Thread: Ford mulls $1-bn investment in Thailand

Ford mulls $1-bn investment in Thailand

Ford Motor Co is still considering Thailand as its location to establish a US$1-billion (Bt35.8 billion) small-car production facility in Asia, a spokesman for a regional unit based in the country said yesterday.



The company said in its statement that Thailand was one of the top prospects, even though Ford executives said earlier that it might scrap the decision to come to Thailand due to capital-control measures imposed on foreign investment in December.

Ford yesterday issued a statement saying that "Ford is committed to building its business in the region, and we have been investigating the possible establishment of an additional manufacturing facility in Thailand".

The global auto-maker said Thailand had the potential to become a base for small-car production while maintaining its position as a leading producer of pickup trucks, but the company was still talking to the government about its investment plans and possible incentives.

It is important for any small-car investment to be included in the Thai government's final criteria for fuel-efficient cars and given any incentives and privileges, the statement said.

The company's statement came after reports that Ford might reconsider its investment plan in the country. Steve Biegun, Ford's Washington-based vice president for international government affairs, was quoted as saying that the company might scrap the planned investment due to the capital-control measures.

In response, Commerce Minister Krirk-krai Jirapaet said on Thursday said that he was perplexed. "But it's up to their decision. They might have other information to consider," he said.

Krirk-krai said that Ford's executives told him that the company would decide on the location of the new facility in April.
Ford said in its statement yesterday that the planned facilities would have a capacity of 150,000 vehicles a year, of which 120,000 would be for export.
Dow Jones Newswires

The Thai car tax policy has always been crazy. why the fuck is a 2L car cheaper than a 1L??????

hello?? Thailand IMPORTS ALL ITS OIL!!! You would think that more fuel efficient cars would be encouraged ( especially in Bangkok )

^I don't know mate, i saw 9 in a tuk-tuk outside Chula last friday

Originally Posted by Dougal

...cars are marketed everywhere as status symbols to a greater or lesser degree. Thailand is both a very class concious society ...

Very true - and there's nothing funnier than seeing a huge 3 litre pickup or Fortuner pull up and a short-arsed Thai climb down out of it.

Originally Posted by William

Commerce Minister Krirk-krai Jirapaet said on Thursday said that he was perplexed. "... They might have other information to consider," he said.

I read that as "Wait until we've talked about the bung".

Originally Posted by friscofrankie

How many construction and factory jobs will now go to China because of the country's anti-foreign business policies?

Who gives a shit if the whole country goes skint?

I dont.

Originally Posted by Helicopter

Originally Posted by friscofrankie

How many construction and factory jobs will now go to China because of the country's anti-foreign business policies?

Who gives a shit if the whole country goes skint?

I dont.

I agree. I will be cheaper for me then.