Automotive News China: Chinese GEELY buys Australian DSI Transmission Company

Zhejiang Geely Holdings Group says it will bring the technology of its new acquisition Australian Drivetrain Systems International back to China to sell automatic transmissions to carmakers in the domestic market.

"We'll also look to source low cost parts for DSI in China," the carmaker said in a statement.

Thailand to launch National Flying Eco-Car Project

AFG BLOG EXCLUSIVE: 

Obviously Thailand wants to take over to become the leading Asian Carmaking Country while Japan struggles to restart it's damaged factories and China's car industry is clearly doomed as they are waiting for earthquake proof new nuclear reactors from Germany, which yesterday decided to shut down their nuclear power plant production industry in the wake of this months events:
Thai Automotive Industry spokesman Kanote Fleisabei announced the new Government Car project which has been jointly developed by leading Thai Automotive Suppliers at a meeting with AFG blog writer Uli Kaiser in Bangkok.
"This exciting program will put our country at the forefront of technology allowing personal airborne transit. Technologywise we go totally green combining new breakthrough hybrid palmoil-tapioca engine technology with a chassis  built 100% from coconut and it's byproducts, meaning: we save the planet and also fly quickly around Thailand instead of waiting in the traffic jam." 

The design team in Saraburi has finished the first prototype of the FLYBYNITE model currently tested in Londons traffic. Future developments include the flying pick up truck and a flying motorcycle for Pattaya's congested streets.

The Flybynite Prototype developed in Saraburi spotted doing test flight in London

Bangkok Post: Tesla unveils groundbreaking electric car

US automaker Tesla Motors unveiled Thursday its state-of-the-art five-seat sedan, billed as the world's first mass-produced, highway-capable electric car.

Japan could cause auto supply chain rethink

DEARBORN, Michigan (Reuters) – The parts shortages and resulting production shutdowns caused by the Japanese earthquake and tsunami could cause the global auto industry to rethink how it sets up its supply lines, a top industry economist said on Tuesday.
"What this says is that there might be some cracks, some inefficiencies, some unplanned-for problems not only in nuclear power plants, but in our global supply system for the auto industry," Sean McAlinden, chief economist for the Center for Automotive Research, said at a conference here.

MUST READ!

Japan disaster to hinder Thailand's car production

Thailand may be expected to pick up the slack of the stricken auto industry following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan but car company executives from the Southeast Asian country say they were also affected by the double disaster.

According to Prachin Eamlumnow, chairman of Grand Prix International Co. Ltd. that organizes the Bangkok International Motor Show, Thailand's automotive manufacturing industry will feel the effect of the Japan disaster for about three months starting this April.

World Bank: Japan rebuild may take 5 years

Japan may need five years to rebuild from the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that has caused up to $US235 billion of damage, the World Bank said on Monday.

The March 11 disaster - which killed more than 18,000 people and ravaged northeastern Japan - will likely shave up to 0.5 percentage point from the country's economic growth this year, the bank said in a report. The impact will be concentrated in the first half of the year, it said.

MANILA BULLETIN: Japanese car assemblers facing supply problem

MANILA, Philippines – The country’s automotive assemblers have advised the Board of Investments (BoI) they may face supply problem should Japan’s supply chain cannot get back on their feet in a month’s time.

TMP vice president Rommel Gutierrez said these Japanese CBU imports from Japan account for 10 percent of its total sales. Although some of TMP’s auto parts for its CKD assembly here are imported from Thailand, some tier 2 and 3 assembly parts are imported from Japan.

Asean the prime candidate for relocation

Southeast Asia will be the destination of a new wave of Japanese investment as the world's third-largest economy has to rethink its industrial strategy, as well as its energy policies, says Sompop Manarungsan, president of the Panyapiwat Institute of Technology.

Thailand Sees Promising Growth in Auto Parts Industry

BANGKOK, THAILAND -- 03/29/10 -- Thailand expects its auto parts industry to grow as demand for vehicles and auto parts increase in South East Asia.

JAPAN 'QUAKE: ASEAN affected by parts supply disruptions

Thailand’s automotive industry expects to resume normal production after the Thai New Year holidays on 18 April, after overtime was suspended at many vehicle assembly plants in the country in the immediate aftermath of Japan’s devastating earthquakes and tsunamis.

