Author: Dimas Mahendra

Chinese commercial vehicle and heavy equipment manufacturer Sany has entered Vietnam’s electric heavy-duty truck market with the launch of its EV550 electric tractor truck, as the company expands its presence in Southeast Asia’s commercial vehicle sector. Sany said it has already secured orders for more than 100 electric heavy-duty trucks in Vietnam following the market launch. The company appointed Hung Thinh EV Truck, a subsidiary of Vietnamese conglomerate Hung Thinh, as the exclusive distributor for its electric tractor trucks in the country. According to Sany, Vietnamese cement producer Long Son Cement placed an order for 100 electric heavy-duty trucks on…

Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast said it has appointed Pham Nhat Quan Anh as chairman of the company’s board of directors, effective May 23, 2026, as the automaker enters what it described as its next phase of global expansion. Pham Nhat Quan Anh replaces Le Thi Thu Thuy, who will step down as chairwoman and member of VinFast’s board. VinFast said Le Thi Thu Thuy will continue serving as vice chairwoman of Vingroup, where she will focus on strategic priorities for the group. Pham Nhat Quan Anh currently serves as vice chairman and standing deputy general director at VinFast Trading…

Chinese automaker SAIC Motor has started local assembly of the MG4 EV Urban in Thailand ahead of the electric hatchback’s market launch, marking the first time the new-generation model is being produced outside China. The vehicle is being assembled from completely knocked-down (CKD) kits at a manufacturing facility in Chonburi Province operated through a joint venture between SAIC and Charoen Pokphand Group. The MG4 EV Urban becomes the third MG-branded electric vehicle to enter local production in Thailand following the MG4 EV and MG S5 EV, which began production in 2023 and 2025 respectively. While previous media reports suggested SAIC…

Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast has signed memorandums of understanding with 29 after-sales partners across North America, Europe, the Middle East, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Kazakhstan as the company accelerates expansion of its global service network. VinFast said it plans to operate more than 1,100 workshops globally during 2026 through a combination of dealership service centres, fleet-support facilities and authorised third-party repair partners depending on the market. The agreements were signed during a VinFast global partner event attended by more than 200 investors, distributors, dealers and service providers. In the United States, VinFast is expanding service coverage through a…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has delivered its 10,000th new energy vehicle in Cambodia, marking a milestone for the company six years after entering the Southeast Asian market. The milestone vehicle was the Fangchengbao Ti 7 sport utility vehicle, one of BYD’s newer models being promoted in overseas markets. BYD officially entered Cambodia in 2020 through local partner Hramony Auto, which opened the company’s first 4S dealership and began sales operations in the country. The automaker’s market presence expanded from 2022 following the introduction of the ATTO 3, marketed in China as the Yuan Plus, helping the company gain momentum…

Volvo Cars is facing legal action in Thailand after two fires involving its Volvo EX30 occurred months after the company issued a global recall linked to battery fire risks. Thailand’s Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) has filed a civil lawsuit against Volvo following the incidents, according to local authorities and Reuters. The first fire reportedly occurred in Bangkok around March 25, while the second took place on May 15 when an EX30 was charging at a customer’s home. Authorities said the second fire spread to a nearby Ford Ranger and also damaged part of the property. Volvo had…

VinFast has started local production of the VinFast VF MPV 7 at its manufacturing plant in West Java, expanding the company’s production operations in the Indonesian market. The VF MPV 7 rolled off the production line at VinFast’s Subang facility less than six months after the plant was officially inaugurated in December 2025. The seven-seat electric multi-purpose vehicle joins the VinFast VF 3, VinFast VF 5, VinFast VF 6 and VinFast VF 7 among the models currently being produced at the site. VinFast said the Subang plant covers 171 hectares and is expected to receive more than $1 billion in…

Hanoi has partnered with LG Energy Solution and Honda to develop a large-scale battery-swapping network for electric motorcycles in the Vietnamese capital. The project is scheduled to begin with a pilot phase in the third quarter of 2026, involving around 50 battery-swapping stations and approximately 500 electric motorcycles in central Hanoi. The initial deployment will focus on areas around Hoan Kiem ward, where Hanoi authorities plan to introduce low-emission regulations as part of broader urban emissions reduction efforts. Following an evaluation period, the partners plan to expand the network beginning in the third quarter of 2027, targeting approximately 1,000 battery-swapping…

BYD has introduced its Dual Mode (DM) hybrid technology in Indonesia, marking the company’s expansion beyond battery-electric vehicles in Southeast Asia’s largest automotive market. The company unveiled the technology during an event held in Jakarta on May 18, according to a statement released on Thursday. BYD said the move reflects its strategy of offering both battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to address differing market conditions and consumer needs globally, including in Indonesia. The first model equipped with the company’s DM technology in Indonesia is the BYD M6 DM, a multi-purpose vehicle that is not currently sold in China.…

VinFast has signed an agreement to supply 1,500 electric vehicles to Vietnamese taxi operator Taxi Huong Giang, as the transport company accelerates plans to fully electrify its fleet. The agreement was signed on May 11 and will support Taxi Huong Giang’s transition away from internal combustion engine vehicles. The company already operates more than 500 electric vehicles and said the latest purchase will increase its fleet of zero-emission vehicles to more than 2,000 units. Taxi Huong Giang has been operating VinFast EVs in the former Bac Giang province since 2024 and now plans to expand electric taxi operations across Bac…

