Toyota will trial “EV-Hilux”in Thailand ‘s market

Chatrudee Theparat

Assist measure to supply chain of internal combustion engine will be raised between Thailand and Japan leaders next month

Measures to assist supply chain on internal combustion engine vehicles will be raised when Mr Sreetha Thavisin, Prime Minister to visit Japan in December.

Mr Sreetha Thavisin, Prime Minister is a schedule to Japan next December in order to participate Asean-Japan Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation on 16-18 December 2023 in Tokyo.

Thailand Trade Representative Narumon Pinyosinwat said Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) offers collaboration to Thailand to assist a transformation of supply chain to electrical vehicles (EVs) from internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV). Those supply need to transform to manufacture EV parts

Mr Kuroda Jun, president of Japan External Trade Organization(JERO Bangkok) yesterday met Ms Narumon at the Government Hose.

Ms Naromon said JETRO informed that the agency is ready to collaborate Thailand to assist car assemblers and all supply chain of ICEV to transform to EVs parts and other industries while the Board of Investment will consider on privileges to assist conventional car assemblers.

The JETRO study showed there 476 Tier-1 suppliers and 1,210 tier-2 and lower tier suppliers in Thailand with 550,000 workers while shifting ICEV to battery electrical vehicle (BEV) might affect to local auto parts industry especially lower tier suppliers. As well as, there 23 car assemblers and eight motorcycle assemblers. They need changing to EVs and may exports ICEV to some countries which still use conventional cars.

“However, JETRO informed that Toyota is in the process to trial EV pickup (Hilux) in Thailand’s market.

She said two countries will strengthen the cooperation under the Japan–Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement(JTEPA) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership

Japan was the fourth largest trading partner, with two-way merchandise trade amounting to USD 268.5 billion in 2022. Japan was also ASEAN’s second largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI), with total FDI inflows from Japan, amounting to USD 26.7 billion in 2022.