The Federation of Thai Industries estimates lost production to date at around 10,000 vehicles, as the industry cut overtime in anticipation of potential parts supply shortages in Japan. The federation expects this number will eventually amount to tens of thousands of units as supply chain disruption forces more downtime. It estimates the current production loss at around 5,000 vehicles per week.

M&C: South-east Asia's auto industry sees gain from Japan's pain

Bangkok/Jakarta - South-east Asia's integrated automotive assembly line has suffered a slight hiccup from Japan's earthquake disaster, but the disruption may benefit the region's auto industry in the long term, industry sources said.

Thailand's auto industry unphazed by Japan Disaster

Thailand’s auto industry will continue growing higher than previously expected this year although Japan, which is the major manufacturer and distributor of auto parts, has taken a huge toll from the recent earthquake, according to a top Thai industry executive.

Click here for the full story.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm says GM CEO Rick Wagoner was made 'sacrificial lamb' for auto bailout

DETROIT -- The Obama administration has told General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC to rewrite viability plans, blueprints that in GM's case do not include Chairman Rick Wagoner continuing to run the troubled automaker.

Just in case you haven't read this: Statement from Rick Wagoner about his resignation as CEO of General Motors Corp.

Statement from Rick Wagoner:
On Friday I was in Washington for a meeting with Administration officials. In the course of that meeting, they requested that I "step aside" as CEO of GM, and so I have....

China/Germany: Dongfeng eyes stake in Getrag – report

China's Dongfeng is planning to buy 30% in Germany's GETRAG….here go the crown jewels...

CNW: Risk is biggest in Thailand

…..In fact, Asia (including Japan) now produces more than 55 per cent of all new vehicles assembled globally, up from only 30 per cent a decade ago.  On a per vehicle basis, the risk is greatest in Thailand, with each assembled vehicle containing more than US$1,714 of Japanese-made auto parts. In fact, Japan accounts for more than 57 per cent of all auto parts destined to Thailand - a nation that produced 1.6 million cars and trucks last year, a level rapidly approaching the 2 million units assembled in Canada last year. Taiwan also imports more than half of all its auto parts from Japan, while shipments to the Philippines and China exceed 40 per cent of their overall auto parts imports….

Click here for full story.

THE NATION: Watch out for Indonesia, warns industrialist

Thailand's automotive industry is likely to face fierce competition from Indonesia once domestic production there reaches a certain level, but foreign investment will keep pouring into Thailand, given policy stability and continuity, according to automotive industrialists.

Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, executive vice president of Thai Summit Group, the country's leading auto-parts manufacturer, said yesterday that it was possible for Indonesia to become the biggest automotive manufacturing base in Southeast Asia before the end of 2019.

Click here for the full story.

STAR ONLINE: VW to make Pekan regional hub, plans to make 30,000 vehicles by 2018

WOLFSBURG (GERMANY): DRB-HICOM Bhd's tie-up with German automotive giant Volkswagen AG (VW) to manufacture VW cars at the former's plant in Pekan, Pahang is expected to create 800 new jobs within the next two years.

International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, who met representatives from VW AG here on Monday, said the German car company expected to produce more than 30,000 (VW) vehicles at the plant by 2018.

Click here for the story.

Business World Online: Bangkok matters

….arguably, motor shows are legion when it comes to compact pickup trucks but none of these shows, with or without red vs. yellow shirt rallies, can ever overshadow Bangkok’s.

In Thailand the four-door crew cab pickup truck is as common as a four-door compact sedan, taking 43% of national motor vehicle registrations. This is why the Gulf states, Latin America, ASEAN and India all look to Thailand for the latest in LCV trends. Why a truck? Besides the tax incentives, Thailand’s biannual monsoon season means a vehicle has to have the ability to wade through flash floods….

Click here for the article.

Bangkok Post: 25% upturn in March output estimated

Automobile production in March should increase by 25% from the previous month, bolstered by improved domestic demand even as export performance sinks further.

BANGKOK POST: Local automakers stung - But production targets remain unchanged

Local carmakers estimate the overtime stoppage begun two weeks ago in the wake of the Japanese disaster has cost them 10,000 vehicles to date, but normal production is expected to resume after next month's Songkran holiday.

Click here for the article….

