Hyundai beefs up BEV sector

Thailand's battery electric vehicle (BEV) industry is predicted to accelerate in 2026, with Hyundai Mobility Thailand preparing to roll out locally assembled BEVs as the nation strives to become a regional export hub.

- LAMONPHET APISITNIRAN

Hyundai Mobility Thailand, a subsidiary of South Korea's Hyundai Motor, completed construction of a new assembly plant in Samut Prakan. The facility has an annual production capacity of 5,000 units and is expected to begin manufacturing BEVs in 2026.

A supporting battery plant is under development, scheduled for completion by April 2026.

The combined investment in the two plants amounts to 1 billion baht, said Wallop Chalermvongsavej, managing director of Hyundai Mobility Thailand.

The project is backed by the Board of Investment under the government's EV3.5 incentive package, which offers subsidies and tax cuts to automakers investing in local EV production.