Auto parts producers advised to brace for electric vehicles

BANGKOK, Dec 11 (TNA) -- The Industry Ministry has advised the manufacturers of auto parts to adjust their business to support electric vehicles in order to maintain growth or survival. Pasu Loharjun, Permanent Secretary for Industries, said electric vehicles were a global trend and the government was supporting their production with all technologies. He said changes to go along with electric vehicles are necessary. Any manufacturers who cannot catch up with the trend may lose competitiveness and their business. That already happened to the production of TV screens that shift from cathode ray tubes (CRT) to liquid-crystal displays (LCD), light-emitting diodes (LED) and to organic light-emitting diodes (OLED). Mr Pasu encouraged manufacturers to use the Industry Transformation Center (ITC) that can help them develop their new products. The Thailand Automotive Institute said there were about 1,600 auto parts manufacturers in the country and 850 of them were Thai. Electric vehicles do not use engines, transmission gears and radiators. New auto parts they require include batteries, electric motors and lighter materials. (TNA)