BANGKOK POST: 325 Thai firms hit by Japan disasters

More than 100,000 workers in 325 Japan-linked firms in Thailand have been affected by the three-pronged disaster in Japan, Labour Protection and Welfare Department director-general Amporn Nitisiri said on Tuesday.

Mrs Amporn said there are 767 companies in Thailand with major Japanese shareholders. These firms employ about 471,500 workers.

Of these, 325 have been affected by the disasters in Japan. They employ altogether 108,808 workers. Most of these firms produce and distribute automobile parts, electronic parts and food products.

These companies have begun cut backs, ranging from reducing overtime working hours, reducing productivity, and reducing working days. Some employers had opted to invoke Section 75 of the labour law by asking employees to stop working and receive only 75 per cent of their regular salary, said Mrs Amporn.

Mrs Amporn said that some food and farm produce processors in Chiang Mai and auto parts manufacturers in Chon Buri have actually benefited from the Japanese disasters as their parent companies in Japan had to halt their operations and ordered their subsidiaries in Thailand to increase  productivity to compensate

BANGKOK POST: FTAs force closures of auto-parts firms

Local auto-parts manufacturers are being forced out of business by increased competition from free-trade agreements including the Asean Free Trade Area.

Fewer than 10% of local first-tier parts suppliers are wholly owned Thai companies at present compared with 80% a decade ago, said Prasartsilp On-Aht, president of the Thai Auto-Parts Manufacturers Association.

"The only competitive advantage of the Thai auto-parts industry is skilled labour. The country lacks raw materials and technological know-how," said Mr Prasartsilp.

THE NATION: Auto production grows on higher demand

Thailand's automotive production rose 109.36 per cent on year in February, at the number of 127,849 units, according to the Federation of Thai Industries' Automotive Industry Club.

ENGINEERING TV: Opposed piston opposed cylinder (OPOC) engine

Cool news from the "technology department". 4 x power from the same mass: Check out this video about the new  extremely lightweight opposed piston opposed cylinder (OPOC) engine, developed under a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) program.

BANGKOK POST: Auto tax reforms flawed

The pending change in the automobile tax structure is flawed and not well thought out, according to executives of car companies based in the Thailand.

Under the new structure proposed by the Excise Department, vehicles emitting carbon dioxide levels between 150 and 200 grammes per kilometre would face a 30% tax rate. Any car exceeding 200g/km would be subject to a five-point hike; anything below 150 would get a five-point reduction.

Attractively priced eco-cars are affecting market for used-car loans

The growth of used-car loans this year is expected to be flat or slow because of the arrival of eco-cars, whose prices and interest rates are more attractive, according to Thanachart Bank, the market leader in vehicle loans.

THE NATION: Thai Stanley plans BT1.8 billion plant to cater to eco-cars

Thai Stanley Electric, Thailand's largest manufacturer of lighting equipment for the automotive industry, will invest more than Bt1.8 billion in a new manufacturing plant to produce lights for eco-cars.

Executive vice president Apichart Leeissaranukul recently said the company was evaluating the cost of the investment into the facility, which will be located at the main manufacturing centre in Ladlumkaew, Pathum Thani.

Paul Tan's Automotive Blog

More than 18,000 fans 'like' this Malaysian Automotive Blog by Paul Tan:

"Paul Tan's Automotive News was founded by Paul Tan in 2004. What started off as a hobby and a passion for cars has since grown into Malaysia's number one motoring website with a professional, unbiased and passionate team."

Have a nice weekend!

The AFG Team wishes a nice weekend for the members. Keep coming back and see you all on Monday!

Interview with MAI: "If Malaysia is not careful, we can be marginalised."

THE Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI) is an agency under the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) that was established as the focal point and coordination centre for the development of the local automotive industry.

In an interview with the StarBizWeek, MAI chairman Datuk Kamaruddin Ismail (KI) and CEO Madani Sahari (MS) speak on what the body has been up to and its plans for the country's auto sector. Click here to read the interview.

Datuk Kamaruddin Ismail

Ford to produce Ranger pickup truck in Thailand from mid-year

Ford Motor Company on Wednesday announced plans to start production of its new Ranger pickup model in Thailand by mid-2011, barring major disruptions in parts supplies from disaster-hit Japan.
Ford, which has a joint venture with Mazda Motor Corp to manufacture one-ton pickup trucks in Thailand, has been monitoring the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters in Japan to see how they impact the flow of automotive parts from Japan-based suppliers to their factory in Thailand.

