Thailand a profile

The future :
With increasing experience form overseas that Thailand is aiming to become a world-class autoparts producer.
The country has a huge advantage with its rubber and plastics. It is the World's largest producer of rubber and the past few years has seen petrochemicals and plastics become a prime industrial sector.

Thailand has in fact emerged as the center of plastic injection molding in Southeast Asia. Pick-up trucks and motorcycle sales have helped spur this growth, with production volumes allowing economy Thailand's autoparts and components industry of scale. Much of the complex blending and synthetic rubber technologies needed in the auto sector are coming from several joint ventures companies.

The casting industry is well developed, and the quality of cast products for the OEM and REM markets is high, due to the transfer of foreign technology. The majority of parts produced are brake drums, disc rotors, hubs, brackets and clutch housings. Engine blocks and cylinder heads are also produced locally, as are exhaust manifolds and flywheels, while ball joints, universal joints, push rods and other forged parts are made for the OEM and REM sectors.

Joint venture companies dominate in the electrical parts sector. Producing wiring harnesses, alternators, motors, electric signal lamps and spark plugs, while local suppliers of safety glass for windshield and labor-intensive products such as seat assemble door trims floor mats rear view mirrors, steering wheels, gear shift holders and spotlights are enjoying strong exports especially to Europe ad Australia.

The Board of Investment (BOI) has meanwhile designed incentive packages to att4act foreign investors in the autoparts sector, and full promotion status is being offered to manufacturers of engine parts, transmissions, Brakes, steering and suspension systems, radiators, fuel tanks, filters, wiring harnesses, gaskets, and leaf springs. Tax incentives are also being offered to 14 specified support industries including mold and die making, jigs, tooling, heat and surface treatments, and engineering plastics.