Delphi Eyes Thailand for New Plant
By NINA SUEBSUKCHAROEN Associated Press Writer
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - The world's biggest auto parts manufacturer, Delphi Automotive Systems Corp (NYSE:DPH - news)., is holding preliminary discussions with the Thai Board of Investment on establishing a plant in Thailand, near new facilities set up by General Motors and Ford.
Officials representing Delphi and the Thai board last week confirmed, on condition of anonymity, reports in Thai newspapers that a few rounds of talks have been held, but no final decision has been made.
Automakers GM, Ford and BMW have or are in the process of setting up plants on Thailand's eastern seaboard, joining Japanese firms long established here.
General Motors, which unveiled plans in 1996 to launch a plant producing 100,000 new vehicles a year, scaled back plans after the Asian economic crisis struck. GM now plans to start producing Zafira minivans by next May, with initial production of 40,000 vehicles a year.
Ford has been producing Ranger pickup trucks in its joint-venture plant with Mazda since 1998 and plans to market locally produced Laser sedans next year to compete with popular Japanese models.
Delphi, based in Troy, Mich., was spun off by General Motors in May with an eye to allowing the company - the 36th largest manufacturing firm in the United States - more flexibility in reaching deals with other automakers.
Recently announced third-quarter sales of $6.9 billion were up 18 percent over a year ago. Sales to customers other than GM totaled $1.7 billion, a 16 percent increase. |
