History

            The “Hamburger Crisis” that started in the US in mid 2008 has caused a major global economic turmoil which may trigger adverse consequences several times more severe than the “Tom Yum Kung Crisis” of 1997, especially in the auto industry of the US, Japan and Thailand.

            Big operators facing near-bankruptcy before anybody are the “Big Three” of the US automotive industry that had to ask for some $20bn lifeline from the Government. Meanwhile major car makers of Japan and the world announced losses exceeding $1.5bn in 2008. 

            The turmoil inevitably spreads to our auto industry also. In combination with the general economic downturn of 2009, it becomes a time of hardship for both makers and consumers.          

            Anyway, there is always light at the end of a dark tunnel.

            Thus if we are neither disheartened nor fearful, we can summon up the strength to plough through the economic crisis for survival and achieve sustainable success eventually.

            What is important is that every section of the auto industry must push forward in unison. 

            From now on, the makers not only have to adjust themselves businesswise to survive, but also to employ modern technology in building quality products that match lifestyles of modern society, are environmentally friendly and fuel efficient.

            At the same time, good service, both pre-sale and after-sale, is indispensible and must be continually developed in the same way as product quality, to gain consumers’ trust.

            This is based on the belief that development of product quality and service will lead to sustainable survival better than plant closure or reduction of production capacity.

            The consumers themselves must play an important role in raising the standards of production and service by supporting products from makers that are socially responsible. They must also plan their installment payments carefully in order not to create chaos in the auto business which would only worsen the situation.

            This is based on the belief that only continual development of product quality and service by producers, well supported by consumers, are key factors for survival of the Thai automotive industry that will lead to sustainable success, more so than plant closedowns or production cuts which are merely knee-jerk responses.

            With the concepts and practices of makers and consumers thus in tune, we as intermediary will strive to make “The 26^th THAILAND INTERNATIONAL MOTOR EXPO 2009” the focal point of unified force to contend with the economic and auto crisis. 

            Above all else, we hope “The 26^th THAILAND INTERNATIONAL MOTOR EXPO 2009” will be a phenomenon of “Driving… for Sustainability” that will be long remembered in history.