Leapmotor has established a local subsidiary in Thailand and begun evaluating plans for domestic vehicle assembly, signalling a deeper commitment to the Southeast Asian market.
The Chinese automaker recently established Leapmotor (Thailand) Co., Ltd., with registered capital of 100 million baht, approximately €2.6 million. The company previously entered Thailand through Phra Nakorn Automobile Co., Ltd. (PNA), which continues to operate as a dealer with two showrooms in Bangkok.
According to Bangkok Business News, Liam Liu, general manager of Leapmotor’s Thai subsidiary, described Thailand as a strategically important market and said the company intends to build a long-term presence spanning manufacturing and after-sales services.
Four Options for Local Assembly
Leapmotor is studying the feasibility of completely knocked-down (CKD) assembly in Thailand. A team from China is expected to visit in November 2026 to assess the options.
The company is considering four approaches: outsourcing assembly to a contract manufacturer, establishing a joint venture, acquiring an existing factory or constructing a new facility. Its initial target is annual production capacity of 60,000 to 80,000 vehicles.
Liu said the company’s board had supported its long-term plans for Thailand, citing the market’s growth potential for new energy vehicles. No final decision on the assembly location or manufacturing approach has been announced.
Sales Targets and Model Expansion
Leapmotor launched the C10 mid-size SUV in Thailand in November 2024, followed by the B10 compact SUV in October 2025. The two models have sold approximately 450 units combined, according to the report.
The company expects to sell 3,000 to 5,000 vehicles between the report’s publication and December 2026, with much of the anticipated volume coming from the B03X small SUV, scheduled to launch on October 31.
For 2027, Leapmotor plans to introduce at least two additional models and aims to increase annual sales to 10,000 vehicles.
Expanding Thailand’s Dealer Network
Leapmotor currently has 12 showrooms and service centres in Thailand. According to Bangkok Business News, the company plans to expand the network to 30 locations by the end of 2026, 65 in 2027 and 100 in 2028.
The planned expansion of retail, service and potential manufacturing operations would give Leapmotor greater direct control over its Thai business as it seeks to increase sales and establish a longer-term presence in the market.