Mitsubishi Motors (MMC) claimed to have outpaced other large international car makers to become the top automotive exporter in Thailand – for the first time – with export volume of 309,915 units for the fiscal year to 31 March, 2017.
The Laem Chabang factory is now the largest MMC global production hub with over 80% of production earmarked for export.
Nissan Motor chief Carlos Ghosn has made his first visit to the Laem Chabang Industrial Estate since becoming chairman of Mitsubishi Motors last December after the rival automaker acquired a controlling stake. The plant's production capacity is the amongst MMC factories worldwide and exports to over 120 countries.
"[The plant] is a tremendous strength of Mitsubishi Motors' business," said Ghosn in a statement. "Our world-class production facilities are capable of producing 424,000 vehicles a year. As Thailand's leading automotive exporter, this factory has become the global production hub for [us]."
Last autumn, MMC became a member of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, one of the world's top three auto groups with annual unit sales of almost 10m vehicles. MMC said the Thai operation will deliver synergies through sharing of best practice on cost controls, parts sourcing and productivity. MMC growth will be supported by better procurement, improved logistics, better plant utilisation and access to technology sharing and common vehicle platforms, reflecting the alliance's larger investment in research and development.
Mitsubishi Motors Thailand operates four plants in Thailand that employ over 6,000 workers. Last fiscal year, they produced 353,000 vehicles.
The main export destinations are Europe (28%), ASEAN and Asia region (25%), North America (21%), Oceania (12%) and 'others' (14 %).
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