Bangkok based Rever Automotive Thailand has signed a licensing agreement to assemble battery powered trucks and buses from 'knocked down' kits supplied by BYD, according to local reports.

The company's electric buses are also shipped to other export markets including the UK, in kit form for local assembly.

BYD’s Thai distributor said at this year’s Bangkok International Motor Show its Rever Bus and Truck Company subsidiary planned to build an assembly plant for commercial vehicles but did not detail a time line for construction.

The company said it expected to produce locally a number of body components for these vehicles, including interior and exterior parts, while sourcing technology directly from BYD including iron phosphate batteries and six in one motor controllers.

Rever Automotive Thailand CEO Pratarnwong Phornprapha said the new plant would support Thailand’s goal of becoming a regional production hub for battery powered transport vehicles while creating local jobs and generating revenue for the Thai economy.

BYD head of Asia Pacific sales, Liu Xueliang, said, after collaborating with Rever group for the last two years, he was confident that their deal would grow to lead Thailand’s EV industry in coming years, adding BYD was ready to supply products to help meet the demands of the transport sector.

BYD also plans to supply kits for assembly of battery powered buses in Indonesia by local distributor PT VKTR Technology Mobility (VKTR), a subsidiary of resourcing and energy firm Bakrie Group.