BYD to CKD EVs in Thailand and become production hub for Southeast Asia

Nikkei Asia reported that BYD is to invest 17.9 billion baht (~RM 2.2 billion) in Rayong province, according to an official at Thailand’s Board of Investment. This move is said to make Thailand its production hub for Southeast Asia.

"The WHA group has sealed a deal to sell a big plot of land in our industrial estate in Rayong province," said Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, industrial estate developer WHA's co-founder and chairman, to Nikkei Asia. The deal with WHA is expected to be announced soon.

The report also mentioned that an investment privilege to BYD, which means the company has to begin investing within three years, said a senior official at the Board of Investment.

Last month, Rever Automotive Company Limited was launched as the distributors of BYD. During the launch, the company announced that at least one model will be introduced later this year.

Also read: Ex-Nissan Thailand distributor to launch BYD in the Kingdom on 8-Aug

There is no specific mention of the model, but reports say that it will be the BYD Atto 3 and will almost mirror the specifications of the model offered in Australia.

Helping to boost BYD’s aim to be within the top 5 automakers in Thailand in the next 5 years is an investment of THB 3 billion (~RM 378 million) by Rever. The distributors also announced that 31 showrooms and service centres are planned to be opened by the end of the year with the first 5 showrooms to be opened in Bangkok.

Also read: Thailand to ban sale of combustion engines by 2035, aiming to be EV manufacturing hub

Though local assembly (CKD) is in the works, the initial batch will be imported from China. Rêver aims for domestic sales of BYD cars to be at 10,000 units in the first year and grows to 50,000 to 60,000 units in the next 5 years.

Also read: RM 378 mil to be invested in BYD Thailand's local assembly (CKD) plant