Autoparts makers struggle amid pickup truck slump
Thailand is a regional automaking hub, with 60 output exported
Thai household debt is nearly halftrillion dollars
Partsmakers say Chinese EV boom offers no salvation

BANGKOK, Sept 25 Reuters Thailand39;s 53 billion automobile industry is facing a grim future as highly indebted domestic consumers struggle to finance purchases and overseas buyers of its mainstay traditional vehicles increasingly switch to electric alternatives.

The crisis in Southeast Asia39;s largest car production hub has forced cuts to output and jobs, and sparked measures from the government to try and reverse its fortunes.

It is already rippling through companies such as TechnoMetal which has been manufacturing cast iron undercarriage parts for Japanese car makers including Toyota Motor and Mitsubishi Motors for more than three decades.

Production at the company39;s two factories in Thailand39;s Chon Buri province is currently only 40 of peak capacity, and its workforce has steadily declined as orders have eroded, said Deputy General Manager Nattaporn Chewapornpimon. At the end of last year, there were about 1,200 workers. Now, there are 900 left, she said. We39;ve also reduced working hours to 75 and cut overtime.

Production in Thailand39;s automobile industry has been on a downward trend for the last year, sliding 20.6 in August on a yearly basis. And domestic sales fell to their lowest in 14 years on a 12month moving average basis, industry…