HCPI says upcoming shift in focus of Thailand plant won’t affect PH supply

Honda Cars Philippines Incorporated (HCPI) reassured its customers that the upcoming shift in the focus of its plant in Thailand will not affect the supply of its automobiles.

HCPI shared the information following reports that Honda is planning to end vehicle production in its Ayutthaya factory. 

According to the Japanese carmaker’s local wing, the said facility will cease the function of building cars and move to producing parts for the marque instead.

After the said move, it will be Honda Prachinburi which will shoulder the production needs in the region.

“The reason why we’re shifting it is so that we can streamline the process and focus the resources. Ayutthaya will now be focusing on spare parts and parts manufacturing, of course maintaining the quality of standards in terms of manufacturing for Honda, which we’ve cultivated within the years, and Prachinburi will be manufacturing all the vehicles and it will also help us in our transition to xEV (a term used for electric vehicles in general),” HCPI Department Manager for Communications Rex Decena told Carmudi Philippines in an interview.

“In terms of supply — because that’s also partly of concern — there’s no impact in supply because there is no decrease in production, it’s just re-focus in production and streamlining in our process,” he noted.

To note, the models that are coming from the said facility are the  Honda City, Civic, CR-V, HR-V, and the recently updated City Hatchback.

It is said that Honda’s move to cut off vehicle manufacturing in its Ayutthaya factory by 2025 was due to an increased demand in electric vehicles.

Moreover, the aggressive efforts of Chinese car companies to take over market shares in Thailand also prompted the brand’s decision.

Both Honda Ayutthaya and Prachinburi produced 228,000 units combined in 2019 with sales just under the 100,000 mark since then. Just last year, its production dropped to 150,000 units.

Also read:

Honda Civic Type R claims new record at Nürburgring

Honda Cars PH spruces up City, Brio

Honda Cars PH unboxes ‘greener,’ ‘smarter’ CR-V