THE CHINA POST: Disaster-recovering industries only looking at short-term bottlenecks

It will take time, possibly around six months, before the Japanese automotive and other industries hit hard by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami will achieve a full recovery. However, most partial operations could be resumed much sooner, as early as the start of April.

Regarding the auto industry in Thailand, where Japanese firms are among the major players, there will be short-term negative impacts due to the shortage of some parts and components from Japan. This disruption is happening at a time when demand for locally-assembled vehicles continues to grow strongly, with production targets for both domestic and export sales projected to rise by 20 percent from last year's figures.

Overview: Bankrupt German Auto Suppliers

...courtesy of "Handelsblatt"

Thai Positions Available

The following positions are available at a new US company starting in Eastern Seaboard:

Accounting managers.
Operations Manager
Engineering Manager
Maint. Manager
Quality Manager
Electrical Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Process Engineer

If anybody in the group wants to recommend somebody, please email the CV to uli@interstar-technology.com.

FT: Carmakers in Thailand run low on gas

When Thailand dreamed of becoming the "Detroit of the East", the heart of the US car industry was still beating strong. But now the dream has soured.

Overall production this year is expected to fall more than 20 per cent and, according to John Bonnell of automotive analysts JD Power Asia Pacific, "the risks are all on the downside".

Mr Bonnell estimates that automotive production will decline from 1,378,363 units last year to 1,082,122 this year, a fall of 21.5 per cent.

MMTOF Briefing: Asia Automotive

An executive briefing on the automotive industry for March 24, 2009, prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com)

Thai-made Mitsubishi Mirage to be sold globally

Mitsubishi Motors Corp (MMC) president Osamu Masuko said on Tuesday that the firm would soon start manufacturing the Mitsubishi Mirage at a factory in Thailand to meet both local and global demand.

Calling the Mirage a 'global compact car', Mr Masuko said during a Bangkok press conference the Mirage would fit the needs of both mature and emerging markets.

Interesting Article from Korea about how to increase car sales...

...by Tae-Jin Kim from Korea on carmakers activities in Korea, China and Germany. Click here to read up.

News from around the World

This weeks edition of 'Go Auto News' has some interesting articles for all our readers no matter where in the World you are from.

* There is an article on BMW's all-new city car and the promise of a full-electric drive vehicle before 2015.

* Porsche investigating EV technology.

* News on Chrysler and Daimler.

* News on the local HiLux and it's share in the Australian market.

* VW's take on Electric Vehicles.

Plus much more.

Click on the link Go Auto News within the Business news section and select latest edition for an interesting read.

BANGKOK POST: Producers forecast Q2 sales dip on Japan quake

Sales of new vehicles could decline slightly in the second quarter as local manufacturers experience delays in obtaining supplies from Japanese parts makers affected by that country's earthquake and tsunami.

Piengjai Keawsuwan, the vice-president of Siam Nissan Automobile, said its sales target of 74,000 units this year might be affected because of problems securing high-tech parts from Japan.

Will Thailand enter the TOP 10 in 2012?

Sounds ambitious…but if you look at the 2011 statistics, you will see that the 2012 projected production number of 2,100,000 vehicles will bring us about almost right there – or at least very very close. My personal opinion: We will make it by 2013.

Production still on track

Production disruptions stemming from the disaster in Japan will not affect Thailand's goal of manufacturing 1.8 million cars this year, says the Thailand Automotive Institute.

''Many companies in Japan have already resumed production. The electricity is back on, and I think the situation will return to normal very soon, hopefully this week or next. Auto parts can then start being shipped here again,'' said director Vallop Tiasiri.

February vehicle production improves

Total vehicle output increased by 11.6% year-on-year last month to 168,221 units after all carmakers except Honda recovered from the floods of 2011.

Malaysia: Volkswagen, DRB-HICOM officially start vehicle output

Volkswagen Group Malaysia and local partner DRB-HICOM have officially started assembly of the Passat from SKD kits in Pekan.

The partners also laid the foundation stone for a new production hall at the plant site. In a second stage, the Jetta and Polo will be produced - from CKD kits.

