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Honda building Thailand R&D centre |
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Honda has begun work on its Asia-Oceania regional automobile research and development centre in Thailand, aiming to make the country a regional automotive R&D hub. The new facilities, costing 1.7 billion baht, would be handled by the newly formed company, Honda R&D Asia Pacific Co. Industry Minister Suwit Khunkitti recently presided over the inauguration and cornerstone laying ceremony. Honda R&D Asia Pacific is the fourth Honda automobile research and development centre outside of Japan, after the US, Europe and China. Located on 95 rai along Kanchanaphisek Road, the facilities are expected to be completed in 2009. One goal is to accelerate local content development to stimulate the Thai and regional automotive industries. Fumihiko Ike, chief executive of Asian Honda Motor Co, said the centre would have a broad range of activities including planning, design, research and testing. Honda also recently established Honda R&D Southeast Asia Co, responsible for motorcycle research and development. The division performs market research, styling and design, engineering, model and mock-up production and prototype testing for Honda motorcycles. |
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Bangkok Post, 09.05.2008 |
