BMW Mulls Opening EV Battery Plant in Thailand

Posted By: Hamid Moarefon: Wednesday, July 27, 2016In: Parts

Reports say that BMW Group is mulling to build a factory to manufacture batteries for plug-in hybrid vehicles in Thailand.

According to Industry Minister Atchaka Sibunruang, construction was likely to begin in the middle of next year with an investment of 2 billion baht ($57 million), adding that the facility would make hybrid vehicles cheaper for Thai customers. He noted that hybrid vehicles are still costly now but once there is a plant established and batteries are available, this would make it affordable for customers.

Atchaka also added that the Thai government was working with the German automaker to offer tax incentives to make the country a center for plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Thailand is a regional production and export hub for the globe’s top automakers, and the sector accounts for nearly 10 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

Hamid Moaref

Hamid Moaref has always been fascinated by cars and the automotive industry. His family has a longstanding association with the industry and has been in the tire business for the past 35 years. Raised in Dubai, Hamid attended Capilano University in Vancouver where he graduated with a BBA in marketing before attending an intensive course in magazine publishing in 2005. He has been the publisher and chief editor of Tires & Parts magazine for the past ten years.