Suzuki to Close Automobile Plant in Thailand
Just a week ago we got news that Subaru was ceasing its vehicle assembly business in Bangkok Thailand and now we get news that Suzuki will be closing its 12 year old vehicle (not motorcycle) plant in Rayong, Thailand at the end of next year, 2025.
The Suzuki factory used to produce 60,000 units a year and this has fallen to just 7,500 vehicles (this March 2024) which is no longer a viable business. This closure will have some 800 workers without jobs.
Interestingly, Suzuki Motors will still continue to produce its range of vehicles in Indonesia and India without any issue as demand continues to be strong. The main Suzuki plant in Japan will continue to run without a hitch as demand for the Suzuki Swift and Jimny continue to be healthy.
It looks like the Chinese auto invasion in Asia Pacific is pushing smaller volume Japanese vehicle manufacturers to rethink their production and will this ‘dent’ the Japanese economy as the auto sector plays a huge part in the Japanese economy.
PRESS RELEASE: Suzuki Motor Corporation has decided to close the plant of its automobile subsidiary in Thailand, Suzuki Motor (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “SMT”) by the end of 2025. This decision was made as a part of reviewing Suzuki’s global production structure.
Following the announcement of the eco-car project by the Thai government in 2007, Suzuki applied for the project and established SMT in 2011, after receiving approval of the project. The automobile plant started its production in 2012, and produced as much as 60,000 units annually including exports.
Meanwhile, in the course of promoting carbon neutrality and electrification globally, Suzuki had been considering optimizing global production sites within the group. Consequently, we decided to close SMT plant by the end of 2025.
Even after the closing of its plant, SMT will continue its sales and after-sales services to meet the customer needs in Thailand, through importing CBUs from plants within the ASEAN region as well as Japan and India.
Also, in order to contribute to achieving carbon neutrality goals promoted by the Thai government, the company will introduce electrified models including hybrid vehicles.
