Great Wall Motors aims to start producing cars from early 2021
China’s Great Wall Motors is in discussion with the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) authorities about the process of taking over the General Motors (GM) production facilities in Rayong and starting automobile production by early next year.
Great Wall is also discussing investment plans with the Board of Investment and related benefits.
Zhang Jia Ming, president of Great Wall Motors’ Asean operations, told the EEC board that his company was planning to produce several models in Thailand, including 100-per-cent electric vehicles, in line with the government’s policy to focus on the automotive industry – one of the 12 target industries in the EEC.
“The company is currently in talks with GM about its actions for the Rayong factor, which should be completed this year and should start production by early next year. The aim is to make Thailand a production base for Great Wall Motors in Asean,” Zhang said.
He added that Great Wall Motors will try to use as many domestic parts as possible and was ready to make deals with domestic electric car parts manufacturers.
It is also planning to have a subsidiary set up a manufacturing plant in Thailand to produce other parts, such as electric batteries and parts for electric vehicles. Great Wall Motors will also launch a training centre to support the production of new vehicles.
