Volvo FM-12 truck

Photo: Volvo

Volvo Trucks is the first foreign manufacturer of heavy trucks to establish assembly facilities in Thailand. The capacity of the factory at full operation will amount to 500 trucks per year in single shift operation. The plant is expected to employ around 30 people. The investment will encompass a new production line, tooling, rigs, etc. The components used at the plant will increasingly be supplied by local sub-contractors as the vehicle component industry develops in the country. 

- Thailand's increasingly strong economy and Volvo Trucks' concentration on strengthening its presence in Asia represent excellent conditions for starting production in Thailand at this time, said Roar Isaksen, head of Volvo Trucks' International Division. - The transition to advanced technologies and systems within the transport industry provides good preconditions at Volvo Trucks to introduce Volvo products to customers in Thailand, Isaksen continued. 

In order to be able to support its customers further, Volvo Truck and Bus (Thailand) Co. Ltd. plans to bring together all its activities at a new head office just outside Bangkok. The facility will also function as Volvo Trucks' main dealership in Thailand and in addition to sales will provide servicing, parts support and financing. Volvo Trucks will also be increasing the number of service centres around the country by six from the current eleven. 

(May 31, 2000)