GAC opens first overseas battery factory in Thailand

Chon Buri facility complements Chinese automaker’s Aion vehicle manufacturing plant in Rayong

Guangzhou Automobile Corporation (GAC) said ​on Tuesday that its first ​overseas self-developed battery ‌pack plant has begun production in Thailand, marking a key step in localising its EV ​supply ⁠chain overseas.

The facility will complement the Chinese automaker’s existing vehicle manufacturing operations ‌in Thailand, allowing it to localise both vehicle assembly and core battery ⁠components, according to a company statement.

The plant, operated by the battery unit INPOW, is located in Chon Buri and will ​supply battery packs for locally produced Aion Y Plus electric ​vehicles manufactured in Rayong.

Phase one of the project has a planned annual ​capacity ⁠of 7,000 battery packs, while a second phase ⁠could raise capacity to 20,000 packs per year, the company said.

GAC said the plant ⁠would help shorten delivery ​times, improve supply-chain security in Thailand and support its expansion in the wider Southeast Asian ‌market.