Yachiyo's manufacturing arm, Siam Yachiyo, started production of the tanks this month for the Yaris subcompact.

The order will lift the product's output at the Prachin Buri plant to 450,000 units this year, from 170,000 last year, the Jasdaq-listed company said.

Siam Yachiyo was established in 1997.

AIT to ride the security boom

Advanced Information Technology (AIT) still expects its sales to surge 20 per cent to Bt2.7 billion this year.

Executive director Siripong Oontornparn said yesterday the company was maintaining its forecast, even though the economy is expected to see slight growth.

The company has just signed a deal worth Bt800 million with a customer. The company also provides information technology for closed-circuit television systems, which are in hot demand after recent security scares.

As a result, the company believes its sales will meet the target for this year, Siripong said.

AIT made a net profit of Bt158 million on sales of Bt1.6 billion in the first nine months of last year.

Premsiri's two new projects

Premsiri is developing a Bt1-billion condominium project on Kaset-Nawamin Road in Bangkok this year.

President Somchai Pansaichaen said yesterday that units in Premsiri Boutique Park would be priced at Bt37,500 per square metre. Construction will be completed in 2009.

The developer also will launch a Bt700-million detached-housing project in the second half of this year. It is negotiating the purchase of the land for the project.

"Demand for condominium and detached-housing projects has kept growing, so we are expanding our projects this year," he said

Mercedes to bring out 5 models

DaimlerChrysler (Thailand) is gearing up to launch five models this year to maintain its No-1 position in the luxury car segment.

Wolfgang Erhard Huppenbauer, president and CEO of the Thai unit, said yesterday the five models were the S-Class 300L, new generation E-Class, C180 K Sports edition, A180 CDI and CL500 coupe.

"The luxury segment slowed down last year. But Mercedes-Benz ended the year as the segment leader, though only one model was introduced, the S320 CDI. But this year, we are launching five models," Huppenbauer said.

Last year, Mercedes-Benz's turnover was the highest in the past six years. With sales of Bt3.5 billion, it accounted for 44.1 per cent of the luxury market. In the year, DaimlerChrysler sold 1,754 E-Class, 986 C-Class and 367 S-Class cars.

Launched last month, the S320 CDI sold 100 units.

Prime Nature makes its point

The Prime Nature Group has launched a campaign - "Prime Nature, Prime Points with American Express" - offering customers 2 million points for a down payment on a new home.

A series of activities are being prepared for throughout the year.

Chairwoman Sunattee Nerngchamnong yesterday said the Prime Nature Group was strongly committed to creating luxury property projects that cater to the needs of customers.

The company now offers two projects. Prime Nature Villa On Nut in Bangkok was launched in May 2004, while Prime Nature Villa Hua Hin, a resort project near Hua Hin's beach, has just been introduced.

From next month to April, the new promotion will be available to people who place down payments on a house or condo worth Bt10 million to Bt50 million by using an American Express card.

They will be given 1 million Membership Rewards points. If they use a Thai Airways International (THAI) American Express Platinum credit card, they will receive 1 million Royal Orchid Plus miles.

The special feature is the additional award of two million Membership Rewards points, or two million Royal Orchid Plus miles with a THAI American Express Platinum credit card, on a down payment for a house or condo of more than Bt50 million.