From the initial capacity of 150,000 units per year, up to 85 percent of the plant’s production will be for markets outside Thailand.
“This investment underscores our long term commitment to Thailand, and its role as a global production and export hub for Ford,” said Joe Hinrichs, president, Ford Asia Pacific and Africa. “The decision to build our new plant was supported by Thailand’s world-class automotive industry, and logistics and export infrastructure.”
The new assembly plant in Thailand will spread over 750,000 sqm and will include body assembly, paint, trim and final assembly operations. The paint shop will use Ford’s environmentally friendly 3-Wet technology paint process. The plant also will feature an on-site wastewater treatment facility, energy-efficient lighting and use of day-lighting, natural ventilation, as well as the use of local and recycled materials.
“This new Thai facility will strictly adhere to Ford’s global policy that our operations, products, and services accomplish their functions in a manner that responsibly protects health and the environment,” said Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president for Sustainability, Environment & Safety Engineering.
Of course, this will not go without any benefits for the local market, as the new facility has the ability to create up to 11,000 new jobs (2,200 direct and 8,800 indirect jobs), when it will reach annual capacity of 150,000 units.
“Thailand's commitment to the continued growth of its world-class auto industry has given Ford the opportunity to further leverage the skilled local work force and market expertise, as well as the strategic footprint that we have already established in Thailand,” Hinrichs said.
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