Ford Motor Company and Mazda Motor Corporation have announced the appointment of Silvio Illi as president and CEO of AutoAlliance (Thailand) Co Ltd (AAT), effective April 1, 2025, suceeding Kenichiro Saruwatari, who has completed his term.
Illi’s appointment coincides with AAT’s expansion of its production capacity to meet increasing market demand. According to a press release from Ford Thailand, this includes the introduction of the highly anticipated Ford Ranger Super Duty, a heavy-duty pickup that’s known for its robustness and exceptional towing and hauling capabilities.
Ford officially unveiled Ford Ranger Super Duty on April 4 in Melbourne, Australia, and plans to export Ford Ranger Super Duty produced in Thailand to various markets worldwide and is preparing to launch this model in Thailand in 2026.
“Given his extensive experience in manufacturing management from Ford plants in South America and ASEAN, along with his expertise in enhancing quality in efficient vehicle production, we are confident that Mr. Illi will lead AAT to continued success and redefine the boundaries of what’s possible. Additionally, producing Ford Ranger Super Duty in Thailand will not only strengthen Ford’s product line up but also demonstrate Ford’s confidence in the potential of Thai automotive industry,” Andrea Cavallaro, Director of International Markets Group, Ford Motor Company, said.
Illi has played a pivotal role in overseeing the production and delivery of significant models like the Next-Generation Ford Ranger and Ford Everest, both of which have received positive feedback globally. He has also been instrumental in improving production processes and reducing costs across Ford plants in the ASEAN region.
Beginning his career in manufacturing from a young age, Illi attended Henry Ford Technical School, located within the Pacheco plant (Ford Argentina). He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Buenos Aires, and has furthered his knowledge in Quality Engineering from National Technological University in Argentina, as well as in Human Resources Management from UNIFACS University in Brazil.
Prior to his appointment as president and Chief Executive Officer of AAT, Illi served as Ford’s Manufacturing Director for the ASEAN region, driving the development policies of Ford’s assembly plants in Thailand and Vietnam.
