Chinese auto company BYD Automobile Co. Ltd. announced that the construction of its first electric car factory outside China will be located in Thailand.
Currently, the company has officially signed a contract with WHA Corporation Public Company Limited for the purchase of land and construction of a factory in WHA Rayong 36 Industrial Estate.
BYD describes Thailand as the largest car market in ASEAN and a car manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia, with strong EV ambitions.
“Thailand has a strong base in the automotive industry with first-class manufacturing capabilities so we chose to build a factory here after careful consideration,” said Liu Xueliang, General Manager of BYD’s Asia-Pacific Auto Sales Division.
The new factory in Thailand is expected to start operating in 2024 with an annual production capacity of around 150,000 vehicles.
In addition to being sold locally, the company also said that there is a possibility that the EV products (BEV and PHEV) made at the Thai factory will be exported to neighboring ASEAN countries as well as other regions such as Europe.
“The opening of a new overseas passenger vehicle factory at the WHA Industrial Park marks a major step towards BYD’s global expansion,” Xueliang further added.
Moreover, Xueliang also hopes that Thai people can gain more access to enjoy green travel and an environmentally friendly life.
On the other hand, earlier this year, BYD officially entered into a partnership with RÊVER, which will operate as a local distributor of BYD plug-in cars in Thailand. The sales target for the first year of operation is set at more than 10,000 units.
Chinese electric vehicles manufacturers dominate in Thailand market
