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Ford says it will spend almost $2 billion in Thailand on locally made parts and create 33,500 local jobs when its new plant begins production in Rayong province next year.
The announcement was made as Ford CEO Alan Mulally and Asia/Pacific and Africa President Joe Hinrichs attend the production launch of the new Ranger pickup truck at its AutoAlliance factory in Rayong.
The Bangkok Post reports the parts-spending includes purchases by AutoAlliance, in which Ford and Mazda are 50/50 partners.
Ford says the job creation includes 8,500 workers directly employed and 25,000 indirectly through supplier and dealer networks.
The new factory will have an initial capacity of 150,000 units a year. It will build the new Ford Focus, with 86% of production slated for export.
Mulally says Thailand is a critical component of Ford's strategy in Asia, which is expected to account for 40% of global auto industry growth over the next five to seven years.
He also says Ford now is the second-largest automotive investor in Thailand, with $2.5 billion spent to date.
Thailand is one of three global production and export hubs for the new-generation Ranger, alongside South Africa and Argentina.
