Mazda is set to produce hybrid cars in Thailand after the country’s Board of Investment (BoI) gave its green light to a 11.48 billion baht (RM1.46 billion) investment application, the Bangkok Post reports.
The application is for the assembly of finished hybrid vehicles and five core parts – battery, traction motor, battery management, AC/DC converter and inverter.
“Mazda is ready to implement the plan to become a building block for all eco-friendly vehicles. Thailand has to start producing hybrid versions before improving the local industry and marketing plug-in hybrids and battery EVs in the future,” said Chanchai Trakarnudomsuk, president of Mazda Sales Thailand.
Mazda isn’t famous for hybrids, but there’s a hybrid version of the current generation Mazda 3 for the Japanese market. The JDM Axela Hybrid licenses Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system, paired to Mazda’s own 2.0 litre petrol engine. It’s rated at 30.8 km/l in the Japanese JC08 test cycle. An all-new Mazda 3 is just around the corner, set to debut at the LA Auto Show later this month.
The Hiroshima-based carmaker – which plans to electrify all its vehicles by 2030 under its ‘Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030’ long-term vision – recently confirmed the return of the rotary engine as a range extender.
With its investment application approved, Mazda joins Toyota in receiving BoI incentives in the hybrid category. The latter produces the C-HR Hybrid in the Land of Smiles. Plug-in hybrid category incentives have been given to Mercedes-Benz, BMW and SAIC Motor (MG), with Mitsubishi possibly next. Learn more about Thailand’s green car local assembly incentives here.
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NAP2018 to be unveiled by MAI the game changer.
Itu mai spm level qualify lap kasut dapat pangkat je…
I thought previously NAP has the to transform the local auto industry into a hybrid manufacturing hub, the first step had been taken few years ago was import duty free for hybrid cars, then tax free for local assembled hybrid cars.
Previous NAP was by previous G. Current NAP by current G focus on P3. We are moving backwards!
Before basher said P1 must follow jepunis overlord not to ask for bantuan subsidy but now
P1 bantuan was a bail out, not bantuan for set up new manufacturing plant
But if Jepunis got lotsa money, why need poorer country to subsidy to rich Jepun to setup new factory?
You guys are fooled by NASA, the earth is actually flat.
syabas industri automobil siam