Narong Yuenyonghattaporn, a retired civil servant in Bangkok, bought an electric car made by GAC Aion earlier this year. He’s part of a growing number of Thai drivers buying EVs sold by Chinese car companies but made in Thailand, a nation that’s become one of the front lines in the global battle for auto-market supremacy.
In the past two years, Chinese automakers including BYD, GAC Aion, and Chery have announced plans to build manufacturing facilities in Thailand. BYD’s and GAC Aion’s factories started operations in July, and so far Chinese investments in Thai auto plants total at least $1.4 billion.
