http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSBREA...140401?irpc=932

Volkswagen applies to set up first Thai auto unit: report

Tue Apr 1, 2014 7:37pm EDT

(Reuters) - German carmaker Volkswagen AG (VOWG_p.DE) has applied to set up its first plant in Thailand to help narrow the gap with Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T), Bloomberg reported late Tuesday citing people familiar with the matter.

The manufacturer is seeking to participate in a government program offering tax exemptions for automakers investing at least 6.5 billion Thai baht ($200 million) in local manufacturing, the media service ,was pending.

Carmakers had until March 31 to apply for the program which includes vehicle assembly, components and engine production, according to a ministry statement from October.

People told Bloomberg that Volkswagen has not made a final decision on producing vehicles in Thailand as the exact terms and conditions may still change.

Volkswagen could not be reached for a comment outside of normal business hours.

Volkswagen sees a "strong market opportunity" in southeast Asia, Hans Dieter Poetsch, chief financial officer of the multinational automaker said in a presentation published on the company's website last week.

(Reporting by Aashika Jain in Bangalore; Editing by Richard Chang)

DRB Hicom performs contract assembly only.

The one proposed in Thailand, will be owned by VW themselves.

Makes me wonder how successful our NAP is.

Of course, Honda is the biggest beneficiary of our NAP.

True. VW had experience in operating in frontier markets....

China (after Deng Xiaoping reform) is one example.