1st ASEAN Automotive Summit 2015 highlights booming regional automotive industry

The ASEAN Automotive Summit had a successful launch in Bangkok, Thailand with business representatives and professionals interested in ASEAN's booming automotive industry in attendance from November 16-17, 2015.  The event gave delegates ample opportunities to learn about the industry and expand their network as they meet industry experts and other professionals.

The Summit was held in the wake of rising automotive production in the ASEAN region with countries experiencing rapid development in their respective automotive industry. The Philippines and Vietnam are expected to take over Malaysia in terms of car consumption by 2020. Indonesia is projected to add 50% to achieve production of  1.8 million units per year, resulting in additional capacity in ASEAN of at least 2 million units within this decade.  Thailand still is the main automotive production market in Southeast Asia, where leading automotive companies have their production facilities.  In the next five years, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore are projected to post higher annual growth rates than countries in North America and Europe. This growth will in turn raise the demand for auto production technologies, automation equipment and raw materials.

The conference gave delegates an excellent opportunity to establish new relationships within Asia and across Asia that can lead to new business opportunities. The 1st ASEAN Automotive Summit 2015 was organized by Thai AutoBook & TEBA (Thai European Business Association) and supported by Ringier Trade Media Ltd. (Conferences and Events).

Interesting topics discussed by experts
The two-day program addressed the most important issues affecting the automotive industry, particularly on how to increase customer base and how to use Industry 4.0 and other advanced technologies to meet the requirements of the world market.  Industry experts served as resource persons who shared their insights on market and industry trends, and developments affecting the automotive industry in the ASEAN region.

On the first day, topics included: The Internationalization for Thailand’s Auto Industry by           Uli Kaiser, Thai European Business Association (TEBA); Automotive Industry Roadmap 2020 by Somchai Harnhirun , Department of Industry; Update on Thailand Automotive Masterplan by  Vichai Jirathiyut, Thailand Automotive Institute (TAI); Powertrain – Clean Power for the Future by  Jörg Laatsch, Continental Automotive; A Premier Business Matching Opportunity by Kelvinder Singh, Volkswagen Group; Automotive Press Equipment by  Shieh Yih; How to do business with BMW by Carsten Müller-Deiters, BMW; French Automotive Industry Opportunities by Cyril Batreau, Business France.

On the second day, topics included: From Regional to Global Player - How to Upgrade Thailand by  Segsarn Trai-Ukos, Michelin; Industry 4.0 by  Martin Tonko, Roland Berger; How to do business with European clients by  Techapit Ampaipant, PCS Group; How to do business with BOSCH – local and international by Klaus Landhaeusser, Bosch ASEAN; Thailand’s Pickup Trucks  - A global success story by Isuzu Thailand representative; New Technologies for Automotive  World Class Manufacturing by Uli Kaiser, EMAG Group; Industry 4.0 Study & Business Mission 2016 by Holger Schober, Hiteco.

Pre-arranged meetings with potential customers, suppliers and service partners were also organized throughout the event.  For more information about the 1st ASEAN Automotive Summit 2015, click here...