After first announcing its plans last year, GAC Aion has now opened its new electric vehicle assembly plant at Rayong, Thailand, marking its first international facility outside of China.
In addition to building cars for the Thai domestic market, the new Rayong assembly plant will also serve as a production hub for other right-hand drive (RHD) markets, most likely including Malaysia.
The new Thai GAC Aion assembly plant occupies a footprint of 85,000 sqm at an Industrial Estate in the Rayong province, and has a current annual production capacity of 50,000 units – with plans to expand to 100,000 cars per year, CnEVPost reports.
Among the models being produced in Thailand is the all-new second-generation Aion V, with the first unit rolling off the production line in a ceremony earlier today, concurrently with the marque’s production facility in China.
This is the first time the 2024 Aion V was shown off outside China, as the model is only slated to be launched in its home country later this month. Curiously, the model displayed during the event seems to also be a left-hand drive model.
The Aion Y Plus, Aion ES, Hyper HT, and Hyper SSR were also on display at the ceremony, although it’s unclear which of these models will be produced locally in Thailand. Only the Aion Y Plus is offered in the Kingdom currently, although the Aion ES has already been confirmed for launch soon.
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Speaking at the line-off ceremony at the Thailand plant earlier today, GAC Aion Southeast Asian markets general manager Ma Haiyang said new models will be introduced for local production every year.
Closer to home, the Aion Y Plus was recently launched here in Malaysia, with two variants on offer from RM120K. The model is currently fully imported from China.
Earlier this month, BYD also opened the doors to its first manufacturing facility in Southeast Asia, located just a stone’s throw away from GAC Aion’s new factory. The BYD plant has an annual production capacity of 150,000 units, and will be assemblying the Dolphin hatchback, the Atto 3 SUV, and the Seal sedan.
The opening of the manufacturing facilities from several major Chinese carmakers, including the likes of MG, GWM, and Hozon Auto previously, all signal at Thailand’s ambition to become the regional leader for EVs. In related news, Hyundai Indonesia today also unveiled the locally assembled Kona Electric at GIIAS 2024, equipped with Indonesia-made batteries.
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