CHANG-AN Executives Meet Thai Prime Minister to Discuss Business Direction and Investment, while Showcasing Cutting-edge Innovations at SUBCON Thailand 2025 to Support Thailand's Automotive Industry Sustainable Growth
Bangkok – CHANG-AN Automobile, a leader in low-carbon intelligent automotive technology, led by Mr. Zhu Huarong, Chairman of CHANG-AN Automobile, along with Mr. Wang Hui, Vice President of CHANG-AN Automobile; Mr. Deng Chenghao, Vice President of CHANG-AN Automobile and Chief Executive Officer of DEEPAL; Mr. Shen Xinghua, Managing Director of CHANG-AN Auto Southeast Asia Co., Ltd. and Managing Director of CHANG-AN Auto Sales (Thailand) Co., Ltd., and executive team, met with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra at the Government House to discuss their investment plan in Thailand worth over 10 billion baht and future plans. During 14 – 16 May 2025, CHANG-AN is also showcasing electric vehicle innovations at the SUBCON Thailand 2025, reinforcing its commitment to driving Thailand's automotive industry toward a sustainable future.
Mr. Zhu Huarong, Chairman of CHANG-AN Automobile, said: “CHANG-AN is implementing the Vast Ocean Plan strategy to expand business into various regions while emphasizing carbon neutrality. Thailand has ready infrastructure, clear electric vehicle support policies, and good relations with China, making it our first destination in our global expansion plan. We thank the Thai government and the Prime Minister for their warm welcome and continued support. We are honored to help drive the growth of the electric vehicle industry and believe that CHANG-AN's investment will create jobs, develop workforce skills, enhance domestic supply chains, promote technology and innovation transfer, and transform Thailand into a modern and environmentally friendly new energy vehicle production base to meet domestic demand and export to ASEAN, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and South Africa in the future.”
CHANG-AN presented a sustainable development plan for Thailand's automotive industry, summarized as follows:
Opening the first Changan automobile manufacturing plant outside China at WHA Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate 4 in Rayong province, with an initial production capacity of 100,000 vehicles per year and plans to expand to 200,000 vehicles per year in the future. The official opening ceremony will be held on May 16.
Increasing the proportion of locally sourced parts from 60% in 2024 to 80% by 2028. Currently, the company collaborates with more than 37 parts manufacturers in Thailand and expects to achieve 68% localization in 2025, the first year of production at the Rayong plant.
Developing Thai personnel with plans to increase Thai employment from 611 people (80% of all employees) in 2024 to approximately 2,000 people (90%) by 2026, while selecting capable Thais to join the senior management team.
Establishing a Research and Development (R&D) Center to serve as a regional hub for technology and engineering development for right-hand drive vehicles, focusing on new energy technology and artificial intelligence research, including technology transfer to personnel and parts manufacturers in Thailand.
Setting up an International Business Center (IBC) to serve as a strategic planning center for production, distribution, and exports for regional markets.
Additionally, CHANG-AN is participating in discussions and showcasing advanced electric vehicle innovations at the SUBCON Thailand 2025 at BITEC Bangna during 14 – 17 May 2025, featuring REEV technology, which combines an engine and generator to provide additional power when the battery is running low, extending driving range. This allows users to enjoy electric driving without worrying about battery depletion, reinforcing CHANG-AN's commitment to investing in Thailand, growing alongside Thai society, and driving investment in the industry while developing the electric vehicle supply chain to create a new era of smart future mobility.
