The one millionth-vehicle was a 2008 Honda Accord for Thai domestic consumption. The all-new Accord is due to be launched in Australia next February.

Kenji Otaka, President of Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd., said, “This accomplishment of ‘one million’ total cumulative production in Thailand is not only a testimony of consumers’ trust in the Honda brand but also a strong vote of confidence in our people, technology, and design innovations.”

Thailand is a strategic manufacturing base for Honda vehicles in the Asia-Oceania regions and the company’s commitment to its host country has gained pace with a series of well-timed investments, technology and skills transfer made over the past 23 years.

The company’s recent investment of Bht. 6.2 billion (approx AUD$260 million), announced in July 2007, in a second facility to be built adjacent to its existing one in Ayutthaya province will double its production capacity from 120,000 to 240,000 units when completed in late 2008. The new Honda plant will incorporate clean production technologies, making it one of the cleanest auto manufacturing facilities in the world.

“Through our pioneering research, next-generation technologies and innovative designs, we are constantly raising the standards for quality manufacturing and enhancing customer satisfaction. Word-of-mouth endorsements by people who have personally experienced driving a Honda vehicle are valuable testimonials about Honda’s durability, safety, reliability, quality and environment-friendly attributes,” said Otaka.

Honda vehicles and auto parts made in Thailand are exported to 14 countries for CKD (completely knocked down – or components and parts needed to build a complete car) and to over 30 countries for CBU (completely built up – or vehicles exported fully built).

Thailand’s total auto industry is now one of the top 10 automotive producers in the world, producing more than 1.8 million vehicles per year of which over 800,000 units are exported annually.

About Honda’s manufacturing facility in Thailand

• Honda’s manufacturing facility in Thailand is its sixth largest, after Japan, USA, China, Canada and the United Kingdom. Honda employs approximately 3,700 people at the Thailand plant.
• The manufacturing site is located at Rojana Industrial Estate, Ayutthaya Province, on a site that covers almost 680,000 square metres.
• Models manufactured at the plant and imported to Australia are the Honda Jazz, Civic sedan, CR-V and the Accord.
• Honda will accelerate its regional R & D functions (planning, concept building, styling research, development and testing) as well as technology transfer to the Asia/Oceania region by transferring its R & D role to Thailand in order to meet the growing demand for Honda products.
• Honda has to-date invested over Bht. 21,200 million in its manufacturing facility in Thailand, to enhance its strategic regional manufacturing role.