Nissan begins Navara production in new Thailand factory

Even as Thailand’s political future remains murky, its auto industry is still seemingly firing on all cylinders. The latest addition to its formidable production is Nissan’s second production plant in Thailand.

The new plant will be a production hub for the NP300 Navara, Nissan’s new generation pickup truck, destined for export to 45 countries around the world.

Thailand is a key market for Nissan, an integral part of their growth strategy in Asia. The country now boasts two plants and an R&D facility, and is increasing in importance as the company’s Asian hub for exports and manufacturing.

Nissan has invested 3.7 billion Thai Baht in the 580,000 square meter facility, bringing with it 2,000 new job opportunities. Full production capacity is expected to reach 150,000 units per annum.

“Thailand is the engine of growth for us in the region, so we’re excited to be opening this second plant today that will produce our latest pickup”, said Fumiaki Matsumoto, Nissan’s Executive Vice President responsible for global manufacturing. “It signifies our optimism for Thailand, as a growing automotive market, a center of manufacturing excellence for the region and an export hub for the world.”

More than half of the vehicles produced at this new plant will be exported to global markets. The localization ratio of vehicles produced is already at 85 percent, including the engine plant.

Nissan has also invested 162 million Thai Baht in the new plant’s zero discharge program, and will recycle all industrial wastewater through the Reverse Osmosis (RO) process. Nissan will continue to provide training to subcontractors and employees to raise the awareness of waste management and resource reduction.

Nissan first produced cars in Thailand back in 1963 when four cars rolled off the production line a day. The new plant will increase Nissan’s production capacity in Thailand to 370,000 units.

“The NP300 Navara is our most durable pickup, integrating the best of Nissan’s technological know-how, design skills and 80 years of pickup production experience. With features such as LED projector headlamps with daytime running lights and the new 2.5L YD engine, I am confident this is going to be a popular model and will be our growth pillar in the region,” said Takao Katagiri, Nissan’s Executive Vice President responsible for Asia, Oceania and Japan businesses.

The new plant produced its first NP300 Navara pickup on July 1 and start of sales begins on July 3. Two versions are available: King Cab and Double Cab. The price of the King Cab ranges from 575,000 to 842,000 Thai Baht (P772,000 to P1,130,000)  while the price for the Double Cab version ranges from 656,000 to 996,000 Thai Baht (P880,000 to P1,337,000)  The delivery will begin in mid-August.