Asia’s EV battle front opens up as China’s Great Wall Motor plans to launch nine electric car models in Thailand in the next three years

 

The Baoding, Hebei province-based carmaker plans to launch nine models in three years in Thailand

Company views country as a potential market and as a base for its expansion into the Asean region

 

Peggy Sito and Jitsiree Thongnoi

 

File Photo for reference only

 

Chinese carmaker Great Wall Motor (GWM) is making a concerted push into Thailand, where demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is expected to increase about threefold this year, thanks to support from the government.

 

The Baoding, Hebei province-based manufacturer of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and pickup trucks plans to launch nine models in three years in Thailand. It revealed its strategy with the launch of the GWM brand in the country on Tuesday, February 9.

 

“Nearly all of [the nine models] will be electric vehicles, creating a line-up that will breathe new life into Thailand’s automobile scene with technology and performance,” Narong Sritalayon, the managing director of GWM Thailand, said last week.

 

Full story: https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3121804/chinas-great-wall-motor-makes-concerted-push-thailand-its-evs

 

 

-- © Copyright South China Morning Post 2021-02-17

 

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19 minutes ago, webfact said:

The Baoding, Hebei province-based manufacturer of sport utility vehicles

 

I'll wager quite a few of 'em will end up getting dinged as well ..

Price, range and performance of BEVs are certainly now in my lifestyle comfort zone. 

 

All we need now is an electrical grid that can support the additional load and we're good to go. 

 

EVs are great but what about all the required charging stations? 

 

24 minutes ago, soi3eddie said:

 

EVs are great but what about all the required charging stations? 

 

I have notice a few already out in the sticks (Lopburi). Useful ones in shopping malls ans hardware stores 

39 minutes ago, soi3eddie said:

 

EVs are great but what about all the required charging stations? 

 

More to the point, what about all the required extra generating capacity?

 

I've been looking at the MG ZS EV.

1.19 million baht and a decent 260km range.

They were all too expensive before but now they're becoming more affordable.

2 hours ago, soi3eddie said:

 

EVs are great but what about all the required charging stations? 

 

 

PTT, MEA, PEA all jockeying.

 

PTT said at least 100 this year.

 

MEA has an app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=th.mea.evcharger&hl=en&gl=US

 

Not sure how many EVs are availble here though. Did see a Porsche Taycan 4S on display here on FB.

2 hours ago, ThaIrish Sean said:

I've been looking at the MG ZS EV.

1.19 million baht and a decent 260km range.

They were all too expensive before but now they're becoming more affordable.

They seem to go like stink too,  I was behind a nice looking light blue one recently.  Impressive acceleration away from traffic lights.

The dealership network appears to be improving, one 42 kms and one 100 kms away.

Phetchabun/Lop Buri border. 

And the Chinese invasion moves steadily forward.

Thailand better get its electric grid fixed PERMANETNLY if they want to support electric vehicles.

I wonder what the ‘crash rating’ will be like on these cars... 

 

Will they crush like a tin can or be made with safety standards we expect from manufacturers who meet stringent NCAP requirements? 
 

competition is great, I hope that comes with minimum safety standards but fear those standards may fall short. 

There are 400 registered EV car makers in China.

I find that the top nine Chinese-owned EV car makers (Telsa is American-owned and only in October 2019 did it begin selling Chinese manufactured Telsa's in China) include BYD Auto, Geely, SAIC Motor, BAIC Group, GAC, Chery, Chana, Dongfeng and FAW Goup.

From what I infer reading the subject and other articles about The Great Wall Motor company, it hasn't yet produced EV cars for sale in China, or anywhere else. It seems Thailand would be its first market.

8 hours ago, webfact said:

China’s Great Wall Motor

 

My eyes will be on the coupe named 'Five Lucky Geese Flying East' although it might be marketed in Thailand as The Honk....????

11 hours ago, Toany said:

I have notice a few already out in the sticks (Lopburi). Useful ones in shopping malls ans hardware stores 

Hope they have diesel generators as back up for the numerous power blackouts

19 hours ago, phutoie2 said:

They seem to go like stink too,  I was behind a nice looking light blue one recently.  Impressive acceleration away from traffic lights.

The dealership network appears to be improving, one 42 kms and one 100 kms away.

Phetchabun/Lop Buri border. 

That sounds perfect as wifey is from Phetchabun.....all I have to do now is try and get her to return to Thailand because she wants to stay in the UK ????

EV's give all of their power all of the time

19 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

And the Chinese invasion moves steadily forward.

I haven't seen their electric tanks, are you trying to tell me something?

19 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

I wonder what the ‘crash rating’ will be like on these cars... 

 

Will they crush like a tin can or be made with safety standards we expect from manufacturers who meet stringent NCAP requirements? 
 

competition is great, I hope that comes with minimum safety standards but fear those standards may fall short. 

The MG ZS EV has a five-star NCAP rating.