Thailand’s Commission on the National Competitiveness Enhancement for Targeted Industries has approved an investment by Sunwoda Electronic, a Chinese company, to build electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage system (ESS) battery production facilities in Thailand.
- Sunwoda Automotive Energy Technology, a subsidiary of China’s Sunwoda Electronic, has been approved to invest over $1 billion in the production of electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage system (ESS) batteries in Thailand, strengthening the country’s EV supply chain.
- The construction of Sunwoda’s first factory in Chonburi Province is underway, with plans to employ over 1,000 staff initially and significantly more for the entire project, contributing to knowledge transfer in the industry.
- Thailand, already a hub for the conventional auto industry, is attracting significant investments in EV and hybrid production, with several major Chinese manufacturers already operating or planning to start operations in the country.
The investment is worth over a billion dollars and will strengthen Thailand’s EV supply chain, supporting both domestic and export markets. The first factory will be in Chonburi Province, hiring over 1,000 staff, with more to be employed as the project expands. This move is expected to boost Thailand’s competitiveness in the EV industry and contribute to knowledge transfer.
Sunwoda’s Thai facilities will be their first EV-related battery cell factory in the ASEAN region. Thailand, already a hub for conventional auto industry, is attracting significant investments in EV and hybrid production, with several major Chinese manufacturers already operating in the country. In 2024, investment promotion applications in Thailand reached their highest level since 2014, with the automotive and parts sector ranking third.
