Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Changan Automobile is set to expand its footprint in Thailand by establishing a research and development centre and a regional office to support its operations in Southeast Asia. The announcement came as the company prepares to officially open its first overseas electric vehicle production facility in Rayong province on May 16, 2025.
The new R&D centre will focus on developing right-hand-drive electric vehicles, and the regional office will oversee Changan’s business activities across the region. Both facilities are planned to be relocated from Chongqing, China, to Thailand.
According to Narit Therdsteerasukdi, secretary general of the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), this move supports the Thai government’s goal of strengthening the country’s capabilities in research, innovation, and high-tech manufacturing. The government sees this as a step toward solidifying Thailand’s position as a global EV manufacturing hub.
Changan entered the Thai market in 2023, selecting the country as the site for its first EV production facility outside China. The factory, located in the WHA Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate 4, will begin operations with an annual production capacity of 100,000 vehicles. The company intends to eventually double that capacity. The first phase of investment totals over 10 billion baht and is supported by BOI incentives.
The Rayong facility will produce right-hand-drive EVs for both domestic consumption and export. Changan has also outlined plans to integrate Thai auto parts suppliers and increase the localisation of materials. The company aims to source 65% of its parts and components locally by the end of 2025, with a target of 80% by 2028.
The workforce at the Thai plant is expected to grow significantly, from 600 employees currently to 2,000 by 2026, with Thai nationals accounting for the majority. Technology transfer and personnel training are also part of the company’s localisation strategy.
During the visit to Thailand, Changan chairman Zhu Huarong and other company executives met with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to discuss the company’s expansion and reaffirm its commitment to the Thai market.
