Thai Prime Minister Anutin gave up his Rolls-Royce and switched to a BYD for commuting to work, saying that Chinese brands have strong competitiveness in technology and price.

According to a report by People’s Daily on April 5, from March 25 to April 5, the 47th Bangkok International Motor Show was held at the Bangkok Impression Exhibition Center in Thailand. After visiting the exhibition area for Chinese automakers, Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin said that Chinese brands have strong competitiveness in both technology and pricing, effectively driving the high-quality development of Thailand’s automotive industry.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (left) arrives at the booth of a Chinese automaker. Photo source: People’s Daily Online Southeast Asia

Media reports earlier said that a distinct sight appeared in front of the Prime Minister’s Office in Thailand—Prime Minister Anutin gave up his usual Rolls-Royce and switched to a Chinese BYD electric vehicle for commuting to and from work. In a prior public schedule, he also rode in a Zeekr.

In an interview, Anutin recommended that people try electric vehicles because they not only save energy but also have no tailpipe emissions.

Since the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran at the end of February, international oil prices have now broken through $110 per barrel. Thailand, which is highly dependent on crude oil imports, saw diesel prices rise by about 30% in just March. Surging oil and gas prices, increased operating costs for businesses, and a significant compression of consumers’ spending power have followed.

This energy dilemma triggered by geopolitical conflict is changing people’s commuting and travel choices in the most direct way.

People’s Daily mentioned that, compared with previous years, this year the Bangkok Motor Show saw a clearly increased level of attention on new energy vehicles. The exhibition area for Chinese brand dealerships was larger and more categories of cars were on display. On-site visitors lined up one after another to test-drive, and in some exhibition areas, long lines formed in the front rows.

In the BYD exhibition area, the “Blade Battery” became the focus; in the GAC Aion exhibition area, samples of solid-state batteries attracted professional visitors to stop and watch. In the Dongfeng Fengxing Thunder, tailored to Thailand’s climate and road conditions, the company strengthened the sealing of battery packs and their ability to handle water immersion… Chinese auto brands are not only bringing the latest complete-vehicle products, but also new energy vehicle technologies and locally customized product solutions—deeply participating in and empowering the local industrial ecosystem.

Renet, an engineer who has long been following developments at motor shows, said, “New energy vehicles have already become the absolute ‘main characters’ at this exhibition. This year, everyone is even more focused on charging technology and driving range.”

Beyond Thailand, from Southeast Asia to Europe, and from Latin America to the Middle East, China’s new energy vehicles have been widely welcomed.

China News Service reported that in Manila, the Philippines, a sales staff member at a Chinese new energy vehicle dealership said that in March, the number of orders inside the store surged—“two weeks matched a whole previous month.”

Data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries in Australia also shows that in February this year, cars from China sold 22,362 units in Australia. China became the largest source country of new cars in Australia for the first time by month, breaking the long-standing lead position that Japan had held since 1998.

In Brazil, in February this year, Chinese electric vehicles topped the Brazilian retail sales ranking for the first time. In the United States, China News Service cited survey data from Reuters saying that nearly half of U.S. respondents who said they plan to buy a car within the next two years believe Chinese cars offer very good or excellent value for money. However, due to policy restrictions, consumers have difficulty buying Chinese electric cars within the U.S.

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