SAIC Motor, China's largest carmaker, has accelerated its pace in exploring the vast opportunities in global markets.

It recently announced that it has started construction of the SAIC Motor-CP New Energy Industrial Park in Thailand.

The park, which is located in Chonburi province and covers 120,000 square meters, is expected to focus on the localized production of key auto parts for the company's new energy vehicles (NEVs). The first phase of the project is expected to be completed this year, while the entire park will be completed in 2025. The industrial park is expected to help SAIC Motor develop the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) market, and expand its electric vehicle capacity in Southeast Asia.

In 2013, SAIC Motor teamed with Charoen Pokphand Group to establish SAIC Motor-CP, a joint venture, to tap into the huge ASEAN market and to advance the internationalization process of its MG brand vehicles.

As an important overseas production and sales base of SAIC Motor, the total production and sales volume of SAIC Motor-CP reached 32,000 units in 2022. Its new products, such as intelligent vehicles and NEVs, are well received by local consumers. Currently, the MG brand has become one of the top three most popular brands among local Thai customers.

The Thai government has recently set a clear goal for the country to become a regional hub for NEV production. To capitalize on this huge opportunity, SAIC Motor-CP has started the construction of the industrial park, and several key upstream auto parts companies have expressed their intention to settle in it.

At the same time, SAIC Motor announced that SAIC GM-Wuling, one of its joint ventures, signed a memorandum of understanding on April 30 with the Indonesian government on the development of the NEV sector in the country. As a result, SAIC GM-Wuling will expand its investment in Indonesia and introduce more NEV models to the local market, as part of its efforts to promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.

During the signing ceremony, the carmaker delivered 50 Wuling Air EVs for use at the 42nd ASEAN Summit held in Indonesia from May 9 to 11.

As the largest economy in ASEAN with a population of nearly 280 million, Indonesia has a young and dynamic population with enormous potential and dynamism. As the first Chinese carmaker to invest in Indonesia, SAIC-GM-Wuling has invested more than $1 billion since 2015. It has since established a vehicle manufacturing plant, an industrial park for auto parts suppliers, as well as more than 140 sales and service outlets in the country.

According to official data, nearly 1.05 million vehicles were sold in Indonesia, among which SAIC-GM-Wuling Indonesia sold more than 30,000 vehicles, capturing a market share of 2.9 percent in the country, up 17 percent year-on-year compared to the previous year. Wuling has become the best-selling Chinese automotive brand in Indonesia.

Wuling Air EV hit the Indonesian market in August last year and has been well received by local consumers. Its deliveries have exceeded 8,600 units, accounting for more than 80 percent of the local NEV market.

With its comfortable travel experience and green travel concept, Wuling Air EV was selected as the official vehicle for the 2022 G20 Summit in Bali, providing high-quality daily commuting services for delegations and organizing committees from around the world.