THAILAND

Ford, Mazda to Begin Truck Venture: Production is to begin in 1998, Ford Motor Co.’s domestic distributor said. Each firm will have a 50% stake in a venture to produce pickups modeled on Mazda Motor Corp.’s Proceed truck, said New Era Cycle & Carriage in a news release. The first plant will have a annual production capacity of 100,000 vehicles, New Era said. The vehicles will be sold in Thailand and exported throughout Southeast Asia. The factory site will be determined in September, the distributor said.