Thailand celebrates 2-million-vehicle manufacturing

BANGKOK, November 23 (TNA) - The government will hold a ceremony to celebrate the success of the auto industry after over two million automobiles have been manufactured in Thailand this year, the first time since the country began making vehicles in 1961. Payungsak Chartsutipol, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), announced Friday that a cerebration of producing two million cars per year will be held at Thailand International Motor Expo at Impact Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi province on November 30. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will preside over the ceremony. Meanwhile, Witoon Simachokedee, permanent secretary for Industry Ministry, said Thailand’s automobile production this year will reach 2.3 million units, of which 1.3 million is for domestic sales and 1 million for export. The champion products are pickup trucks and ecocars, according to Witoon. Witoon said Thailand has now become the top-ten automotive-manufacturing country and is ranked 6th for the export of automobiles and parts. He added that his ministry assesses that the country’s automobile production will reach 2.5 million units next year and hit 3 million units in 2017. (TNA)