Thailand, one of Southeast Asia’s key automotive manufacturers, is making significant strides in the electric vehicle (EV) transformation. The Thai government’s “3030 Policy,” aiming for the production of 225,000 EVs by 2025 and 725,000 by 2030, seeks to drive change in the country’s automotive sector. During this process, China’s high-quality and innovative electric vehicles are attracting significant attention in the Thai market due to their competitive prices. In 2023, Chinese brands accounted for 12% of total EV registrations in Thailand, with the four most preferred brands all being Chinese.
Chinese automotive manufacturers are supporting this transformation by establishing factories in Thailand. For example, Great Wall Motors acquired a factory in Thailand in 2020 and launched the first fully Thai-made electric vehicle, “Ora Good Cat,” in 2023. Thai experts highlight that these investments have brought technology, employment, and a complete electric vehicle production chain to Thailand. Local workers are advancing their careers by benefiting from technology sharing and cultural exchanges with their Chinese counterparts.
The China-Thailand collaboration is building bridges not only economically but also socially and culturally. Thai workers are learning about Chinese New Year traditions and cultural elements from their Chinese colleagues, while the environmental and economic benefits of EVs produced in Thailand are being appreciated by the local community. This collaboration lays a promising foundation for the future of China-Thailand diplomatic relations, which will celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2024.
http://www.news.cn/20241226/2ffc5a45e074411687e79fbf4aadf590/c.html