Carmaker Aion launches smart factory in Thailand

Thailand's first comprehensive energy utilization factory, established by China's GAC Motor, was launched in Rayong Province on Wednesday, with the aim of developing the facility into Southeast Asia's EV production base and contributing to the kingdom's green development.

The intelligent factory constructed by Aion, a GAC subsidiary, features photovoltaic energy storage and charging integration, and is Thailand's first such factory, said Ma Haiyang, general manager of Aion Southeast Asia.

He said Aion's intelligent factory can achieve zero-defect and nondestructive process control. It also introduces artificial intelligence to the production line. "The smart factory can further guarantee high quality and safe production with cutting-edge technology, which complies with Thailand's development strategy," Ma said.

The Thai government has adopted a new economic strategy, known as "Thailand 4.0", which seeks to implement an innovative, value-based industrial model that integrates social and environmental well-being within its vision for prosperity.

The Eastern Economic Corridor lies at the heart of Thailand 4.0. The EEC plan is being implemented in three eastern provinces — Chonburi, Rayong and Chachoengsao. So far, several Chinese EV companies have built factories in the corridor, including GAC, Great Wall Motor and BYD.

Last year, about 76,000 EV vehicles were sold in Thailand. Of these, 80 percent were Chinese brands, according to authorities.

"The historical long friendship between Thailand and China is going far beyond people-to-people exchanges and is now also reflected by the cooperation on green industries, which is a future trend recognized by both countries. We look forward to collaborating with Chinese enterprises and building Thailand as the region's EV hub," Pimphattra Wichaikul, minister of industry, said.

Zeng Qinghong, chairman of GAC Group, said building an EV factory in Thailand results in a win-win situation and will further enhance the Sino-Thai friendship. GAC currently has a production and sales network covering 68 countries and regions. The operation of Thailand's smart factory will add to the company's total annual production of 2.5 million per year.

"GAC will bring its cutting-edge technology to Thai consumers, introducing a steady supply of models. More importantly, we will continue to upgrade the EV industrial capacity in Thailand and help to train local professionals, aiming to benefit Thai people and related industries through localization," Zeng said.

Thailand is the largest automobile manufacturer and exporter in Southeast Asia. It is also the region's largest electric vehicle market, with the industry supported by government policies.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's commitment to promote Thailand as the region's manufacturing base for EVs and their parts was emphasized by government spokesman Chai Wacharonke last month.

In order to establish the country as a future mobility hub, Srettha has instructed the relevant agencies to enhance the country's capacity and competitiveness to accommodate the EV manufacturing and regional supply chains. This will make the kingdom an attractive investment option for the region.

"Thailand welcomes overseas EV brands and other green technology-driven industries to Thailand," Narit Therdsteerasukdi, secretary-general of the Thailand Board of Investment, said.

"In return, we will offer more preferential policies and support, joining efforts with those companies supported by new technologies and bringing Thailand toward a greater future."