Did Tesla drop a hint on revving up Thai EV market?
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022
Electric vehicles manufacturer Tesla on Monday hinted at arriving in the Thai EV market in December.
On Monday, Tesla opened a Line Official account ‘@TeslaTH’. It also posted a picture with the message “Hello Thailand” and “December 2022”.
At press time, there was no further information but automotive experts expected the cars would be delivered at the beginning of 2023 if the reservation opens in December.
Tesla registered as a company in Thailand on April 25 with initial capital of 3 million baht but it was later increased to 253 million baht.
According to the Business Development Department’s website, the company’s board had three members — David Jon Feinstein, Vaibhav Taneja, and Yaron Klein — who were executives at the US headquarters.
The company has registered to sell passenger cars, pickup trucks, vans, and similar small cars. It aims to sell EVs and power systems including its equipment.
PTT-Foxconn joint venture to deliver first EVs from Chonburi plant in 2024
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2022
Horizon Plus, a joint venture between PTT and Foxconn, will deliver the first batch of electric vehicles from its Chonburi plant in 2024, according to its chairman.
Buranin Rattanasombat said Horizon Plus is investing around 37 billion baht (US$1 billion) in its EV plant at Rojana Nongyai Industrial Park, where he broke ground for the project on Saturday.
Initial production capacity of 50,000 EVs per year will triple to 150,000 EVs by 2030 to support growing demand in Asea, said Buranin, who doubles as PTT’s chief new business and infrastructure officer. The project will create jobs for 2,000 high-skilled workers, he added.
Buranin said Horizon Plus will operate under a BOL (Build-Operate-Localise) policy to boost long-term competitiveness of the Thai EV industry and supply chain.
Thosaporn Sirisumphand, chairman of PTT and its EV arm Arun Plus, said Saturday’s stone-laying ceremony was an important step in the Foxconn-PTT partnership towards electrification of the regional auto industry.
“As the world moves toward low-carbon society, transition to the greener transportation alternatives such as EV will play a significant role in shaping future energy sustainability,” Thosaporn said. “This aligns with PTT’s commitment to create national energy security for the country.”
Auttapol Rerkpiboon, president and CEO of PTT, said: “The collaboration focuses not only on investment in EV production but also on research and development in Thailand.”
Kay Chiu, CEO of Horizon Plus, said full automation would boost production capacity and reduce costs, while clean energy will power operations to be Asean’s most modern and efficient manufacturer. Foxconn’s experience would ensure Horizon Plus’s success and help Thailand become Asean’s EV manufacturing hub, he said.
The plant will occupy a 500,000-square-metre plot in the heart of the Eastern Economic Corridor as part of Thailand’s vision to become the region’s EV manufacturing base.
Other big EV manufacturers setting up plants and battery factories include China’s BYD, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, MG, Great Wall Motors, and Volt. Meanwhile, Thailand’s Energy Absolute (EA) has launched the region’s largest lithium battery factory in Chachoengsao.
Sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in Thailand rose 223 per cent in the first nine months of 2022 from the same period last year, according to the Energy Ministry.
Enthusiastic response from Thais as bookings open for Chinese EV car
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 01, 2022
Thai customers turned out in large numbers from dawn on Tuesday, as bookings opened for the Chinese electric car, BYD Atto 3.
The car costs 1.199 million baht and got a strong reception for reservation and test driving.
Pratarnwong Phornprapha, the chief executive of automaker Rever Automotive, confirmed that the company will be able to deliver 5,000 cars this year.
The company drew interest by offering special promotions, including instalment payments over 48 months at an interest of 1.68 per cent per annum and one-year first-class insurance.
It also offers an eight-year warranty package for cars and batteries, free maintenance and emergency assistance, and chargers.
The demand for EVs surged after the government implemented EV incentives from 2022 to 2025, which helped slash the price of BYD Atto 3 by more than 200,000 baht.
EV Incentives include 40 per cent less import duty for CBU battery EVs priced at up to 2 million baht and 20 per cent less for those priced at 2 million to 7 million baht until 2023.
