Sammitr Motors unveils steel pickup canopies for the export markets

Yongyout Posirisuk, president of SMM, whose sales turnover is around Bt5 billion annually, said the steel canopies were branded “TL1” or Thailand-1, representing the firm’s first product aimed at the global market.
“The US is the world’s largest market for pickup trucks, with around 2 million units sold annually. Thailand is second with about 500,000 units. Other major markets include Australia, Europe and Africa, whereas China is also becoming a significant market for pickup trucks,” Yongyout said.
He said the TL1 canopies were a breakthrough in innovation for pickup-truck accessories, developed in cooperation with Australian research centre AutoCRC.
The breakthrough lies in design and materials that create a lighter but stronger and more aerodynamic canopy that saves fuel worth up to Bt30,000 over a three-year period, the company claims.
Ratana Stiramon, SMM’s overseas business director, said the steel canopies were better than fibreglass and plastic alternatives in terms of value for money over the long term.
“In Australia, we retail the canopies at 2,500-2,700 Australian dollars [Bt65,000-Bt70,000] each via our subsidiary’s outlets. It’s the largest export market at present, accounting for 30 per cent of total worldwide shipments, which are now 70 per cent of our sales. The Thai market represents the remaining 30 per cent.
“We’ll build up from last year’s sales of around Bt300 million. We have launched the TL1 following Toyota’s recent launch of its latest Revo truck models in Thailand and abroad. Our canopies are compatible with the Toyota models as an integral component with a three-year or 100,000-kilometre warranty. They’re also compatible with Isuzu, Ford and [Volkswagen] models.
“The Australian market for pickup trucks is around 50,000 units annually, which are mainly those imported from Thailand’s Toyota and Ford plants.
“In Europe, we also have a subsidiary for the canopy business, where the market for pickup trucks is also around 50,000 units. We’ve also worked with trading firm Toyota Tsusho in the African market.
“Next year, we will start exporting the products to the US, targeting compact trucks. Besides good value for money, we’ve highlighted the recyclability of steel canopies, which are more environmentally friendly,” she said.
Meanwhile, Yongout said the SMM group, which was founded in 1959, was preparing to apply for a listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand next year.
“For SMM, [a big] chunk of revenue comes from trailers and other heavy-truck components, accounting for 65 per cent of total sales, followed by the OEM [original equipment manufacturing] business that supplies chassis, body frames and other parts for trucks and passenger cars. That’s another 25 per cent.
“Regarding pickup-truck accessories under the new flagship TL1 brand, we aim to achieve sales representing 10 per cent of the total.
“For heavy-truck and trailer components, we’re the largest indigenous producer in Asean, with a monthly capacity to produce 1,200 units plus R&D [research and development] and manufacturing facilities in China.
“The demand for truck and trailer components in [the Asean Economic Community] is expected to continue growing in coming years due to land-transport connectivity between Thailand and neighbouring countries such as southern China, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia.
“In Thailand, we have the biggest market share for truck and trailer components, but the market has slowed somewhat this year. We hope it will pick up next year due to increasing investor and consumer confidence,” he said.