Volvo to expand Thai operations

Volvo Group (Thailand) has announced its intention to boost employees at its Samut Prakan facility near Bangkok by 43 per cent

According to Thai media outlet The Nation, Volvo is set to make a considerable investment in its Thai operations.

The President of Volvo Group (Thailand), Jacques Michel, has said it will increase employee numbers in Thailand by 43 per cent in coming months.

"Now we have 1400 employees, and we will increase the workforce to 2000 by the end of this year," he said.

The new jobs will be created at Volvo's Samut Prakan facility, near Bangkok, and also across the Volvo Group (Thailand) network of sales and service outlets.

According to The Nation, Volvo has been pursuing the Thai market with significant aggression, expanding its dealer network from five outlets in 2011 to 12 in 2013. Those numbers are expected to rise to 17 by the end of the year. The Swedish giant has invested $A167 million in Thailand since 2009, with production commencing in December 2013.

According to Volvo the brand accounts for around 70 per cent of the European brand segment of heavy-duty trucks in Thailand, and its sales have increased from 300 units in 2008 to over 1000 units last year.

Production of Volvo's FM, FH and FMX models commenced at the Samut Prakan facility in mid-May 2014. The facility is reported to have a potential annual production capacity of 20,000 UD trucks and 4500 Volvo trucks.

According to The Nation, Michel said the outlook in Thailand and the neighbouring countries also overseen by Volvo Group (Thailand) – namely Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam and the Philippines – remains positive.

Volvo to expand Thai operations

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