Excise tax on imported EVs has also been cut from 8 per cent to 2 per cent.
The incentives apply to 27 types of EVs and include:
Thailand EV sales soar 223% as buyers take advantage of incentives
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2022
Sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in Thailand rose 223 per cent in the first nine months of 2022 from the same period last year, according to the Energy Ministry.
Buyers took advantage of generous incentives to register a total of 13,298 BEVs in the year up till September, Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow said on Friday.
Overall EV sales also grew with 11.9 per cent of the total made up of buses, trucks and other non-car EVs.
Included in the latest purchasers’ incentive package is a 70,000-baht subsidy for an EV car with 10-30 kWh battery capacity for completely knocked-down (CKD) and CBU units.
The subsidy rises to 150,000 baht for an EV car over 30kWh.
An 18,000-baht subsidy is available for purchase of an electric motorcycle from eligible manufacturers until 2023.
The EV subsidy package is funded by 3 billion baht from the 2022 central budget and from the longer-term 40-billion-baht investment in the EV industry between 2023 and 2025.
Supattanapong said the subsidies came under the “30@30” scheme to boost EV production to 30 per cent of total cars and motorcycles production capacity within 2030. The scheme also aims to set up 12,000 charging stations around the country and 40mW of battery factories.
Incentives also include 40 per cent less import duty for CBU BEVs priced up to 2 million baht and 20 per cent less for those priced 2 million-7 million baht until 2023.
Excise tax on imported EVs has also been cut from 8 per cent to 2 per cent.
The incentives apply to 27 types of EVs and cover:
Porsche sees 2% uptick in worldwide deliveries as of Q3 2022
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2022
THE NATION
Stuttgart – Demand for sports cars from Zuffenhausen remains strong. In the first three quarters of 2022, Porsche delivered 221,512 vehicles to customers worldwide, marking an increase of 2 per cent over the previous year. The most popular model remains the Porsche Cayenne.
“We have managed to increase our delivery numbers in the first nine months of the year – in spite of various challenges,” said Detlev von Platen, a member of the executive board for sales and marketing at Porsche AG.
“The popularity of Porsche as a modern luxury brand, as well as our products, is equally high on every continent. At the same time, we are still concerned about limitations to the supply of parts, which can impact waiting times for customers.”
Double-digit growth in home region
The biggest gains were in the sales region of Europe, where Porsche delivered 42,204 vehicles between January and September – 11 per cent more than the same period last year. In its home market, Germany, 20,850 customers took delivery of their vehicles – a gain of 9 per cent. In China, which remains its largest single market, Porsche delivered 68,766 vehicles (a drop of 1 per cent). The limitations engendered by months-long lockdowns were largely balanced out by the third quarter. In North America, Porsche recorded 56,357 deliveries. The slight decline of 4 per cent was due to logistical challenges, particularly in the first quarter, and accelerated deliveries in the third quarter continued to reduce the gap to the very strong previous year.
Cayenne remains most popular range
The SUV models remain in especially high demand among customers. With 66,769 deliveries, the Porsche Cayenne remains in the top spot. The second most popular model, the Macan, recorded 59,604 deliveries. The iconic sports car, the 911, continues to rise in popularity, with 30,611 deliveries – a gain of 9 per cent. The Panamera was delivered to 25,452 customers. Worldwide deliveries of the all-electric Taycan hit 25,073, with the 12 per cent decline due to supply chain-related bottlenecks and declining parts availability. Both of these factors particularly affect the electric sports car while the order book for the Taycan remains large. Customers also took delivery of 14,003 examples of the 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman models.
“The fourth-quarter sprint is in full swing and we need to stay on our toes regarding external factors and uncertainties,” said Detlev von Platen. “At the same time, we are tackling the remaining three months of the year full of resolve and vigour.”
Toyota’s hydrogen-powered Mirai II set for test run in Pattaya, Rayong
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2022
Toyota Motor Thailand will next month import two of its latest hydrogen fuel cell cars for test runs in Thailand, its president said.
