Mazda Thailand expansion: Boosting SUV and EV production
Mazda Motor Corporation has announced plans to strengthen its production and sales network in Thailand, reinforcing its manufacturing presence in the country. At a press conference in Bangkok, the company revealed a BHT5 billion (USD148.3 million) investment into Auto Alliance (Thailand) Co., Ltd., its key production facility in the region. This investment aims to develop the plant into a hub for compact SUVs, with an annual production capacity of 100,000 units, leveraging Thailand’s well-established supply chain.
The expansion will bolster Mazda’s role in Thailand’s automotive sector while positioning the plant as an export base for the Japanese and ASEAN markets. With the steady growth of the ASEAN automotive industry, Mazda seeks to strengthen its competitive edge by expanding production capabilities and introducing new models tailored to emerging market trends.
From 2025 to 2027, Mazda will launch five new models, including two battery electric vehicles (BEVs), one plug-in hybrid, and two hybrid models. This aligns with Thailand’s accelerating transition to electrified mobility, catering to a broader customer base interested in sustainable transportation solutions.
Mazda6e: The flagship electric vehicle
A major highlight of the announcement is the upcoming Mazda6e, a battery-electric vehicle set for public unveiling in 2025. Manufactured by Changan Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd.—a joint venture between Mazda and Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd. (CA) in China—the Mazda6e integrates Mazda’s design philosophy, renowned Jinba-ittai driving experience, and CA’s expertise in electrification and smart-cabin technologies.
Mazda’s CEO, Masahiro Moro, emphasised the company’s longstanding commitment to the Thai market. “We place great importance on building relationships of trust and empathy with our stakeholders in order to realize our Purpose, which is to ‘ENRICH LIFE-IN-MOTION FOR THOSE WE SERVE.’ Based on this purpose, we will introduce electrified products that are uniquely Mazda and meet the needs of customers in Thailand where electrification is progressing, and strengthen the role of our plant in Thailand to serve as a base for exporting compact vehicles mainly to Japan and the ASEAN market.“
Strengthening Mazda’s ASEAN presence
By reinforcing its Thai manufacturing hub, Mazda aims to strengthen exports of compact SUVs primarily to Japan and the ASEAN region. This investment signals Mazda’s strategic positioning in response to evolving automotive trends, particularly the shift towards electrification in Southeast Asia.
Thailand has emerged as a key market for electrified vehicles, driven by government incentives and increasing consumer demand for sustainable mobility. By expanding its electrified product lineup and enhancing local production, Mazda aims to capture a larger share of this rapidly growing market.
