First Subaru plant outside Japan
TAN Chong International (TCI) has opened its first Subaru assembly plant in Bangkok, Thailand, marking a strong push for Subaru’s expansion in Asean.
The Tan Chong Subaru Automotive Thailand (TCSAT) plant is located in the Ladkrabung Industrial Estate, which is in the outskirts of Bangkok City and is now the first Subaru plant to have been constructed outside Japan.
The 5bil baht (RM645mil) plant covers 100,000 sq m and is a joint-venture between the company (74.9%) and Subaru Corp in Japan which was fully completed in March.
The plant currently has a capacity to produce 6,000 units and will be increased to 10,000 units next year.
At full capacity, the plant is able to produce up to 100,000 units and cater up to four models.
The fifth-generation Forester sports utility vehicle was the first model to roll off the assembly line in August 2018 and the model will be exported to Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
A team of Japanese staff have been employed at TCSAT to ensure production standards and processes meet the same stringent levels as in Japan.
Also, high-performance robotics are used at several stages of the assembly process to ensure quality and reduce defects.
At the painting line, the pre-treatment, electrical deposits, primer and top coat are applied automatically.
The key welding points of the car body and the sealer application for glass components are also automated to achieve total consistency.
All this is part of the technology and skills knowledge transfer which Subaru Corp has committed to.
Subaru Corp will also conduct regular production audits to ensure quality.
The plant also has a test track which was specially built to assess the condition of every car before it leaves the factory.
The plant employs more than 400 local workers as well as expatriates from Japan and Singapore who are based in Thailand to share their technical and management expertise.
To further promote staff health and well-being, the canteen serves nutritious Thai and Japanese meals, while facilities such as a futsal field cater to staff recreational needs.
“This is truly a milestone for us, to be able to build Subaru cars ourselves in Thailand. From distribution, dealerships and aftersales, we are now also manufacturing Subaru cars,” said TCI deputy chairman and managing director Glenn Tan.
“This strategic long- term move will allow us to better manage our supply chain, widen our product line up, localise better and be less dependent on supply from Japan.
“We will be better able to respond and meet consumer demand for Subaru vehicles in the region, and perhaps even beyond the region in future,” added Tan.
— JAY WONG