Suzuki Motor (Thailand) Co. Ltd. has confirmed its plan to close down its automobile manufacturing plant in Thailand by the end of 2025, a decision that was previously refuted in online reports in May.
The closure announcement was made as part of Suzuki Motor Corporation’s reassessment of its global production structure. Suzuki Motor (Thailand) Co. Ltd. shared further insights, explaining that its presence in Thailand began following the approval and establishment of the plant in 2011 under an eco-car project initiated by the Thai government in 2007. Since commencing production in 2012, the plant has been manufacturing up to 60,000 units annually, both for domestic and export markets. However, aligning with Suzuki’s strategic focus on carbon neutrality and electrification initiatives worldwide, a decision was reached to optimize production facilities within the group, leading to the decision to close the Thai plant by 2025.
Despite the plant closure, Suzuki Motor (Thailand) intends to continue serving customers in Thailand by importing completely built-up units (CBUs) from sister plants in the ASEAN region, Japan, and India. Furthermore, the company aims to contribute to Thailand’s carbon neutrality objectives by introducing electrified models, including hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).
Additionally, recent investigations by the Japanese government into vehicle certification tests have implicated Suzuki Motor Corp. along with other automakers. Following these developments, a new level of scrutiny has been placed on Suzuki’s operations, emphasizing the importance of adherence to regulations and quality standards.
In a similar vein, TC Subaru (Thailand) Co., Ltd. disclosed its decision to halt Subaru vehicle production at its Thai factory from December 30, 2024, due to challenges posed by evolving economic conditions. The company aims to revitalize its market presence in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia by transitioning to importing Subaru vehicles from Japan starting in 2025. This strategic shift seeks to bolster the brand’s competitiveness by offering new products and advanced technologies to meet market demands and counter rising competition from Chinese brands in the region.
