Author: Dimas Mahendra

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…

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…