webfact Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 German auto tech firm has faith in ThailandMARISA CHIMPRABHATHE NATIONPOTSDAM, GERMANYA ZF staff demonstrates how to use a smart watch to guide a car built under "Smart Urban Vehicle" concept into a parking space.BANGKOK: -- A LEADING automobile technology company in Germany has faith that Thailand will rebound from the economic downturn that saw the local auto industry experience a continued drop."I am very confident in Thailand, which has been one of the world's productive economies," Rudi von Meister, president of ZF Friedrichshafen Asia-Pacific, said last week.He said he has witnessed tremendous progress and development in Thailand over the past decades.Many countries have also suffered economic decline but they would certainly resume their status as a strong economy by using their experience in solving problems.Thailand's auto market and industry have seen a continued decline in sales volume due to the global and domestic slowdowns."This could happen to other countries. Not too long ago, the US went through an economic downturn. Thailand may not immediately bounce back to a strong economy but it will."The Federation of Thai Industries' Automotive Industry Club has reported that vehicle production fell 8.8 per cent last month from the same month a year earlier, but rose 8.9 per cent from the previous month, to 135,045 units.The latest declines in production were attributed to the country's slow economic recovery and a change in the assembly line of one of the automakers, the FTI said.Nasdaq reported that for the first five months of 2015, total production contracted 1.1 per cent from a year ago to 783,553 units.The country's vehicle exports also declined 6.2 per cent in May to 88,937 units, largely due to an automaker's change in the production of its pickup truck model that led to a decline in overseas shipments of Thai-made trucks, the auto club said.Von Meister's first visit to Thailand was in 1981 and there have been many more visits since then. Thailand's industrial base has been strong although it has been through tough times.ZF is a leader in driveline and chassis technology as well as active and passive safety technology. The firm that acquired TRW Automotive of the United States in May now employs about 134,000 staff globally and is represented at about 230 locations in 40 countries, including Thailand.It is one in the top three auto suppliers worldwide. The company and TRW Automotive achieved sales of more than 30 billion euros (Bt1.1 trillion) last year.The Thai industry requires a company like ZF to provide better service, technology and quality of products."We need a stronger presence in manufacturing in Thailand so we can introduce our technology and product development for the Thai market."ZF will adapt its products and technology to meet the needs of the Thai market not only for cars but also trucks," he said.The Thai market has unique tastes in vehicles."Our target group is cars but you have to spend time there to be able to react to what the market needs. There is much to learn."ZF recently introduced the next generation of auto technology under the concept of the "smart urban vehicle". A car built under the concept has a smart parking assist system, consisting of 12 ultrasound sensors and two infrared sensors.Using a smartphone or iPad, a driver can guide his car into an available space with or without him sitting in the car.The company that celebrated its centennial this year has products ranging from drivelines and transmissions, braking and steering systems, and driver assistance and occupant safety systems to chassis components and complete axle systems and modules.ZF (Thailand) in Bangkok serves as a strategic location that enables ZF to provide fast and efficient support to its customers across the country. It is a supplier of low-floor technology to major bus body manufacturers such as Cherdchai.It also provides ZF's Ecomat transmissions to the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority via carmakers including Isuzu, Hino, Mercedes-Benz and Daewoo.Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/German-auto-tech-firm-has-faith-in-Thailand-30264299.html-- The Nation 2015-07-13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soalbundy Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 somebody in Thailand must owe them a lot of money Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emster23 Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 "German auto tech firm has faith in Thailand" definition of faith: firm belief in something for which there is no proof Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quandow Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 "I am very confident in Thailand, which has been one of the world's productive economies," said Rudi von Meister, who also moonlights for TAT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny S Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 Never considered Germans to be stupid but changed my mind now ... Holy mother what are they thinking about ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnglishJohn Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 Wow, what a high-tech list of capabilities. Will they be training up Thais to develop the software and systems ?. Or will the Thais just be cheap labour and a target market ?. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halion Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 Nobody with any real sense would "have faith in Thailand" however a self parking car would be an asset to most Thai drivers and those who have to sit and wait for their 8 point approach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSJ Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 A great post if it's intention was to get a chuckle out of me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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