Scoop: Geely to invest RM 1.3 bil for EV plant in Thailand - How will this affect Proton's plans?

Known as the “Detroit of Southeast Asia”, Thailand has been attracting many foreign carmakers to invest and set up automotive hubs in the country for years that some like the Mitsubishi Triton and Isuzu D-Max have called the Land of Smiles their home.

In recent years, the Kingdom has also been attracting Chinese carmakers looking to further expand their presence in the global market, the most notable being Great Wall Motors (GWM), the parent company of Ora and Haval. According to a latest report though, Geely is also looking to set up a plant in Thailand.

A high-level source from Thailand’s Ministry of Industry revealed to Headlight Mag that Geely Group is preparing to launch an investment plan to produce cars in Thailand worth THB 10 billion (RM 1.3 billion). The plant is planned to be built in the eastern part of the country and aims to have an annual production capacity of 100,000 vehicles.

Also read: An electric eunuch? Geely's Radar RD6 is an EV truck that can't do truck things

There are also reports that Geely is planning to enter the Thai EV market by offering small electric cars and electric pick-up trucks with the latter under the Radar brand.

Also read: A baby Honda e, the Geely Panda Mini is a RM 25k EV you can't have, yet

Geely Group has several brands under its umbrella including Proton. There were rumours that the Malaysian tiger is planning to return to the Thai market by launching the X50 as well as supplier and subsidiary ACO Tech developing voice commands in Thai.

Also read: Did MIROS just confirmed the Proton X50’s export to Thailand?

Will this affect Proton’s export plans to more mature right-hand drive (RHD) markets? It’s too soon to say but Geely’s latest investment plan involves EVs which Proton offers no locally-assembled EVs.

Under its subsidiary, PRO-NET, Smart is returning to Malaysia by the end of 2023 with an EV line-up but only as a distributor with no plans for local assembly yet.

Also read: First look at the Malaysian-spec Smart #1's exterior, launching in Q4 2023

Geely is reportedly one of the 5 major Chinese EV manufacturers that were invited to a meeting with the Thai Board of Investments back in April. The other 4 brands were BYD, Changan, GAC Motors, and Jiangling Motors.

Also read: Courtesy of good policies, 3 new Chinese EV companies now looking to enter Thailand

Thailand’s EV industry development plan, Roadmap 30@30, aims for 30% of vehicles produced in the Kingdom to be electrified by 2030. EV sales in the Kingdom are also rising, making Thailand one of the fastest-growing EV adopters in Southeast Asia.

Also read: Thailand targets 30% EV and hybrid production by 2030