Bangkok--23 Jul--Aziam Burson-Marsteller A ceremony to lay the cornerstone for the 900 million Baht expansion of the Honda R&D Southeast Asia Co., Ltd. (HRS-T) motorcycle research and development facility took place today. Mr. Piyabutr Cholvijarn, the Deputy Minister of Industry, presided over the ceremony at the 110-rai HRS-T facility in Bangkok’s Ladkrabang district. Opened in July 2004, HRS-T is Honda’s motorcycle development hub for the Asia and Oceania region. The current facility, built with an initial investment of 850 million Baht, has buildings covering 8,900 sq. meters. This R&D center is responsible for market research, styling & design, engineering, model & mockup production and prototype testing for all models of Honda motorcycles sold throughout the region. HRS-T is Honda’s largest motorcycle R&D center outside of Japan. With the 900 million Baht expansion, the company will greatly increase its capability to conduct more sophisticated R&D including designing engine parts, testing export models, performing emission tests to the requirements of specific markets in the Asia and Oceania region with special emphasis on India, and helping with the development of local suppliers. Construction will finish in July 2008, after which HRS-T will hire 100 more employees. Mr. Tatsuhiro Oyama, President & CEO of Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd said, “This expansion reinforces Honda’s commitment to strengthening Thailand’s position as the region’s motorcycle design hub. When it is complete, HRS-T will have enhanced research & development and engineering capabilities, greater independence from the R&D function in Japan and will create products more quickly in accordance with local market demands.” Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Piyabutr Cholvijarn, the Deputy Minister of Industry, said, “In line with Thai government’s policy to strengthen the automotive industry, I’m confident that this HRS-T expansion will accelerate the transfer of technology and make a tremendous contribution to Thailand’s goal of becoming the automotive manufacturing center of Asia.” For more information please contact: Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Anjali Jalichandra Tel.(0) 2236-0256 ext 1500 Email: [email protected] Waraporn Pongpaiboon Tel.(0) 2236-0256 ext 1552 Email: [email protected] Aziam Burson-Marsteller Satida Sritunyatorn Tel.(0) 2252 9871 Email: [email protected] Nattakarn Chamsuwanwong Tel.(0) 2252 9871 Email: [email protected] Click for photo release at www.thaipr.net