Electric Vehicles in Thailand

[tomkenet]

Many reviews consider the top models from Nio, Xpeng, Hongqi, polestar amongst others to be premium. 

others, perhaps like yourself have different opinion.

[Issanman]

Tesla Model Y is the best selling car in the world Q1 2023.

 

https://www.pcmag.com/news/tesla-model-y-was-the-worlds-top-selling-car-last-quarter

 

https://www.motor1.com/news/669135/tesla-model-y-worlds-best-selling-car-q1-2023/

 

https://www.theverge.com/2023/5/26/23738581/tesla-model-y-ev-record-world-bestselling-car-electric

 

 

[Yellowtail]

36 minutes ago, Bandersnatch said:

 

Tesla Model Y was the 4th best selling model world wide last year and all indications are that it will be number one this year.

He said Tesla, not Tesla Model Y, which would indicate a brand, not a particular model. 

 

Toyota sold over ten million units last year compared to Tesla selling a little over a million. 

[tomkenet]

 Tesla having the most selling car was a response to the claim that Tesla is overpriced.

You will not have the most selling car if it is overpriced.

The European cars in Thailand which are overpriced surely will feel the pressure from Teslas pricing and will have to adjust pricing if they want to stay in business here.

[JBChiangRai]

2 hours ago, tomkenet said:

Tesla is currently the most-selling car in the world and the prices in Thailand are quite well aligned with the prices in Europe. (Maybe +10%) With the other brands you mention (+Volvo) the prices in Thailand are much higher than Europe. I am surprised so many Thai customers are willing to pay this huge premium to get the right logo on the car.  Bmw ix3 is 85% more expensive than Tesla Y (2 wheel drive) in Thailand, in Sweden it is less than 30%. Volvo xc40 recharge is  cheaper than tesla Y (4 wheel drive) in Sweden, In Thailand+20%.

You're missing the point with Tesla.  The model 3 is about 50% more here than China.  Tesla is outsold in China to a significant extent by BYD.  There have been 6 price reductions on Tesla in the USA since they launched here but no price reductions here (yet).

 

I wouldn't consider buying a Tesla here unless they gave me 2 years price protection and they are not going to do that.  Buy a Tesla here and you're going to get burned.

 

And we haven't even debated that the model 3 & Y do not have a premium cabin and are plagued with poor quality control issues.

[ExpatOilWorker]

https://twitter.com/pikus_pol/status/1663237890543845383?s=20

[Issanman]

[Andrew Dwyer]

Another day ….. another BYD model !

 

https://carnewschina.com/2023/05/31/new-byd-yuan-pro-launched-starting-at-13400-usd-95800-rmb/?fbclid=IwAR3o01J-KbxU2FZdWsXvDhlVLPlpze3CMVVGcRGHsflIaYaw9glCiCvDkyQ_aem_th_AYA4niVI4tyYALFdzNQXvx6xuV_fuks5iJ47pu8hfAQwGfV2iE74o4xlRsgIfwQtL5Y&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

 

Does this slot between Seagull and Dolphin or Dolphin and Atto 3.

Who knows ……. or even cares ?

[Andrew Dwyer]

While destined for the taxi market here there’s nothing to stop non taxi drivers from buying one, after all plenty of Altis on the road ( just don’t wrap it green and yellow ????).

BYD e6 , for those who want the large rotating screen, the LFP battery with great range , a great loading area ( 580 litres ? ) yet don’t fancy the funky interiors that come with the current BYD models available here, here’s your chance.

Competition for MG’s price beating EP or the more upmarket ES maybe ?, more pricey but still worth checking out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Andrew Dwyer]

Hands up who would like to see these variants added to Thailand’s MG lineup .

 

https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/mg-4-electric-car-timing-confirmed-dual-motor-hero-firming?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=meg-mg-4-electric-car-timing-confirmed-dual-motor-hero-firming&fbclid=IwAR0b1n6kcXcQBCADlDPjdSc3OZMfdRiJxh8K4mASyVqrWHB4T87kXvXyeSg&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

[Bandersnatch]

This just came up on my Tesla Line Feed. Not sure what to make of it. 

