Changan Doubles Thailand EV Production to 200K Cars/Year
Chinese automaker Changan is launching its second major electric vehicle production phase in Thailand this April, doubling its annual capacity to 200,000 cars and positioning the country as Southeast Asia's EV powerhouse. The move brings thousands of jobs and signals Thailand's rising role in the global clean energy transition.
Thailand is becoming an electric vehicle giant, and one Chinese automaker just doubled down on that future.
Changan Automobile is firing up the second phase of its battery electric vehicle production in Thailand this April, boosting its total annual capacity to 200,000 cars. The expansion matches the ambition of the company's first phase andcements Thailand's position as a regional manufacturing hub for clean transportation.
"We will start selling BEVs in April," said Atthawit Techawiboonwong, general manager for government affairs at Changan International Corporation. The company's Rayong assembly facility will soon receive batteries from a nearly completed local manufacturing plant, reducing dependence on imports from China.
Changan isn't just building cars for Thai drivers. The company plans to export 55% of its Thai-made EVs to Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and Europe, with the remaining 45% staying in local showrooms.
Between 2026 and 2028, seven new electric models will roll off Thai production lines as Changan races to become one of the country's top three EV brands by 2030. The Deepal 05 compact SUV is already in production, and the Deepal S07 SUV launches next quarter.
The Ripple Effect
The real transformation is happening in Thailand's supply chain. Changan is targeting 70% locally sourced components worth more than 3 billion baht by 2027, jumping to 80% or 6 billion baht by 2030. That means thousands of new jobs for Thai workers and engineers building everything from seats to sensors.
The company has already seen momentum. Sales jumped from 7,000 units in early 2024 to around 12,000 between January and November 2025, with a full-year target of 15,000 units.
Thailand's bet on electric vehicles is paying off in factories, jobs, and expertise that will serve the region for decades. As traditional automakers worldwide struggle with the transition to electric, Thailand is building the infrastructure and workforce to lead Southeast Asia into a cleaner future.
The expansion shows how emerging markets can leapfrog old technology and become manufacturing leaders in the industries that matter most for our planet's future.
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Based on reporting by Bangkok Post
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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