Toyota has initiated a public transport pilot in Thailand with nine fully electric Hilux Revo pickup trucks, marking a significant move in the Southeast Asian electric vehicle (EV) landscape, where Chinese manufacturers are challenging Japanese automakers’ dominance. The modified pickup trucks, now serving as song-taews for public transportation, were launched in the Thai seaside city of Pattaya, about 100 km (62 miles) east of Bangkok.
“The battery EV Revo have been modified into song-taews for public transportation,” stated Surapoom Udomwong, Executive Vice President of Toyota Motor Thailand, on Thursday.
Toyota’s pilot project in Thailand comes as Chinese EV brands are increasingly making their presence felt in the region’s main auto assembly and export hub. For decades, Japanese automakers such as Toyota, Honda, and Isuzu have held sway over the Thai auto sector.
However, government subsidies and tax incentives have attracted significant investments from Chinese EV automakers in Thailand, totaling more than $1.44 billion. Chery Automobile is set to become the eighth Chinese brand to invest in Thailand, following BYD, state-owned Changan Automobile, and Great Wall Motors, according to recent government announcements.
Toyota, holding about a third of the Thai market, plans to deliver a dozen electric pickup trucks to Pattaya as part of the pilot project. Pattaya’s mayor, Poramet Ngampichet, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “This is a memorable day. Pattaya is a major tourist city for Thailand, so lowering pollution is important.” He also expressed hopes of converting Pattaya’s entire fleet of 700 song-taews into EVs.
Toyota had previously announced its intention to mass-produce the battery-powered Hilux pickup truck by 2025, although the manufacturing location has not been specified. Pickup trucks are immensely popular in Thailand, accounting for about half of all vehicle sales.
Isuzu also has plans to establish a plant in Thailand to manufacture the electric version of its D-MAX pickup truck, with plans for both domestic sales and exports, according to the Thai government. The move underscores the shift towards electrification in the Thai automotive industry and the increasing competition in the EV market in Southeast Asia.
