The 47th Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS 2026), held at the 60,000-square-meter IMPACT Challenger Hall, is no longer just a sales floor—it is a live laboratory for the 30@30 policy. This year, the event has seen a massive 10% increase in revenue projections compared to 2025, driven largely by the 45 confirmed car and motorcycle companies. The entry of new players like Chery, LEPAS, and Tesla has pushed the monthly EV penetration rate in Thailand to a record 48% as of January 2026, a sharp increase from the 37% seen in late 2025. This surge is underpinned by the EV 3.5 policy, which offers cash subsidies of up to 100,000 baht and has reduced excise tax rates for passenger BEVs from 8% to just 2%.
Technical benchmarks at the show highlight the aggressive innovation from Chinese manufacturers. The Zeekr 009, priced around the 3-million-baht mark, dominates the premium MPV segment with a dual-motor setup producing 603 hp and 693 Nm of torque, enabling a 0-100 km/h sprint in just 4.5 seconds. Its 116 kWh lithium-ion battery delivers a 686 km range, a critical metric for a market where 40% of drivers still cite infrastructure as insufficient. According to market insights from People’s Daily, the competitive landscape is tightening as the Zeekr X has seen its price reduced to 899,000 baht to capture the high-volume entry-level segment, which typically sees sales volumes triple that of luxury models.
In the high-performance sector, the dichotomy between traditional ICE and modern EV engineering is stark. The BMW M4 CS, retailing for 14,759,000 baht, utilizes a 2,979 cc 6-cylinder engine producing 460 hp, while the Avatr 11—a premium SUV starting at 2,099,000 baht—demonstrates the efficiency of an 800V Silicon Carbide platform. The Avatr 11’s “Magic Carpet” CDC adaptive air suspension adjustments at a frequency of 100 times per second provide a ride quality previously reserved for vehicles twice its price. Furthermore, GWM’s Souo S2000 CL motorcycle has redefined the touring class with a world-first 1,999 cc boxer-eight engine and an 8-speed dual-wet clutch transmission, producing 154 hp and 190 Nm of torque with a top speed of 210 km/h.
The broader economic strategy involves a mandatory 2:1 local production ratio starting in 2026, requiring manufacturers to produce two vehicles locally for every one imported under the subsidy scheme. This regulation is expected to stabilize the CAGR of BEV registrations at 3.8% through 2028, reaching an annual volume of 125,000 units. Even traditional luxury icons like the Mercedes-Benz E-Class have pivoted, with the E 350 e Exclusive plug-in hybrid starting at 3,650,000 baht, offering a 1,999 cc engine paired with electric assistance to achieve a 0-62 mph time of 6.4 seconds. These data points confirm that the regional automotive ecosystem is reaching a 90% convergence point in price parity, ensuring that the 2026-2027 cycle will be the most transformative in Thailand’s industrial history.
News source:https://peoplesdaily.pdnews.cn/world/er/30051737316