Hyundai to export Thai BEVs to Australia

Thailand's role in the global electric vehicle supply chain continues to grow. Hyundai Mobility Thailand, a subsidiary of South Korea's Hyundai Motor Group, has announced plans to export battery electric vehicles produced at its Thai manufacturing plant to Australia, with shipments set to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Managing director Wallop Chalermvongsavej confirmed that Hyundai is currently studying suitable models and reviewing Australia's import regulations, including the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, which sets limits on average carbon dioxide emissions for new vehicles. Securing import approval from Australian authorities is also a required step before any shipments can proceed.

Hyundai's Thai plant has an annual production capacity of 5,000 units and is supported by a battery manufacturing facility. The combined investment totals 1 billion baht, backed by incentives from Thailand's Board of Investment under the EV3.5 scheme, which runs from 2024 to 2027 and offers tax cuts and subsidies in exchange for investment in local battery electric vehicle assembly.

The scheme requires automakers to maintain a production-to-import ratio, rising from two locally produced BEVs for every one imported in the 2024 to 2025 period, to a three-to-one ratio by 2027. Hyundai plans to offset 800 imported vehicles this year to meet these requirements.

The company recently launched the locally produced Ioniq 5 as its first model in Thailand, targeting around 100 units per month. Hyundai aims to sell 2,800 Ioniq 5 units this year, up from 2,300 last year, and plans to expand its service network to 28 showrooms nationwide. Notably, 46 percent of EV component costs at the Thai plant are sourced locally, surpassing the government's 40 percent minimum requirement.

Looking ahead, Mr Wallop expressed optimism about the Thai economy in the second half of 2026, pointing to government stimulus measures, foreign capital inflows and resilient corporate earnings. He also noted that the Stock Exchange of Thailand index recently exceeded 1,600 points, up from 1,300 points last year, which he said is supporting consumer confidence in the premium car segment.

For businesses and investors operating in Thailand, developments like this reflect the country's strengthening position as a regional manufacturing and export hub, which can have broader implications for trade, investment incentives and commercial opportunities across multiple sectors.

Source: Bangkok Post, 13 July 2026