Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman, Bill Ford on a plant tour in December 2012. Ford addressed a group of 300 guests in Bangkok that included business leaders, representatives from the U. S. Embassy and Thai government, and media, on the looming concerns of‘ global gridlock’ in cities around the world.
electronics, driver assistance such as collision avoidance warning and night vision sensing, passenger comfort, information systems and in-car entertainment.
As technologies converge, a modern car now has more than 100 electronic control units, each with the potential to function better and better through constant innovation. As one example, for higher and higher levels of reliability and functionality, breakthroughs in power performance can involve better fuel injection, shift changes, emission control and lubrication, says the BOI. Safety is described as“ ripe for investment” by developers of improved anti-lock braking, traction control, air bags, hill descent control, blind spot detection, automatic wipers and headlamp beams that adjust on their own. Eco-car project
In 2007, the Thai government identified the opportunity and need to be a leader in the supply of a second platform because there was only limited growth left in the pickup market as Thailand was already the world’ s second-biggest producer of this type of vehicle, according to Pattanapanchai. From this was born the ecocar project. It is designed to plug into the global trend towards fuel efficiency, reducing environmental impact through lower CO 2 emission and greater safety.
The BOI introduced a range of incentives to promote the manufacture of fuel-efficient and environmentally safe eco-cars in Thailand as far back in 2009. The policy is aimed at supporting the green initiatives in the global auto industry. The BOI focused first on components, such as batteries for hybrids or electric vehicles, according to Pattanapanchai. These incentives have attracted five eco-car manufacturers. Nissan was the first, introducing its March model and later offering the Almera. Today those compete for Thai market share with the Honda Brio, Suzuki Swift and Mitsubishi Mirage. Toyota is to launch eco-cars in 2013.
Among the BOI’ s requirements for eco-cars is that such vehicles need fuel efficiency of at least 20 kilometers per liter, must meet the Euro 4 emission standard, and should have UNECE 94 and 95 safety levels. In addition, four of five main engine components( cylinder head, cylinder block, crankshaft, camshaft and connecting rod) must be produced in Thailand, she told AI.
Thai component exports 2002 to 2012.
Thai production of passenger cars, one-ton pickups, vans, busses and trucks.
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