U.S. car giant adds US$186M in Thailand plant

In a move to meet Asia-Pacific customer demand for its Ford Ranger pickup truck, Ford is expanding production of the vehicle to its FTM facility from its joint-venture AutoAlliance Thailand (AAT) operation, which will continue to be Ford’s main Asia-Pacific production operation.

 

The AAT facility is projected to operate near maximum capacity, so Ford Ranger production is being added to the FTM factory production line in Rayong, which currently manufactures the Focus, Fiesta, and EcoSport models. The FTM facility has the capacity to produce upwards of180,000 vehicles per year.

 

The new Ford Ranger was unveiled in March of 2015 to rave reviews and high regional demand. The Ranger is sold in more than 180 global markets that include the Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam, Europe, and New Zealand, and continues to gain market share of the pickup truck category in the Asia-Pacific.

 

The 750,000 sq. meter assembly plant in Rayong is a fully integrated facility that houses the world’s fastest stamping presses and the latest automated robot technology. The FTM operation utilizes environmentally friendly practices which include the use of low eco impact 3-Wet paint technology, a water waste treatment facility, natural ventilation, energy efficient lighting, local materials, and recycled materials.

 

According to the Bangkok Post, Mark Kaufman, Ford’s president for ASEAN, was quoted as saying, “Thailand’s commitment to the continued growth of its world-class car industry gave Ford the opportunity to further leverage the country’s skilled workforce and market expertise as well as the strategic footprint Ford had already established in Thailand.”