BMW has begun assembly of the Mini Countryman at its Amata Industrial Estate plant in Rayong for the domestic and other markets in south east Asia.
The company plans to assemble 200-250 units of the Countryman in the first year and Matthias Pfalz, president of BMW Thailand, said the move shows the company’s commitment to the country as an Asean auto hub.
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The locally made Mini will be more affordable, with selling prices up to 30% cheaper than the imported model thanks to the deep cut in import tax. In the first half of this year, 219 Minis were sold in Thailand, up 3% year on year.
Mini delivered a record 301,526 vehicles to customers worldwide last year, with 31% year on year growth in Asia.
BMW Manufacturing Thailand began operations in 2000 and now assembles the 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, X1 and X3. The facility, which has a production area of 75,000 square metres, employs 400 people.
BMW has also recently begun Countryman assembly in India and Malaysia.
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