USA TODAY: GM production halt, layoffs in N.Y. due to Japan disaster

General Motors today stopped production at the Tonawanda plant in Buffalo, N.Y., that makes engines for the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon pickups. Assembly of the pickups was halted last week in Shreveport, La., because of a shortage of parts.

DAILY FINANCE: Most Toyota Plants in Japan Remain Idle

Toyota Motor (TM) reportedly won't resume vehicle production at any of its plants in Japan on Tuesday, as the automaker had planned. The continued stoppage leaves in question just how soon the world's largest automaker will be able to resume operations in its home market, following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

See full article from DailyFinance: http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/toyota/toyotas-factories-in-japan-remain-largely-idle/19886210/?icid=sphere_copyright

CTV: Japan’s auto production losses to rise as suppliers are affected

Japan auto makers in the first two weeks after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami will lose about 65 per cent in light vehicle production, industry consultant IHS Automotive Insight said Monday in a report.

Japan output is normally about 37,200 vehicles per day, or about 521,000 in a two-week period. IHS said that nearly 338,000 vehicles of that production through Friday will have been lost.

JAKARTA GLOBE: Thailand Leads Southeast Asia in Vehicle Sales

Pluak Daeng, Thailand. Half a world away from the cold streets of Michigan, General Motors is getting ready to roll its first diesel engine out of a recently opened factory in eastern Thailand. Nearby, Ford Motor is building a manufacturing plant and Suzuki Motor aims to start producing environmentally friendly cars at a new factory in 2012.

Seems like this article has been syndicated and appeared in many newspapers around the world.

Bangkok Post: The big leap

Interesting feature about Continental Thailand and portrait of Dirk Janovsky, MD:

"Our biggest automobile client is the AutoAlliance Thailand plant. Continental components are used in the Ford Ranger, Mazda BT-50, Nissan March and Ford Fiesta,"said Janovsky, who holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the  Institute of Production Technology and Machine Tools, the University of Darmstadt.

Janovsky will be overseeing an additional 600 million baht investment at the plant which he described as "a higher depth of manufacturing and a machining line for the production of injector bodies", which will be channelled to export markets such as India, Europe and  Argentina.

Continental Automotive's current localisation of sourced components is 40%, a rate which is targeted to increase to about 60% by 2016.

Doc Iain – Retroracing Project & Funding Campaign

Doc Iain Corness, medical doctor, car racer, book author and journalist extraordinaire has started a 'retro race' project based on a FORD ESCORT pictured below and needs sponsorships to bring the car in a competitive position.

To support this project, a 'foundation' will be set up to accept cash sponsorhips to finance racing wheels, a high performance brake system and other upgrades. For those of you not familiar with Doc Iain, please download his bio here.

Please watch this space for more information and a link to a 'sponsorship web site' and more information.

BRITISH METALFORMING Market Report

Via Jim Beeson: 

Interesting report across all industries with good information about the state of the Automotive Industry….check it out

REUTERS AFRICA: Thai parts makers run as normal, look for new suppliers

Thai electronics and auto part makers are looking for alternative sources of raw materials to minimise the impact of likely supply chain disruptions after last week's earthquake in Japan, but they are operating as normal for now.

Automotive and technology industries around the globe have been spooked by fears that supplies of key components such as semiconductors and car parts will be disrupted by the closure of Japanese plants and power shortages.

Check out the full article here.

THE NATION: Thai carmakers face higher cost

Carmakers in Thailand are likely to face increasing costs in the short term if Japanese auto parts and specialised steel manufacturers cannot export their products following the tsunami disaster.

This would force Thai companies to import from other sources, which could cost them more.
Suparat Sirisuwannangkura, head of the Automotive Industry Club under the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), yesterday said carmakers and auto-parts suppliers operating in Thailand normally had inventories to last one to two weeks.

Click here for full article.

We have been fortunate to meet many great people and have devleoped long term business as well as personal relationships. We care about our customers and their cars. Our ASE and state certified mechanics use the most modern equipment to service and repair your vehicle and we statnd behind all repairs and services we perform. We understand their are many auto service and repair shops to choose from, and we invite you to try us and form your own opinion. We would love the chance to earn your business.

Anthony Naftes Presentations….

Thanks to Anthony Nafte for providing his presentation and an additional publication for download to our AFG Members:

2Q12 Eye on Asian Economies which includes his Myanmar report
The Myanmar-Thai Nexus Presentation

Enjoy!

