Author: Dimas Mahendra

Leapmotor has entered the Indonesian electric vehicle (EV) market and begun local vehicle assembly, expanding its manufacturing presence in Southeast Asia through a partnership with Indonesia’s Indomobil Group. The Stellantis-backed Chinese automaker announced the move during the 2026 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS 2026), where it showcased its B10 and C10 global models. Local Production Begins Leapmotor said local knock-down (KD) assembly will be carried out by PT National Assemblers, a subsidiary of Indomobil Group. The assembly plant began operations in April, with deliveries of the locally assembled B10 and C10 expected to begin in August. With production facilities…

Zeekr Power, the in-house electric vehicle charging business of Zeekr Group, has opened its first megawatt-level charging station in Thailand, expanding its charging infrastructure network in one of Southeast Asia’s growing electric vehicle markets. The new facility was developed in partnership with TPM Automotive and charging technology provider Sinexcel at the Zeekr House Charoen Nakhon dealership in Bangkok’s Thon Buri district. https://evmagz.com/zeekr-expands-overseas-reach-with-7x-suv-launch-in-thailand/ New Station Supports Up to Eight EVs Simultaneously The charging site is equipped with Sinexcel’s 960-kilowatt ultra-fast charging stack, with the option to expand total installed capacity to 1,280 kilowatts through the addition of extra power modules. The…

Laos has suspended imports of new gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles through the end of 2026 as part of a nationwide strategy to accelerate electric vehicle (EV) adoption, reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, and expand charging infrastructure. Temporary Import Ban Targets EV Growth The import suspension took effect on June 1, 2026, and applies to new petrol and diesel vehicles until December 31, 2026. The measure is designed to encourage the transition toward electric mobility rather than serve as a permanent ban on internal combustion engine vehicles. Several categories remain exempt, including passenger transport vehicles, heavy machinery, trucks supporting designated…

Chery has begun local production of the iCar V23 electric sport utility vehicle in Malaysia, marking another step in the Chinese automaker’s strategy to expand manufacturing and sales across Southeast Asia. The first locally assembled iCar V23 has rolled off the production line at Chery’s new manufacturing facility in Selangor. The company said the vehicle will begin arriving at Malaysian dealerships in late July. Local Production Begins at New Plant The iCar V23, an all-electric SUV with a boxy design aimed primarily at younger buyers, was first introduced in Malaysia in November 2025. https://evmagz.com/xpeng-rolls-off-first-locally-assembled-g6-in-malaysia-expanding-southeast-asia-manufacturing-footprint/ The model is offered in two…

Thailand is considering a 24-billion-baht (approximately $714 million) incentive program aimed at accelerating electric vehicle adoption by replacing up to 80,000 older vehicles while supporting the country’s automotive manufacturing sector. According to Reuters, officials are evaluating a package of measures that could include direct purchase subsidies, low-interest loans and tax incentives. The proposal is also expected to cover electric pickup trucks, although details on subsidy levels, eligible vehicle categories and the launch timeline have yet to be finalized. https://evmagz.com/byd-tops-130000-vehicle-deliveries-in-thailand-as-local-production-expands/ Program Aims to Boost EV Adoption and Domestic Industry The proposed initiative is designed to encourage the replacement of older vehicles…

Hai Phong has added 99 VinFast VF 8 electric SUVs to its government fleet as the Vietnamese port city accelerates efforts to electrify public transportation and official vehicles. Located about 120 kilometres southeast of Hanoi, Hai Phong recently delivered the new electric SUVs to local authorities following a public procurement process managed by the city’s Department of Finance. Government Fleet Expansion According to city officials, the fleet was supplied by the Au Lac–Thang Long Joint Venture after winning a public tender valued at nearly 84 billion dong. The contract was awarded at a price approximately 5 billion dong, or 5.5%,…

