EV maker Changan mulls tech transfer after THB9.8bn investment in Thailand
Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai held talks on technology transfer with Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Changan Automobile on Monday, seeking to bolster Thailand’s EV industry.
State-owned Changan announced in April that it will invest 9.8 billion baht to manufacture 100,000 EVs per year at a plant in Rayong.
Phumtham urged the automaker to participate in technology transfer to enhance Thailand’s domestic EV industry in three areas: supporting research and development, enhancing supply chain management, and fostering Thai automotive engineering talent.
Changan has already established research centres in six other countries – China, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US and Germany – collaborating with renowned global car brands like Ford, Mazda, Suzuki, and Peugeot.
In Thailand, Changan will engage in research and development, manufacturing, support parts, distribution, and logistics from its plant in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). It said it expects to generate 2,600 jobs in Thailand and revenue of over 24 billion baht. The Thai facility will produce EVs for Thailand, ASEAN, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and South Africa.
The venture marks Changan's first major investment project outside China.
Investment targets include electric vehicle production and development, environmental technologies, human resources, and the entire electric vehicle industry chain.
On Sunday, Huawei announced it is forming a joint company with Changan to engage in research and development, production, sales and service of intelligent automotive systems and component solutions.
