Thailand auto output exceeds 2M

Thailand’s vehicle production this year has exceeded two million units for the first time in five decades, registering a new record that was boosted by big jumps in domestic sales and exports.

Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) President Payungsak Chartsuthipol called 2012 as the “golden year” of Thai automotive industry. He said the country currently has over 2,500 spare parts and automotive-related plants, hiring a competent labour force of more than 800,000 people.

“The club has now set itself a target of manufacturing three million units a year within five years,” he added.

During the first nine months of this year, factories in Thailand manufactured about 1.7 million vehicles, of which about 742,000 were exported.