Ford Motor Company celebrates an awesome 25 years of operations in Thailand
With close to a quarter of a century of operations in Thailand, the Ford Motor Company is practically an institution in the Land of Smiles. Since their founding in 1996, Ford has grown from strength to strength in Thailand and today is one of the largest automotive investors in Thailand with cumulative investments of more than US$2.5 billion.
This staunch commitment to modernising and introducing the latest manufacturing technologies complemented by a skilled workforce has held Ford in good stead with their two integrated production plants in Rayong having made over 1.9 million vehicles.
Currently, Ford’s production plants in Thailand dubbed as Ford Thailand Manufacturing (FTM) and AutoAlliance Thailand (AAT) serve as the key production hub for their flagship Ranger pickup truck and Everest SUV which have remained popular both in Thailand and in the 100 other markets where it is exported to.
“We are very proud of Ford’s role over the last 25 years in helping drive the development and ongoing growth of Thailand’s globally competitive automotive industry,” said Wichit Wongwattanakan, managing director, Ford Thailand. “Our continuous investments, installation of Ford’s advanced global manufacturing technologies, and fostering the technical skills of our Thailand workforce, have all combined to deliver a truly world-class manufacturing base.”
Wichit Wongwattanakan, Managing Director, Ford Thailand
Ford Motor Company – Giving Back to the Community
The company isn’t resting on their laurels as they’re constantly working to be a positive force for change in the community. Throughout Thailand, Ford has spearheaded initiatives for drive safety, environmental conservation, education and community assistance programmes.
In the wake of the pandemic, the Ford Motor Company has stepped up to the plate and helped where it matters most with Ford’s crack team of engineers developing PPE face shields while employee volunteers helped to craft 126,000 of these critical items of tear. Ford also co-developed and leveraged their industrial might to produce 13,000 pairs of medical grade goggles with Polynet. Both of these critical items were distributed to front liners in Thailand combating the COVID 19 pandemic.
Ford has also donated an unprecedented 10 Ranger pick-ups that were retrofitted into emergency medical service ambulances by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health.
Among their other contributions to the community, Ford also established the Ford Resource and Engagement Center (FREC) in partnership with several NGO partners in Bangkok to bring positive change to the nearby community in Nang Loeng. You can check out Ford’s 25th anniversary video which features English subtitles below: