Bangkok (VNA) – Industry leaders of six automobile giants from China, Japan, and Europe convened at a recent seminar hosted by Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) to share insights into and strategies for the development of electric and hybrid vehicles (xEV) in the country, integrating the Southeast Asian nation into the global supply chain.
Rene Gerhard, Chief Executive Officer of BMW Group Thailand, stressed the significance of building digital, logistic, and IT systems through partnerships with local suppliers to address global trade volatility and ensure resilient supply chains.
Noriaki Yamashita, Chairman of Toyota Motor (Thailand) Co., Ltd., said the company will continue investing in hybrid electric vehicle development as the adoption of hybrid technology gains momentum in the region. He called for the Thai government’s support for the domestic market and improved competitiveness to make Thailand a robust xEV production base.
Suroj Sangsnit, Executive Vice President of SAIC Motor-CP Co., Ltd., expressed optimism in Thailand's gradual transition toward electrification driven by sustainability-focused policies, adding MG is committed to strengthening local supply chains through partnerships and technology transfer while prioritising the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices in all business operations.
Meanwhile, Guan Xin, Deputy General Manager of Changan Automobile Southeast Asia Co., Ltd., said the firm invested in Thailand as its first overseas manufacturing hub, seeking to develop human resources, enable technology transfer, boost local employment, and increase the sourcing of domestic components.
BOI Secretary General Narit Therdsteerasukdi stated that the automotive industry is one of the key sectors driving the Thai economy, with more than 2,000 businesses involved in the supply chain and employing more than 90,000 people.
He noted that the popularity of xEVs has grown rapidly over the recent past, with the number of registered xEVs in the country jumping from 84,500 units in 2022 to 206,000 units in 2024.
According to the BOI, 644 projects have been applied for investment promotion in xEV production and components over the previous three years, with a total investment value exceeding 280 billion THB (8.42 billion USD).
Thailand eyes to convert 30% of its annual vehicle production to zero – emission vehicles by 2030 as part of its transition towards green mobility./.
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