Changan invests P15.6-billion to set up EV plant in Thailand

Chinese carmaker Changan has revealed that it will establish its first-ever electric vehicle (EV) factory in Thailand.  

Changan and Thailand Bureau of Investment executives posing with the Avatr E11 EV [Photo: boi.go.th]

This is big news since this is the brand’s first production facility outside China. It might also aid the brand in strengthening its distribution network to nearby regions including ASEAN countries, New Zealand, England, and South Africa. That said, it would not be a stretch to say that the Philippines is included in the brand’s global EV plans.  

According to the Thailand Board of Investment, Changan is investing 9.8 billion Thai baht to establish the facility. That’s equivalent to around Php 15.6 billion at current exchange rates. 

Changan likewise says that the future car factory will be capable of building battery electric vehicles (BEV), plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV), as well as batteries. Furthermore, this upcoming factory will have an initial production capacity of 100,000 vehicles, which, according to the report, are intended for domestic sales in Thailand and exportation. 

The Changan Benni EV360

With all that said though, a target date for the new Changan factory is yet to be set. There’s also the fact that nothing has been revealed about the exact EV models that will be produced in the upcoming plant. If we referenced the brand’s EV offerings in other markets however, it already sells the likes of the CS15 EV400 crossover, the Benni EC260 hatchback, the CS75 PHEV, and the PHEV and EV versions of the Eado sedan.  

In the case of the Philippine market, the Eado was discontinued. Locally, the brand is instead focusing on internal combustion-powered crossovers like the CS75 Plus, CS35 Plus, Uni-T, and Uni-K.  

With the future Thailand plant, however, it wouldn’t be a stretch if the brand once again rolls out a PHEV or EV model on Philippine shores. For that matter, the Eado could make a return. Wishful thinking on our part also says that the PHEV version of the CS75 could make for a great addition to Changan’s local lineup.  

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