Healthy discount on a Ioniq 5.

 

 

https://autolifethailand.tv/official-price-hyundai-ioniq5-ev-bev-discount-sep-2025/

Thai assembled BYD EV anyone ?

 

 

https://autolifethailand.tv/secret-deal-home-charger-official-price-byd-seal-5-dm-i-plug-in-hybrid/

54 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Sealion 7 anyone ?

 

Latest price ( although I thought it was already at this price ? ).

 

 

https://autolifethailand.tv/official-price-discount-byd-sealion-7-secret-deal-sep2025/

 

Yea....you are right....It has been at that price since at least 1 Sep. 

 

It seems a lot of the autolife and car250 webpage posts try to make them appear like they are late-breaking price cuts (like cuts happening just today or yesterday) when in fact they are not.  Kinda like old news but trying to make it appear like new news. 

17 minutes ago, Pib said:

 

Yea....you are right....It has been at that price since at least 1 Sep. 

 

It seems a lot of the autolife and car250 webpage posts try to make them appear like they are late-breaking price cuts (like cuts happening just today or yesterday) when in fact they are not.  Kinda like old news but trying to make it appear like new news. 

Here are the prices and details for March 2025 motorshow

prices are the same as today only difference is today prices  include Free! Home Charger with installation

https://autolifethailand.tv/official-discount-price-byd-sealion7-motor-show-2025/

1 hour ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Healthy discount on a Ioniq 5.

 

 

https://autolifethailand.tv/official-price-hyundai-ioniq5-ev-bev-discount-sep-2025/

The Ionic 5 is one of the best looking EVs out there in my opinion.

On 9/12/2025 at 7:27 PM, Andrew Dwyer said:

Sealion 7 anyone ?

 

Latest price ( although I thought it was already at this price ? ).

 

 

https://autolifethailand.tv/official-price-discount-byd-sealion-7-secret-deal-sep2025/

Next month under 1 Million 🤣

The first batch of Leapmotor B10 has arrived in Thailand! The launch and pricing will be announced soon. Expected starting price: 6xx,xxx baht.

https://ev.iphonemod.net/leapmotor-b10-first-lot-in-thailand/

 

Leapmotor B10 Preliminary Specifications:

Rear-wheel drive (RWD)

1 electric motor

14.6-inch floating screen

8.8-inch LCD dashboard

The center console has two wireless charging stations.

 

The entry-level model has an electric motor that produces a maximum power of 132 kW (177 hp).

LFP battery, size 56.2 kWh

Provides a driving range of 510 km (CLTC standard)

 

Long Range model, electric motor provides maximum power of 160 kW (214 horsepower).

LFP battery, 67.1 kWh

Provides a driving range of 600 km (CLTC standard)

"Don't buy a BYD, Teslas charge at 250kW"

 

 

 

2 hours ago, Bandersnatch said:

 

"Don't buy a BYD, Teslas charge at 250kW"

 

I'll consider that when our solar can put out 250kW 

9 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

I'll consider that when our solar can put out 250kW 

 

Yea....when 250KW and  chargers become "common place" in Thailand I'll definitely want my next EV to have at least 250KW charging speed capability for my occasional long trips although my 7KW home wall charger will still be my primarily charging source for around 90-95% of the kilometers I put on my EV. 

 

For the last month or two I really been interested in checking out the different charging networks/apps in Thailand.  Us retirees develop "keep busy ways" sometimes.     Like right now I have 22 (twenty two) charging apps installed on my phone (and there are more than 22 charging networks/apps) available in Thailand......and I have registered with (and used) 10 of them primarily as brief tests....these 10 would be considered the major charging networks in Thailand....the 10 with the great, great majority of all DC Fast Chargers in Thailand.

 

Since having my EV for 23 months an almost 49,000Km on the odometer In only three road trips did I need to charge once at a charging station to ensure I could get back home as these were trips of around 400Km round trip.  

