At the 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo, many Chinese Electric Vehicle (EV) companies showcased their deepening cooperation with Southeast Asian countries across the industrial and supply chains. Observers note that Chinese EV firms are shifting from mere product exports to full supply chain international collaboration. By localizing production to meet market demands and transferring technology, they are contributing to the development of Southeast Asia’s auto industry.
ASEAN nations have taken steps to optimize supply chains. For example, Singapore uses blockchain to improve transparency and resilience, Vietnam has streamlined customs and reduced tariffs to support cross-border e-commerce, and Malaysia promotes smart manufacturing to cut production costs.
Against this backdrop, Chinese carmakers such as BYD, Geely, Great Wall, GAC, SAIC, and Chery are actively expanding in Southeast Asia. Highlights include Great Wall’s Malaysian KD factory rolling out its first locally assembled Haval H6, BYD’s Thai factory launching full-scale operations last July, SAIC-GM-Wuling’s 3 millionth EV rolling off the production line in Indonesia this May, and Geely’s EX5 EV completing trial production in its Indonesian plant.
In the first half of this year, Indonesia’s wholesale sales of battery EVs surged 267 percent year-on-year, with Chinese brands accounting for over 90 percent of the market. In Thailand, Chinese EVs dominate, with four of the top five best-selling models in 2023 being Chinese. In Malaysia, by mid-2024, Great Wall’s locally assembled Haval H6 ranked second in the hybrid SUV market.
Source: Xinhua, July 19, 2025
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