Noriaki Yamashita said two second generation Toyota Mirai cars will be imported for the tests in Pattaya and Rayong to showcase the automaker’s commitment to develop vehicles with low or no carbon dioxide emissions.
Mirai Generation II is powered by hydrogen fuel cells, so the car’s by-product is only water with no carbon dioxide emissions.
Toyota explained that the Mirai, which is a fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV), works by having hydrogen from the fuel tank mix with oxygen from the air in the fuel cell stack. The oxygen and hydrogen create a chemical reaction that results in electricity which powers the car’s motors.
Toyota Thailand has teamed up with PTT and other partners for the test run in Pattaya mid-November.
On its part, PTT will open a pilot hydrogen refilling station in Pattaya. The station will be set up in cooperation with Bangkok Industrial Gas, a major supplier of hydrogen in Thailand.
In mid-December, the Japan-based president of Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) will arrive in Thailand to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Toyota Thailand. The occasion will see the launch of a special Corolla model with a 1.6-litre internal combustion engine running on hydrogen fuel.
Toyota Thailand said the hydrogen-powered ICE car will be used in a motor race in Buri Ram.
Auto experts and observers said Toyota, unlike Chinese auto manufacturers, has been reluctant to develop and produce battery electric vehicles because it has invested a lot in developing FCEVs.
Around 10,000 of the second-generation Mirai have been sold worldwide, while the first generation has seen sales of 12,000 units, according to Toyota Thailand.
Noriaki said Toyota has been developing environmentally friendly vehicles that use alternative energy, including hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in HEVs and FCEVs.
Once the Mirai test runs are completed, Toyota would compile opinions from people for its marketing plans, Noriaki said.
He hoped the project would benefit Pattaya, which has announced its goal to become a decarbonised sustainable city. The pilot project would later be expanded to other provinces.
According to Noriaki, the TMC president will bring along the ORC Rookie Racing team to participate in the 25-hour endurance race with the hydrogen-powered ICE Toyota Collora. Toyota will also enter its e-fuel GR86 CNF concept car in the race.
Country’s first electric mini truck hits the road with prices starting at THB748,500
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2022
Energy Absolute (EA) has launched Thailand’s first electric mini truck, aiming to help businesses reduce transport costs. Prices start at 748,500 baht.
The MT30 is fitted with a 30Kw/h li-ion battery that is manufactured by EA’s Thai subsidiary Amita Technology.
The vehicle can travel up to 202 kilometres on a single charge and be charged at EA Anywhere DC stations. About 30 to 80 per cent of the battery can be charged in 15 minutes.
The mini truck is 4,585mm long, 1,750mm wide and 1,940mm high. The flatbed area measures 2.5×1.58 metres.
The MT30 was developed by EA’s subsidiary Mine Mobility Corporation, which specialises in 100 per cent electricity-driven vehicles.
“As electric vehicle manufacturing is one of the New S-Curve industries under the government’s strategic development plan, EA has been committed to upgrading the commercial transport system by developing locally made electric vehicles,” said EA deputy chief executive Amorn Sapthaweekul.
Developed under the concept of “Respect the Environment”, the MT30 aims to not only help entrepreneurs save on transport costs but also reduce air pollution.
The MT30 is priced at 748,500 baht for standard colours and 766,500 baht for pastel colours, which have six choices – solid white, pastel yellow/white, pastel pink/white, pastel sky blue/black, pastel green/black and pastel gray/black.
These prices already factor in the 150,000-baht discount offered by the government to EV buyers.
New Tiger 1200 bikes a triumph for adventure, fun and safety on Thai roads
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2022
Thai adventure buffs, who enjoy riding powerful big bikes to visit the provinces, have a choice of two new, powerful models from Triumph Thailand.
The new models are designed to provide fun and comfortable rides with safer technologies.
The two new models, Tiger 1200 Rally Pro and Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer, have bigger fuel tanks to facilitate longer rides, packed with more horse power (hp) for fun rides while the lighter chassis enables easier handling.
Best of all, bikers can have fun riding the new Tiger 1200 series in any road condition because the Tiger 1200 has been designed to set a new benchmark for road and off-road adventure, thanks to a major reduction in weight, an all-new lightweight chassis, a class-leading specification of equipment and all-new rider ergonomics.
