- Thailand is key MAHLE Research & Development (R&D) hub due to its skilled workforce, automotive industry history, and strategic location
- Testing area will be eight times as large as when the R&D base was launched in 2022, office space to quadruple by 2026
- MAHLE Engineering Center Asia currently serves as the Asia Pacific Engineering Development Hub for filtration and engine peripheral products
- Shift from internal combustion engine (ICE) products to include e-mobility after 2025
MAHLE, a leading international development partner and supplier to the automotive industry, is significantly expanding its research and development (R&D) base in Samut Prakan (Thailand), reinforcing the country's position as a key player in the Asia Pacific automotive sector. The R&D hub started in 2022 with 15 employees in an office space of 300 m2 and a testing area of 500 m2. It is planned to reach a testing area of 4,000 m2 and an office space of 1,200 m2 by 2026. Alongside this facility upgrade goes an expansion of scope for the 40 employees from internal combustion engine (ICE) products such as filtration and engine peripheral products to non-ICE solutions after 2025. This planned diversification towards e-mobility aligns with global trends to make transportation more efficient, environmentally friendly, and comfortable. "This strategic expansion and shift in focus underscores the commitment by MAHLE to accelerating research and development activities in Thailand, leveraging the country's skilled and dedicated workforce," said Ralf Kiemlen, Head of Research and Development at MAHLE Engineering Center Asia.
The Engineering Center Asia, currently employing 40 employees and located within the R&D hub, provides development engineering, Computer-Aided-Design (CAD) capabilities, and state-of-the-art testing facilities, serving the entire Asia Pacific region, including Japan, China, and Korea. The center will expand its capabilities to include oil coolers, aluminum coolers, and plastic components for thermal management systems. In addition, MAHLE plans to incorporate the development of partly plastic components and aluminum die-cast parts for electrics and mechatronics into the facility's offerings. These new areas of focus align with MAHLE's efforts to diversify its product portfolio and address the growing demand for advanced thermal management and electrification solutions in the automotive industry.
"We believe in the potential of Thailand to serve as a R&D hub for our global brand," said Ralf Kiemlen, Head of Research and Development at MAHLE Engineering Center Asia. "Thailand's long history in the automotive industry, coupled with its skilled engineers and strategic geographic location, makes it an ideal base for supplying automotive parts to the entire Asia Pacific region."
Mr. Yasuhiro Kinoshita, Vice President of Filtration and Engine Peripherals for the Asia Pacific region, highlighted the strategic importance of this development: "The opening of this Engineering Center Asia is an important step that aligns with our MAHLE 2030+ strategy, focusing on three core areas: electrification, thermal management, and components for efficient, sustainable combustion engines. This milestone demonstrates our commitment to driving innovation and shaping the future of mobility."
Dr. Phornthep Phornprapha, President of Siam Motors Group, visited the facility during the opening ceremony of the next building phase and emphasized the broader implications for Thailand's automotive industry: "This marks an important step for Thailand's automotive industry, as we are moving beyond just manufacturing. Today, we are providing Thai engineers with the opportunity to be deeply involved in the design process. This engineering center will serve as an impressive showroom for our automotive clients, showcasing the entire process from R&D to manufacturing."
In addition to the Engineering Center Asia, MAHLE operates four production bases in Thailand, employing approximately 1,500 people. These facilities manufacture a wide range of products, including engine systems and components, filtration and engine peripherals, thermal management systems, electronics, and mechatronics.
Photo Caption from left to right: Mr. Naoki Ishihara, Mr. Jakob Ruemmler, Mr. Ralf Kiemlen, and Mr. Yasuhiro Kinoshita, officially celebrate the expansion of the MAHLE Engineering Center Asia, marking a milestone in Thailand's automotive R&D capabilities.
About MAHLE
MAHLE is a leading international development partner and supplier to the automotive industry with customers in both passenger car and commercial vehicle sectors. Founded in 1920, the technology group is working on the climate-neutral mobility of tomorrow, with a focus on the strategic areas of electrification and thermal management as well as further technologies to reduce carbon emissions, such as fuel cells or highly efficient, clean combustion engines that also run on renewable fuels, such as hydrogen. Today, one in every two vehicles globally is equipped with MAHLE components.
MAHLE generated sales of almost EUR 13 billion in 2023. Employing more than 72,000 people at 148 production locations and 11 technology centers, the company is represented in 29 countries. (Last revised: 12/31/2023)