Water scarcity looming for eastern areas

Changing weather patterns and a substantial rise in water consumption pose higher shortage risks for Thailand's Eastern Seaboard this year and next, says Eastern Water Resources Development and Management Plc.

Water consumption in Rayong, Chon Buri and Chachoengsao is expected to grow 20% during 2011 and 2012 from 245 million cubic metres last year, which was up 8% from 2009.

Automakers prepare for parts delays

Automotive manufacturers are double-checking backup plans to prevent a possible production halt following Japan's earthquake.

Thailand's second Ecocar

Yup, this is the Brio, the second Ecocar to be launched here after the Nissan March. This market-ready Brio made its world debut at Siam Paragon yesterday and has an identical body to the prototype unveiled at the Motor Expo in December.

Myanmar Presentation by UMFCC

All you want to know about Myanmar – a very nice presentation by the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce….

Click here to download (8 MB PDF - 69 Pages about economy and investment / business opportunity).

AAPICO's Yeap Swee Chuan – Automotive superstar

AAPICO Hitech Plc president Yeap Swee Chuan embodies the spirit of the "rags to respectability" theme championed by 19th-century author Horatio Alger.
Once upon a time Yeap's business failed and he owed his creditors 200 million baht - today the man expects to sell an astronomical sum of over 12 billion baht worth of auto parts to Thailand's automotive industry.

Yeap Swee Chuan

Heightened risks prompt SOMBOON ADVANCE TECHNOLOGY Parts revenue review

Somboon Advance Technology Plc (SAT) will review this year's revenue forecast of 7.3 billion baht to take into account the Japanese disasters and Middle East riots.

SAT is the second-largest auto-parts maker on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET).

President Verayut Kitaphanich said it remained too early to determine the full effects from Japan's earthquake and tsunami last Friday and nuclear power plant failures this week. However, some impact has already been felt.

Auto industry staging major rebound

The local automobile industry is expected to experience a boom this year, said Piangjai Kaewsuwan, president of the Thai Automotive Industry Association.

Record output at or above 2.1 million units in 2012 is anticipated.

In the domestic market, sales of 1.1 million vehicles are expected, while exports of Thai-built vehicles are seen hitting 1 million units.

Bangkok Post: Thai Summit capacity gets B9bn turbo boost

Thai Summit Group, one of the country's largest auto parts makers, will spend 9 billion baht to expand capacity at home and abroad this year in a bid to cash in on steady growth in vehicle production in Southeast Asia and China.

With a presence in China, Japan, the US and India, as well as Thailand, Thai Summit expects revenue of 60 billion baht this year, up by 20% from last year.

Top 10 in carmaking within sight

The Industry Ministry is confident that automobile production will reach 2.1 million units this year and is predicting the country will be one of the top 10 producers of cars in the world.

"The automotive industry is our core industry, generating 360 billion baht of exports a year and employing 350,000 workers. It's clear that government policy will support Thailand in becoming the top producer in Asean and one of the top 10 in the world," said Industry Minister M.R. Pongsvas Svasti.

Japan Desaster may impact Thai Car Industry

Thailand's cabinet approved a 3.42 billion baht ($113 million) budget on Monday to develop the country's car industry, aiming in particular to develop a skilled workforce vital for the sector to build on its success.

Last week's deadly Japanese earthquake could pose a risk in the short term, although analysts and officials are still trying to gauge the impact on the supply chain and production lines. Some of Japan's largest manufacturers -- including Toyota Motor, Honda and Nissan -- have shut down facilities in northern Japan. "Plants in Thailand may need to adjust capacity to produce parts for automobiles for Japan as some plants that supply car parts may have been affected by the quake," said Suparat Sirisuwanangura, who heads the FTI's Automotive Industry Club. Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij said the quake would have a short-term impact on the Thai car industry as some parts for Japanese-owned factories in Thailand were imported from Japan. 

Japan Earthquake Hobbles Car Makers

WALL STREET JOURNAL: As car makers continue assessing damage following the earthquake and tsunami that devastated certain coastal regions of Japan, it is becoming clear that disruption of the Japanese auto industry will be deeper and longer-lasting than initially thought.

Car plants take stock of damage

BUSINESS DAY: AUSTRALIA'S car industry is bracing itself following the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. Japanese car makers have shut plants across the country, leading to concerns about local supply.

