Honda starts up new car factory
HONDA Automobile (Thailand) Co yesterday opened a new plant worth Bt17.15 billion on 1,600 rai (256 hectares) at Rojana Industrial Park in Prachin Buri province.
Honda says the plant will enhance its capability to deliver quality products for customers in Thailand and worldwide.
The plant will also strengthen this country’s role as one of the carmaker’s important production hubs, Takahiro Hachigo, Honda Motor Co president, chief executive officer and representative director, said after the opening ceremony yesterday.
Thailand has increased its presence as one of Honda’s production hubs by supplying products and components not only for the home market but also for the world, including Asean nations, which drive global sales growth, he said.
“I am committed to making certain that the role of Thailand will become even more valuable with the completion of this all-new Prachin Buri factory with the full advantage of Honda’s newest production technologies,” he said.
The new plant has production capacity of 120,000 units a year and has created 1,400 jobs.
The Prachin Buri plant has adopted Honda’s newest production technologies. These include the world’s first ARC (Assembly Revolution Cell) Line, incorporating flowing cell-production-style production units in the main line.
The plant also inherited advanced and eco-responsible technologies introduced at Honda’s Yorii Plant, the carmaker’s most advanced factory in Japan.
The Prachin Buri plant started mass production with the all-new Honda Civic in March, following the production start for plastic parts last October and engine parts in February.
The factory is scheduled to produce other subcompact and compact models in the future to enhance Honda’s competitiveness for the domestic and export markets.
Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, who joined the opening ceremony yesterday, said the automotive industry was a major factor in the development of the Thai economy.
“I am glad to see Honda is making Thailand a strategic production and export hub with the most advanced and environmentally responsible technologies. It will enhance our country’s standing as an important global automotive production base,” he said.
