Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai presided over the "Hilux Export Ceremony" at the Banpoo Public Company in Laem Chabang on Saturday, October 31st.

Also attending the ceremony were the Ambassador of Japan to Thailand HE Hiroshi Ota and Dr. Shoichiro Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), as well as many other dignitaries.

The ceremony was held to commemorate the exporting of Toyota Hilux pickups to Australia, with a target of 20,000 units worth 9,000 million baht.

As Suriyan Setthasawad, GM of the Public Affairs Department of Toyota Motors Thailand, stated, the exports are "expected to bring foreign currency into the Thai economic system and generate job opportunities for Thai people... Furthermore, this export will partially assist in revitalizing the Thai economy as a whole."

"This export has marked a milestone for Toyota Motors Thailand by fulfilling the objective of boosting Thailand into being one of the major pick-up export bases serving Asian and Oceania markets. Along with the pick-up exports, diesel engines produced in Thailand will also be exported to India and South Africa totaling 20,000 units and 16,000 units respectively by next year."

Toyota Motors Thailand currently has two major plants: the Samrong Plant in Samut Prakarn and the Gateway Plant in Chachoengsao, with the total maximum production capacity of 240,000 units a year.