Honda to shift production of Accord hybrid to Thailand

Honda Motor officials confirmed plans to shift production of hybrid versions of the Accord midsize passenger car to Thailand from Japan.

The Japanese carmaker had already announced plans to close its Sayama factory north of Tokyo but has just confirmed it would shift production of the Accord model, including hybrid versions, to its facilities in Thailand, according to a report by the Nikkei Asia Review.

Honda will join other Japanese automakers such as Toyota and Mitsubishi Motors in taking advantage of Thailand's generous incentives such as extended corporation tax holidays for establishing a production hub for green cars and related parts in the country.

It already produces conventional Accord models in Thailand and plans to consolidate production at the Ayutthaya factory of the next generation Accord, including hybrid versions, which is due to be launched in Japan early in 2020.

Thailand will become a key production hub for the entire Accord range, supplying the local market as well as exporting to Japan and other markets in the region including Australia and New Zealand.

Honda plans to spend THB5.82 billion ($189 million) to gear up its facilities for the production of electric and hybrid vehicles in Thailand.