Nissan loses at least 2,300 vehicles in earthquake, tsunami

MOTORWAY AMERICA: At least 2,300 Nissan and Infiniti brand vehicles awaiting shipment to U.S. and Japan showrooms were damaged in the earthquake and resulting tsunami, Automotive News reported today.

The cars — including nearly 1,300 Infiniti M, EX and FX models bound for North America — were parked at two coastal loading points when the giant waves swept through.

Best Place For Not Only Oil Changes But Auto Repair Also

Kwik Kar Automotive of Springfield Missouri is the best place for your oil changes and vehicle maintenance. And the number one spot to take your car, truck, or suv for your required warranty services as well. However, you may not have known that Kwik Kar Automotive is also a great place for any and all auto repairs that you may need. With a highly trained staff, ase certified technicians, and state of the art tools and equipment, no job is too big or small.

Choose Kwik Kar Automotive as your #1 and only place to take your vehicle.

AFG goes blogging

 By Dr Iain Corness 

The Automotive Focus Group (AFG), the fastest growing common interest group on the Eastern Seaboard, held another of its monthly meetings, this time at the Amari Orchid Resort in Pattaya.
Each month there is a speaker covering different subjects, but all focused around the automotive scene.  This time it was Uli Kaiser, a self confessed Internet and IT freak who spoke to the group on the AFG Blog and how to access it, and how to  contribute to it.
Uli presented some amazing statistics, showing that information and its dissemination were increasing exponentially with technical knowledge now doubling every two years.  This he referred to as [Shift Happens]. 

Very shortly, if not now, at least by the time I have finished typing this, China will have the largest number of English speaking people in the world.  There were also more than 30 billion internet searches on Google - this month!  The five most needed jobs in 2008 were not even thought of in 1998, and we are now trying to train young people for positions that are not even known.
The second half of Uli's presentation was to bring to the attention of the AFG members a proposed statistics project to be run with KPMG.  The survey would be on items pertaining to the auto motive industry in Thailand, and the statistics would be collated by KPMG, from information supplied by the AFG members.  At this stage, it is still a discussion topic, as many hurdles would have to be cleared, such as confidentiality agreements, which are common in the industry, and how the information could be given without breaking those agreements.
The AFG website can be accessed at afg-thailand.blogspot.com, and the secretariat through Maurice Bromley at Maurice.Bronley@go-dove.com.

MCOT: Thailand's vehicle sales continue surging in February

BANGKOK, March 10  – The domestic sale of motor vehicles in Thailand surged by 44.2 per cent to 78,039 units in February, with Toyota retaining its predominant market share of 30,592 units, up 44.2 per cent, and Isuzu, ranked second largest with 14,713 units, up 22.2 per cent, an informed source in the automotive industry revealed on Wednesday.

Mazda sets new record in February

THE NATION: Auto-maker whips up hype about Mazda3

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/main/2011/03/10/lifestyle/Mazda-sets-new-record-in-February-30150488.html

Ford sales surge in Thailand

THE NATION: American auto-maker Ford is enjoying extremely high growth in Thailand thanks to the strong sales performance of the Fiesta subcompact and Ranger pickup.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/main/2011/03/03/lifestyle/Ford-sales-surge-in-Thailand-30149932.html

BLLOOMBERG via GASGOO: Mitsubishi Motors to boost production in Thailand

Mitsubishi Motors Corp., Japan's sixth-largest automaker, plans to increase production at a plant in Thailand this month to meet growing demand for its vehicles in Asia.

The carmaker will add a shift at the plant, which makes cars including Pajero Sport SUVs and Triton pickup trucks, it said in a faxed statement today. It will add 1,300 workers at the factory, it said.

Mitsubishi Motors made 5,603 vehicles with one shift at the factory in July, company spokesman Yuuki Murata said. The company didn't disclose how much it will increase production.

BANGKOK POST; Nissan reveals first Thai Eco-Car

The launch of Nissan's new sub-B car next week marks yet another milestone in the history of Thai automotive industry.

When cars fail to satisfy

The NATION writer Pattanadesh Assappakij talks about cars and happiness.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/main/2011/03/09/lifestyle/When-cars-fail-to-satisfy-30150423.html

Thai auto parts industry to hire 40,000 more employees

Via NNT:


BANGKOK, 7 March 2012 (NNT) – The Thai auto parts industry is looking to employ more workers in order to meet the automobile industry's production target this year.