VinFast delivered 115,916 electric vehicles (EVs) in Vietnam during the first half of 2026, surpassing 100,000 domestic sales in a six-month period for the first time, according to the automaker. The company said it has remained the best-selling automotive brand in Vietnam for 21 consecutive months, from October 2024 through June 2026. Limo Green Leads Deliveries The Limo Green, a mid-size multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) designed primarily for commercial transportation and mobility services, was VinFast’s best-selling model during the January-to-June period with 27,927 deliveries. https://evmagz.com/vinfast-launches-vf-2-electric-city-car-in-vietnam/ The VF 3 city car ranked second with 23,781 units delivered, followed by the VF 5…

Zeekr is expanding its retail and service network in Malaysia, nearly doubling its dealership footprint as the Geely-owned premium electric vehicle (EV) brand strengthens its presence in Southeast Asia. Zeekr Malaysia announced it has signed agreements with three local dealer partners—Quantum Motors Sdn Bhd, Wheelcorp Premium Sdn Bhd and Ghee Hua Co Sdn Bhd—to expand its authorized sales and after-sales network. Dealer Network Set to Grow The new dealerships will serve customers in Sri Manda City Bazaar in northern Kuala Lumpur, Setia Alam and Kuching. Zeekr currently operates 11 dealership outlets across Malaysia and plans to increase the total to…

Volt, the electric vehicle charging business of Keppel’s Infrastructure Division, has opened Singapore’s largest public electric bus charging hub in partnership with testing, inspection and certification company Setsco. The new facility, located at 2E Jalan Papan in Jurong, provides an installed charging capacity of 2.76 megawatts and can charge up to 46 electric vehicles simultaneously. Charging hub supports electric bus fleets The charging hub features a combination of 120kW fast chargers and 360kW ultra-fast chargers, although Volt has not disclosed the number of each charger type currently installed. The site will serve as a primary fast-charging base for ComfortDelGro Bus’s…

VinFast has unveiled the VF 2, a compact all-electric city car aimed at private buyers, with the model making its debut in the Vietnamese market ahead of customer deliveries scheduled for September. The VF 2 is based on the Minio Green, one of the company’s electric vehicles developed for commercial and mobility service applications, but introduces styling changes and consumer-focused positioning while retaining the same core dimensions and powertrain. Compact EV for Urban Mobility The VF 2 measures 3.1 metres long, 1.5 metres wide and 1.7 metres tall, with a wheelbase of 2.1 metres, matching the dimensions of the Minio…

Grab plans to expand its electric vehicle (EV) charging network in Vietnam to more than 6,000 charging ports by 2028, significantly increasing its presence in one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing EV markets. The company aims to grow the network from approximately 400 charging ports currently available, with nearly half of the new installations planned for Hanoi as the Vietnamese capital advances policies to reduce emissions from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Partnership Model Supports Network Expansion Rather than building and operating charging stations directly, Grab will expand through investments in local charging operator Eboost and partnerships with Charge+, EV One…

BYD has surpassed 130,000 cumulative new energy vehicle (NEV) deliveries in Thailand, underscoring the Chinese automaker’s continued expansion in one of its largest Southeast Asian markets. The company celebrated the milestone in Bangkok on Sunday while introducing the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i plug-in hybrid sport utility vehicle (SUV) to the Thai market. Sealion 5 DM-i Marks Delivery Milestone BYD said its 130,000th vehicle delivered in Thailand was a Sealion 5 DM-i, which features the company’s DM-i hybrid technology designed to combine fuel efficiency with extended driving range and improved performance. The launch expands BYD’s DM-i lineup in Thailand as the…

Chery has begun local assembly of its V23 electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) in Thailand, expanding its manufacturing footprint in Southeast Asia as it increases production capacity in the region. Thailand becomes the second ASEAN country after Indonesia to produce the V23 locally, supporting the company’s strategy to strengthen regional operations. New Rayong Plant Starts Production The V23 is expected to be assembled at Chery’s recently inaugurated manufacturing facility in Nikhom Phatthana district in Rayong province. The factory, which officially opened in April, is focused on completely knocked down (CKD) vehicle assembly. According to local media reports, the site is…

