the market with the new 2.3L VVT engine while introducing the 4x2 XLT version with full options equal to the 4x4 model. Special price is pegged at Bt1.179 million.
• The new Ford Escape E20 4x2 XLT comes fully-equipped with state-of-the-art safety features that include four airbags, ABS and EBD, as well as special amenities previously exclusive only to the 4x4 model, such as 6-CD changer, 6 speakers, steering wheel audio control, sunroof, automatic climate control and cruise control system
• Diamond White is the latest color option specially tailored for the Escape 4x2 to enhance its contemporary, stylish appeal while complimenting its bold SUV image

BANGKOK, September 1, 2009 – Ford Thailand today unveiled the Ford Escape E20 4x2 XLT edition – setting a new benchmark by boasting superior safety and comfort features previously found only in 4x4 models. The latest in its Ford Escape E20 lineup, the 4x2 XLT embodies the real SUV spirit and ruggedness, with better driver’s vision, making it the ideal SUV for both the city and highways.


Saroj Kiatfuengfoo, senior vice president, Ford Thailand, said, “The new Ford Escape E20 is a true SUV with distinctive form and function that will best address the needs of modern drivers with active lifestyles. Its bold sporty design is matched with a spirited SUV performance."

"We are adding the 4x2 XLT version to our E20-capable Escape lineup, which comes with full options that are equal to those offered in the top model. We are also introducing a new color, Diamond White, to celebrate the launch of the 4x2 model,” added Kiatfuengfoo.

The new Ford Escape E20 continues to offer spirited SUV performance, ruggedness, power, and responsiveness without compromising fuel efficiency. It also offers better driver’s visibility and more contemporary design that best address urban lifestyles.

The new 4x2 XLT model has a comprehensive range of equipment, including four air bags, sunroof, cruise control, automatic climate control, 6-CD changer with 6 speakers and a steering wheel audio control, fog light, rear spoiler, parking sensor, power adjusting side mirrors, leather seat and steering wheel cover, 16-inch alloy wheels and 215/70 R16 tires.

Both 4x2 XLS and 4x2 XLT models will be available in the bold new exciting color – Diamond White – while all other models are available in four classic favorites: Moondust Silver, Chill, Ocean Blue and Panther Black.

The new Ford Escape E20 is powered by a 2.3L Duratec VVT engine that offers impressive performance and fuel efficiency without compromising drivability and safety standards. The new model is packed with Ford Escape’s superior standard features – power accelerator, MacPherson Strut front suspension with stabilizer bar and multi-link rear suspension that enables confident ride and handling.

Safety has also been enhanced, thanks to the inclusion of a uni-body, or monocoque structure, for maximum protection of the passenger cabin, front seat airbags as standard and side airbags for driver and front passenger in the 4x2 XLT and 4x4 XLT versions. Other safety features include safety belts with pretensioner and Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD).

“The new Ford Escape E20 keeps Escape’s uniqueness alive. It offers a superior ride, powerful engine, impressive suspension and elevated seating for better visibility. It is the real SUV that best addresses diverse modern lifestyles and makes any journey pleasant,” said Kiatfuengfoo.

The new Ford Escape E20 models are available at special pricing to celebrate the new launch:

• Ford Escape E20 XLS 2.3L 4x2 AT: Bht1,099,000
• Ford Escape E20 XLT 2.3L 4x2 AT: Bht1,179,000
• Ford Escape E20 XLT 2.3L 4x4 AT: Bht1,279,000

Images : 2010 Ford Escape 4x2 XLT E20 Thailand & Asian Market

[Source : FORD]