







The Malaysian Road Transport Department has released the statistics for new vehicle registrations in January 2025, with the domestic brand Perodua continuing to secure the top spot without any surprise. The Chinese brand Chery registered 886 units, ranking sixth, followed by Jaecoo, which is part of the Chery Group, with 792 units registered.
Additionally, the Malaysian local brand Perodua achieved remarkable success in 2024, surpassing Honda in sales and becoming the second-best-selling automotive brand in the ASEAN region. BYD made its debut in the top 10, ranking ninth with 52,000 units sold.
From this, it is evident that in recent years, with the steady economic growth in Southeast Asia, the gradual increase in environmental awareness, and the successive introduction of supportive policies for new energy vehicles (NEVs) by various countries, this market has demonstrated enormous potential. Chinese NEVs have emerged in the Southeast Asian market, with sales rising steadily, thanks to technological innovation and cost-effectiveness advantages. However, market development is like waves, presenting both opportunities for smooth sailing and challenges hidden beneath the surface.
In this context, the 2025 SMM 2nd Southeast Asia Automotive Supply Chain Conference will be held in Bangkok. We sincerely invite industry elites to jointly explore these challenges and opportunities and work together to promote the prosperity and development of the automotive industry in Southeast Asia and globally.
Scan the QR code to register for the conference
Previous Attendees
Attendee Groups
Complete Vehicle Manufacturers/Parts Suppliers/Processing Enterprises (Aluminum Processing, Automotive Steel, etc.)
Suppliers/Battery and Recycled Metal Recycling Enterprises
Trade/Technology/Equipment/Finance/Logistics/Other Third-Party Service Providers
Government, International Organizations, Associations, Universities, Media, etc.
Conference Agenda
DAY 1
08:00-09:00
Registration and Morning Tea
09:00-09:10
Opening Ceremony, Welcome Address by the Host
09:10-09:20
Address by the Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the China EV100 and Leaders of Nonferrous Metals Network
09:20-09:40
Latest Policies in the Southeast Asia Automotive Industry
Topic Logic: Thailand's EV3.0 and Revised Policy EV3.5
09:40-10:00
Automotive Brand Building and Differentiation Strategies in the Southeast Asia Market
Topic Logic:
1. Cultivating Brand Awareness: The Japanese and South Korean Markets are Mature
2. Cultural Differences: Southeast Asian countries have significant cultural differences, and brands need to fully consider local cultural characteristics during the brand-building process. For example, consumers in the Thai market prioritize luxury and comfort, while those in the Malaysian market may place greater emphasis on the practicality and cost-effectiveness of vehicles.
10:00-10:25
Tea Break
10:25-11:25
Roundtable Forum:Construction and Optimization Pathways for Localized Supply Chains in Southeast Asia
Guest Speakers:
·Martin Knoss, Regional President for Passenger Cars, Commercial Vehicles, and Off-Road Vehicles in the ASEAN Market Segment, Power Solutions Division, Robert Bosch Automotive Technology (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
·Harendra Saksena, Chief Procurement Officer, Ather Energy
·Peter Klöpfer, Senior Manager, Rutronik Elektronische Bauelemente GmbH
·Ma Ming, General Manager, Joyson Safety Systems (Thailand)
Topic Logic:
1. Possibility of Diversified Localized Cooperation Pathways: Under the requirement of a certain average localization rate in various countries, the original industry chain may not fully follow suit.
What is the potential for diversified cooperation among the industry chains of China, Europe, the United States, Japan, and local countries? How do enterprises from various parties view this issue?
2. Unstable Supply Chain: The relatively complex political and economic environment in Southeast Asia may lead to instability in the supply chain.
3. High Logistics Costs: For example, the varying levels of industrial development in different regions of Indonesia can lead to increased costs when transporting goods from one port to another.
