On June 12, 2024, Mercedes-Benz announced a significant collaboration with Thonburi Automotive Assembly Plant Co., Ltd., cementing a 10-year contract to manufacture electric vehicles (EVs) in Thailand. This partnership aligns with the Thai government’s goal of positioning the nation as a regional hub for mobility, bolstering the “Ignite Thailand” initiative aimed at fostering economic and technological advancements.
As part of this endeavor, Mercedes-Benz will donate a substantial lithium-ion battery cell unit to the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA). This unit, consisting of high-voltage battery cells previously utilized in the company’s experimental processes, is set to be transferred to NSTDA by next month for research purposes.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has endorsed this collaboration, viewing it as a pivotal move to elevate Thailand’s global status in the automotive and technology sectors.
Among those in attendance at the signing were key executives from Mercedes-Benz and Thonburi Automotive, along with representatives from the Thai government and NSTDA, who all expressed optimism about the future of this collaboration and its potential impact on Thailand’s economic and technological landscape.