-But back to all those 22 apps charging network apps I have loaded on my phone.  With almost all of them even without registering you can see a list/map of their chargers...in some cases you need to go to their website to see the chargers.   Anyway, the great, great majority of DC chargers are 120 to 150KW or less.....seems 120KW chargers are very common.  And more and more condo building/hotels/businesses/etc., are installing 20, 30 or 40KW DC chargers.   And there are tons of 7-22KW AC chargers at many locations but many EVs right now even if connecting to a 22KW charger will only charge at 7KW since the EV's onboard charger is only 7KW.    

 

The number of DC chargers shown in those 22 apps which are greater than 150-180KW are few-and-far-in-between and mostly located in the greater Bangkok area and/or at E-bus/trucking terminals that are litle off the beaten main highways path and full of BIG buses and BIG trucks charging.   A little ol' EV car trying to squeeze into one of the charging slots at these E-bus/trucking terminals looks like a little puppy among a pack of full grown wolfs.  And a few places in Bangkok more EV taxi charging parks are appearing which may have 180KW or higher chargers....like a couple charging parks around Suvarnabhumi  Airport. 

 

Don't want anyone to get me wrong as I think the ability of an EV battery to fill-up with electrons really fast is definitely a good thing to have.  But in today's, and even near future, DC charging world at least for Thailand 120-150KW DC chargers will dominate due to cost, available KW power to feed the charger, and actually the real need of most of the EV drivers. 

 

My next EV which I will probably buy in two more years the max charging rate for its battery will definitely be a spec that will carry some weight in my decision as to which EV to buy,  but not be a high priority spec for me. I'll be more interested in getting the "biggest battery KWH-wise" vs getting the one with the fastest charging rate because my 7KW home wall charger which will be doing almost all of that battery's charging and occasionally 120-150KW (or less) DC chargers doing some charging....any charging rate higher than those chargers can support is a spec I will not be able use/take advantage of.  

 

Preaching to the choir I know.

 

 

Below is a charging curve snapshot I took from the Youtube video and then I added a thick, blue line representing a120KW charger (and hoping your EV is the only one using the probable 2 connector 120KW charger). 

 

If hooked to a 120KW charger none of those vehicles' charging curves would have gotten above 120KW because of the DC charger limitation....not an EV charging limitation but the max output limitation of the DC charger.   Some of the vehicles' charging curve would pretty much be a 120KW "flat" curve up to around 75% SOC while two of EVs couldn't even handle 120KW up to 75% as they could only handle 120KW up to around 45% or 60% SOC.   

 

Those EVs in the video with the highest/best/fastest charging rate at around 75% SOC they only  need (and allow) "less" than a 120KW charging rate from 75-100%....quite a bit less as going from 75 to 100%.

 

And you know how to make an EV charging rate flat from 0% all the way to100%?   Just hook it to your home 7KW AC wall charger. 😁

 

1 hour ago, Pib said:

For the last month or two I really been interested in checking out the different charging networks/apps in Thailand.  Us retirees develop "keep busy ways" sometimes.   

We shooting for all the PTT 7-11s across TH, as where we do 90% of our charging away from home.

 

You drive a bit more than we do.  We average about 18k a year, and 3 yr next month with the BEV.  1/3 or our kms are O&A overnight stays.   PTT & 7-11s quest, as we usually charge after 3 hours on the road & hungry, so hard to beat all the options at PTT stations.

 

I'm happy if they deliver 76kW, as the car will only accept 76.   Which is fine, as the car is usually done (90-95%) before were done eating.  After I take the dog for a walk and use the toilet ourselves.

 

At home, it's usually the granny charger, since we have solar.  Rarely use the wall charger, as that's on the grid.

 

We always top up, again while eating, before going into downtown BKK, when visiting the daughter there.  And that's again, after about 3 hrs driving, so very hungry and happy to get out of the car and stroll around.   Avoids needing to charge in BKK, though wouldn't be much of a problem.  Where we usually stay, has AC chargers on the property.  Always seem to be empty.  Along with ICONSIAM up the road, where we usually pop into anyway, when there.

