Great Wall is planning a SE Asian sourcing hub for EVs in Thailand.

 

Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor Company (GWM) said it plans to begin electric vehicle production in Thailand in 2024, as part of a broader push into global emerging markets.

 

The automaker, which last month completed the acquisition of a vehicle assembly plant in Brazil from German automaker Daimler AG, said it will invest close to THB23bn (US$710m) in Thailand to establish a regional production hub for EVs. It had already announced plans to build an EV battery production plant in the country in 2023.

 

GWM sold over 3,700 vehicles in Thailand last year, after it finished refurbishing last June the vehicle assembly plant in Rayong province it acquired from US automaker General Motors in 2020. 

 

Full story: https://www.just-auto.com/news/great-wall-to-produce-evs-in-thailand-in-2024/

 

-- © Copyright  JUST AUTO 2022-02-16

 

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who did you copy this time China, are we going to see a substandard Tesla copy hitting the streets 

Excellent news, as Iooking to get an EV (car) but pricing and current range is putting me off.

 

Tinker cars, good ones, Wuling or Pocco, are in the 400-500k range, for around town use, but not as a second car.  I really want an EV for daily around town, when the scooter isn't practical, whether rain or minor shopper.   But that's a stretch, just to 'have one'.

 

Could simply upgrade my present MG ZS to EV version, for slightly more, and start fresh with excellent EV.

 

Waiting another year for more options, and see how things progress.  Much rather have Tesla 3 or possible the newer, cheaper Tesla 2 they have in the works, but price here for Tesla is silly.  Really need to get closer to USA or China pricing of EVs.

 

With the silly pricing of EVs here vs China, with NO gov't incentives, it's going to be a long time before seeing many on the roads here.

 

For most, the buy in prices (1 mill) are simply OTT vs many ICEs, and for others, like myself, where money isn't exactly an issue (within reason) it's hard to justify the cost, simply because you want it.  Especially if a bit older, and knowing your next car, will probably outlast you.  Not a bad thing, but my present car may do that also, since almost new.

 

First time buyers, the decision is a bit easier, if having the funds.  Many locals breaking that 1 mill threshold for transport, isn't an option.  Tinker cars are a hard sell, as spec vs price, hard not to go with an inexpensive, practical entry level car or truck.  Tinker car vs Suzuki Celerio (฿330k) is a no brainer, and gets 20 kpl.  Getting around town doesn't get much cheaper, and OK for over the road, long range diving.

24 minutes ago, smedly said:

who did you copy this time China, are we going to see a substandard Tesla copy hitting the streets 

GWM has been at it for 38 years, so don't think they need to copy anyone.  They have a nice line up of vehicles.   Just need to get the pricing down, to complete with the already established, MG dealerships here.

 

MG's EP, ZS, & HS EV models seem to have a solid market share, and ever expanding.

 

MG (SAIC) & GWM seem to be the only contenders in Thailand.

Wuling (SAIC) and POCCO going for the low end tinker car market.

We are certainly in the market for an EV, the MG ZS is very nice and well priced but a tad small.

 

If they come along with a 7 seat SUV with a decent range at a not too stupid price**, I'm in!

 

** Let's say "not too stupid" = 20-25% over the equivalent ICE model.

3 hours ago, smedly said:

who did you copy this time China, are we going to see a substandard Tesla copy hitting the streets 

No, you're going to see well made affordable EV's that will sell well in Asia.

Don't underestimate the Chinese brand EV cars, they've had western technology and engineering specialists in China for many years building up the designs and build strategies.

This will transform the world as Japan did back in the 60's, 70's & 80's

 

I'm seeing more of their vehicles on the road now.  They have a lot of technology in them too.  But so far only hybrids.

4 hours ago, smedly said:

who did you copy this time China, are we going to see a substandard Tesla copy hitting the streets 

exactly, who wants to give money to china, because of the creepy belt and road and 20 year china/thai strategy, no way, be much better care from japan, korea, the west,l

4 hours ago, KhunLA said:

GWM has been at it for 38 years, so don't think they need to copy anyone.  They have a nice line up of vehicles.   Just need to get the pricing down, to complete with the already established, MG dealerships here.

 

MG's EP, ZS, & HS EV models seem to have a solid market share, and ever expanding.

 

MG (SAIC) & GWM seem to be the only contenders in Thailand.

Wuling (SAIC) and POCCO going for the low end tinker car market.

no thanks to the pro-beijing sales brochure you pushing on this thread, good luck watching the genocide games

Just bought a new Oppo phone, excellent, so far.... 

