Ford to Update Thailand Manufacturing for Ranger, Everest

Ford Motor Company said today it will update its Thailand manufacturing operations with a $900 million (THB 28 billion) investment in new technologies and systems. It’s the company’s largest-ever single investment in Thailand. It’s being promoted as Part of the Ford+ plan for growth and value creation because this supports production of the next-gen Ranger pickup truck and Everest SUV. The Ranger sold in the US is currently built at Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan. (Ford to Bring Back Ranger Pickup to North America)

The investment brings Ford’s cumulative investments in the country to more than $3.4 billion (THB 100 billion) during the past 25 years. The modernization program supports Thailand’s role as a global production and export base for Ford, through its wholly-owned Ford Thailand Manufacturing (FTM) and joint-venture with Mazda at the AutoAlliance Thailand (AAT) truck plant.

The addition of a second shift at FTM adds up to 1,250 incremental jobs, increasing Ford’s local workforce to more than 9,000 employees. However, Ford is almost doubling the number of robots at both FTM and AAT, with the addition of 356 robots at the body shop and paint shop. This brings the level of automation at the body shop at FTM and AAT from 34% to 80% and 69%, respectively.

Exporting vehicles is a significant part of Ford Thailand’s manufacturing business. The Ford Ranger sold in 180 markets around the world, as well as holding the title of the best-selling truck in a number of countries across Asia Pacific. AAT will also be the lead production hub for the upcoming next-gen Everest SUV.