Local production of Hiace begins

Toyota Auto Works Co Ltd (TAW), formerly known as Thai Auto Works, has kicked off the assembly line of Hiace Commuter High-Roof in Thailand which required total capital investment of Bt1.5 billion.

The output will substitute imports. With 300 employees and 1 shift a day initially, the production capacity will be increased by two shifts to 18,000 units per year approximately in the middle of 2013.

In a statement, Toyota said that it decides to replace imported units with locally-built units, thanks to the readiness of Thailand's automobile industry in terms of high-efficiency production lines, high skilled workers and quality control capabilities. TAW produces gasoline and diesel engine models of Hiace Commuter to response to domestic market demand.