If they build EV's to a similar standard they should be good. Mind you my American brand golf clubs are made in China and they only work occasionally.. 

... 

Wonderful news. And what will those cars run on? AA batteries?

Nov. 2, 2021

GWM already launched the Ora Good Cat EV in Thailand in Nov. 2021. On par EV sold in Thailand by MG Motor owned by SAIC Motor - a Chinese state-owned enterprise.

https://Asia.nikkei.com/Business/Automobiles

Looks like Thailand is to be the EV Asian Hub of China.

3 hours ago, phutoie2 said:

Just bought a new Oppo phone, excellent, so far.... 

If they build EV's to a similar standard they should be good. Mind you my American brand golf clubs are made in China and they only work occasionally.. 

... 

The anti-China folks must not own much of any electronics, and live in countries that isn't the USA, UK or member of NATO.  Although TBH, don't think I know of any country that hasn't indulged in a bit of genocide.  Most wouldn't be who or what countries they are today, if they didn't.

 

Seems my ignore list grows more & more with every EV / China product thread ... ????

I would consider an electric bike for around Pattaya.  But.  Condo dweller.  Nowhere to charge.

 

They need to sort out charging stations first.

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

The anti-China folks must not own much of any electronics, and live in countries that isn't the USA, UK or member of NATO.  Although TBH, don't think I know of any country that hasn't indulged in a bit of genocide.  Most wouldn't be who or what countries they are today, if they didn't.

 

Seems my ignore list grows more & more with every EV / China product thread ... ????

Champion comment mate. All these anti China, Anti-anyone not British, American, Anti-not my home country types irritate me immensely (I put that mildly so as no to be banned)

11 hours ago, KhunLA said:

GWM has been at it for 38 years, so don't think they need to copy anyone.  They have a nice line up of vehicles.   Just need to get the pricing down, to complete with the already established, MG dealerships here.

 

MG's EP, ZS, & HS EV models seem to have a solid market share, and ever expanding.

 

MG (SAIC) & GWM seem to be the only contenders in Thailand.

Wuling (SAIC) and POCCO going for the low end tinker car market.

And the quality of the Chinese made MGs has improved radically over the past two or three years. A big mistake to underestimate the potential for the sales of vehicles from China.

 

14 hours ago, hotchilli said:

No, you're going to see well made affordable EV's that will sell well in Asia.

Don't underestimate the Chinese brand EV cars, they've had western technology and engineering specialists in China for many years building up the designs and build strategies.

This will transform the world as Japan did back in the 60's, 70's & 80's

 

A transformation achieved after many people had said exactly the same derogatory things about Japanese manufacturing as we see being said now about Chinese manufacturing.

 

 

Another foot in the door for China... Sheesh 

On 2/16/2022 at 5:36 AM, Crossy said:

We are certainly in the market for an EV, the MG ZS is very nice and well priced but a tad small.

 

If they come along with a 7 seat SUV with a decent range at a not too stupid price**, I'm in!

 

** Let's say "not too stupid" = 20-25% over the equivalent ICE model.

MG brought a EV test model to our house in Chiang Khan from Loei. I was very impressed with our test drive but my Thai wife keeps telling me that the MG cars in Thailand are not reliable. I think she might be referring to the MGs with IC engines. I was very impressed with all the high tech options. The price was affordable and we checked out the charging station at the dealer in Loei. I think the only thing holding me back is the issue about being able to charge the batteries on the highway in Thailand. PTT would have the best locations for charging stations and this will bring plenty of customers to the Amazon coffee shops and the other distractions at many of their locations. 

 

I heard a rumor that there will be be big changes coming to Thailand next year in the EV market. If only the Thai government would subsidize the EV industry like many counties in Europe. But the best would be if Tesla would enter the Thai market!

 

What about creating an EV thread in the Auto section so we can follow this emerging industry?

6 minutes ago, thaisail said:

but my Thai wife keeps telling me that the MG cars in Thailand are not reliable

????   Read it on FB did she ?  Guess it beats the facts unless of course your wife is actually qualified in automobile servicing and has any factual experience that is.

20 minutes ago, thaisail said:

What about creating an EV thread in the Auto section so we can follow this emerging industry?

Already is one, although the anti EV & China folks seem to have too much time on the hands, along with accepting reality of the future of the industry.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1235921-why-so-many-chinese-cars-mg-cars-do-people-only-care-to-buy-something-cheap-whatever-is-the-quality/

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1233709-electric-vehicles-of-all-kinds/

 

 

Good luck getting charged driving around Isaan.