 

maybe it was a suggestion from Elon’s new friend Ron DeSantis

 

 

 

[KhunLA]

1 hour ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Hands up who would like to see these variants added to Thailand’s MG lineup .

 

https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/mg-4-electric-car-timing-confirmed-dual-motor-hero-firming?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=meg-mg-4-electric-car-timing-confirmed-dual-motor-hero-firming&fbclid=IwAR0b1n6kcXcQBCADlDPjdSc3OZMfdRiJxh8K4mASyVqrWHB4T87kXvXyeSg&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

Sure, why not ????  Not that I have any need for more battery, motor, options, or willing to pay more for them ????

 

But more choices is always a good thing.

 

On choices, seeing more & more EVs everyday, that it's not even a thing.  Average about 10 a day, which is a lot, and considering the population of the amphur, and the little amount of time I'm out and about locally in the heat.

 

These were a bit different today, and a first sighting:

... a few Tesla in the area spotted, only 1 plugged in ????

 

This has been parked surfside, couple locations, locally, for about a week.  First time I noticed the e-scooters for getting around once where ever ????

 

 

 

[Bandersnatch]

BMW diesel parked in the only free EV charger at Robinson’s today. There was a free slot without charger next to it, but would have meant laying the cable across the BMW, which I was keen on doing, my wife was less keen. ????

[Andrew Dwyer]

On 5/21/2023 at 12:33 PM, Bandersnatch said:

Neta will be made in Thailand soon and the model that most impressed me at this year’s motor show was the Neta S.

 

 

 

 

 

Front and Rear mounted motors

91kWh battery 

650km CLTC (Chinese) range

0-100km/h 3.9 seconds 

 

 

I am a fan of the “EV Girls” channel but it’s in Thai so just a link to their video if you want to check it out.

https://youtu.be/owFtGc0sI6g

 

Here’s a video, in English, on the Neta S testing in Thailand.

 

 

 

Main points are.

462 hp !

Electric gull wing doors ( which, imo, don’t rise very high )

Full glass roof, no sunshade.

Electric adjustable rear seats ( rake ) , 8 degrees adjustable only but looks good.

No physical buttons, everything done from screen including adjusting front seats ( hopefully has memory )

Sounds like a long wait for this model as only LHD available now.

Price in China 1.8 million baht, reviewer guessed at 2.5 million for Thailand market, wishful thinking ?

BYD Seal competitor ?

[tomkenet]

Both the Neta S and BYD Seal seems to be Tesla 3 competitors. The price in Thailand will probably be lower than Tesla, so 2.5 mthb is not wishful thinking. The question is if and when Neta S will come to Thailand. Byd Seal however look like it's coming this year.

[Bandersnatch]

 

The all electric Toyota bZ4X is now showing on the Toyota Thailand website at ฿1.8m+

 

It has a rocky start with some unfortunate headlines:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good YouTube reviews are actually hard to find as most are “First Look” reviews from about a year ago where the reviewer has only a short time with the car under controlled conditions with Toyota press cars.

 

Two channels that have more recent in depth reviews:

 

 

 

 

 

Here is one of the “First Look” reviews from a year ago so you can see the car in more detail, but they have to take the Toyota stats as given.

 

 

[Bandersnatch]

Toyota actually make a very good PHEV, I’m not sure why it’s not available in Thailand as I’m sure it would sell well.

 

 

[JBChiangRai]

I'm not sure whether it has changed, but Japanese manufacturers had to pay (I think) 20% import duty for BEV's whereas Chinese paid nothing.

 

If that's still the case, it's going to be difficult for the Japanese to gain market share with "late to market" and therefore less well developed BEV's compared to the cheaper Chinese.

 

I would take a BYD ATTO 3 over the bZ4X every time.

