Electric Vehicles in Thailand

[KhunLA]

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[KhunLA]

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[KhunLA]

14 minutes ago, matchar said:

The Atto 3 seems a bit outdated now that the competition is heating up.

 

Apparently BYD didn't even make the top 20 for the latest motor show bookings:

Real registration numbers tell a much different story, and let's stick to BEV, as ICEV are still the most sold, though losing market share every month.

 

As stated on the other thread, you'd have to be nuts to not at least look at BEV, before plopping your hard earned money down for an under performing, overpriced, low tech, expensive to maintain ICEV.

 

Conversation to continue here ...

https://aseannow.com/topic/1246109-ice-vs-ev-the-debate-thread/page/102/#findComment-19707043

 

[Andrew Dwyer]

40 minutes ago, matchar said:

The Atto 3 seems a bit outdated now that the competition is heating up.

 

Apparently BYD didn't even make the top 20 for the latest motor show bookings:

BYD, amongst others, don’t release the booking figures until after the show is finished.

[Pib]

11 hours ago, matchar said:

The Atto 3 seems a bit outdated now that the competition is heating up.

 

Apparently BYD didn't even make the top 20 for the latest motor show bookings:

 

Per note codes in other reporting BYD is one of the companies "not" reporting sales numbers during the show.  More companies are going this route of only reporting numbers at the end of the event "or even not at all." .

 

[JBChiangRai]

13 hours ago, matchar said:

The Atto 3 seems a bit outdated now that the competition is heating up.

 

Apparently BYD didn't even make the top 20 for the latest motor show bookings:

 

They probably haven't released figure yet.

[4myr]

As I have booked the AION UT, I did some research on GAC AION, as on internet GAC is less known than BYD or MG.

 

GAC is a state owned company with EV global brands AION and Hyptec and joint-ventures with Toyota and Honda, primarily for the Chinese market. GAC Toyota has just launched the bZ3X EV [  https://carnewschina.com/2025/02/01/gac-toyota-bz3x-ev-with-620-km-range-will-launch-on-march-3rd-in-china/ ].

They have 2 type of customers, the ride hailing [e.g. AION S and ES], which is declining, and the end consumer [AION V, Y Plus, Hyptec]. Although they produce AION V in Thailand, they decided to import the AION UT, likely due to unknown demand and excess factory capacity in China. AION UT is not selling as well as the Geely Star Wish. One of the reasons is that GAC decided to produce more of the UT 400 model instead of the cheaper UT 300 [not available in Thailand]. 

 

GAC makes their own batteries, the Magazine Battery 2.0 [ https://autonews.gasgoo.com/m/70030001.html ]. The latest in the AION V has 400V 3C fast charging, 4,000 cycles, is module repairable and can suppress thermal runaway if punctured or twisted. For what it's worth, GAC is planning solid state batteries in 2026 [ https://cnevpost.com/2024/04/12/gac-to-equip-hyper-evs-with-all-solid-state-batteries-in-2026/ ].

 

Chinese users of the AION V are satisfied with the driving capabilities and suspension, even though the rear has a torsion beam, which is characteristic to all AION models [S, V, Y Plus and UT].  Also the ADAS lane keeping is more precise than peers, maybe because GAC is investing heavily in Robotaxi's [ https://www.metal.com/en/newscontent/103085517 ].

 

On the downside, GAC still have too little dealerships and expertise  in Thailand. They say they will extend with 80 this year, but no concrete plans yet where [ https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/release/202503256247 ]. On facebook I can gauge not enough expertise on AC maintenance.

 

Testdrive AION UT by German car reporter:

 

Magazine Battery 2.0:

 

 

 

Quote

 

Source: https://www.dongchedi.com/article/7487239887775629858

 

In terms of lane keeping function, Aion UT demonstrates higher accuracy. It uses advanced sensor technology and precise algorithms to more accurately identify lane lines and make more timely and smooth corrections when the vehicle deviates from the lane. Compared with some models of the same level, Aion UT's lane keeping assist system performs better in dealing with complex road conditions, such as curves and unclear road markings. This is due to GAC Group's heavy investment in the research and development of intelligent driving technology and its technical accumulation, which enables Aion UT to provide a more reliable lane keeping experience.

 

 

 

[Andrew Dwyer]

Deepal E07

 

https://autolifethailand.tv/official-price-changan-deepal-e07-thailand-jan2025/

 

Saw one of these in the flesh today, very striking in the grey colour.

 

A beast of a car next to the S07 with its 21” wheels, bull nose front end and an unusual rear looking a little like a cross between a Cybertruck and an Aztec !!

 

Choice of RWD for 1.599m with 342 HP and a 6.7 second 0-100 or AWD for 1.999m with 598 hp and 3.96 seconds 0-100, current prices, normal price is +100k on both ), NMC battery chemistry on both.

