Chinese automaker Changan Automobile has said it is on target to complete construction of its plant in Thailand in the first quarter of 2025. Moreover, the first vehicles are scheduled to roll off the production lines by March 2025 - according to local reports citing the managing director of Changan Auto Southeast Asia Shen Xinghua.
The company began construction of the THB10bn (US$294m) facility last year, on a 700-acre site in the Rayong eastern economic corridor. The facility, the company’s first in South-east Asia, will have painting facilities, final assembly lines and battery assembly operations.
The plant will produce battery electric vehicles (BEVs) for global right-hand drive markets, including in southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK. It will have an initial production capacity of 100,000 vehicles per year, rising to 200,000 units later one.
The automaker, which continues to expand its sales network in the country, reduced its 2024 full-year sales target for Thailand to between 15,000 and 18,000 units due to weak market conditions. It currently sells the Deepal S07, L07 and the Lumin models.
Chongqing-based Changan joins a growing list of Chinese automakers establishing BEV production hubs in Thailand, including BYD Auto, Hozon, Great Wall Motors, SAIC Motor and GAC Aion, making use of tax incentives and production subsidies available in the country.
