Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand)

Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand)
Subsidiary
Founded 1987
Headquarters 88 Moo 11 Phahonyothin Road, Tambon Klong Nueng, Amphoe Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
Key people
 Michiro Imai (President)
Products Automobile manufacturing
Number of employees
 c. 4,000 (2004)
Parent Mitsubishi Motors (99.9%)
Subsidiaries MMC Engine Co., Ltd. (MEC)
Website Mitsubishi-Motors.co.th
The Akinori Nakanishi-styled Mitsubishi Triton, Thailand's most successful automotive export.

Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (MMTh) is the Thai operation of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. It became the first Thai automobile manufacturer to export vehicles overseas in 1988, and has remained the country's largest exporter every year since.[1]

MMTh is currently the most productive of Mitsubishi's four manufacturing facilities outside Japan, with 133,109 vehicles produced in 2006. It exported its one millionth pickup truck in October 2007.[2] In anticipation of a growth in the market for pickup trucks, Mitsubishi is investing 21 billion baht(¥1 billion) to increase local capacity to 200,000 units.[3]In November 2015, MMTh celebrated production of its four millionth vehicle.[4]

History

Mitsubishi began building trucks in Thailand in 1966, by a company called United Development Motor Industry Co (UDMI) (established 1964). In 1965, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) became the majority shareholder (60%) of UDMI.[5] The Galant sedan followed in 1972 and the L200 pickup truck in 1981.[6] MMC acquired 40% of Sittipol Motor Co (SMC), the distributor of Mitsubishi vehicles in Thailand, in late 1973.[5] In 1987, SMC and UDMI merged to become MMC Sittipol Co.,Ltd. (MSC) with MMC holding 48%.[5] In 1988, Mitsubishi Mirage was exported to supply Chrysler Canada.[7][5] In 1992, local production at Laem Chabang, Thailand ( Laemchabang #1 Factory) was started.[8][5] In 1996, local production at Laemchabang #2 Factory was started.[5] In August 1997, MMC became the majority owner of MSC.[5] In 2003, MSC changed its name to Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co., Ltd.[5] In January 2004, Fuso trucks business was split to form Mitsubishi Fuso Truck (Thailand).[5]

In 2001 Mitsubishi increased their stake from 46.2 to 99.9 percent, followed by a name change to "Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co., Ltd." in November 2003.[6] A Thai-only SUV on a L200 chassis, called the Strada G-Wagon, was built in 2001-2005.

Models

The Mirage,[9] Lancer, Grandis and Triton models are all produced locally.[10] In addition, MMTh owns a subsidiary, MMC Engine Co., Ltd. (MEC), located at Laem Chabang Industrial Estates, Tambon Thung Sukhla, Si Racha District, Chonburi Province, which produces auto components.[11]

Production and sales

Year Production Domestic sales
L200 Strada Lancer Grandis Triton Outlander1 Total
1994 figures unavailable - - - 70,197 76,557
1995 - - - 71,426 78,151
1996 - - - 74,760 87,672
1997 - - - 78,413 35,191
1998 - - - 65,341 15,840
1999 - - - 77,857 19,172
2000 84,813 5,401 - - - 90,214 28,266
2001 78,845 5,302 - - - 84,147 23,665
2002 97,589 12,076 - - - 109,665 32,010
2003 95,680 7,381 - - - 103,511 33,799
2004 120,572 6,310 3,306 - - 130,188 39,564
2005 90,080 6,725 3,350 43,769 - 143,924 43,722
2006 26,901 3,165 1,089 121,687 - 152,842 26,003
2007 6,257 2,693 1,865 155,027 111 165,853 26,887
Notes:
  1. The Outlander is only import to Singaporean markets, not sold in Thailand.

(sources: Facts & Figures 2000, Facts & Figures 2005, Facts & Figures 2008, Mitsubishi Motors website)

References

  1. ↑ "Mitsubishi Grandis and Strada win Car of the Year Awards at Bangkok International Motor Show", Mitsubishi Motors press release, March 29, 2005
  2. ↑ "Mitsubishi Motors sets new record: 1,000,000 pick up trucks exported from Thailand", Mitsubishi Motors press release, October 11, 2007
  3. ↑ "Mitsubishi Vows to Continue with Expansion in Thailand", Santan Santivimolnat, Bangkok Post, June 4, 2004
  4. ↑ "Mitsubishi Motors Thailand Celebrates Major Production Milestone". The Newswheel. 2015-11-18. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "History of Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co., Ltd." (PDF). Mitsubishi Motors. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  6. 1 2 Mazur, Eligiusz, ed. (2006). World of Cars 2006·2007. Warsaw, Poland: Media Connection Sp. z o.o. p. 272. ISSN 1734-2945.
  7. ↑ MMC Sittipol Co.,Ltd. MMC Sittipol.
  8. ↑ Maikaew, Piyachart (Jul 4, 2016). "Mitsubishi upbeat on sales outlook". The Bangkok Post. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  9. ↑ "Mitsubishi Motors Started Production of the Mirage Line-off Ceremony for the Mirage held in Thailand". Mitsubishi-motors.com. 2012-04-19. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  10. ↑ Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Google Finance entry
  11. ↑ "Subsidiaries and Affiliates", Mitsubishi Motors website
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