Thailand’s automotive market showed early signs of recovery in 2025, supported by rising demand for electrified vehicles, with battery-electric models making the largest contribution to growth, industry data showed.
According to figures from the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), domestic vehicle sales excluding motorcycles reached 621,166 units in 2025, an increase of 8.47% from the previous year. Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 120,301 units, representing 19.37% of total sales and marking a year-on-year increase of 80.27%.
See also: Avatr Builds First Right-Hand-Drive Avatr 07 SUVs for Thailand Expansion
The rebound follows a weak performance in 2024, when Thailand sold 66,732 electric cars, down 9.29% year on year, as overall vehicle sales fell sharply. In that year, electric cars accounted for 11.85% of total domestic sales of 572,675 vehicles. BEV pickup trucks also began to gain traction in 2025, with 726 units sold compared with none a year earlier.
A key development in 2025 was a sharp rise in domestic BEV production, reducing Thailand’s reliance on imports. The country manufactured 70,914 battery-electric cars during the year, a 631.98% increase from 9,688 units in 2024, according to FTI data.
See also: Line Man to Deploy BYD e6 Electric MPVs for Ride-Hailing Service in Thailand
As production expanded, Thailand also emerged as an exporter of electric vehicles. In 2025, it shipped 12,695 battery-electric cars and 363 electric pickup trucks, accounting for 1.36% and 0.04%, respectively, of total vehicle exports of 935,750 units, excluding motorcycles.
Partially electrified vehicles also gained ground. In the passenger car segment, hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) sales surpassed internal combustion engine models for the first time. Sales of ICE passenger cars fell 16.87% to 128,893 units, while hybrid passenger car sales rose 24% to 146,059 units.
See also: Changan Begins Exporting Vehicles From Thailand Plant as Regional Manufacturing Expands
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) recorded particularly strong growth, with sales rising 260.56% year on year to 8,621 units. Extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) appeared in Thailand’s sales data for the first time, with 971 passenger cars and 19 pickup trucks sold in 2025.
The FTI said electrified vehicles are expected to remain one of the main growth drivers for Thailand’s automotive industry in 2026, as manufacturers continue to expand local production and broaden their model line-ups.