President of the Thai Autoparts Manufacturers Association Achana Limpaitoon has announced that the Thai auto parts industry is planning to hire 30,000-40,000 more employees in addition to its current staff of 450,000 as it aims to accommodate the automobile manufacturers' goal to produce 2-2.1 million cars in 2012. In order to achieve the goal, the auto part makers must raise their production capacity by 30-40% from the previous year; thus, the sector needs to increase its workforce. 

INTERMACH Thailand

19-22 May 2011…alongside SUBCON.

Subcon Thailand 2011 co-located with INTERMACH 2011

Check out this SUBCON video….. Thailand will become the manufacturing hub for the ASEAN region….

BMW X1 sDrive to cost Bt2.14 million

BMW X1 sDrive to cost Bt2.14 million
German auto-maker BMW has announced the official pricing of its X1 subcompact crossover.

What about a revolution in oil dependency?

HAARETZ (interesting read): As the countries owning most of the planet's oil reserves confront growing political turmoil, the economic stability of the whole world will remain at risk - until an alternative to petroleum is developed.

Shocking: Indian steel manager is 'burned alive' by fired employees after signing their dismissal letters

DAILY MAIL: A senior executive at a steel factory in Eastern India has been burned alive by workers who were protesting at losing their jobs.
R.S Roy, a deputy general manager at the Graphite India Limited's steel unit in Orissa state, was set upon after he signed dismissal letters for about a dozen workers at the factory, according to local police.

Miss Motorshow on Facebook...

Exciting contest – who is the fairest of them all….

Itsy bitsy spider causes Mazda recall

CBS NEWS: The itsy bitsy spider crawled up the Mazda vent.

Mazda recalled some cars because of where the spider went.

In what may well be an automotive industry first, Mazda is recalling 52,000 cars because of the potential for a vent line to be clogged by -- you guessed it -- spider webs. (Yes, really.)

Mazda3 local assembly starts in Thailand, Malaysia

ABR: Mazda Motor, Mazda Sales (Thailand) (MST) and its distributor in Malaysia, Bermaz Motor, has started the assembly of its second-generation Mazda3 (known in Japan as the Mazda Axela) in Thailand and Malaysia.

Indonesia: Thailand becomes a top supplier

JAKARTA POST: A minister says that Thailand — Southeast Asia’s second largest economy — is now one of Indonesia’s major suppliers due to a significant increase in local imports of Thai cars and car components.

Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said on Wednesday that Thailand replaced South Korea as Indonesia’s fifth largest source of imports in January.
“This is interesting. Thailand is getting more important for us. It is likely related to our automotive industry,” she said during a press conference in Jakarta.

When the dragon ceases to roar

BANGKOK POST: Chinese economic growth of 9.1% in 2009 was a source of optimism for a world mired in the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression. This alone was enough for emerging markets to start growing again, with China leading the pack. And the rest is history.

Thailand Is Mostly An Untapped Market: Toyota Jumps In

Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) Thailand senior vice-president Wichien Emprasertsuk said “Any tax hikes on pickup trucks and its variants were against the objective of forming an international innovative multi-purpose vehicle (IMV) program, in which Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) invested 30 million baht in Thailand to design and produce the IMV products.”

New car tax structure completed

The Excise Department has completed the new car tax structure, ready to have it implemented soon.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011/03/02/business/New-car-tax-structure-completed-30149910.html

THE MONTY HEAT TREAT NEWS reports about AFG

Thanks to our member Randy Simmons for posting information about the new AFG board on the number one Heat Treat web site. 

Please scroll down the page to see the news item.

Toyota pours more investment to Thailand

Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan on Wednesday announced Bt6 billion investment to increase its engine production in Thailand, showing yet another mark of confidence to the Thai economy despite the great floods last year.

In a statement, the company said that through the investment through Siam Toyota Manufacturing Co Ltd (STM), the production capacity of Toyota Corolla ZR benzene engines will be raised by 100,000 units annually, creating around 200 new additional jobs, from 3,000 at present. The expansion will include increasing the capacity for the casting of aluminum materials. The expansion programme at the plant in Amata-Nakorn Industrial Estate, Chon Buri, is projected to be completed in 2014.