11:25-11:55
Roundtable Forum:Southeast Asia Automotive Supply Chain - Import Matters (Services, Pricing, and Feasibility of On-the-Ground Support)
Guest Speakers:
Yi Yanting, VP, SMM Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Topic Logic:
1. Material Pricing: The information asymmetry in the material market in Southeast Asia leads to low price transparency.
How should imported materials be priced after landing? What about service support? What if local materials are even less transparent and not recognized by end-users?
2. Difficulty in Supplier Management: The large number of suppliers in Southeast Asia with varying levels of management can lead to price opacity and instability. For example, some suppliers may adopt a low-price strategy to secure orders but may have hidden risks in product quality and delivery dates.
12:10-14:00
Lunch + Networking Session
14:00-15:00
Roundtable Forum:Research on the Acceleration of Electrification and Localization of Core Components in Thailand
Guest Speakers:
·Xu Xiaolong, Deputy General Manager, Inovance United Power Systems (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
·Ross, Head of a Certain OEM Chip Division
Topic Logic:
1. Accelerated Localization of Core Components and Parts is a Trend: Issues such as government policies in local countries, the supply chain for core components, on-the-ground execution, and talent follow-up.
15:00-15:30
To Be Determined (Guest Speaker)
15:30-16:00
Tea Break
16:00-16:20
To Be Determined (Guest Speaker)
16:20-16:40
To Be Determined (Guest Speaker)
16:40-17:20
Roundtable Forum:Selection of Investment and Factory Construction Models in Southeast Asia: Analysis of the Pros and Cons of Joint Ventures and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries
Topic Logic:
1. Difficulty in Selecting Partners: Under the joint venture model, enterprises need to select suitable partners. However, there may be numerous and uneven partners in Southeast Asia, making it difficult to choose.
For example, some partners may lack technical capabilities or management experience, making it difficult for joint ventures to achieve the expected results.
2. Cultural conflicts: Joint ventures may face the issue of cultural conflicts. For instance, when Chinese enterprises collaborate with local enterprises, differences in management philosophies and work styles due to cultural disparities may lead to unsmooth cooperation.
3. High risks in sole proprietorship: Under the sole proprietorship model, enterprises need to independently bear all risks and challenges. For example, policy changes and market fluctuations may lead to difficulties in the operation of sole proprietorships.
18:30-20:30
Cocktail Dinner
DAY 2
09:00-09:30
Forward-looking Feasibility of Integrated Die Casting in Thailand
09:30-09:20
Roundtable Forum: Logic of Global Market Supporting Orders for Southeast Asia's Local Supply Chain
Discussion Logic:
1. How do customers in markets other than the local market perceive such a large-scale shift in the industry supply chain?
2. What are the new requirements for products or compliance after the shift?
10:20-10:50
Tea Break
10:50-11:40
Roundtable Forum: Possibility of Linkage in Southeast Asia for the Battery Materials Supply Chain - Battery Cell Chemical Materials
Guest Speakers:
·Tony - General Manager, SEVB Technology (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
·Liu Rui - Chairman, Innovatech (Malaysia) New Materials Technology Co., Ltd.
Discussion Logic:
1. Risks of trade barriers: Despite the many advantages in Southeast Asia, uncertainties in the international trade environment may still impact the battery materials supply chain.
For example, trade barriers such as anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations may increase operational costs and market risks for enterprises.
2. Technical standards and certifications: Different countries have varying technical standards and certification requirements for battery products, requiring enterprises to invest more resources to meet market access requirements.
This may pose certain challenges to the layout of the battery materials supply chain in Southeast Asia.
3. Supply chain stability: Relying on local raw material supplies may face risks of supply disruptions or price fluctuations.
Therefore, enterprises need to strengthen supply chain management and risk control to ensure a stable supply of raw materials and cost control.
11:40-13:00
Lunch + Networking Session
14:00-17:30
Automaker Demand Matchmaking Meeting
Scan the QR code to register for the meeting
For queries, please contact Lemon Zhao at lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please email service.en@smm.cn