BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand will meet senior executives from six major Japanese automakers during a November 18–20 visit to Japan to explain its revised electric vehicle (EV) excise tax structure and outline plans to support the country’s automotive industry.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said the government wants to clarify the decision to raise the excise tax on imported fully electric vehicles (BEVs) and range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs) to 35%. The measure is intended to create fairer competition for manufacturers that have invested in production facilities and created jobs in Thailand.
The Thai delegation, known as Team Thailand, will be led by Ekniti and include representatives from the Board of Investment (BOI), the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Finance, the Customs Department and the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking. More than 40 Thai business representatives are also expected to take part in meetings with Japanese companies across several industries.
The six companies are Toyota, Honda, Isuzu, Mitsubishi Motors, Mazda and Nissan. The meetings will cover government support for the automotive industry, cooperation to improve the capabilities of Thai businesses in the automotive parts supply chain, and the manufacturers’ future investment plans.
The delegation will also hear recommendations from the companies on the transition to modern automotive technologies, with the aim of maintaining confidence in Thailand as a long-term manufacturing and investment base.
The revised excise tax will take effect on January 1, 2027, giving automotive businesses time to adjust their operations and manage existing vehicle inventories. The rate for imported BEVs will rise from 10% to 35%, while imported REEVs will increase from 15% to 35%.
Ekniti said the policy was intended to ensure fair competition for all manufacturers that had invested in production facilities and employed Thai workers, not only Japanese companies. The government wants to support businesses that establish manufacturing operations in Thailand and contribute to the domestic automotive supply chain.
