Thailand to overtake Canada on list of top global auto producers

Can you say 84 million? In 2012 that's the total number of vehicles manufactured in the world. I wonder if Henry Ford and his group of production car building pals had any idea of the gargantuan size the car industry would evolve into. Along the same lines, not many would have pegged Thailand as becoming one the world’s car manufacturing hubs.

Thailand got into the auto manufacturing business in 1961 but it wasn't until recent years with the help of government supported vehicle rebates, manufacturing has surged. Most major auto manufactures now have facilities there as 60% of all vehicles manufactured in Thailand are sold within the country. Last year Thailand produced 2.4 million units compared to this year’s projected 2.8 million based on figures from the Thai Federation of Industries. Although the flood last year had a big impact on production so the increase in reality may not be as big as the figures reflect. Even so it's a respectable amount and big enough to take the number 9 slot Canada held. Though according to Carlos Gomez, Scotia Bank, Canada's production is forecasted to show an increase, 2.6 million units this year  over the 2.5 million units manufacured in 2012 though not big enought to squeeze out Thialand.

Though, we are still talking about a long distence from the big guys like China who is number one producing 19.2 million vehicles, number two is the USA, manufacturing 10.3 million units and another emerging world market force is Mexico with 3 million plus units rolling out the door.