 

Local exploring, daytrips are only abut 250 kms R/T, as not much of interest northward beyond Hua Hin, 100 kms away, or southward, beyond Ban Krut area, <100 kms away.   There is no east or west exploring, as <5 kms east, and we're in the Gulf, and 10 kms west, mountain border with Myanmar.

On 9/16/2025 at 5:19 PM, matchar said:

The first batch of Leapmotor B10 has arrived in Thailand! The launch and pricing will be announced soon. Expected starting price: 6xx,xxx baht.

https://ev.iphonemod.net/leapmotor-b10-first-lot-in-thailand/

 

Leapmotor B10 Preliminary Specifications:

Rear-wheel drive (RWD)

1 electric motor

14.6-inch floating screen

8.8-inch LCD dashboard

The center console has two wireless charging stations.

 

The entry-level model has an electric motor that produces a maximum power of 132 kW (177 hp).

LFP battery, size 56.2 kWh

Provides a driving range of 510 km (CLTC standard)

 

Long Range model, electric motor provides maximum power of 160 kW (214 horsepower).

LFP battery, 67.1 kWh

Provides a driving range of 600 km (CLTC standard)

😍 Rear wheel drive

I finally bought my first ev car today in chiang mai , jaecoo 5 ev max. I have a a question about redplate , registration of my car and appreciate your thoughts.

 

Previously i bought a car , the dealer would give me the red plate while they registered my car . Once registration is completed, i would get my blue book and I return their red plate (and get my deposit). 
 

However, i was informed today that i will not get the red plate. I will be provided a document of new car sale that would allow me to drive the car. I am to return later where the dealer will register and provide me the blue book.

Just checking this is all good to ensure  proper insurance and legality to drive without red plate.

Appreciate your comments. Thanks 

 

7 hours ago, Alotoftravel said:

I finally bought my first ev car today in chiang mai , jaecoo 5 ev max. I have a a question about redplate , registration of my car and appreciate your thoughts.

 

Previously i bought a car , the dealer would give me the red plate while they registered my car . Once registration is completed, i would get my blue book and I return their red plate (and get my deposit). 
 

However, i was informed today that i will not get the red plate. I will be provided a document of new car sale that would allow me to drive the car. I am to return later where the dealer will register and provide me the blue book.

Just checking this is all good to ensure  proper insurance and legality to drive without red plate.

Appreciate your comments. Thanks 

 

Did the dealer ask you for B3,000 deposit for the red plate when you ordered the car

Suggest you check with your insurance company that you are covered even if no plates have been issued

This website states if you have a receipt from Department of Land Transport

If you haven't received a license plate or don't have one, keep the receipt issued by the Department of Land Transport, Ministry of Transport, which will state that the receipt can be used in place of the license plate for 90 days from the date of issue, along with a copy of the vehicle and tax plate, to show to the police in the event of a stop.

https://www.changan-cars-auto.com/ออกรถใหม่/ไม่มีป้ายทะเบียน/

No the dealer did not ask for the deposit because he is not providing me the red plate .

 

i am not sure if i get any DLT receipt at the time i pick up my car as he said as a foreigner i will need to show the original id/yellow book when i get the registration. He did confirm i will insurance coverage at drive off but will verify when i get the receipt of the car purchase for my cashiers cheque.

 

Process is always changing in thailand and wanted to check with you all with  driving off the a newly purchased car with no red plates . Thanks 

in 2012 there were not enough red plates available anymore. we only got some documents and had to drive without a number plate until we received the white plate ...

 

when i bought the sealion7, i told the seller i would only accept the car with a red number plate. one reason is that i often need to drive to other provinces ...

 

what i would do is wait until the dealer arranges a red number plate and do not accept any lazy excuses  or explanation from the dealer ... 

