China's Great Wall Motor commences electric vehicle (EV) production in Thailand
Great Wall Motor has initiated electric vehicle (EV) production in Thailand, marking the first Chinese company to commence EV manufacturing in the country. An opening ceremony was held for the new EV production line at their Rayong factory. With the government offering subsidies to locally produced EVs, Great Wall, along with other Chinese firms like BYD, is expanding its footprint in the Thai market.
The Rayong plant, acquired from General Motors in 2020, has been upgraded to support EV manufacturing, with Great Wall investing 12 billion baht in total. The initial annual output is projected at 8,000 units of the Ora Good Cat compact EV. Future plans include not just meeting domestic demands but also exporting regionally, and starting battery production locally in March to achieve over 40% local parts procurement.
These developments align with Thailand's aim for EVs to represent 30% of domestic car production by 2030, incentivized by purchase subsidies. December saw a record high of 9,258 EV sales, with an almost eightfold increase over the year, dominated by imports from China.
These developments align with Thailand's aim for EVs to represent 30% of domestic car production by 2030, incentivized by purchase subsidies. December saw a record high of 9,258 EV sales, with an almost eightfold increase over the year, dominated by imports from China.
