Thai auto parts avoid recall risks

BANGKOK, 6 February 2010 (NNT) – Automobile parts manufacturers in Thailand have refused to develop as a first-tier supplier to reduce the risks of product recalls, according to the Thailand Automotive Institute (TAI).

TAI Director, Wallop Tiasiri, said most of Thai auto parts manufacturers were second-tier suppliers while most of the first-tiers in the country were multinational companies which would be affected most by recalls. However, he remarked that any recalls of automobiles by giant automakers would affect Thailand since the country was an important automobile manufacturing base of the world with more than 50% in export production.

In the case of the world recall of Toyota vehicles due to faulty accelerators, Mr Wallop said that even though the suppliers were responsible for the recall, Toyata’s January and February sales would definitely be affected because its assembly line had been temporarily stopped.

Any product recall in Thailand is under the responsibility of the Consumer Protection Board.