2 hours ago, motdaeng said:

in 2012 there were not enough red plates available anymore. we only got some documents and had to drive without a number plate until we received the white plate ...

 

when i bought the sealion7, i told the seller i would only accept the car with a red number plate. one reason is that i often need to drive to other provinces ...

 

what i would do is wait until the dealer arranges a red number plate and do not accept any lazy excuses  or explanation from the dealer ... 

Same with us, 2012, new Mazda, and we were going O&A.   Asked who's paying the fine when we get stopped for no tags, and we did, and Mazda did pay the fine, or had it voided out.

 

Might want to mention that issue, as they'll have better luck getting the ticket voided than you.

Someone local picked one up ... that's nice 😎

 

 

 

Chinese pickup trucks may not be strong enough in the Thai market! Sales are only in the hundreds.

Pickup truck sales in Thailand in the first seven months of 2025 totaled just 85,023 units, a decrease of more than 17.3%. However, market leaders like Toyota, Isuzu, and Ford still command over 83% of the market share , thanks to strong promotions and a robust service center network.

The situation of the Chinese camp

BYD Shark 6 :

Launched at Motor Show 2025, price 1.699 million baht (CBU import)

Poor sales → BYD discontinued marketing

New plan: Open production line for new plug-in hybrid pickup truck (leaf spring suspension) at Rayong factory in 2026.

RIDDARA : Target 5,000 vehicles/year butmainly relies on sales from government agencies.

Why Chinese pickup trucks “fail”

Expensive: Many models cost over a million baht.

Technology mismatch: Often EV/Hybrid, but the market needs heavy-duty diesel.

After-sales concerns: Service center–spare parts–durability not yet assured

High Risk: Buyers fear being left behind if the company withdraws, with resale value near zero.

Under pressure: Toyota-Isuzu-Ford launch strong promotions, leaving no room for new brands

https://car2day.com/chinese-pickup-fail-in-thailand-market/

Maybe this is the reason why legacy automakers are huffing and puffing about the Chinese manufacturers - this is automation on a new level entirely, or as one commenter put it: 'These are the jobs Trump wants to repatriate…'  

 

 

10 hours ago, vinny41 said:

Why Chinese pickup trucks “fail”

Expensive: Many models cost over a million baht.

 

 

First came the MG4 with its rear wheel drive and sporty look which was a pleasure to drive.

Then came the AWD X Power with bold new colours and increased performance/handling.

 

The two versions became instant good sellers and left MG with a dilemma:

” where to go from here ? “

In an unexpected turn of events MG decided to focus on the price and produced the 2026 MG4 cutting back on the sporty image, removing the AWD version, changing to front wheel drive and simplifying the suspension !!

 

 

Gone is the sporty hot hatch and welcome to another dull EV.

One has to wonder why they would reduce a successful sporty model to the level of the ZS replacement the S5 ?

 

The answer is money !!

 

Maybe it wasn’t selling well in China but here sold well as it did in Europe in particularly the U.K. !

 

 The previous MG 4 slotted in nicely between the sedate S5 and the sporty Cyberster or IM6 but now there is a huge gap between safe and exciting !!

14 hours ago, mistral53 said:

Maybe this is the reason why legacy automakers are huffing and puffing about the Chinese manufacturers - this is automation on a new level entirely, or as one commenter put it: 'These are the jobs Trump wants to repatriate…'  

 

 

More tariffs are the answer. USA! USA! USA!

22 hours ago, KhunLA said:

 

The 63kWh version for 900k can only drive about 300km in real life-  not great, then the 73kWh version for 1M will bring you maybe 60km further. Compared to the newer suvs  for 5-600 k  the Riddara feels now a bit expensive, just a year after launch.  With no service points outside of BKK, not sure how they would repair these. I was considering the Riddara, but now I'm thinking for that price, maybe better to buy 2x cheapo cars like the Jaecoo5.  I just don't want a Neta V experience with a 1M car.