 

Obviously very striking rear end is its main selling point. The rear glass window slides up over the roof to create the pick up visual and has the drop down tailgate with a small glass window as the top half which can disappear into the tailgate at the press of a button, indeed it is all electrically operated.

 

 

 

Not sure about driving with the tailgate down as the licence plate will not be on show, unless that swings down to be visible ?

 

With the rear end all closed it provides 524 ltrs of storage which, imho, is good but not groundbreaking, but an impressive 131 ltrs frunk.

 

Separating the cargo space and the rear seats is a panel with the top half glass and the bottom half plastic, electrically lower the glass panel, lower the rear seats and the plastic panel can also be lowered to provide a lengthy sleeping area.

 

Inside is the usual array of functionality v gimmickery , gear changes are via the right hand steering wheel stalk meaning the centre console is clear of buttons or switches.

 

Hopefully using the stalk to ( forgetfully) indicate right at speed won’t put you straight into reverse !!

Seems like changing the habit of a , driving, lifetime could be difficult !

Hopefully also the brown interior is not the only option for AWD, a black version is available only for RWD.

 

The 15.4” screen can be tilted towards driver or passenger ( not sure if these are the only two positions ? ).

 

A host of accessories available mainly aimed at camping.

 

10 year free internet access.

 

360° camera with full dashcam type recording on all 4 cameras when driving ( if that is what this means ):

Sentry mode.

 

Supports up to 240 kw DC charging.

 

The versatility of the rear end is definitely impressive, if you are into camping !!

 

Not for me but i do recognise the technology advances and the gadgetry is no doubt going to attract a crowd at the Show.

[Bandersnatch]

On 2/10/2025 at 2:07 PM, Bandersnatch said:

The bonnet and the 2 sections below it had a big dent in them while the Nissan had a broken tail light. 

 

 

We have just got back from the body repair shop who checked the car and will be ordering parts from BYD. I will do an update on how things progress.

 

 

As promised, here is a progress report:

 

The insurance company took 6 weeks to make a decision and authorise repairs, despite both parties being insured with them and the other party admitting full responsibilty.

 

They decided that the bonnet should be repaired but not the BYD logo panel below which had some deep scratches. Once the repair got underway it was discovered that BYD logo panel was damaged where it fitted to the car so had to be replaced. So 7 weeks after we first made the claim, the first BYD part was ordered. The car was now dismantled and we weren't sure how long we would be without the car while we waited for the part. Turns out we only had to wait a week, not bad for a car that has only been in country for a couple of months.

 

[Pib]

24 minutes ago, Bandersnatch said:

The insurance company took 6 weeks to make a decision and authorise repairs, despite both parties being insured with them and the other party admitting full responsibilty.

Now, that's down right terrible service (insurance coverage-wise).   Any idea as to why the insurance company took so   l....o.....n.....g   just to make the decision to begin repairs?   Like was it simply because it was an "electric car" issue, some legal detail not related to type of vehicle, maybe something related to the "1st year insurance that BYD pays for,"  etc.   Shame it took so long just to begin repairs.

[Bandersnatch]

2 hours ago, Pib said:

Any idea as to why the insurance company took so   l....o.....n.....g   just to make the decision to begin repairs? 

 

No idea but BYD Buriram did some chasing for us and that's the point we started seeing progress. I will of course be changing companies when the policy expires.

[Pib]

7 hours ago, Bandersnatch said:

 

 

As promised, here is a progress report:

 

The insurance company took 6 weeks to make a decision and authorise repairs, despite both parties being insured with them and the other party admitting full responsibilty.

 

They decided that the bonnet should be repaired but not the BYD logo panel below which had some deep scratches. Once the repair got underway it was discovered that BYD logo panel was damaged where it fitted to the car so had to be replaced. So 7 weeks after we first made the claim, the first BYD part was ordered. The car was now dismantled and we weren't sure how long we would be without the car while we waited for the part. Turns out we only had to wait a week, not bad for a car that has only been in country for a couple of months.

 

So, to clear things up in my mind, did the car set in the repair shop for 8 weeks (7 weeks awaiting insurance company decision + 1 week of actual repair) or just 1 week in the shop?  

[Bandersnatch]

2 hours ago, Pib said:

So, to clear things up in my mind, did the car set in the repair shop for 8 weeks (7 weeks awaiting insurance company decision + 1 week of actual repair) or just 1 week in the shop?  

 

Fortunately for us, the Prick Up Truck that reversed into our parked car at 7/11 did only cosmetic damage and we were able to continue driving the car. The fact that the accident happened within a few days of us getting the car rather soured the experience of getting a new car.

