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Ford, Mazda to invest $27M more in AutoAlliance Thailand plant

TopGear.com.ph Philippine Car News - Ford, Mazda to invest $27M more into their AutoAlliance Thailand plant

Ford and Mazda are expanding their partnership in their AutoAlliance Thailand plant by investing an additional $27 million in it "to further upgrade the pickup truck line and increase capacity by another 20,000 units per year."

According to both carmakers, the new investment will include facility upgrades like additional robotic equipment and tooling to help increase the speed and output of its production lines.

"This new investment reinforces Ford's long-term commitment to Thailand as a global production and export hub, and will allow us to meet the extraordinary demand for the all-new Ranger," said Peter Fleet, president of Ford ASEAN.

The projected 20,000 additional units to be produced will reportedly bring the total annual capacity of AutoAlliance Thailand's pickup truck line to 195,000 units, increasing the plant's overall capacity to 295,000 units per year, including the passenger car line. Both Ford and Mazda expect the plant's upgraded equipment to go online sometime this May.

 

TopGear.com.ph Philippine Car News - Ford, Mazda to invest $27M more into their AutoAlliance Thailand plant

"This additional AAT investment is part of the strategic business partnership between Ford and Mazda," said Yuji Nakamine, senior managing executive director of Mazda. "Additionally, it allows us to continue to meet exceptionally strong demand for our all-new BT-50."

Besides the Ranger and BT-50 pickups, AutoAlliance Thailand also produces the Ford Everest, the Ford Fiesta, the Mazda 2, and the Mazda 3 not only for the local market but also for the ASEAN and other markets.

 

So, which pickup do you prefer?

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  • Fernando Amorsolo May 03 2012 @ 04:54pm
     
    Interesting. I thought Ford and Mazda were already splitted?

    No wonder they should do that, because 1st: the All new Ranger is a global unit. It needs to answer the international demand for this pick up. 2nd: the New Ford Everest is set to come, then they need to renew their machinery to adapt to the new gen of the model. 3rd: The new Ford focus is set to be launched
       
  • neutral May 03 2012 @ 04:56pm
     
    The ranger looks better than the bt-50. The front of bt is awkward for the truck body and does not blend for its purpose. BT looks feminine in front while the ranger looks more masculine from all angles.
       
  • gg May 03 2012 @ 07:10pm
     
    ang bobo kase ng pilipino! pina paalis ang mga planta dati.. ngayon pina paalis nnmn ang mga amerikano.. dumadala ng dollar ang mga amerikano tapos gagastos sa pinas.. di parin naiintindihan ng mga mangmang ntin na kababayan.. sa tingin nyo kung hihingi kayo ng tulong sa US tutulungan kayo?
       
  • troybentz May 03 2012 @ 08:08pm
     
    Like that BT-50 looks different! the front of the BT50 makes it look bigger and wider with those huge headlights. While the Ranger's small headlights makes it look a tad smaller!
       
    • Kyoichi Sudo May 03 2012 @ 08:23pm
       
      for me the Ranger doesn't look appealing to me
          1
  • Kyoichi Sudo May 03 2012 @ 08:33pm
     
    I always prefer Style than Plain Jane, that's why I like the BT-50 than the Ranger, mukhang nakahanap na ng katapat ang Strada ngayon hahahaha.....
       
  • Feeter Silverster May 03 2012 @ 08:38pm
     
    @GG, hindi naman sa bobo, masyado nga tayong matalino eh, sa sobrang talino natin gusto natin eh mataas ang sweldo tapos bubuo pa ng unyon, kaso ayaw ng mga car companies ang ganun, kaya dun sila sa mga bansa na mas mababa ang pasahod nagtatayo ng planta, like India, Thailand, China, etc. In case ng Phils eh Mitsu, Toyota, and Isuzu na lang yata ang merong local assembly plant, sila lang mga matitigas sa mga workers eh.
       
    • AM3 May 04 2012 @ 05:09pm
       
      The reason why carmakers are avoiding or leaving the Philippines is because we have one of the most expensive power rates in the region and the current administration is not supporting the local car program. Business-wise Thailand is a better choice, even Toyota in recent years started importing some models CBU from Thailand.
         
  • BOOGIECAT May 03 2012 @ 09:00pm
     
    Bagay na i-assemble sa Sta Rosa,Laguna plant ng Ford ay yung new Tourneo/Transit van.Mas papatok yan kaysa sa ibang Ford products!I still prefer the BT-50 over the Ranger..Mas maganda ang exterior at interior nya!

       
  • iskwakalogz May 03 2012 @ 10:36pm
     
    Sana mag retool ulit ang ford dito at mabigyan ng mdaming trabahho ang "MATITINONG" pilipino.. hindi yung mga brainwashed ng mga communists.. and remove the 60/40 rule na nagpapalayas ng investors satin.

    by the way ganda ng ranger! big and seductive..
       
  • koneleaves May 04 2012 @ 12:46am
     
    So, which pickup do you prefer? - Syempre Ford Ranger. :)
       
  • ashek268 May 04 2012 @ 09:21am
     
    There are times that a certain brand is overrated while a underdog remains underrated forever.........................
       
  • ceejhay May 04 2012 @ 11:41am
     
    bt-50 para maiba. i already placed my order and reservation. mahal din kasi ang ranger. at marami ang bibili sa ranger.
       
  • carwiki May 04 2012 @ 11:44am
     
    BT-50 ako.
       
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