Tan Chong opens Subaru plant in Thailand

The 100,000 sq m facility in Bangkok's Ladkrabang Industrial Estate is Subaru's first plant in Asia. PHOTO: REUTERS

SINGAPORE - Singapore-based and Hong Kong-listed motor group Tan Chong International Ltd (TCIL) has opened its first Subaru assembly plant in Thailand.

The 100,000 sq m facility in Bangkok's Ladkrabang Industrial Estate is Subaru's first plant in Asia.

Built with an initial investment of 5 billion baht (S$212 million), the plant, which has an eventual capacity of 100,000 cars per year, will deliver more than 6,000 Subaru Foresters for South-east Asian markets in its first operating year.

The plant is a joint venture between Subaru Corp and TCIL, which holds a 74.9 per cent stake.

Thailand's status as an auto hub and trade agreements within Asean make sourcing Thai-made cars economically compelling for many motor firms.

The plant can produce up to four different models, but is starting with the fifth-generation Forester in a completely knocked-down (CKD) format.

The cars will be sold in Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia by TCIL's Subaru distributor Motor Image Group.

Although Singapore will continue to get its cars from Japan, TCIL said it has not ruled out including Singapore in its list of markets to receive cars from its Thai plant in the future.

About 100 cars have already been delivered to customers in Thailand, TCIL said on Tuesday (April 23) in a statement.

TCIL managing director Glenn Tan said: "From distribution, dealerships and after sales, we are now also manufacturing Subaru cars.

"This strategic long-term move will allow us to better manage our supply chain, widen our product line-up, localise better and be less dependent on supply from Japan.

"We will be better able to respond and meet consumer demand for Subaru vehicles in the region, and perhaps even beyond the region in future."

The facility includes a test track, built to assess the condition of every car before they leave the factory.

It employs more than 400 local workers, who are supported by expatriates from Japan and Singapore.

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.