Can EDB court Ford

lionnoisy SG

How SG can court Ford to set up plant here?After

Ford May Scrap Up to US$1 Billion of New Thailand Investments,
By Margo Towie,Jan. 31 (Bloomberg)

..``These things make it extremely difficult to do business in a globally competitive environment,'' Steve Biegun, Ford's Washington-based vice president for international government affairs, said yesterday in an interview in Bangkok, where he met leaders including the Prime Minister. ``What we need in our business is predictability.''...

Ford, among Thailand's top 20 foreign companies with about $1 billion already invested, is reviewing plans to build a new plant in the nation with capacity for 150,000 cars and extend existing output by an additional 24,000 vehicles at a 176,000- unit factory it operates with Mazda Motor Corp...

Ford will decide where to invest the earmarked $1 billion in ``the first half of this year,'' Biegun said, citing China and India as alternative investment destinations.

---http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aXGrZRxLNVCA&refer=home

2.Sg has strong base of automotive industry

9.In manufacturing, Singapore is known for our strong supporting industry, wide network of free trade agreements and a highly skilled and productive workforce. Leading component manufacturers such as Delphi Electronics, Sanden, Takata and Shimano have therefore established substantial manufacturing operations here. Singapore also assembles buses and specialty vehicles, such as custom made fire engines and ambulances that are deployed worldwide.

---http://www.edb.gov.sg/edb/sg/en_uk/index/news_room/news/2005/denso_celebrates_its.html

3.SG has factors to set up Ford plant here

Land---plenty in Tuas
Manpower---a lot local are making noises of no job,particular
.................in this forum.FT,aye,not so politically correct,is a lot.
Technology---Ford will provide
Captial and Finance---GIC may be involved to be a share holder
Tax incentive---15 years tax relief period sounds attractive under ECONOMIC EXPANSION INCENTIVES (RELIEF FROM INCOME TAX) ACT
(CHAPTER 86),Section 6

4.Some thoughts
This is better to use The factors(land,manpower etc) than let them idle.

In Hong Kong and other places,opposition parties will use''pick the winner''
,''rent seeker'' reasons to block the investments and not
giving tax incentives.

Even more than 70% of new jobs in the plant go to FT,this is good
to 30% of local employed.Or else.they will be unemployed and
passing time by posting forums.

Tuas View and Extension,Singapore.On east is Jurong Island(hidden)
Who says Sg is short of land, pl go to Boon Lay MRT/bus inter change
and take bus to Tuas.White in color is recently reclaimated land.

LazerLordz SG

A new Ford Factory? Laughing

I-like-flings(m) SG

build it back at bukit timah lah... Laughing

maurizio13 SG

Food court at Ford Factory?

LazerLordz SG

yeah lor.

lionnoisy SG

S'pore-made Subarus strut their stuff.By Christopher Tan - Nov 09, 2006
The Straits Times

SINGAPORE took its first tentative step towards exporting locally assembled cars this week when two Subaru WRX rally cars burnt rubber and jumped off ramps at a private demonstration in Sentosa.

They were assembled at a $25 million multi-purpose complex in Toa Payoh owned by Subaru agent Motor Image, an arm of Tan Chong International.

Work started last month with a team of 30, mostly locals. Assisting them were experts from Subaru, international motorsports group Prodrive and New Zealand's Possum Bourne Motorsport.

'We took two weeks to complete the first car, and nine days to complete the second,' said Motor Image chief executive Glenn Tan, explaining that processes are being fine-tuned to prepare for full-scale production.

'Full-scale' here means around five cars a month for a start; and 10 to 15 every month in the near future, said Mr Tan.

Not exactly mass production, but a small step towards rekindling a car assembly industry which Singapore abandoned more than 30 years ago.

The Government seems thrilled. Economic Development Board (EDB) director of logistics and transport Manohar Khiatani said: 'We are delighted that the cars are being built in Singapore. It also demonstrates the unique role that Singapore can play in the automotive design and engineering landscape in the region.'

Mr Khiatani's department has been wooing automotive groups to set up shop here.

Mr Tan said it is working with the EDB on a 'training grant'. It is also collaborating with the National University of Singapore on research and development.

The Singapore-assembled rally cars - not meant for street use - are based on the Subaru WRX Spec C model. Each costing around $25,000 before tax, the cars are stripped down completely and rebuilt.

The rear seats are removed to accommodate reinforced steel bars; up to 300 points around the body and chassis are rewelded for extra stiffness; the transmission gets a new clutch; and the engine is made to conform to 'Group N' racing rules.

Group N cars are standard production models governed by a set of motorsports rules for its modifications. They are used for competition, mainly in rally racing, and have a limited capacity of 2,000cc.

'We put in close to $100,000 worth of work into each car,' Mr Tan said.

Each vehicle is likely to be sold for $145,000, without registration fees, to car enthusiasts, weekend racers or pro racers.

The cars will go on an Asian roadshow after the Nov 9 to 19 Singapore Motorshow.

'We have got a lot of inquiries, but we wanted people to see the completed cars before taking orders,' said Mr Tan.

Motor Image is the region's biggest Subaru agent, with franchises in seven countries.