Thailand wooing Conti for tire-plant investment

Bangkok – The Thai government is seeking French and German investment in its tire & rubber segment, said a report by ThaiVista.

According to the report, earlier in October, deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak “approached a premium tire manufacturer” in France to invest in R&D and high-technology production facilities in Thailand.

Also, he met with the chief executive of Continental Tires to discuss the possibility of investing in Thailand.

The move, according to the report, was part of a Thai government’s ‘road-show’ campaign to attract foreign investment to the country.

In August, Continental confirmed to ERJ that it had set its sights on growth in the ASEAN region.

The comments came in response to a statement made by Sirivan Koo-amphorn, general manager of Continental Tires Thailand who said the country was a “prime candidate” for a new Continental plant.

However, in a statement provided to ERJ, the Hanover-based firm declined to confirm the information.

“As an international company committed to growth we always scan options and certainly the ASEAN region is a very interesting one,” said Conti spokesman Alexander Bahlmann.

This standard activity, he added, might lead to rumours and speculations.

“In this case, however, we have nothing to announce at this moment in time,” Bahlmann said.

In an interview with the Bangkok Post on 30 July, Ms Sirivan said that Continental was looking at a new facility to expand its tire business in the Asia-Pacific region, with Thailand as a leading candidate.