Chinese rapid investment expansion into the Thai market continues as it intends to make Thailand a production hub for producing right-hand drive (RHD) cars to be sold domestically as well as for exports to other RHD markets.
Great Wall Motors (GWM), Neta, and BYD already have factories in the Southeast Asian nation, while Changan, MG, and Hozon Auto have recently started construction work at their plants in the region’s top car-manufacturing hub to secure a foothold in Thailand’s ‘trailblazing’ car manufacturing industry.
Related: Chinese EV Makers Heavily Investing in Thailand
And now GAC Aion, the electric vehicle (EV) subsidiary of GAC Group, has begun construction of its plant in Thailand, its first overseas production site. The plant, located in Rayong province in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), broke ground on 26th January 2024 with a planned investment of THB 2.3 billion ($65 million), according to a company statement.
The facility, with a designated capacity of 50,000 units per year, will be built in two phases, with the first phase scheduled for completion in July 2024. The first model GAC Aion plans to produce at the Thai plant is a right-hand drive version of the Aion Y Plus, with more models planned to be produced at the plant in the future.
The Chinese EV maker launched the Aion Y Plus in Thailand as CBU in September 2023, offering two versions with starting prices of THB 1,069,900 and THB 1,299,900 respectively. Then in November 2023, GAC Aion showcased 5 models under the Aion and Hyper brands— Aion Y Plus, Aion ES, Hyper GT, Hyper HT, and Hyper SSR — at the Thailand Auto Show.
The company so far has 34 sales outlets and service centers in Thailand. By the end of 2024, it plans to expand this number to 70. Having sold 480,003 vehicles in 2023, up 77% year-on-year, GAC Aion will also build an international talent pool based on its Thai operations to achieve its goal of reaching 1 million sales by 2025.
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