On 2/16/2022 at 3:45 AM, KhunLA said:

With the silly pricing of EVs here vs China, with NO gov't incentives, it's going to be a long time before seeing many on the roads here.

It is fairly obvious you will not see EVs in any numbers for years to come.

The major manufacturers, in particular Toyota has been producing EV's in the form of hybrids for many years, why on earth would they put hybrid production in jeopardy when they can just import a few pure EVs for those prepared to pay the price.

The government will keep a low profile on this, they would have to commit to a charging infrastructure before they could make any promotion.

The lead will come from those looking for a foothold, like the Chinese, and the big boys may well come to regret dragging their feet.

35 minutes ago, Henryford said:

Good luck getting charged driving around Isaan.

You'd be amazed what you can find, when you look.  More than a few out there, and this is not an updated list:  https://www.mgcars.com/th/innovation/ev/charging-station

 

20 hours ago, DefaultName said:

I would consider an electric bike for around Pattaya.  But.  Condo dweller.  Nowhere to charge.

 

They need to sort out charging stations first.

DECO ... the 1000w motor models, the battery is removable for in home / condo charging.  E-bicycles, are just as handy, and even more convenient around congested communities, and all their batteries are removable.

Good ones not cheap, but more versatile than scooters: 

https://www.bkkebike.com/e-bike-thailand?gclid=Cj0KCQiA3rKQBhCNARIsACUEW_bqTrB6Tw0pONGtiDoXdFimGMiDp1rQV2hzsAcoAj-6uQQ5hwru7XkaAubTEALw_wcB

 

2 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

DECO ... the 1000w motor models, the battery is removable for in home / condo charging.

How heavy are they..... bad enough carrying shopping up, and trash down?

Knowing Thailand I expect some enterprising guys will open charging stations on the ground floor next to the office!

20 hours ago, KhunLA said:

The anti-China folks must not own much of any electronics, and live in countries that isn't the USA, UK or member of NATO.  Although TBH, don't think I know of any country that hasn't indulged in a bit of genocide.  Most wouldn't be who or what countries they are today, if they didn't.

Its just the usual sort of lets rubbish China postings you come to expect on here.   Everything made in China is rubbish.

 

I remember in the late 50s--Japan sending its motorbikes to the UK-----we called them Hair dryer's , because  you could hardly hear the engine running. Then to top it all off they brought out a button to start them with---we all knew that Japanese bikes just wouldn't make it.

 

And Copy, Japan were worse then China, they even named an area in Japan called the USA...... so they could stamp their goods. "Made in The USA". --but along with all the copying came innovations....a watch that you didn't have to wind up everyday...Cameras that done unimaginable things, at one time 90% of the video animation was coming from Japan. Calculators---Batteries. If they didn't invent it, they made it better.

 

China can make some high end, high Tehc goods---we all know that. And they can make rubbish (dont buy from Wish")  They are targeting all ends of the market.

On 2/16/2022 at 6:59 AM, hotchilli said:

No, you're going to see well made affordable EV's that will sell well in Asia.

Don't underestimate the Chinese brand EV cars, they've had western technology and engineering specialists in China for many years building up the designs and build strategies.

This will transform the world as Japan did back in the 60's, 70's & 80's

 

Agreed, too many people speak without having any knowledge on the subject. Sure they do produce a lot of junk and rubbish, but you won't be buying from lazada for the lowest price you can find on line. 

10 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

How heavy are they..... bad enough carrying shopping up, and trash down?

Knowing Thailand I expect some enterprising guys will open charging stations on the ground floor next to the office!

Can't find the weight anywhere, but really can't be too much, as the whole scooter (Sally) only weighs 69 kgs.  Did find a comparative spec'd Samsung battery, 60v20Ah and weight stated at 5.4 kgs.  So surely <10kgs I would think.

43 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

DECO ... the 1000w motor models, the battery is removable for in home / condo charging.  E-bicycles, are just as handy, and even more convenient around congested communities, and all their batteries are removable.

Good ones not cheap, but more versatile than scooters: 

https://www.bkkebike.com/e-bike-thailand?gclid=Cj0KCQiA3rKQBhCNARIsACUEW_bqTrB6Tw0pONGtiDoXdFimGMiDp1rQV2hzsAcoAj-6uQQ5hwru7XkaAubTEALw_wcB

 

 One of these will be my wife's next local runabout machine when her aging Click starts to be troublesome. Although I do wonder how how long that will be. The Click seems to be immortal!