Thailand's Floods Are the New Normal for Toyota and Honda

Thailand's severe floods have become a recurring problem for major carmakers like Toyota and Honda. The companies now treat the floods as a "new normal" — a permanent change in conditions they must plan for, not a one-time disaster. Thailand is a key manufacturing hub for global automakers. When floods hit, factories shut down, parts run short, and production slows worldwide. In response, companies are moving factories to higher ground, building flood walls, and spreading their supply chains across different locations. These steps cost money but reduce the damage from future floods. The message is clear: in Thailand, the water will return. Carmakers are no longer asking if — only when.