Chang-An Automobile has officially inaugurated its vehicle assembly plant in Rayong province capable of churning out 100,000 vehicles per year in the first stage.
The Chinese automaker is investing Bt10 billion to start up production in Thailand. The 250-rai facility includes five main workshops – welding, painting, assembly, engine assembly, and battery assembly units.
Zhu Huarong, Chairman of CHANG-AN Automobile, said, “We have designed this factory to exemplify sustainability and innovation, featuring lean manufacturing processes, environmentally friendly systems, and cutting-edge technology, thus reflecting CHANG-AN’s commitment to a greener future.”
“This facility supports our ambitious goal of having Thailand serve as our strategic gateway to Southeast Asia and important right-hand drive markets including Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand,” he added.
Over the next three years, Chang-An plans to launch 12 new models in Southeast Asia, all of which will be new energy vehicles, further expanding its product portfolio. The company will also establish a spare parts warehouse for right-hand drive markets, housing 98 per cent of all parts and aiming to achieve 24-hour order delivery.
Through AI technology, the Thailand-based digital service platform will be upgraded for real-time services through smart vehicle control, maintenance, battery monitoring and remote diagnostics for Chang-An vehicles.
Meanwhile, the welding workshop at the Chang-An plant features 39 robots working with advanced technologies, while the painting workshop employs 29 robots applying sophisticated processes that ensure paint durability of over 10 years while cutting emissions by 40 per cent.
The assembly workshop’s 18 fully automated and 125 semi-automated systems can produce multiple powertrain models simultaneously. The digital systems enable 100% online operations and management, reducing order-to-delivery time from 21 to 15 days.
The annual production capacity will expand to 200,000 vehicles in the second phase.
Designed as a model “green factory” from its inception, the facility incorporates cutting-edge, high-efficiency equipment and low-carbon processes.
The company plans to install a 14-megawatt solar power system that will provide up to 45 per cent of the factory’s electricity requirements, significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
Additional sustainable features include circulating air vents, louvered panels, natural lighting, and a rainwater recycling system, expected to cut energy costs by 20 per cent.
The facility is also expected to generate significant employment opportunities, with plans to support over 30,000 jobs across the value chain, contributing significantly to local economic growth.
Chang-An sold a total of 2.68 million vehicles globally in 2024, representing a 5.1-per cent increase compared to the previous year. Among them, 735,000 were new energy vehicles, up nearly 52.8 per cent year-on-year. The company aims to reach five million in total annual sales by 2030, of which three million will be new energy vehicles.
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