KUALA LUMPUR: Great Wall Motor (GWM) has big plans for the Thai market which include the establishment of a new plant to assemble battery packs along with a research & development center.

In his own words, the GWM Managing Director said, “We may become a contract manufacturer of batteries to other (automakers) as well. That would also scale up the capacity of the battery plant.”

With an estimated investment of $30 million (approx. RM 137.7 million), the upcoming GWM plant along with battery pack assembly will engage in the production of a new compact car (but that’s a plan next year).

As for the new GWM R&D center in Thailand, it is expected to be the place for the development of new fully electric trucks by the automaker. Globally, GWM has 10 such R&D centers located globally.

All these efforts by GWM aim towards becoming Thailand’s main EV producer, however, it all depends on the government and the subsidies it plans to offer. It is also known that by 2023, the Thai-government plans to convert 30% of the country’s annual vehicle production into EVs.

GMW cars in Thailand

GMW launched the Ora Good Cat EV in Thailand in late 2021 and as per last year’s sales report, it was the country’s best-selling EV. Thanks to the government’s THB 230,500 (approx. RM 30,607) subsidy, the car is priced at THB 828,500 (approx. RM 110,013)

Currently available as a fully-imported unit, by next year GMW plans to produce the Good Cat locally with locally sourced components.

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