 

We were without the car for just over a week.

 

The main take away for me was: getting a replacement part for a newly launched BYD took only a week

 

 

[Pib]

12 minutes ago, Bandersnatch said:

The main take away for me was: getting a replacement part for a newly launched BYD took only a week

A few months ago when my Atto left rear turn light assembly needed replacement (not accident related...just some of the LEDs died) it took my BYD dealership in Bangkok almost two weeks to get a replacement assembly.  And the dealershp swore it came from the BYD main warehouse in Bangkok (i.e., the BIG BYD warehouse used to supply all dealerships in Thailand with spare parts) to include replacement traction batteries). 

 

I even bugged the dealership twice via visits during those two weeks asking when is the part arriving that is supposedly just across town as I live in and the dealership are also  in Bangkok.   I think the part actually had to come from China as in the dealership ordered from the Bangkok main warehouse and the warehouse didn't have it in stock for whatever reason so the warehouse ordered it from China....when arriving the main warehouse it was then reshipped to the dealership.   It just seemed my dealership was at the mercy of the main/BIG BYD warehouse in Bangkok in getting the part.

 

 

[josephbloggs]

27 minutes ago, Bandersnatch said:

 

Fortunately for us, the Prick Up Truck that reversed into our parked car at 7/11 did only cosmetic damage and we were able to continue driving the car. The fact that the accident happened within a few days of us getting the car rather soured the experience of getting a new car.

 

We were without the car for just over a week.

 

The main take away for me was: getting a replacement part for a newly launched BYD took only a week

 

 

I feel you. The most excited i have ever been for a new car was my shiny new Subaru Impreza WRX. Within a week of taking delivery I was smashed in to at high speed by a pick up truck. It crushed cans of tomatoes I had in shopping bags behind the front seats (I had just come back from the supermarket). Car was concertinaed. It took eight months to fix - they literally had to stretch the chassis back out. In any other country it would have been a write off, and to be fair, I am sure today it would have been, but this was 20 years ago and Thailand was still the wild east.

Damage to a new car really sucks.

[gidz555]

On 4/4/2025 at 2:32 PM, Andrew Dwyer said:

Deepal E07

 

https://autolifethailand.tv/official-price-changan-deepal-e07-thailand-jan2025/

 

Saw one of these in the flesh today, very striking in the grey colour.

 

A beast of a car next to the S07 with its 21” wheels, bull nose front end and an unusual rear looking a little like a cross between a Cybertruck and an Aztec !!

 

Choice of RWD for 1.599m with 342 HP and a 6.7 second 0-100 or AWD for 1.999m with 598 hp and 3.96 seconds 0-100, current prices, normal price is +100k on both ), NMC battery chemistry on both.

 

Obviously very striking rear end is its main selling point. The rear glass window slides up over the roof to create the pick up visual and has the drop down tailgate with a small glass window as the top half which can disappear into the tailgate at the press of a button, indeed it is all electrically operated.

 

 

 

Not sure about driving with the tailgate down as the licence plate will not be on show, unless that swings down to be visible ?

 

With the rear end all closed it provides 524 ltrs of storage which, imho, is good but not groundbreaking, but an impressive 131 ltrs frunk.

 

Separating the cargo space and the rear seats is a panel with the top half glass and the bottom half plastic, electrically lower the glass panel, lower the rear seats and the plastic panel can also be lowered to provide a lengthy sleeping area.

 

Inside is the usual array of functionality v gimmickery , gear changes are via the right hand steering wheel stalk meaning the centre console is clear of buttons or switches.

 

Hopefully using the stalk to ( forgetfully) indicate right at speed won’t put you straight into reverse !!

Seems like changing the habit of a , driving, lifetime could be difficult !

Hopefully also the brown interior is not the only option for AWD, a black version is available only for RWD.

 

The 15.4” screen can be tilted towards driver or passenger ( not sure if these are the only two positions ? ).

 

A host of accessories available mainly aimed at camping.

 

10 year free internet access.

 

360° camera with full dashcam type recording on all 4 cameras when driving ( if that is what this means ):

Sentry mode.

 

Supports up to 240 kw DC charging.

 

The versatility of the rear end is definitely impressive, if you are into camping !!

 

Not for me but i do recognise the technology advances and the gadgetry is no doubt going to attract a crowd at the Show.

 

saw this in person recently, you can drive with the rear window open but the tailgate must remain closed. Also it has a frunk. The model I saw had a price of 2 million baht.

 

[josephbloggs]

31 minutes ago, gidz555 said:

 

saw this in person recently, you can drive with the rear window open but the tailgate must remain closed. Also it has a frunk. The model I saw had a price of 2 million baht.

 

Seen a few on the road - they are pretty striking.