RAYONG, Thailand, March 11 (Xinhua) — China’s main electrical car producer BYD held a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday for its first automotive plant in Thailand, marking the most recent transfer by Chinese automakers to increase their footprint in Southeast Asia.
The new manufacturing unit, situated within the Eastern Economic Corridor Special Zone in coastal Rayong province, is anticipated to function a hub for the manufacturing and distribution of electrical autos (EVs) in Thailand, neighboring ASEAN international locations and different areas.
As a serious participant within the world EV market, BYD’s cumulative gross sales of latest vitality autos exceeded 1.86 million items in 2022, representing a year-on-year improve of 208.6 %, based on the corporate.
Joining SAIC Motor’s MG and Great Wall Motor, BYD turns into one other Chinese automotive model to determine manufacturing operations in Thailand, a market that has lengthy been dominated by Japanese manufacturers.
Last yr, BYD introduced its hottest mannequin, the ATTO 3, to Thailand. Liu Xueliang, basic supervisor of BYD Asia-Pacific Auto Sales Division, described the gross sales scene as “booming” with individuals lining up in a single day to buy the automotive. The gross sales goal of 10,000 items was achieved in simply 42 days.
On the day of the groundbreaking ceremony, BYD additionally held a supply ceremony for the 9,999th and 10,000th ATTO 3 automobiles.
The plant is scheduled to begin manufacturing in 2024 with an annual capability of 150,000 new vitality autos.
BYD’s funding in Thailand can also be in step with the Thai authorities’s purpose of getting 30 % of autos manufactured within the nation be EVs by 2030.
“BYD’s decision to make Thailand its production base in the Asia-Pacific region aligns with Thailand’s bio-, circular and green (BCG) economic model and the direction of China’s green and sustainable development,” mentioned Wang Liping, minister-counsellor for financial and industrial affairs of the Chinese Embassy in Thailand.
“This move will not only create more job opportunities and drive economic development in Thailand but also promote the deep integration of the new energy vehicle industries in China and Thailand,” he added.
Thai officers, together with Thailand Board of Investment Secretary General Narit Therdsteerasukdi and Rayong Province Deputy Governor Suphot Torartharn, warmly welcomed BYD’s entry into Thailand. They imagine that BYD’s presence within the Thai market will invigorate the nation’s EV business.
According to information from the Thailand Automotive Institute and the Department of Land Transport, gross sales of pure electrical autos in Thailand reached 13,454 items final yr, a pointy improve over the previous few years, representing a year-on-year improve of 588.5 %.
Many EV manufacturers have joined the federal government’s subsidy measures, together with Chinese, Western and Japanese firms, mentioned Kevalin Wangpichayasuk, assistant managing director of Kasikorn Research Center, including that this isn’t solely good news for automotive consumers who could have extra selections, but additionally for the Thai automotive business throughout the transition interval to meet up with future traits.
Produced by Xinhua Global Service