Auto Council: Navigating Price Pressures: Automotive Cost Strategies in a Shifting Tariff Landscape

Description

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Automotive suppliers are navigating a perfect storm — aggressive OEM cost-down demands, volatile raw material prices, and changing global tariffs that reshape the economics of every shipment. Join the AMCHAM Auto Council to hear from speakers for strategies to stay competitive in vehicle segments. The discussion will explore how Thailand’s suppliers are adapting their sourcing, pricing, and production strategies to survive and thrive in today’s trade and market realities.

About Speakers

Rick Hilchner has led Bosch Automotive Thailand (RBTA) and Robert Bosch Automotive Technologies (RBTY) as Managing Director. In this capacity, he is responsible for Bosch’s Vehicle Motion business - covering braking and steering solutions - across the ASEAN region. He also oversees the coordination of Bosch Mobility’s automotive operations footprint in East Asia, including ASEAN, Japan, Korea, and Oceania, comprising 18 manufacturing plants. Rick began his career in consulting with PwC Madrid and WZL Aachen before joining the Bosch Group in 2012. He holds a Master’s and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from RWTH Aachen University, along with an Executive MBA from ESMT Berlin.

AJ Dabydin is Senior Managing Director of Carrier Thailand with 20 years’ experience leading strategy and transformations, P&Ls, plant and manufacturing operations. He has extensive experience with global MNCs in multiple countries in Asia Pacific (Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Hong Kong SAR, China, India, Indonesia and Malaysia.) AJ has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and a master's degree in Finance and Economics from Trinity College Cambridge.

Sutheep Ratnabhas is President of Maxion Wheels’ Asia Business, leading six manufacturing plants and regional offices across China, India, Japan, and Thailand, with more than 2,500 employees. Sutheep plays a key role in advancing the company’s Asia strategy, working with leading global and regional OEMs to address cost pressures, supply chain volatility, and tariff challenges while driving new initiatives in low-carbon manufacturing and sustainable mobility. With over 30 years of leadership experience in the automotive and manufacturing sectors, he brings deep expertise in supplier competitiveness and international trade dynamics.