Asahi Glass will build another line for laminated auto glass at its AGC Auto Thailand operation Construction has already begun & is scheduled for completion January 2007. The new line will bring about a 50% increase in the plant's total annual output capacity, on a finished-car basis, from the current 1.1M to 1.7M, ensuring sufficient capacity to match an anticipated increase in Thai car production. The plant is situated in Chonbri Province, where auto-related industries are concentrated. It is close to the Chonbri plant of Thai Asahi Glass Public, which supplies standard flat glass for the fabrication of two main glass products: laminated glass & tempered glass for automotive use. The plant is already operating at 70% capacity for tempered glass to satisfy demand for a wide variety of products, & at almost full capacity for mainstay laminated glass. Demand for automobiles in Thailand is slightly down on the level for 2005, but the production strategies of Thai-based carmakers are export-oriented. Annual automobile production is predicted to reach 1.8 million cars around 2010.