Vietnamese electric mobility company Green SM said it plans to deploy up to 18,497 electric vehicles from VinFast across the Philippines through partnerships with local transport operators and cooperatives. The initiative, announced through agreements with 75 transport companies and cooperatives, could become the largest bulk order for VinFast electric vehicles in the Philippine market. Green SM said the local partners operate in Metro Manila as well as several cities and provinces including Bacolod, Baguio, Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cavite, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Ozamiz and Pampanga. The company said demand for cleaner transportation and mobility services has been increasing across these…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng has acquired a controlling stake in an automotive manufacturing entity under Indonesia’s Erajaya Group, as the company accelerates efforts to expand localized production in Southeast Asia’s largest automotive market. According to a filing submitted to the Indonesia Stock Exchange on Monday, PT Sinar Eka Selaras Tbk, also known as Erajaya Active Lifestyle (ERAL), transferred a 90.1% stake in PT Era Industri Otomotif (EIDO) to Xpeng. The transaction, which became effective on May 13, involved 154,072 shares. Following the deal, Xpeng International Holding (Hong Kong) Limited now holds a 90.1% controlling stake in EIDO, while ERAL…

Great Wall Motor has started production of the Ora 5 compact SUV in Thailand, marking the first overseas manufacturing operation for the Ora brand’s new model lineup. The first units were produced at the company’s plant in Pluak Daeng District in Rayong Province, Thailand, where the automaker manufactures internal combustion, hybrid and battery-electric vehicles on a shared production line. GWM developed the Ora 5 in internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid and fully electric versions, although only the electrified variants will be available in Thailand. The company said the Ora 5 EV is expected to start at 649,000 baht ($17,000) under…

Malaysia has announced new measures aimed at reducing reliance on fully imported electric vehicles as the government shifts its focus toward promoting localisation and domestic manufacturing. The country’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry said new import conditions for completely built-up (CBU) electric vehicles will take effect from July 1, 2026. See also: Wuling BingoEV Enters Local Production In Malaysia Under SGMW Integration Strategy Under the revised policy, franchise approved permit holders will only be allowed to import fully assembled electric vehicles with a minimum Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) value of 200,000 ringgit ($47,000) and a powertrain output of…

Xpeng is evaluating plans to localise vehicle production in Thailand, potentially establishing its second manufacturing base in Southeast Asia after Indonesia, according to a report by the Bangkok Post. The company has initiated a feasibility study to assess the viability of setting up a production facility and is expected to make a final decision within one to two years. Apiwan Singthaweesak said the automaker is exploring investment opportunities in Thailand, including discussions with a local partner, suggesting a possible joint venture structure. In Indonesia, Xpeng has adopted a similar approach by outsourcing production of its X9 model to a local…

U Power Limited said it is advancing its battery-swapping operations across Asia, completing initial production of heavy-duty trucks for Thailand while preparing to launch a taxi-focused project in Hong Kong in the second quarter of 2026. The company said it has completed the first batch of production for an order of 1,000 battery-swapping heavy-duty trucks destined for deployment in Thailand. The milestone marks progress in scaling its UOTTA battery-swapping model for commercial vehicles outside mainland China. U Power has been developing its battery-swapping technology since 2020 and listed on Nasdaq in 2023. The company said it has since expanded internationally…

Green Xentro, a subsidiary of Xentro Group of Companies, plans to expand its electric taxi fleet to 2,500 units under its partnership with Green GSM, marking one of the largest EV taxi initiatives in the Philippines. The company has already deployed its first batch of vehicles in Rizal Province and aims to extend operations to Metro Manila and surrounding areas in the next phase. Under the agreement, Green GSM is supplying electric vehicles from VinFast and providing the ride-hailing platform, while Green Xentro manages local operations, including driver oversight and service execution. The partnership initially involved a memorandum of understanding…

Isuzu Motors has launched its electric pickup, the Isuzu D-Max EV, in Thailand, marking the model’s expansion beyond Europe as part of its global rollout strategy. The debut took place at the Bangkok International Motor Show 2026 on March 23, where the company presented the vehicle in a single, fully equipped double-cab variant priced at 1.591 million baht (around €42,000). The D-Max EV features an all-wheel-drive system powered by dual electric motors. The front motor delivers 43 kW and 108 Nm of torque, while the rear motor—serving as the primary drive unit—produces 97 kW and 217 Nm. Combined, the system…

Vietnamese public transport operator VinBus has added 169 electric buses to its fleet in Ho Chi Minh City, replacing internal combustion engine vehicles across nine routes as part of efforts to reduce emissions and modernise urban mobility. The buses, supplied by VinFast, include the EB 6 and EB 8 models. VinBus said the vehicles are designed to navigate dense urban corridors and congested neighbourhoods, including central routes such as Ben Thanh and Le Hong Phong. The EB 6 is a compact 6.2-metre bus capable of carrying up to 29 passengers, while the larger EB 8 accommodates up to 60 passengers.…

Vietnamese charge point operator V-Green said it plans to build 99 fast-charging stations across Vietnam this year, as it seeks to support the rapid growth of electric vehicles from sister company VinFast. The company said the stations will be deployed along national and provincial highways across 34 provinces and cities, aiming to improve long-distance travel for EV users. Each site is expected to host up to 100 charging points with power outputs of up to 150 kW, enabling vehicles to recharge in around 15 minutes. V-Green plans to power the new stations using renewable energy from wind and solar, supported…