The new Tiger 1200 is reportedly designed to directly challenge BMW/R1250 GS. Critics believe Triumph has done a good job with the new series.
The new Tiger 1200 has 14hp more than the GS and is about 16.7 kilograms lighter.
According to Triumph Thailand, the new Tiger 1200 is more than 25kg lighter than the previous generation and up to 17kg lighter than “the closet shaft drive competition”.
Building on the previous generation’s strengths, including its practical shaft drive set-up and its great long-distance comfort, plus the triple engine platform which suits touring so well, the new Tiger line-up introduces a new generation of T-plane triple engine and advanced technology.
Designed to deliver all the advantages that have made the Triumph Tiger 900 so successful in the middleweight category, the new T-plane triple crank brings the best of both worlds, with the low-down tractability of a twin at the bottom end, making it great off-road.
The new 1160cc engine brings a major step up in performance with 150PS (hp) peak power at 9,000rpm, 9PS up on the previous generation. Triumph believes the new Tiger 1200 is the most powerful shaft drive motorcycle in the class because of the new engine. The torque is also significantly higher than the previous generation, with 130Nm of peak torque at 7,000rpm, 8Nm up on the previous engine.
In addition to the step-up in power and torque, the new engine also brings improved acceleration and a much more responsive and exciting character, where the uneven firing interval gives an excellent feel and tractability at the bottom end. This is combined with the really strong triple power and torque delivery all the way through the rev range.
A further enhancement to comfort is provided by the new easily adjustable screen, with a simple one-handed adjustment mechanism, plus new aero-screen diffusers that deflect the wind off both the rider and pillion.
The handlebar position has been optimised to suit each model in the Tiger 1200 range, contributing to the bike’s improved agility and ensuring great rider comfort. These are 20mm wider than the previous generation for improved off-road control. On the Rally Explorer, the handlebars are 16mm higher than the other models in the line-up to deliver an even more commanding position. The foot peg positions have also been refined to deliver the optimum rider comfort and control for each model.
All models within the Tiger 1200 line-up have an extensive level of protection for a more secure and comfortable ride: handguards are standard for both models, and aluminium sump guard is a standard fit for the Rally Pro and Rally Explorer.
The new generation also comes with a host of advanced features designed to enhance the ride and deliver a step up in safety, comfort and control.
The Rally Explorer exclusively features the all-new Triumph Blind Spot Radar system, developed in partnership with Continental, which delivers two key safety features: Blind Spot Assist uses a rear-facing radar to let the rider know when another vehicle is in their blind spot, and Lane Change Assist, which gives a more prominent warning if the rider indicates to change lane and there is a vehicle approaching.
Both models come with six riding modes to choose from to suit the riding conditions, which are: road, rain, sport, rider-configurable, off-road, and off-road pro.
The new two models are now available from Triumph Thailand.
Thai automakers urged to cash in on Cambodia’s EV drive
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2022
THE NATION
Thai electric vehicle (EV) automakers have been advised to export vehicles or invest in Cambodia as Phnom Penh is campaigning for more use of EVs in a bid to mitigate the environmental impact of fossil fuels.
The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) said on Sunday that the Cambodian government is promoting the use of EVs by its citizens, as this vehicle would be popular in the future.
Citing a news report in the Phnom Penh Post, the department said the Cambodian government is wooing the private sector, especially from the US, to invest in its EV charging stations nationwide.
The Cambodian government has also publicised the benefits of EVs among residents, especially the low expense of EV charging, the department added.
“Cambodia’s Public Works and Transport Ministry report stated that EV charging costs only US$4 [150 baht] per 100 kilometres compared to fossil fuel costs of more than $10 per 100 kilometres,” the department said.
The department added that Cambodia’s Public Works and Transport Minister Sun Chanthol expected the EV industry to grow further.
“However, there are many challenges for Cambodia’s EV transition, such as maintenance services, staff with expertise in battery storage, and availability of charging stations,” the department said.
