To upgrade the factories in Thailand Ford Motor co is investing $900 million to build its Ranger pickup truck and Everest SUV, its the largest-ever investment in the country.
While the plan also includes the doubling of the number of robots at its Thai manufacturing plant and at AutoAlliance Thailand which is a venture with Mazda motor group while $400 of the investment will directly go to the supply chain.
The investment underscores Ford’s ongoing commitment to deliver world-class quality vehicles to customers in Thailand and around the world, while driving opportunities for local industry growth.
The addition of a second shift at FTM adds up to 1,250 incremental jobs, increasing Ford’s local workforce to more than 9,000 employees.
Ford also provided opportunities for its local supply chain partners with more than $400 million (THB 13 billion) invested in the supply chain network to localize and enhance the quality of vehicle parts and design-related tools, creating approximately 250 incremental jobs.
While the expansion would add about 1,250 new jobs at Ford’s plants and about $400 million of the investment would go towards its supply chain network, the automaker said.
Thailand is Asia’s fourth-largest auto assembly and export hub, accounting for about 10% of the country’s GDP and manufacturing jobs.
Last year, General Motors sold its Thai factories to China’s Great Wall Motor, which has begun producing SUVs and plans to make electric vehicles in the country.