SAIC MOTOR-CP The MG Car Manufacturer Foresees a Bright Future at WHA ESIE 2

The first manufacturing joint-venture between Thailand and China, SAIC Motor-CP was established in February 2013 at the WHA Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate 1 (WHA ESIE 1), before moving in August 2017 to a brand-new 700,000 sq.m. plant at the WHA Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate 2 (WHA ESIE 2).

With a workforce of approximately 1,000 people, the company currently manufactures 4 MG models (new MG3, MG5, MG GS and MG ZS). From a mere 280 units in 2014, SAIC Motor-CP expects to produce 28,000 units this year and 50,000 units in 2019, representing half the plant’s production capacity. “We plan to make this plant the production center of all right-hand drive MG cars, or 30% of the world market, so we will export to other countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan and New Zealand,” explained Mr. Suroj Sangsnit, Executive Vice-President of SAIC Motor-CP.

According to Mr. Athit Tangwattanarat, Manufacturing Engineering Deputy Director, who has been with SAIC Motor-CP since its inception, the choice of WHA ESIE 2 for the new plant was based on several criteria. “The estate’s easy access from routes 331 and 3138, its location close to Bangkok, to the Suvarnabhumi airport and to the Laem Chabang Deep Sea Port were major advantages. Being one of the first occupants of WHA ESIE 2 was also a plus as it made it easier to meet our plant’s strict regulations and specifications, especially in terms of environment protection. WHA’s great experience as a long-term promoter of Thailand’s automotive cluster helped significantly,” he added.

At WHA ESIE 2, SAIC Motor-CP finds the necessary utilities for its plant. On December 1, 2018, the MG car manufacturer became the first customer of GULF-WHA-MT Natural Gas Distribution, a newly-established joint-venture between WHAUP, GULF and MITG for the supply of natural gas, the plant’s main energy source. The company is increasing its electricity supply, with the installation by WHAUP of new substations, and it plans to set up solar rooftops on the parking areas, where MG cars are stored before delivery to the company’s 120-dealer network all over Thailand.

“Our partnership with WHA is certainly for the long-term”, concluded Mr. Suroj Sangsnit.

Remarks: The article was written for WHA Group Newsletter February 2019 Vol. 42