The department added that Cambodia’s Public Works and Transport Ministry is putting its efforts into increasing the number of EV charging stations and supporting large filling-station operators to set up charging stations.
Currently, Cambodia has 10 EV charging stations in Phnom Penh. Two charging stations on the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville expressway will be opened soon, the department added.
Honda To Realize Carbon Neutrality For All Products
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022
Honda Aims To Realize Carbon Neutrality For All Products And Corporate Activities Honda Is Involved In By 2050, It Announced.
During the press conference, Kohei Takeuchi (Director, Executive Vice President and Representative Executive Officer) and Yoshishige Nomura (Managing Officer) affirmed Honda’s goal to reach the carbon neutrality.
Their briefing heighligts:
1. Approach toward carbon neutrality of motorcycle products
To accommodate a variety of uses and needs of customers around the world, Honda offers a wide range of motorcycle products, from small commuter models to large fun models, which are used globally in both emerging and advanced countries. In emerging nations, especially, there is high demand for motorcycles, mainly commuter models, as a lifeline of people in their everyday life; however, popularization of electric models faces challenges such as heavier vehicle weight and higher prices. Also, demand for electric models depends largely on government incentives, regulations and availability of charging infrastructure in each respective market.
Considering these circumstances, Honda will accelerate the electrification of motorcycles as the primary focus of environmental strategies for motorcycle business, while also continuing to advance ICE, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality for all of its motorcycle products during the 2040s. Moreover, Honda will continue to lead the industry at the forefront of its environmental initiatives.
Continued Initiatives to Advance ICE In order to realize carbon neutrality while accommodating the wide range of customer needs and usage environments unique to motorcycles, Honda continues its initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions from ICE models, while also developing models compatible with carbon neutral fuels such as gasoline-ethanol blends. To be more specific, in addition to Brazil where flex-fuel (E100) motorcycle models are already available, Honda plans to introduce flex-fuel models in India, as well, one of the major motorcycle markets. The plan is to first introduce flex-fuel (E20) models beginning in 2023, and flex-fuel (E100) models in 2025.
2. Electrification Initiatives
Introducing electric motorcycle models to meet wide-ranging customer needs Anticipating market expansion, Honda will introduce electric motorcycles that accommodate a wide range of customer needs. Commuter models and fun models combined, Honda will introduce more than 10 new electric motorcycle models by 2025, with an aim to reach annual electric motorcycle sales of 1 million units within the next five years, and 3.5 million units (approximately 15% of total sales) as of 2030.
Details of product launch plans follow:
(1) Commuter EVs As businesses are becoming more environmentally conscious, demand for business-use electric motorcycle models has been on the rise in recent years. To fulfill such demand, Honda has been offering the Honda e: Business Bike series models and accelerating the global launch of business-use electric motorcycles. In addition to providing a Honda e: Business Bike series model to Japan Post and Vietnam Post Corporation for mail delivery, Honda is currently conducting joint trials with Thailand Post Company Limited, and planning to begin production and sales of the Benly e: in Thailand before the end of this month. These Honda e: Business Bike series models are equipped with Honda Mobile Power Pack (MPP) swappable batteries, which are well-suited to business use such as the delivery of small packages and resolve issues of range and charging time, which are key challenges that need to be addressed to realize widespread use of electric motorcycles.
For personal use, Honda plans to introduce two commuter EV models between 2024 and 2025 in Asia, Europe and Japan. Envisioning the future market environment, uses and technological advancements, Honda is exploring a range of future personal-use models including ones equipped with a power source besides swappable batteries. (2) Commuter EMs / EBs Currently, EMs and EBs account for more than 90% of industry-wide global electric motorcycle unit sales (approximately 50 million units). In China, the world’s largest electric motorcycle market, EMs / EBs are widely adopted as a convenient form of everyday mobility, and Honda has been offering such products by leveraging its local supplier infrastructure and development / manufacturing operations. With the expectation that demand for EMs / EBs will be expanding globally, Honda plans to introduce a total of five compact and affordable EM and EB models between now and 2024 in Asia, Europe and Japan, in addition to China.
