Mitsubishi’s auto exports from Thailand reach 4 million
After first exporting the Lancer Champ compact car to Canada in 1988, Mitsubishi’s auto exports from Thailand have now reached the 4-million-unit milestone.
Mitsubishi, which has three auto assembly plants in Thailand at the Laem Chabang deepsea port in Chon Buri, along with an engine plant in Sriracha, produced 440,000 vehicles in the Kingdom last year (including knock-down units), with 347,000 of them being exported.
“The Asean region centred on Thailand is one of the important areas for Mitsubishi Motors,” Osamu Masuko, chairman of Mitsubishi Motors Corp (MMC), said at a ceremony held to celebrate the 4-millionth exported vehicle, a Triton pickup bound for Europe.
“In addition to contributing to the region through businesses such as providing products that meet each country’s demands, employment, human resources development, investment as well as local production and export, we have been contributing to local societies through our corporate citizenship activities,” he said. “We will continue to expand our activities in the Asean region to further contribute to solving social issues.”
Morikazu Chokki, president and CEO, Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co Ltd, said: “In line with our global strategy, we will continue to explore and bring new technologies to Thailand’s automotive industry. For customers here in Thailand and more than 120 countries around the world, our products will continue to excite with versatility, driving confidence and functionality.
“We will remain equally committed to Thailand as we move on to achieve bigger milestones together with suppliers, business partners, and our staff.”
Mitsubishi Motors started its operations in Thailand back in 1961 and in 1988 became the first auto maker to export Thai-built vehicles.
Current Mitsubishi exports from Thailand include the Triton pickup truck (70 per cent), Mirage and Attrage subcompact cars (22 per cent), Pajero Sport PPV (5 per cent) and others (3 per cent).
Mitsubishi has also been enjoying strong growth in the domestic market, with sales surging almost 40 per cent to 20,227 vehicles during the first six months of 2019. In June alone, it sold 3,490 vehicles for 32.9 per cent growth.