Thailand's auto production targeted to reach 2.05m units in 2015

BANGKOK, August 6 (TNA) - The Federation of Thai Industry (FTI) has maintained the country's auto production target at 2.05 million units this year. Speaking at a seminar in Bangkok on Thursday, FTI Vice Chairman Surapong Paisitpattanapong said, however, that there is a possibility to lower Thailand's auto sale target this year due to impacts of domestic and global economic slowdown. Surapong, who is also FTI’s deputy chief of auto industry group, noted that his auto industry group will closely monitor automobile sales in Thailand next month before making a decision whether the country's auto sale target should be lowered this year to 800,000 units, from 850,000 units earlier estimated. Due to the domestic and global economic downturn, Surapong assessed that local auto manufacturers should focus on exporting innovative eco-cars, cautioning, nonetheless, that exports of eco-cars could also be affected by volatility of foreign exchange rates and the European Union (EU)'s decision on withdrawing its trade privileges earlier given to Thai products. (TNA)