EV brand SAIC Motor-CP builds new park in Thailand

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer SAIC Motor-CP held a groundbreaking ceremony on Sunday for its New Energy Industrial Park in Thailand, with an aim to expand its electric vehicle capacity in Southeast Asia.

The Park in Chon Buri province covers an area of 120,000 square meters and will comprise a factory facility for the development of battery modules, the production line for MG electric vehicles and the area for partnership development of MG car parts.

Furthermore, there will also be a container storage area and a new logistics warehouse to ensure better capacity and to reduce logistics- related costs.

With an investment budget of 500 million baht($14.65 million), the plan reaffirms the company's vision as the pioneer and leader in electric vehicles in Thailand.

The new energy industrial park has been divided into three phases of construction. The first phase will likely be put into use in October 2023, said company officials.

Together with Great Wall Motor and BYD, SAIC Motor's MG is of those pioneer Chinese car brands to establish manufacturing operations in Thailand, a market that has long been dominated by Japanese brands.

SAIC Motor-CP was established to produce and distribute MG cars sold in Thailand and other ASEAN countries.

The factory in Chon Buri spans across an area of more than 700,000 square meters. The manufacturing facility has a maximum production capacity of 100,000 units per year.