Nissan invests Bt11bn in Thailand

Upon completion, the new plant, which will create 2,000 new jobs, will expand its capacity by 75,000 units per annum. The annual capacity could be further expanded to 150,000 units.

In a statement issued by Nissan Motor in Japan, Thailand is highlighted as a major Nissan export hub in Asean. This new investment will support Nissan's growth strategy in the region and will complement the existing Nissan Motor (Thailand) Co Ltd (NMT) facility. Ahead of the Asean Economic Community which is integrating the regional market, several Japanese makers are pouring investment into Thailand. The strong yen against US dollar has been cited as one factor that encourages investment out of Japan. 

"The new facility will keep Thailand as our largest manufacturing center in the ASEAN region," said Hiroto Saikawa, executive vice president, Nissan Motor. "This investment is an important component to achieve the goals of our corporate mid-term business plan, Nissan Power 88 - to increase market share and sustain business growth in this very important region.

"Adding 150,000 units of production capacity will not only enable us to raise our competitiveness in the domestic market, but will ensure Thailand's position as a key strategic global export hub for Nissan," he added.

Currently, Nissan has one assembly facility that produces passenger cars and pickup trucks. It is located on Bangna-Trat Road Km 21 in Samut Prakarn province. The plant employs 6,000 people and has an annual production capacity of 220,000 units.

The new plant will also be located on Bangna-Trat Road and will serve the growing demands for Nissan vehicles in both the domestic and regional markets. Once the second facility is operating at full capacity, the company will have a combined production capacity of 370,000 units per year.

"This investment is a key factor in achieving our target of 15 percent market share in Thailand by 2016, as outlined in our local mid-term business plan, Power Up 2016," said Takayuki Kimura, president of NMT. "Strengthening our operations here confirms Nissan's commitment to and confidence in the Thai market. I am also excited that this new plant will add 2,000 new jobs to the Thai economy."

Nissan, which established its local business entity in 1952, was the first Japanese automobile company in Thailand. During the last 60 years, the company has played a significant role in shaping the Thai auto industry. Today, seven models are offered in the Thai market – the Nissan Teana, Sylphy, Tiida, Almera, March, X-Trail and Navara.