Flood-affected auto makers in Thailand to resume full production in Q1 2012

BANGKOK, January 24 (TNA) - The Thai Automotive Industry Association (TAIA) said Tuesday that flood-affected auto makers in the country would resume full production by the first quarter of 2012. TAIA President Piangjai Kaewsuwan told journalists that part of the flood-hit auto makers have resumed their operations since November 2011, first at 30-40 per cent of the industry's full capacity and then at 50 per cent in January 2012. Piangjai projected that by the end of the first quarter in 2012, Thailand's flood-affected auto makers would all resume their production fully, leading to the country's total auto production to reach some two million units by the end of this year, up from 1.4 million in 2011. As for vehicle sales, Piangjai said local auto makers plan to sell half of their vehicles produced on the domestic market; while the remaining 50 per cent will be shipped to overseas markets, acknowledging that new eco car models, as well as the government's policy on a tax rebate for first-time car buyers will stimulate the country's auto industrial growth. (TNA)