Target to produce 3 million vehicles in 2017

BANGKOK, April 21 (TNA) - Thailand has set the target to produce three million units of automobile in 2017 while this year the target is at 2.55 million units and the country hopes to earn about one trillion baht from car and spare parts exports. During the first two months this year, Thailand exported cars, motorcycles and spare parts worth about 123.27 billion baht. Srirat Rastapana, director-general of Department of International Trade Promotion, said Thailand now ranks first on producing and exporting one-tonne truck while the country is ranked ninth largest auto manufacturer in the world. Thailand’s auto industry expands steadily ahead of the implementation of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) at the end of 2015. Emerging markets which include the three Indochinese countries – Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam – and Myanmar in this region which together have more than 100 million of working population will help push demand for goods higher, said Srirat. In order to help promote auto industry and the exporters, the department has joined hands with leading auto industrial players in organising Thailand Auto Parts & Accessories 2014 at BITEC Bangna between April 28 and May 1 next year. More than 400 local and foreign auto manufacturers are expected to participate. (TNA)