Industry at critical transition point
Visitors make their way around the Challenger Hall at Impact Exhibition Center in Nonthaburi during the 12-day Bangkok International Motor Show. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
Thailand's automotive and auto parts associations want the government to enforce eight proposals to protect the domestic car industry against a possible surge of battery electric vehicle (BEV) imports, arguing the measures do not disadvantage local buyers.The Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT) joined with nine other associations to declare the local automotive industry is at a critical point in the shift towards electric mobility technology.
Growing local BEV manufacturing should be protected against imports, which could increase if some Chinese EV makers operating factories in Thailand decide to reduce production and import more vehicles.
Their argument is once the EV3.5 incentive scheme expires at the end of next year, the lack of tax cuts and subsidies in exchange for automakers' investment in BEV factories in Thailand will result in a flood of imports. The scheme requires manufacturers produce BEVs locally to receive incentives.
