GM Thailand Overview
Registered in 1993, GM Thailand is one of the linchpins of the expansion strategy developed by GM for the Asia Pacific Region. In 1996, Thailand was selected as the regional manufacturing site and construction of the assembly center began later that same year on a 190-acre (approx. 400 Rai) plot in the Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate in Rayong Province. The THB30 billion (US$1 billion) manufacturing plant was modeled after GM’s plant in Eisenach, Germany, which is ranked among the most efficient automotive facilities in the world.
GM Thailand’s state-of-the-art technology makes it one of the most modern car assembly plants in Thailand and one of the more advanced facilities in the Asia Pacific region. In 2006, a further THB1.98 billion (US$ 66 million) was invested to expand the production area and construct a new paint shop. In early 2010, GM made another significant milestone in the history of the company when it announced a further investment of THB15 billion (US$ 500 million) on the three important projects to be implemented in the GM Thailand’s existing facility in Rayong. These important project and product programs were GM Thailand’s first progressive diesel engine plant, next generation pick-up truck, and truck derived SUV.
In September 2011, GM Thailand increased its manufacturing footprint in the automotive industry in Thailand and Southeast Asia by investing THB 6 billion (USD 200 million) in a new, state-of-the-art powertrain facility, located next to its existing vehicle manufacturing facility in Rayong, Thailand. This is GM’s first diesel engine plant in Thailand and Southeast Asia. It is also the first GM powertrain facility in the world to manufacture the new four-cylinder, ‘Duramax’ range of turbo-diesel engines.
Currently, GM Thailand employs more than 5,200 people and is headed by Mr. Martin Apfel, President of General Motors Thailand/Southeast Asia and Chevrolet Sales (Thailand) Limited. Mr. Apfel joined the organization in March 2010.
More information, please visit www.chevrolet.co.th.
