27 July 2021
Bangkok (29 July 2021) --
Krungsri (Bank of Ayudhya PCL) enhanced business potential for their business customers towards sustainable growth with the virtual seminar, Krungsri Business Talk, held on 22 July 2021, under the topic of “What’s Next for Automobile Supply Chain”. This seminar was held exclusively for Krungsri’s business customers namely, SME, corporate customers, JPC/MNC customers, and interested entrepreneurs. Krungsri collaborated with executives from The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) and leading companies in Thailand to share their knowledge and viewpoints on how businesses can prepare and adapt to disruption that can impact supply chain and production of future automobile industry.
The virtual seminar featured Mr. Suparat Sirisuwanangkura, Advisor of The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), sharing his view on market situation and the future of Thai automobile industry under Thailand EV Roadmap 2035 and supporting policy from the government. Mr. Surapoom Udomwong, Executive Vice President, Toyota Motor Thailand Co., Ltd. shared his direct experience on changes and challenges in automobile industry and development of alternative energy vehicles such as electric and hydrogen. Lastly, Mr. Prasong Intaranongpai, Executive Vice President, Strategy & Portfolio Management, PTT Public Company Limited, also gave his views on challenges and opportunities of Thailand as the automobile production hub of the future and PTT’s outlook on EV Ecosystem development.
The key highlights found in this virtual seminar is that, the automobile industry recovery depended on COVID-19 situation and its related measures. However, export seems promising as other countries are starting to ease their lockdown policy. Overall, Asian market shows a good sign that could sustain sales and productions. Toyota sees that the market is still fluctuating hence some fixed costs have to be turned into variable costs in order to mitigate risks. Toyota also focuses more on understanding its customers via new services such as e-wallet, realizing demand changes among customers towards IoTs, environmentally conscious products, decline in segment upgrading for new car purchase, alternative energy, cars with lower maintenance costs etc. The future direction of the automobile industry could gear toward vehicle leasing rather than selling, along with electric energy that would cost less in the future.
Under the EV Roadmap, Thai automobile industry can gradually move toward becoming the Hub of EVs. In doing so, government infrastructure and tangible pricing are needed. PTT also entered this industry by co-funding with battery manufacturing company, related-electronics OEMs and charging, either charging stations or delivery. PTT viewed that Thailand had a potential to become EV hub due to strong domestic supply chain and supports from the government to elevate Thailand to be Asian Hub for EVs. In this regard, Toyota also has global policy about sustainable development by aiming toward launching a new EV model by 2025. Toyota has collaborated with many parties on the development of “Pattaya Sandbox” to promote the use of EVs and renewable energy. Apart from initiatives among the private sector, the public sector also played an important role, as seen in FTI’s 3 policies; promoting investment from abroad, promoting knowledge and technology transfer, collaboration between public and private sector, and promoting international trades and reducing trade barriers within ASEAN.
This virtual seminar is a part of online seminars for Krungsri’s commercial customers to help enhance the business potential of customers for sustainable growth. These seminars are aimed to be knowledge-sharing tools, to inspire and build business opportunities for Krungsri’s customers continuously. This virtual seminar is also available for viewing on
Krungsri Business Empowerment Facebook and
www.krungsri.com