Toyota’s auto-parts production unaffected by fire

CHACHOUNGSAO, THAILAND, December 24 (TNA) - A fire which broke out at a Toyota spare parts centre in Thailand's eastern Chachoungsao province Sunday night was confirmed not to have affected the centre's production, sales and exports of auto parts. Pairoj Hiranruangrong, vice chair of Toyota Motor Asia Pacific-Engineer & Manufacturing (TMAP-EM)'s board, made the confirmation on Monday, telling reporters that the 1,000 square-metre auto part depot raged by the fire was only one of the centre's reserved stock house where a comparably small engine oil was kept for its day-by-day deliveries to dealers in the country. Pairoj acknowledged that damage was initially estimated at some 50 million baht, covering the building, where a chemical warehouse and a parking garage for forklifts were also located, as well as auto parts pallets and 10 forklifts, with no casualties. According to the vice chair, only water was used to put out the blaze, with the used water to be released from the centre only after a legal treatment process, but the Toyota centre is working with provincial agencies concerned to send out personnel to sound out locals’ concerns and opinions to subsequently take full responsibility and to take best care of those affected. Wichien Emprasertsuk, Toyota Motor Thailand Co.,Ltd's Executive Vice President, meanwhile, insisted that the auto parts centre has remained opened as usual with its normal production and other operations. (TNA)