Toyota has launched electric songtaews in Pattaya for testing ahead of mass production of electric Hilux pickup trucks by 2025
Toyota Motor Thailand has launched a public transport pilot project in Pattaya featuring nine all-electric Hilux Revo pickup trucks.
The initiative demonstrates the Japanese automaker’s growing efforts to compete with Chinese companies, which have significantly penetrated Thailand’s electric vehicle market.
Toyota Motor Thailand Executive Vice President Surapum Udomwong announced that the battery-electric Hilux Revo pickup trucks have been converted into ‘songtaew,’ a popular form of public transport in Thailand, which are pickup trucks whose bodies are equipped with benches to carry passengers.
A motorcade of electric pickup trucks drove through the coastal town of Chonburi, 100 kilometres east of Bangkok, to introduce the vehicles designed to shuttle public transport.
Over the years, Japanese carmakers such as Toyota, Honda, and Isuzu have remained leaders in Thailand’s auto industry. Two models regularly outperform the rest—the Isuzu D-Max and Toyota Hilux. The Isuzu D-Max topped pickup truck sales in Thailand for the fourth consecutive year.
However, thanks to government subsidies and tax incentives, Chinese investment is increasingly impacting the sector. Investment by Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers in Thailand has exceeded $1.4 billion.
According to recent government announcements, China’s Chery Automobile will become the eighth Chinese brand to invest in Thailand, along with companies such as BYD, state-owned Changan Automobile, and Great Wall Motors.
Toyota, which has about a third of the Thai market, will deliver twelve more electric pickup trucks to Pattaya for testing as songtaew.
‘This is a momentous day. Pattaya is one of Thailand’s major tourist cities, so reducing pollution is important,’ said Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet.
Mayor Poramet expressed his desire to convert Pattaya’s 700 Songtaewoo into electric vehicles.
Toyota has announced plans to begin mass production of its Hilux electric pickup truck by 2025, although the production location has yet to be specified.
The government said Isuzu is also preparing to open a facility in Thailand to produce an electric variant of the D-Max pickup, targeting both domestic and international markets.
Pickup trucks are an integral part of Thailand’s landscape, have a long history and have a significant impact on the country’s economy and culture. The versatile and rugged vehicles dominate Thailand’s automotive industry.
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