[Andrew Dwyer]

3 hours ago, tomkenet said:

Both the Neta S and BYD Seal seems to be Tesla 3 competitors. The price in Thailand will probably be lower than Tesla, so 2.5 mthb is not wishful thinking. The question is if and when Neta S will come to Thailand. Byd Seal however look like it's coming this year.

Well the Neta V has a 89% increase in its China v Thailand sales which means the Neta S could reach 3.4 million baht in theory.

But , the Neta V had/has virtually no competition and they could have priced it whatever they wanted.

Agree, the price of BYD Seal and Tesla 3 will have an effect on Neta S price and could reduce the Thai mark up, nothing wrong with a bit of healthy competition.

[Andrew Dwyer]

3 hours ago, Bandersnatch said:

 

The all electric Toyota bZ4X is now showing on the Toyota Thailand website at ฿1.8m+

 

It has a rocky start with some unfortunate headlines:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good YouTube reviews are actually hard to find as most are “First Look” reviews from about a year ago where the reviewer has only a short time with the car under controlled conditions with Toyota press cars.

 

Two channels that have more recent in depth reviews:

 

 

 

 

 

Here is one of the “First Look” reviews from a year ago so you can see the car in more detail, but they have to take the Toyota stats as given.

 

 

I thought they had had a rethink, got together with BYD to create the bz3 ?, looks nicer than the bZ4X imho, those over the top black wheel arch protectors and lashings of piano black give the 4 an unnecessary plasticky look and where is the glove box ?

 

Here’s the bz3 with some specs in English, okay if you are a speed reader !

 

While I am a fan of the flush door handle fashion I am not sure i like the method of opening the door adopted on the bz3 .

Guess it all depends if you want a Crossover ( 4 ) or a Saloon (3), or 1 sunroof or 2 ?

 

First impressions matter, for me anyway, and I much prefer the bz3 to the bZ4X, but no plans to come to Thailand as far as I know.

[Bandersnatch]

32 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

I thought they had had a rethink, got together with BYD to create the bz3 ?, looks nicer than the bZ4X imho, those over the top black wheel arch protectors and lashings of piano black give the 4 an unnecessary plasticky look and where is the glove box ?

 

Here’s the bz3 with some specs in English, okay if you are a speed reader !

 

While I am a fan of the flush door handle fashion I am not sure i like the method of opening the door adopted on the bz3 .

Guess it all depends if you want a Crossover ( 4 ) or a Saloon (3), or 1 sunroof or 2 ?

 

First impressions matter, for me anyway, and I much prefer the bz3 to the bZ4X, but no plans to come to Thailand as far as I know.

Unfortunately, Toyota has announced the bZ3 will be a China-only model

[Andrew Dwyer]

Just now, Bandersnatch said:

Unfortunately, Toyota has announced the bZ3 will be a China-only model

Okay, that’s a shame as I find the bZ3 much more appealing than the bZ4X even though I find SUV or Crossovers more suited to my lifestyle.

[fredob43]

On 11/13/2022 at 7:40 AM, macahoom said:

Where oh where do you get these ideas from?

 

Someone will be along shortly with maps showing charging stations in Thailand. Or maybe, like me, they've had enough of this silly talk and won't bother.

Please let me clarify. Yes you maybe able to go long distances but how long will it take??? I can travel with a 5 Min: fill up, and a full tank of diesel some 1000+ KM without a stop. How many times would you have to stop in an EV to recharge to do 1k KM. My estimate is you couldn't do that sort of trip in a day as it would take too long to recharge. I did look at buying an EV once until I worked out that it would take me around a day to get from my place to say Pattaya (A 500km trip I do quite often) when I can do the trip in 5.5 hours with a stop in my lump 5 hours without a stop. I concluded EV are pointless. 

