GM's bankruptcy has no impact on Thailand's operation

"It's business as usual for us at GM Asean. We are not only still here but we're looking at the beginning of a new era," Carlisle told a press conference held in Four Seasons hotel in Bangkok.

General Motors Corp in the US on Monday filed for bankruptcy in the US, in a bid to allow the mother company some breathing space to restructure operations at home and set up a new company that is expected to be called "New GM."

GM has invested about 30 billion baht in a factory in Thailand to assemble and manufacture Chevrolet pickup trucks and cars. This year, as a result of the global economic slowdown, the Thai operation has reduced production to 40,000 units of trucks and cars, down 60 per cent from last year's output.

GM had earlier last year announced plans to invest another 15 billion baht in a diesel engine plant in Thailand, which will produce engines for the next generation Colorado. It is currently seeking local financing for the project since it can expect no funding from its US-based mother company.