China’s New Energy Vehicles Thrive in Thailand Amid Regional Energy Shifts

As the US-Israel-Iran conflict lingers and spills over, its impacts are spreading from the energy and shipping sectors to people’s livelihoods and industries, putting multiple pressures on Southeast Asia—a key hub of the global industrial and supply chains. This has forced regional countries to re-examine their energy patterns and industrial directions, with Thailand seeing a notable shift toward new energy vehicles (NEVs).

In Thailand, the worsening fuel crisis has prompted people to pragmatically consider vehicle costs, making electric vehicles (EVs) more recognized for their lower usage costs. Against the backdrop of an overall decline in the traditional fuel vehicle market, Chinese NEV enterprises have accelerated their layout in Thailand, upgrading from “product export” to “industrial localization” and driving the steady development of Thailand’s NEV industry and new energy consumption concepts through industrial chain layout and talent training.

The 47th Bangkok International Motor Show, which concluded in early April, intuitively demonstrated that EVs are gradually becoming a new trend for Thai consumers. Reporters observed that visitors’ focus has shifted from traditional fuel vehicle features such as horsepower to EV-related issues like driving range and charging facilities, with Chinese brands becoming the first choice for many attendees.

Statistics show that at the 47th Bangkok International Motor Show, the number of pre-ordered vehicles reached 132,951, a 71.8% increase from last year. Among the top 10 brands by pre-orders, 8 are Chinese, accounting for over 60% of the total pre-orders. Bangkok Post reported that the show’s pre-order volume hit a record high, with Chinese NEVs becoming the biggest highlight.

Xie Jiasheng, deputy general manager of Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor Import and Export Company, said, “Benefiting from Thailand’s NEV incentive policies and the growing acceptance among young consumers, we have not only launched models tailored to local market needs but also improved the service network and parts supply system to further enhance overall competitiveness.”

As an important automobile producer in Southeast Asia, Thailand is a key destination for Chinese NEVs going global and a crucial base for Chinese automakers to expand into the right-hand drive vehicle market in the region. Data from the Federation of Thai Industries shows that in 2025, Thailand’s EV sales exceeded 120,000 units, accounting for nearly 20% of total vehicle sales and growing by over 80% year-on-year.

China-Thailand cooperation in green transportation and NEVs has deepened in recent years. To date, 7 Chinese automakers have invested in factories in Thailand, with a total investment exceeding 3 billion US dollars. Chatulong Komolmit, vice chairman of the 47th Bangkok International Motor Show, noted that Chinese brands have enriched Thai consumers’ choices and their increased investment in the NEV industrial chain has helped local enterprises reduce electricity costs.

GAC Group has localized production of 3 models in Thailand, with the localization rate of whole vehicles continuously improving and core components such as batteries and motors gradually being manufactured locally. It has also built over 160 charging stations and more than 260 fast-charging piles, forming a full-cycle service ecosystem.