Suzuki Purchases 412 Rai in Hemaraj Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate for its Eco-Car Manufacturing Base in Thailand

Bangkok, 28 January 2008 – Suzuki Motor Corporation, a leading car manufacturer and Hemaraj Land And Development Plc., Thailand’s leading developer of industrial estates, utilities and property signed an agreement for purchasing land of 412 rai at Hemaraj’s newest industrial estate, Hemaraj Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate (Hemaraj ESIE), or the Detroit of the East II in Rayong. The land will be used for the construction of Suzuki’s Eco-car manufacturing and CKD kit assembly plant scheduled to commence operation in 2010.

The Board of Investment (BOI) recently approved Suzuki’s plan for an investment of Baht 9.5 billion in construction of a manufacturing plant for Eco-car and CKD kit with a capacity of at least 100,000 units per year. According to Suzuki’s plan the plant, to be located in the purchased land at Hemaraj ESIE, will produce fuel-efficient Eco-cars in line with the Thai government’s policy and supply them not only to Thai market but also to neighboring countries.

“Suzuki selected Hemaraj Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate for this flagship project based on Hemaraj’s proven effective auto clustering concept which offers competitive supply line and logistic advantages. In addition to the top-of-the-line infrastructure and services offered by Hemaraj, the location of Hemaraj ESIE also facilitates easy access to shipping and cargo such as at Laem Chabang Deep Sea Port,” said Mr. Takayuki Sugiyama, Group Leader, Asia Marketing Group II, Asia Automobile Marketing Department., Global Marketing, Suzuki Motor Corporation.

“Suzuki’s decision to construct its plant in Hemaraj’s industrial estate once again reflects investors’ confidence in Thailand’s long-term strong economic fundamentals and reaffirms our customers’ trust in Hemaraj’s “Detroit of the East” concept. We are honored that Hemaraj ESIE is chosen as the location for Suzuki’s Eco-car manufacturing plant which is one of the important projects supporting the Thai government’s policy in tackling the prevailing global energy problem” said Mr. David Nardone, President & CEO of Hemaraj Land And Development Plc.

Over 120 automotive supply-line and manufacturing companies including auto-industry related services are now operating within a world-class integrated automotive cluster industrial environment in Hemaraj’s industrial estates in the Eastern Seaboard - ESIE and Hemaraj ESIE dubbed the “Detroit of the East”.