Chery launches Thai NEV factory as China’s EV push deepens in Southeast Asia
New Rayong facility begins production with advanced EV technologies and positions Thailand as a regional hub for Chery’s electric vehicle expansion
Chinese automaker Chery has officially opened a new new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturing plant in Thailand, marking a significant expansion of its global production network and reinforcing the country’s growing role as a Southeast Asian hub for electric mobility.
The facility, located in Rayong province in eastern Thailand, has begun production following its formal inauguration earlier this week.
The plant is operated jointly by Chery and its sub-brands OMODA and JAECOO, and is equipped with advanced manufacturing systems including aluminium body welding lines and integrated battery production capabilities.
Company representatives stated that the facility is designed to serve both domestic demand and regional export markets, with an intended long-term annual production capacity of up to 80,000 vehicles by 2030. The site is one of Chery’s key international production bases and reflects the group’s broader strategy of expanding its footprint in right-hand-drive markets across Asia.
During the opening ceremony, senior executives emphasised Thailand’s strategic importance in the company’s global supply chain, describing the country as a potential regional centre for NEV production.
The factory is expected to introduce a range of next-generation models featuring advanced driver assistance systems, artificial intelligence-based interfaces, and automated parking technologies.
Thai officials welcomed the investment, highlighting its alignment with national industrial policy goals that aim to significantly increase the share of zero-emission vehicles in domestic automotive production over the coming years.
The project is also expected to contribute to technology transfer, workforce development, and the expansion of high-skilled employment within Thailand’s automotive sector.
Alongside manufacturing operations, the company has entered into partnerships with local technical institutions to support training programmes focused on electric vehicle engineering and production skills.
These initiatives are intended to strengthen Thailand’s domestic talent base and ensure long-term sustainability of the emerging NEV industry.
The launch adds Chery to a growing list of Chinese automakers establishing production capacity in Thailand as competition intensifies in the global electric vehicle market.
The move underscores the accelerating shift toward localisation strategies among major EV producers seeking to secure footholds in key emerging markets.
The facility, located in Rayong province in eastern Thailand, has begun production following its formal inauguration earlier this week.
The plant is operated jointly by Chery and its sub-brands OMODA and JAECOO, and is equipped with advanced manufacturing systems including aluminium body welding lines and integrated battery production capabilities.
Company representatives stated that the facility is designed to serve both domestic demand and regional export markets, with an intended long-term annual production capacity of up to 80,000 vehicles by 2030. The site is one of Chery’s key international production bases and reflects the group’s broader strategy of expanding its footprint in right-hand-drive markets across Asia.
During the opening ceremony, senior executives emphasised Thailand’s strategic importance in the company’s global supply chain, describing the country as a potential regional centre for NEV production.
The factory is expected to introduce a range of next-generation models featuring advanced driver assistance systems, artificial intelligence-based interfaces, and automated parking technologies.
Thai officials welcomed the investment, highlighting its alignment with national industrial policy goals that aim to significantly increase the share of zero-emission vehicles in domestic automotive production over the coming years.
The project is also expected to contribute to technology transfer, workforce development, and the expansion of high-skilled employment within Thailand’s automotive sector.
Alongside manufacturing operations, the company has entered into partnerships with local technical institutions to support training programmes focused on electric vehicle engineering and production skills.
These initiatives are intended to strengthen Thailand’s domestic talent base and ensure long-term sustainability of the emerging NEV industry.
The launch adds Chery to a growing list of Chinese automakers establishing production capacity in Thailand as competition intensifies in the global electric vehicle market.
The move underscores the accelerating shift toward localisation strategies among major EV producers seeking to secure footholds in key emerging markets.
