Ford joins hand with Mazda for producing small cars

The new plant will begin assembly of the respective Ford and Mazda Bsegment cars, which do not qualify for the Thai government's Eco Car project, in 2009. The Mazda2 will be introduced first in early 2009 followed by the Ford Fiesta.

Company executives also said AAT will be able to accommodate a more diversified range of products in the future, with simultaneous production of different passenger cars that extend up through the midsize segment.

The new plant will utilize the same automated systems and processes, and manufacturing technologies as the Changan Ford Mazda plant that was opened last month in Nanjing, China.

Ford and Mazda have already jointly invested more than US$1 billion in the present AAT facility and with the investment for the new plant, total investment for AAT in Thailand would reach $1.5 billion. According to executives, the latest investment underscores the strategic role that AAT will continue to play as a regional production hub for both Ford and Mazda.

Earlier this year AAT celebrated the production of its 1 millionth unit, reaching it nearly two years ahead of schedule.

- The Nation

Kingsley Wijayasinha

Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul