Wake Up! - EVs Are Here, and Your Gas Guzzler is on Life Support

[CharlieH]

 

 

Let’s talk about cars. More specifically, let’s talk about how many Western expats in Thailand stubbornly cling to their beloved Toyotas, Hondas, and Ford Rangers while side-eyeing the rise of electric vehicles (EVs)—especially those made by Chinese brands.

If that statement makes you bristle, well, keep reading.

Badge Loyalty: The Comfort Zone That’s Holding You Back

Many expats, particularly those over 50, remain fiercely loyal to familiar brands. Toyota? Bulletproof reliability. Honda? Trusty workhorse. BMW or Mercedes? Status symbols of refined taste. But let’s be honest—brand loyalty often has less to do with logic and more to do with nostalgia.

The world has changed. Just as Nokia ruled the mobile phone market before Apple and Samsung flipped the game, the automotive industry is undergoing a seismic shift. Chinese automakers, once dismissed as producers of cheap knock-offs, are now leading the charge in EV technology. Yet, many expats still resist, muttering about “cheap Chinese cars” while ignoring the fact that brands like BYD, MG, and Neta are outselling traditional automakers in Thailand’s booming EV market.

The “Chinese Car” Bias: Time for a Reality Check

Let’s address the elephant in the room—many Westerners have an ingrained bias against Chinese-made products. “Made in China” used to be shorthand for low quality. But fast-forward to 2025, and China is not just making EVs; they are dominating the global market.

Take BYD, for example. Once mocked as a budget brand, it now outsells Tesla in several markets and produces some of the most advanced EV batteries in the world. The BYD Dolphin, a compact yet feature-rich EV, is already a hit in Thailand, offering a sleek design, excellent range, and tech features that put some European cars to shame.

MG—yes, that old British brand now owned by China’s SAIC Motor—is another major player. The MG4, an affordable yet stylish hatchback, is proving that EVs don’t have to be boring or expensive. Meanwhile, Neta, a newer entry, is rapidly making waves with its cost-effective yet high-tech models.

Still think Chinese cars are “cheap junk”? If so, you might be as outdated as a VCR.

One Foot in Each Camp: The Hybrid Compromise

To be fair, not all expats are resisting change entirely. Some are taking a measured approach by choosing hybrids—a sensible way to bridge the gap between old-school combustion engines and full electrification. Vehicles like the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid or the Honda Accord e:HEV allow drivers to experience better fuel efficiency, lower emissions, and a taste of electric driving without fully committing to an EV.

This approach makes sense. For those still skeptical about charging infrastructure or battery longevity, hybrids serve as a stepping stone—helping to shift the mindset gradually. But let’s be real: hybrids are not the final destination. They’re the halfway house before full electrification takes over. It’s like using CDs in the early 2000s before finally giving in to streaming music.

At least these expats are adapting, which is more than can be said for those still clinging to their gas-guzzling trucks while complaining about rising fuel costs.

Why Holding Onto ICE Cars is Like Sticking with Cassette Tapes

Let’s get real—internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles are on borrowed time. Governments worldwide are tightening emissions regulations, and the push toward electrification is undeniable. Clinging to gas-powered cars in 2025 is like insisting your CD collection is superior to Spotify. Sure, it works, but is it really the best choice?

Thailand is fully embracing EVs. Charging infrastructure is expanding rapidly, and the government is offering generous incentives to make EV adoption easier. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is pushing for an all-electric taxi fleet, and major automakers are investing billions in EV production right here in Thailand.

 

So why are so many expats still resisting?

Time to Adapt: You’re Living in Asia, After All

Here’s the kicker—many of the same expats who scoff at Chinese EVs are living in a country where Chinese businesses are thriving. Thailand’s economy is deeply tied to China, from tech to tourism to manufacturing. Whether you like it or not, China’s influence is everywhere.

Isn’t it time to let go of old biases? If you can enjoy dim sum, use a Xiaomi smartphone, or buy products off Lazada (owned by Alibaba), why draw the line at a well-built, technologically advanced EV?

Drive the Future, Not the Past

The automotive world is changing, whether you’re ready or not. EVs are here to stay, and China is leading the charge. You don’t have to ditch your beloved ICE car overnight, but maybe, just maybe, it’s time to step out of your comfort zone and give an EV a test drive.

Who knows? You might actually like it.

And if not, well, there’s always your old Toyota Hilux to fall back on—until it becomes as obsolete as a fax machine.

 

 

Related topics in discussion:

Specific EV Questions 

Electric Vehicles in Thailand 

 

[Ralf001]

Am keen to buy an EV.. looking for a Ora Goodcat secondhand at a decent price.

I have a highly modified 4JJ3 engine and 6 speed sitting in the shed.... time to roll coal !

[BritManToo]

27 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

Let’s address the elephant in the room—many Westerners have an ingrained bias against Chinese-made products. “Made in China” used to be shorthand for low quality. But fast-forward to 2025, and China is not just making EVs; they are dominating the global market.

Almost every item I now own was made in China.

75" TCL tv, best I've ever owned (compared to Sony, Pioneer, Panasonic. LG, Samsung)

eMTB Trinx M1000 pro, also the best bicycle I've ever owned (compared to Merida, Trek, Raliegh, Giant)

Solar inverter and panels, problem free so far.

Tablet, phone, computer, fans, watch, cycling computer, Kindle, all Chinese.

 

I doubt you could buy much in Thailand that wasn't made in China.

[Will B Good]

 

Swasticars are the future.

[JBChiangRai]

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2023-09-19/ubs-on-its-teardown-of-byd-seal-video

 

UBS tore down a BYD Seal.  The conclusion was generations ahead of legacy makers wanting to make the transition to EV, higher degree of vertical integration, 70-80% manufactured in house (semiconductors, battery, plastics) vs 20% in legacy brands, equivalent quality to premium German brands, 30% cheaper to manufacture than Western companies can achieve.