With Ford announcing that it will begin producing Fiesta and Ranger models in Thailand from later this year comes news today that other models may also be sourced from Thailand once the firm's new $450M plant near Rayong, south of Bangkok is operational.
Although the list is yet to be finalised, a Ford spokesperson told the Carsales Network that the car once slated for Australian production, Focus, was "a safe bet" for inclusion in the Thai production schedule, the car being produced in Asia for Australian, New Zealand and south-east Asian consumption.
Ford Australia had originally planned to build the Focus in Australia at the company's Melbourne-based Broadmeadows plant, but following the GFC the decision was withdrawn, CEO Marin Burela saying an Aussie-built Focus was economically irresponsible given the competitive nature of the small car sector.
The plant, called AutoAlliance Thailand, will increase Ford's south-east Asian production capacity by more than 50 per cent, and is part of a major push by the American-owned manufacturer to increase its presence in emerging markets, Ford making similar investments in Argentina and Brazil in recent years.
The new plant's annual capacity will exceed 150,000 units and is designed to fuel the growing demand for cars in the ten countries that make up the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Ford's new Thai plant should be on-line by early 2012.
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site