Author: Dimas Mahendra

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…

Logistics company DHL Express has expanded its electric delivery operations in the Philippines, adding eight new battery-electric vans to its fleet as the company accelerates efforts to reduce emissions from last-mile logistics. The vehicles have been deployed by DHL Express Philippines, with two more electric vans scheduled to enter service later this quarter. Following the latest additions, battery-electric vehicles will represent 41% of the company’s delivery fleet in the country, according to the operator. The expansion builds on DHL’s electrification initiative launched in December 2025, when the company introduced one of the Philippines’ largest privately operated electric logistics fleets. At…

U.S. electric vehicle maker Tesla has begun allowing non-Tesla electric vehicles to use selected Supercharger stations in Malaysia, marking an expansion of its charging network access in the country. The company has opened four Supercharger locations in and around Kuala Lumpur to EVs equipped with CCS charging ports, according to charging network updates. One of the sites is located at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, where Tesla operates eight Superchargers capable of delivering up to 250 kW of charging power. Another station is available at i-City Finance Avenue in Shah Alam, about 26 kilometres southwest of Kuala Lumpur. The location includes four…

Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast has signed agreements to supply a total of 20,000 electric cars to two Indonesian transport companies, marking one of the largest EV fleet commitments in the country. The automaker recently signed a memorandum of understanding with PT Satu Kosong Tujuh and PT Sembilan Benua Abadi. Under the agreements, each company plans to acquire 10,000 vehicles from VinFast. See also: VinFast Opens $300 Million EV Plant in Indonesia, Targets Major Localisation Push PT Sembilan Benua Abadi aims to complete its purchases by the end of 2027, while PT Satu Kosong Tujuh has set a deadline of…

Nio has introduced its premium compact electric vehicle brand Firefly in Bangkok, Thailand, marking the brand’s second right-hand-drive market after its entry into Singapore earlier this year. The launch forms part of the Chinese automaker’s ongoing international expansion as it seeks to grow its presence in overseas markets, including Southeast Asia. To distribute the Firefly vehicles in Thailand, Nio has partnered with Thonburi BlueSky, a subsidiary of Thai conglomerate Thonburi Group, which will act as the general distributor in the country. Thonburi Group is known in Southeast Asia for assembling Mercedes-Benz vehicles and operates a network that includes vehicle manufacturing,…

VinFast has expanded its newly created ultra-luxury brand Lac Hong with two additional electric models, the 800S and the 900S, as part of a broader strategy to segment its vehicle portfolio. The company said it will operate three brands going forward: VinFast for its core passenger vehicle lineup, Lac Hong for ultra-luxury vehicles, and the Green brand dedicated to commercial mobility. The Lac Hong range currently includes the 900 LX introduced last year, with the 800S SUV and 900S sedan scheduled to enter the market in 2027. While VinFast has not yet disclosed full specifications, the 800S appears to be…

Riddara, the electrified pickup truck brand of Geely Holding Group, is evaluating the establishment of a production facility in Thailand as part of its expansion strategy in Southeast Asia. According to a report by the Bangkok Post, the company is exploring the possibility of building a local electric vehicle factory in Thailand to strengthen its competitiveness in the pickup segment, one of the country’s largest automotive markets. Thailand is widely regarded as the world’s second-largest pickup truck market. “This country is an opportunity market for the pickup segment. Even though sales have slowed, in the long term, we are confident…

Ho Chi Minh City has launched 25 new electric bus routes, introducing hundreds of battery-electric buses into operation as part of efforts to transition its public transport system away from fossil fuels. Vietnamnet reported that the city’s transport authority confirmed the routes began service on March 1. Operating rights were awarded through tenders to VinBus Ecology Transport Services and Phuong Trang Passenger Transport Joint Stock Company, which will manage nine and 16 routes respectively. See also: Vietnam’s GSM Weighs Hong Kong IPO as EV Taxi Operator Seeks Overseas Expansion The expansion builds on earlier plans announced as far back as…

Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), Indonesia’s state-owned electricity provider, has inaugurated what it says is the country’s fastest electric vehicle charging station, developed in partnership with Mega Energi Biru Indonesia (MEBI) and Huawei Digital Power. The facility, branded Zora Signature, is located in Kabupaten Tangerang in Banten Province, about 25 kilometres southwest of Jakarta. It is the first charging station in Indonesia to offer ultra-fast split charging technology with liquid cooling. The site is equipped with eight DC ultra-fast chargers providing a total of 12 charging points, along with one AC fast charger. Each DC unit can deliver up to 480…

China’s FAW Group has appointed Thailand’s Metro Group as the official distributor for its premium Hongqi brand in the country, as the state-backed automaker accelerates its push into Southeast Asia. The agreement was signed through FAW Group Import & Export Co., Ltd. (FAWIEC), the company’s wholly owned subsidiary responsible for overseas operations. Metro Group already represents several international carmakers in Thailand, including Toyota Motor, Mitsubishi Motors, Honda Motor, and Mercedes-Benz, and also operates dealerships for the Chinese electric brand Zeekr. FAWIEC had initially considered managing Thai operations directly but opted for a distributor model, which it also uses in Europe,…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Zeekr plans to relaunch its presence in Indonesia at the Indonesia International Motor Show in 2026, introducing two battery-electric models as it seeks to expand in Southeast Asia’s largest automotive market. The company intends to begin sales of the Zeekr 7X sport utility vehicle and the Zeekr 009 luxury multipurpose vehicle while building its own retail and service network rather than relying solely on third-party distributors. Alex Bao, managing director of Zeekr Southeast Asia, said the automaker aims to open up to 20 showrooms nationwide by 2027, with about half scheduled to launch this year. Zeekr…

BYD has surpassed 5,000 cumulative vehicle sales in Vietnam, marking a milestone for the Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) maker in Southeast Asia, according to a report by Yiche. In 2025, its first full year operating in the Vietnamese market, BYD sold 3,718 vehicles in the country. The company had previously sold 485 units in 2024 after entering the market in June of that year. See also: BYD Officially Unveils Sealion 7 in Indonesia, Expanding Its Reach in Southeast Asia BYD launched its first three models in Vietnam in July 2024: the Dolphin compact hatchback, the Seal mid-size sedan, and…

Vietnam-based electric vehicle maker VinFast said it expects to deliver about 300,000 electric vehicles worldwide this year, underscoring a sharp acceleration in volumes as the company focuses its expansion strategy on Asia. The target represents a significant increase from the nearly 197,000 vehicles delivered in 2025 and reflects VinFast’s emphasis on markets such as India, Indonesia and the Philippines, where electric vehicle adoption is rising and competitive pressures are less intense than in North America and Europe. See also: VinFast Doubles Domestic EV Sales as Demand Concentrates on Lower-Priced Models In addition to passenger cars, VinFast expects deliveries of its…