(3) FUN EVs In addition to commuter EVs, Honda is actively developing electrified models in the “FUN” category. Based on its FUN EV platform currently under development, Honda plans to introduce a total of three large-size FUN EV models in Japan, the U.S and Europe between 2024 and 2025. Honda will also introduce Kids Fun EV model, designed to pass on the joy of riding to the next generation.
High-efficiency “Monozukuri” that enables expansion of the electric model lineup and sales Based on its competitive “Monozukuri” (art of making things) know-how, amassed through the development and application of platforms for ICE-powered models, Honda will develop and apply electric motorcycle platforms that combine the three core components for electric vehicles – the battery, PCU and motor– with the motorcycle body. By fulfilling customer needs with highly efficient Monozukuri, Honda will continue to offer the joy of mobility with affordably-priced electric motorcycle models.
Regarding the battery, a core component of electric vehicles, Honda aims to equip its electric motorcycle models with an all-solid-state battery Honda is currently developing by making active use of its own resources.
3. Smoother and Smarter Use of Electric Motorcycles
Initiatives to enhance charging infrastructure and standardize batteries Enhancement of charging infrastructure and standardization of battery specifications are vital for the widespread adoption of electric motorcycles. As part of the enhancement of charging infrastructure, Honda is working toward popularization of battery sharing.
(1) Popularization of battery sharing – Honda has established a joint venture in Indonesia, one of the major motorcycle markets, to operate a battery sharing service utilizing MPPs and MPP-powered motorcycles. The JV is currently operating a battery sharing service in Bali. – In India, Honda is planning to begin its battery sharing service for electric tricycle taxis (so-called “rickshaws”) by the end of this year. Honda is also planning to expand its initiatives to popularize battery sharing to other Asian nations. – In Japan, in April of this year, ENEOS Holdings, Inc. and the four major Japanese motorcycle manufacturers jointly incorporated Gachaco, Inc., which will provide a sharing service of standardized swappable batteries for electric motorcycles and develop infrastructure for this service. The company plans to begin its motorcycle battery sharing service this fall.
(2) Standardization of batteries – In Japan, four major Japanese motorcycle manufacturers have agreed on common specifications for swappable batteries based on the JASO TP21003 guideline. – Honda is working toward the standardization of swappable batteries while participating in a battery consortium in Europe and working with a partner company in India.
Strengthening of the areas of software technologies To increase the added value of its electric motorcycles, Honda is aiming to transform its business from a focus on non-recurring hardware (product) sales business to a recurring business model combining hardware and software.
In the area of software development, Honda is working with its software subsidiary, Drivemode*9, to enhance new value creation for its electric motorcycle products in the connected realm. Starting with the commuter EV model scheduled to go on sale in 2024, Honda will offer user experience (UX) features that continuously enrich the quality of riding through connectivity, such as offering optimal route options that take into consideration remaining range, charging spot notification, safe riding coaching and after-sales service support.
Looking ahead, Honda will work toward the establishment of a connected platform where greater value will be generated not only by connecting its motorcycles, but by linking a wide range of Honda products and realizing connectivity beyond their product domains.
He hoped the project would benefit Pattaya, which has announced its goal to become a decarbonised sustainable city. The pilot project would later be expanded to other provinces.
The new Tiger 1200 has 14hp more than the GS and is about 16.7 kilograms lighter.
Designed to deliver all the advantages that have made the Triumph Tiger 900 so successful in the middleweight category, the new T-plane triple crank brings the best of both worlds, with the low-down tractability of a twin at the bottom end, making it great off-road.
All models within the Tiger 1200 line-up have an extensive level of protection for a more secure and comfortable ride: handguards are standard for both models, and aluminium sump guard is a standard fit for the Rally Pro and Rally Explorer.
Considering these circumstances, Honda will accelerate the electrification of motorcycles as the primary focus of environmental strategies for motorcycle business, while also continuing to advance ICE, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality for all of its motorcycle products during the 2040s. Moreover, Honda will continue to lead the industry at the forefront of its environmental initiatives.
(3) FUN EVs
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