Ford invests USD 900 million in Thailand-based plants, check details

It won’t be wrong to say that Thailand is the land of pickup trucks, as the country not only ranks high in the segments domestic consumption but also exports the same in high numbers. Every month, almost 30,000 pickups get sold in Thailand, i.e. 60% of the country’s monthly Total Industry Volume.

One of the popular names in the segment is that of Ford Ranger. The recently launched model is built a bit advanced, loaded with high-tech features. Now, vehicles with such advanced builds require an equally sophisticated production method. Taking care of the same, Ford Motor Company has invested USD 900 million (Ford’s largest single investment in Thailand till date) for modernizing two of its Thailand-based plants - the wholly-owned Ford Thailand Manufacturing (FTM) and the joint-venture AutoAlliance Thailand (AAT).

What will the two Ford plants benefit from this USD 900 million investment?

The plants will receive new manufacturing equipment, processes, and training. The FMT will get the new ScanBox which is a surface scanning machine. It accurately measures the car five times during assembly which in turn enhances problem-solving efficiency.

In addition, the plants will see the inclusion of 365 state-of-the-art robots stationed at the paint and body shop. Thus enhancing the level of automation at FTM and AAT from 34% to 80% and 69%, respectively.

These new advanced plants will also hire new employees, with the addition of a second shift at FTM nearly 1,250 jobs will be created. This will bring the total workforce to 9000 employees with products exported to over 180 markets globally.

Ford’s USD 900 million investment forms part of more than USD 400 million invested in the company’s supply chain network. Creating almost 260 incremental jobs, the amount will localize and enhance the quality of vehicle design and parts.

On a similar note, the market launch of the all-new Ford Ranger is scheduled for mid-2022 with the all-new Everest arriving at a later date.

Also Read: Special Edition Ranger WildTrak Sport unveiled at Ford's first ‘new normal’ roadshow