5 hours ago, TronxII said:

The 63kWh version for 900k can only drive about 300km in real life-  not great, then the 73kWh version for 1M will bring you maybe 60km further. Compared to the newer suvs  for 5-600 k  the Riddara feels now a bit expensive, just a year after launch.  With no service points outside of BKK, not sure how they would repair these. I was considering the Riddara, but now I'm thinking for that price, maybe better to buy 2x cheapo cars like the Jaecoo5.  I just don't want a Neta V experience with a 1M car.

If you don't need a truck, why would you buy one ?

 

300kms is 3+ hrs of driving on the highway, do you really need more, and how often do you take long trips.  It's a really nice truck, and I'd take that over any of the ICE trucks out there.

 

Tthere are dealers outside of BKK.   Two closest to us are Ratchaburi & Chumphon.  Other location; Hat Yai, Korat, Nonthaburi, Chonburi, Pathum Thani, Chachoengsao, Samut Prakan, Chiang Mai, Chaiyaphum, Chiang Rai.  That not counting the Geely dealers that may even be available for 10k kms check ups, as BEV need very little servicing.

 

If there was a local dealer, there's a good chance one would be sitting in our car/truckport, and I don't even need a truck 

Trucks like a Riddara RD6 are really for those who "don't really need a truck....really just want one to occasionally carry some household item that might be challenging to fit into their personal car.  Riddara trucks are not focused towards those who "really" need a truck in their personal and/or work lives; it's focused towards those that "just like having a truck but don't really need one" which is fine....a person can buy whatever they desire although it may not be a real need....we all "buy desires" almost everyday. 

 

Below article is a bit dated....from mid 2024 but I think it's still on target when it comes to tapping into the pickup truck market segment that "really need a truck" in Thailand.   I have no doubt many in this market segment will shift towards EV trucks...most likely those businesses who buy many vehicles to deliver their product/service which are driven by employees of the business.  Then the Somchai's who drive their own truck in their small business will begin to follow....it will be a gradual change over the next decade as EVs become cheaper, more accepted from the fearful, and more widely supported rather than only "repairable" at a dealership.

 

https://restofworld.org/2024/ev-pickup-trucks-thailand/

8 July 2024 • Pattaya, Thailand

 

Thailand is one of the biggest markets in the world for compact pickups. The one-ton trucks, used to haul produce, and modified to transport goods and people, make up nearly half of total vehicle sales in the country. 

 

“It is a very different market, as users are much more price-sensitive than EV car users,” he said. “Plus, most pickup truck users use the vehicle for long distances and for heavy loads, and there’s very little charging infrastructure up-country. EVs have already reached about 10% of passenger vehicle sales. Pickup trucks will be much slower to reach that figure because of these challenges.”

 

There are about 10,000 charging outlets in fewer than 3,000 locations across Thailand, with a concentration in the cities. For Bussaba Nakpipat, a durian farmer in the eastern town of Chanthaburi, this is a problem. Bussaba and her family transport the large, spiky fruit on two Toyota Hilux trucks and one Mitsubishi pickup — all of which are diesel-powered. They sometimes drive long distances several hours a day, so switching to a fully electric truck is not feasible, she told Rest of World.

“There are days when I have to make many trips, when I have to wait in line at the distribution center to offload the produce, and there are no charging stations around,” Bussaba said. “Now, I don’t really have to worry … I pay 500 baht ($14) for almost a full tank of diesel and know that when it runs out, I can always find another gas station.” 

Customers like Bussaba will probably make the shift to hybrid trucks first, to get over “range anxiety,” or the fear of having insufficient battery capacity while driving long distances, said Yamamoto. To win their trust, Toyota and Isuzu will have to test their vehicles for different conditions, Surapong Paisitpatanapong, vice chairman of FTI, told Rest of World. “The tests have to be extensive because pickup trucks are used to carry goods, often a lot of weight,” he said. “They have to be confident that they work as well as the fuel-powered models.”

