The top auto industry leaders gathered in Pattaya for the SMM automotive conference

The ASEAN Automotive Supply Chain Conference, organised by Shanghai Metal Market, was held at the Hilton Pattaya, Thailand, from June 18 to 19, 2024. The forum, themed Dual Circulation for Global Development, spotlighted the significant transition within China's automobile industry, focusing on the shift from internal combustion engines to new energy vehicles and the global expansion of its industry chain enterprises.

With the rapid rise of China's new energy vehicle industry, Thailand has become the preferred overseas production base for Chinese automotive companies, which made up 72% of the attendees at the conference, and aims to serve the entire Southeast Asian market. Major players like BYD, Neta Auto, and Changan Auto have established or are currently setting up factories in Thailand. Parts manufacturers such as Schaeffler and ZF are also localising production to support this growth.

Thailand's automotive industry began with Japanese automaker factories in the 1960s and grew significantly in the 1980s due to government policies promoting foreign investment. Today, Thailand has become one of the top global auto producers that benefits from a strategic location, excellent infrastructure, a business-friendly environment, and a skilled, affordable workforce.

These advantages gave rise to Thailand's automotive industry; in 2021, there was a large 18% growth in the Thai automotive industry. In 2022, according to Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, Thailand produced 1.9 million cars surpassing Indonesia and Malaysia, which comprised 1.6% of the attendees at the conference, and held the top spot in the ASEAN Region that year.

At the same time, Thailand has been putting its focus on the EV market as well. According to Hide Hamano from Kadence, Thailand has contributed 79% of the total EV sales in the first quarter of 2023 and is projected to have an annual growth of 5.04%. Even though China dominates the EV market, Thailand is emerging as a significant player.

On 19 December 2023, the Thai Cabinet acknowledged the EV 3.5 program that promotes electric vehicles in Thailand from 2024 to 2027. Subsidies will be provided for electric passenger cars, pick-up trucks, and motorcycles based on vehicle type and battery capacity. Additionally, manufacturers will benefit from import duty cuts and excise tax reductions. The first phase registration deadline was extended to 31 January 2024 and the program aims to support 830,000 EVs with a budget of 34,000 million baht.

At the conference, the Thais made up 17.4% of the attendees present. This highlights their crucial role as emerging automakers and established car manufacturers are increasingly selecting Thailand as their primary overseas production base. Their part at the conference served as a vital catalyst for discussions on how Thailand will continue to contribute to the Southeast Asian automotive and EV markets.

Organised by leading industry companies

Organised by SMM and co-organised by HBIS Group, the conference was supported by leading automotive supply chain companies including McLaren Bangkok, Hyundai Cradle, Hozon Auto, Changan Automobile, NIO, SVOLT, Sunwoda, Schaeffler, ZF, lvkon, BearingPoint, YOSHIOKA, INNOCHINA, LiZhong Group, Delta Metal, Press Metal International Ltd, Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd., Shougang Group, HGTECH, and XINPENG.

The event featured keynotes and panels on Thailand's latest automobile industry policies, global opportunities for Chinese semiconductors, and the electrification transformation in Southeast Asia. Speakers included Wirat Tatsaringkansakul from the Thailand Board of Investment, Frankie Yuan of United Nova Technology, Pang Jun Jie from Malaysia Zero Emission Vehicle Association (ZEVA), and Lars Maecker from Boston Consulting Group. The event also discussed investment risks, green supply chains, and localisation strategies for auto parts in Thailand, providing invaluable insights and networking opportunities for industry stakeholders.

The event's itinerary

Monday, 17 June

Registration took place all day, alongside exhibitors setting up booths and opportunities for free communication.

Day 1 | Tuesday, 18 June

The day began with registration and morning coffee at 8am, followed by welcome addresses from Adam Fan, CEO of SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd., and Keshan Diao from HBIS Company Limited Co., Ltd.

Wirat Tatsaringkansakul, Deputy Secretary General of Thailand Board of Investment, discussed the latest policies for Thailand's automobile industry.

Frankie Yuan, Chairman of United Nova Technology Co., Ltd., would then discuss the global opportunities and challenges for Chinese semiconductors.

The first panel, moderated by Racket Hu, SVP of SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd., explored the challenges and opportunities of electrification in Southeast Asia's automotive industry, featuring experts from Boston Consulting Group (BCG), RUTRONIK, BearingPoint, and the Thai-Chinese Rayong Industrial Zone.

Following a lunch and networking session, the second panel, moderated by Eric Li, Managing Director & Partner at Boston Consulting Group, discussed accelerating Thailand's electrification transformation from a supply chain perspective, featuring leaders from AFEO, China Foundry Association, Changan Automobile, Schaeffler Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd., and NETA Auto.

Farasis Energy presented a keynote on the status of electric motorcycles in Thailand, followed by a coffee break.

HBIS Group delivered a keynote on the overseas layout of HBIS, and Pang Jun Jie from the Malaysia Zero Emission Vehicle Association discussed Malaysia's EV industry.

The final panel of the day, moderated by Krzysztof Tokarz from ABeam Consulting, addressed investment risk and bankability in the automotive industry, featuring HYUNDAI CRADLE.

The day concluded with a cocktail party from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

Day 2 | Wednesday, 19 June

The second day began at 9am with Harendra Saksena, Chief Procurement Officer of Ather Energy, discussing India's EV state and future. He mentioned that crude oil is the largest contributor to the trade deficit, with consumption increasing rapidly by 57% in the last 10 years. Additionally, road transport accounts for 30% of urban CO2 emissions. Therefore, it is necessary for India to develop EVs.

A panel on the green supply chain of automotive materials, moderated by Bo Zhou, Vice President of SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. followed. After the panel was finished, there was a coffee break.

After the coffee break, The final panel, moderated by Di Zhao from WHA Industrial Development PLC, covered localisation strategies for auto parts companies in Thailand, featuring representatives from SVOLT Energy, Delta Metal (Holdings)Limited, Sunwoda, Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd., and Lizhong Group.

The conference concluded with a luncheon and networking session, followed by an industrial field trip from 1 PM to 7:30 PM. Participants visited various local finished vehicles and parts factories in Thailand.

Exhibitions and social events

An exhibition area was also opened during the forum. Conexal, Ivkon, Bearing Point, HBIS, Shougang Group, Manuthai, Demas, BOI, PMI, XINPENG, YOSHIOKA, and HGTECH have confirmed their participation. Social events were also held during the forum to create opportunities for in-depth communication and cooperation for all parties in the automotive industry chain.

All preparations for the 2024 SMM Southeast Asia Automotive Supply Chain had been fully advanced and conference registration and booth reservations were in full swing.

What did the attendees gain at the ASEAN Automotive Supply Chain 2024?

1. Connected and grew their network with over 400 international C-level key players.

2. Joined a field trip to the Thai-Chinese Rayong Industrial Park, included in their tickets.

3. Engaged in over 15 hours of networking with a diverse group of financial and automotive stakeholders and leaders.

4. Gained exclusive access to the largest industry chain database in China, featuring over 2 million leads used daily by 200,000 professionals at the conference.

This conference provided invaluable insights and networking opportunities for stakeholders across the automotive supply chain sector that will strengthen Thailand's and China's positions in the Southeast Asian automotive industry. By connecting with international companies planning to enter the Thai market, the event will enhance Thailand's position in the electric vehicle market, strengthen trust in Thailand, and establish the country as a beacon for the integrated development of electric vehicles in the future.

For more information, please visit the official conference website.