[macahoom]

27 minutes ago, fredob43 said:

Please let me clarify. Yes you maybe able to go long distances but how long will it take??? I can travel with a 5 Min: fill up, and a full tank of diesel some 1000+ KM without a stop. How many times would you have to stop in an EV to recharge to do 1k KM. My estimate is you couldn't do that sort of trip in a day as it would take too long to recharge. I did look at buying an EV once until I worked out that it would take me around a day to get from my place to say Pattaya (A 500km trip I do quite often) when I can do the trip in 5.5 hours with a stop in my lump 5 hours without a stop. I concluded EV are pointless. 

That's great for you if you are comfortable doing a 1000km trip with no stops. If I was to undertake a 1000km trip, I would want to stop, at least twice, for a meal(s), a toilet break(s) and coffee(s). While I'm doing these things, the car is charging.

I have driven 860 kms to Bangkok from Phuket many times in my EV. It has never taken me longer than when I used to go in my ICE vehicles.

[GroveHillWanderer]

1 hour ago, fredob43 said:

Please let me clarify. Yes you maybe able to go long distances but how long will it take??? I can travel with a 5 Min: fill up, and a full tank of diesel some 1000+ KM without a stop. How many times would you have to stop in an EV to recharge to do 1k KM. My estimate is you couldn't do that sort of trip in a day as it would take too long to recharge. I did look at buying an EV once until I worked out that it would take me around a day to get from my place to say Pattaya (A 500km trip I do quite often) when I can do the trip in 5.5 hours with a stop in my lump 5 hours without a stop. I concluded EV are pointless. 

Not sure if I'd want to do 500 km without stopping - I know my family (who I always travel with) certainly wouldn't.

 

In any event, EV ranges are constantly improving. For instance the Neta S, which was mentioned just above, has one fully electric version with a 715 km range - plus a couple of extended range versions with a 1,100 km range.

 

Neta S previewed in Malaysia – EV sedan with gullwing doors; up to 715 km range

[tomkenet]

Just visited the BYD dealership in rayong. They said Seal is probably coming to Thailand in November and the price starting at 1.7mthb. 

[Bandersnatch]

2 hours ago, tomkenet said:

Just visited the BYD dealership in rayong. They said Seal is probably coming to Thailand in November and the price starting at 1.7mthb. 

 

I was hoping it was going to be a bit cheaper than the Tesla Model 3

 

[fredob43]

5 hours ago, macahoom said:

That's great for you if you are comfortable doing a 1000km trip with no stops. If I was to undertake a 1000km trip, I would want to stop, at least twice, for a meal(s), a toilet break(s) and coffee(s). While I'm doing these things, the car is charging.

I have driven 860 kms to Bangkok from Phuket many times in my EV. It has never taken me longer than when I used to go in my ICE vehicles.

Where did I say that I drive 1k KM without a stop??? If you care to reread my post I said that my Car will do 1K+ KM on a tank of fuel and the journey I normally do is 500KM. I would like to do the same trip to Phuket with you in your car and see how much longer it take you than myself in mine. 

[fredob43]

4 hours ago, GroveHillWanderer said:

Not sure if I'd want to do 500 km without stopping - I know my family (who I always travel with) certainly wouldn't.

 

In any event, EV ranges are constantly improving. For instance the Neta S, which was mentioned just above, has one fully electric version with a 715 km range - plus a couple of extended range versions with a 1,100 km range.

 

Neta S previewed in Malaysia – EV sedan with gullwing doors; up to 715 km range

How much does this Neta thing cost. Also where can you get it serviced. And what will you get back for it if you sold in say 6 years later. Can you get 7 people in it like I can in my Toyota Fortuner??? Yet more things that nobody that buy EV seems to take into consideration. With the low cost of Diesel here I'll stick to my Lump thank you.

[KhunLA]

23 minutes ago, fredob43 said:

How much does this Neta thing cost. Also where can you get it serviced. And what will you get back for it if you sold in say 6 years later. Can you get 7 people in it like I can in my Toyota Fortuner??? Yet more things that nobody that buy EV seems to take into consideration. With the low cost of Diesel here I'll stick to my Lump thank you.

yet another silly anti EV post ... apple & orange comparison.

 

Thank you for your local air pollution contribution.