A boon in global demand of pickup trucks has resulted in Ford and Toyota having to incest a further USD27 million in their Thailand joint venture AutoAlliance Thailand (AAT), which will result in increased pickup production there by 20,000 units per year.
The facility currently produces the Mazda BT-50 pickup trucks for the domestic market and export markets around the world, as well as the all-new Ford Ranger, which has proven itself successful, especially in Australia.
The money invested in the joint venture plant will be used for facility upgrades such as additional robotic equipment and tooling to help increase line speed and output. The new capacity will start to come online next month.
“This new investment reinforces Ford Motor Company's long-term commitment to Thailand as a global production and export hub, and will allow us to meet the extraordinary demand for the all-new Ford Ranger,” said Peter Fleet, president, Ford ASEAN.
”This additional AAT investment is part of the strategic business partnership between Ford and Mazda,” said Yuji Nakamine, senior managing executive director of Mazda Motor Corporation. “Additionally, it allows us to continue to meet exceptionally strong demand for our all-new BT-50."
The money invested in the joint venture plant will be used for facility upgrades such as additional robotic equipment and tooling to help increase line speed and output. The new capacity will start to come online next month.
“This new investment reinforces Ford Motor Company's long-term commitment to Thailand as a global production and export hub, and will allow us to meet the extraordinary demand for the all-new Ford Ranger,” said Peter Fleet, president, Ford ASEAN.
”This additional AAT investment is part of the strategic business partnership between Ford and Mazda,” said Yuji Nakamine, senior managing executive director of Mazda Motor Corporation. “Additionally, it allows us to continue to meet exceptionally strong demand for our all-new BT-50."