One of leading global automobile makers, Thailand is currently ranked first in ASEAN and 15th world’s largest automobile manufacturer. The country aims to be one of the world's top 10 automobile makers in the upcoming years. The automotive industry is a driving force for the Thai economy. It accounts for ten percent of GDP of the country, employs more than 500,000 direct skilled-labor jobs, and creates spillover effects to other industries in the economy. The industry was severely hit by the East Japan Quake and the Great Thai Flood in 2011; however, only a year later, in 2012 it quickly recovers from these disasters. The exceptionally high growth in both production and sales sectors in Thailand in 2012 pushed the car production to the new record. Another positive factor creating high domestic demand for automobile was the government’s tax rebates for first-time car buyers.