Grab plans to expand its electric vehicle charging network in Vietnam from approximately 400 charging ports to more than 6,000 by 2028, with nearly half of the new infrastructure to be installed in Hanoi. The expansion follows an agreement signed between Grab Vietnam and the Hanoi city government in late June 2026 to promote green transportation, digital tourism and broader digital transformation initiatives. Under Hanoi’s roadmap, fossil fuel-powered motorcycles will gradually face tighter restrictions, with only motorcycles meeting Euro 3 emissions standards permitted to enter the capital from 2028. Supporting the EV Transition Grab said the expanded charging network will…

Hyundai has started local assembly of the Ioniq 5 in Thailand, allowing the automaker to reduce the electric SUV’s selling price as it expands its presence in one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing electric vehicle markets. The locally assembled Ioniq 5 is priced at 1.699 million baht, compared with 1.988 million baht for the previously imported model from South Korea. The reduction of 289,000 baht, or about 15%, reflects the cost savings achieved through domestic production. Local Production Reduces Purchase Price To support the launch, Hyundai is offering an introductory discount of 300,000 baht for the first 400 customers purchasing the…

Chinese state-owned automaker FAW has officially introduced its luxury Hongqi brand to Thailand, launching the all-electric Hongqi E-HS9 as its first model in the market. FAW has appointed Metro Group as the brand’s official distributor and strategic partner in Thailand, marking the latest step in the company’s international expansion. The Hongqi E-HS9 is available in Thailand in a single six-seat configuration with an introductory price of 2.99 million baht (approximately €79,300) for the first 400 vehicles. The company has not yet announced the standard retail price that will apply after the initial launch offer. Launch Package and Dealer Expansion Customers…

Pony.ai and ComfortDelGro have opened their autonomous ride service in Singapore’s Punggol district to public bookings, allowing passengers to reserve driverless rides through the Zig mobile application from June 22, 2026. The launch marks the transition from an invitation-only pilot program to a broader commercial rollout as the companies continue expanding autonomous mobility services in Singapore. Public Access Through Zig App Passengers can now book rides using ComfortDelGro’s Zig app and travel in Zig-branded vehicles equipped with Pony.ai’s autonomous driving technology. The service operates along a fixed route in northern Punggol, connecting residential neighborhoods with major destinations including Punggol Coast…

Vietnamese transportation company Huy Long has signed an agreement to purchase 2,000 electric vehicles from domestic automaker VinFast, marking one of the latest large-scale fleet electrification initiatives in the country. The vehicles will be deployed in phases across Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and several provinces in central Vietnam as part of Huy Long’s strategy to modernize its transportation operations and reduce reliance on internal combustion engine vehicles. Green SM to Support Fleet Operations To support the rollout, Huy Long has partnered with Green SM, the electric mobility platform backed by Vingroup. Under the agreement, Green SM will provide technology…

Nissan has confirmed plans to launch its N7 electric sedan in the Philippines under the revived Primera EV nameplate, making the Southeast Asian nation the first international market to receive the China-developed model. The Japanese automaker showcased the Primera EV at the tenth Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS), signaling its intention to expand the N7 beyond China as part of its broader electrification strategy. The Primera name was previously used on Nissan’s internal combustion engine-powered sedans, liftbacks and estate cars sold globally between the 1990s and early 2000s. The company is now reviving the badge for an all-electric successor. Launch…

Xpeng has produced its first locally assembled G6 SUV in Malaysia, marking a significant milestone in the Chinese electric vehicle maker’s regional expansion strategy and strengthening its presence in Southeast Asia. The company announced on Friday that the first Malaysia-assembled G6 rolled off the production line at its local manufacturing partner, EP Manufacturing Bhd (EPMB), describing the achievement as an important step in its ASEAN growth plans. Local Production Begins in Malaysia The assembly program stems from a strategic partnership signed between Xpeng and EPMB in late 2025. Under the agreement, EPMB’s wholly owned subsidiary PJVM is responsible for assembling…