 

1 hour ago, Pib said:

Trucks like a Riddara RD6 are really for those who "don't really need a truck....really just want one to occasionally carry some household item that might be challenging to fit into their personal car.  Riddara trucks are not focused towards those who "really" need a truck in their personal and/or work lives; it's focused towards those that "just like having a truck but don't really need one" which is fine....a person can buy whatever they desire although it may not be a real need....we all "buy desires" almost everyday. 

 

Below article is a bit dated....from mid 2024 but I think it's still on target when it comes to tapping into the pickup truck market segment that "really need a truck" in Thailand.   I have no doubt many in this market segment will shift towards EV trucks...most likely those businesses who buy many vehicles to deliver their product/service which are driven by employees of the business.  Then the Somchai's who drive their own truck in their small business will begin to follow....it will be a gradual change over the next decade as EVs become cheaper, more accepted from the fearful, and more widely supported rather than only "repairable" at a dealership.

 

https://restofworld.org/2024/ev-pickup-trucks-thailand/

8 July 2024 • Pattaya, Thailand

 

Thailand is one of the biggest markets in the world for compact pickups. The one-ton trucks, used to haul produce, and modified to transport goods and people, make up nearly half of total vehicle sales in the country. 

 

“It is a very different market, as users are much more price-sensitive than EV car users,” he said. “Plus, most pickup truck users use the vehicle for long distances and for heavy loads, and there’s very little charging infrastructure up-country. EVs have already reached about 10% of passenger vehicle sales. Pickup trucks will be much slower to reach that figure because of these challenges.”

 

There are about 10,000 charging outlets in fewer than 3,000 locations across Thailand, with a concentration in the cities. For Bussaba Nakpipat, a durian farmer in the eastern town of Chanthaburi, this is a problem. Bussaba and her family transport the large, spiky fruit on two Toyota Hilux trucks and one Mitsubishi pickup — all of which are diesel-powered. They sometimes drive long distances several hours a day, so switching to a fully electric truck is not feasible, she told Rest of World.

“There are days when I have to make many trips, when I have to wait in line at the distribution center to offload the produce, and there are no charging stations around,” Bussaba said. “Now, I don’t really have to worry … I pay 500 baht ($14) for almost a full tank of diesel and know that when it runs out, I can always find another gas station.” 

Customers like Bussaba will probably make the shift to hybrid trucks first, to get over “range anxiety,” or the fear of having insufficient battery capacity while driving long distances, said Yamamoto. To win their trust, Toyota and Isuzu will have to test their vehicles for different conditions, Surapong Paisitpatanapong, vice chairman of FTI, told Rest of World. “The tests have to be extensive because pickup trucks are used to carry goods, often a lot of weight,” he said. “They have to be confident that they work as well as the fuel-powered models.”

 

It cost me 2300 baht in Diesel to fill my 2017 2.2L ford pick up 

I just saw the BYD SEAL 05 DMI ... I didn't even know that they were still making hybrid.
Nice car from outside 😉
https://carnewschina.com/2025/07/09/byd-seal-05-dm-i-set-for-august-launch-in-thailand/

10 minutes ago, yankee99 said:

It cost me 2300 baht in Diesel to fill my 2017 2.2L ford pick up 

Yea...if my 2009 Toyota 3.0L diesel is almost empty it costs about the same as it has a 65L tank.

 

But the guy in the article where he said he pays Bt500 for almost a full tank in his truck was telling a fib. 

 

Now what I would believe from the guy is he typically tops-up "Bt500 at a time" because over the years I have seen many  many, many Thais pull up to the fuel station  (while I'm also fueling up) in their pickup truck or compact car and ask for Bt500 of fuel.  It's like that's their standard amount when fueling-up and maybe to them it's considered almost filling-up.