American automotive giant General Motors intends to shut down its Chevrolet production facilities in Thailand’s Rayong province and sell the factory to China’s Great Wall Motors, a major maker of sport utility vehicles and pickups. The new owner has been reported to use the plant in Thailand as its base for expansion in Southeast Asia. The Chevrolet brand will be withdrawn from Thailand by the year end.
GM’s new-model Chevrolet Captiva SUV is now being assembled in Indonesia and not Thailand, where the previous model used to be manufactured.
In addition, the automotive giant will also pull out from Australia and New Zealand.
Established in 2000, the Rayong plant currently employs 1,900 people.