According to reports, Mercedes-Benz plans to assemble electric vehicles (EVs) in Thailand, initially agreeing with the government to ship complete vehicles and lowering import tariffs ahead of local production.
According to Ekniti Nitithanprapas, director general of Thailand’s Excise Department, imported EVs will benefit from preferential excise tax until the end of 2023.
After signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Thai government this month, Mercedes plans to start assembling its EVs in Samut Prakan by the end of next year.
The automaker unveiled the EQS 500 luxury battery-powered sedan at the Thailand International Motor Expo in early December, joining a growing group of automakers targeting EV sales in Thailand.
Earlier this month, Tesla began selling the Chinese-made Model 3 and Model Y in Thailand, with deliveries expected to begin at the end of the first quarter of 2023.
BYD and SAIC earlier this year announced plans to produce EVs and hybrids in Thailand and supply them to ASEAN countries, but Great Wall already has EVs and hybrids produced at the Rayong plant it acquired from General Motors in 2020. sold in Thailand. -Assembled Leaf and Kicks e-Power EVs in ASEAN.
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