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Thailand set to assemble 407
Peugeot is set to boost its competitive stance in Thailand and other markets in Asean by taking advantage of the Asean Investment Co-operation (Aico) industrial programme.
Early next year, the French carmaker will be assembling the 206 compact hatchback in Indonesia, while Malaysia would be making the 307 range of small family cars.
A European source told Motoring that Thailand was set to assemble the all-new 407 replacement to the 406 mid-sized family saloon, which is currently made at the YMC Assembly owned by the Yontrakit Group.
All three assembly plans will be handled by local business partners in the respective countries, although it has not been entirely ruled out that Automobiles Peugeot SA may make the investment itself in Thailand.
Although Peugeot's regional head office is located in Malaysia, it is known that some executives at the parent firm in France are looking at Thailand as the major hub for car assembly in Asean.
Peugeot is said to be keen on building its presence and sales volume in Thailand, but is hampered by high import duties. Most of its cars compete in the lower end of the market which the Japanese are dominating with locally assembled kits. To make local assembly more feasible, Peugeot is looking at making use of investment privileges among Asean members _ the Aico programme _ to reduce production costs and increase sales volume.
The 406 is the only model made in Thailand and accounts for nearly all Peugeot units sold annually _ around 1,000. The 407 successor is due in less than two years.
At the Bangkok Motor Show recently, local distributor European Automobiles decided to make official imports of the 206, 307 and 607 to add some colour to local showrooms.
However, because of high prices, these cars are expected to sell in small volume. The 2.0-litre 307 costs 1.6 million baht and the 1.6-litre 206 is priced at 1.4 million baht.
The Asean-built 206 and 307 will come only in hatchback forms, while the new SW lifestyle estates of both model ranges have yet to be considered.
``We are aware of the changing trends of customers in Asia, as well as the need to offer three-box (four-door sedan) cars. But we are going ahead with the hatchbacks of the 206 and 307, before heading for the SW versions,'' noted an insider.
Like the 406, the new 407 will still be offered in the traditional sedan package, along with an estate.
Peugeot has already shown strong interest in the so-called city cars _ small fuel-efficient cars _ that made headlines under the previous government, as the company specialises in small cars.
Toyota and Peugeot have already announced that they will jointly develop a new small car for world markets which could serve additionally as an effective replacement for the 107 supermini.
But now that the current government has abandoned plans to encourage city cars, Peugeot is concentrating on the investment benefits available among Asean members.
However, the source did not rule out Peugeot-Toyota synergy in Thailand. ``Technically, it is possible that we can utilise Toyota's resources if mutual agreement can be reached.''
Carmakers already using Aico privileges are Ford, Mazda and Volvo. Others set to follow suit within the next four years are BMW, Honda and Land Rover.uBack page 307 SW drive
Source: Bangkok Post
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- 8ช-xxxx [ 16 ส.ค. 2545 , 08:22:51 น.]
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