BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) says German demand for electric vehicle (EV) components is creating new export opportunities for Thai manufacturers, although companies must meet stringent European quality, safety and sustainability standards to compete successfully. The findings follow a market assessment by the Thai Trade Office in Berlin, which examined Germany’s rapidly evolving automotive parts sector as the country transitions from traditional combustion engines to hybrid and electric vehicles.
DITP Director-General Sunanta Kangvalkulkij said the survey shows that demand for internal combustion engine (ICE) components remains strong, but the market is increasingly shifting toward hybrid vehicles, requiring suppliers to maintain conventional product lines while expanding inventories of EV components. The report also found that German consumers have become more price-conscious amid persistent inflation while placing greater emphasis on transparency, sustainability, carbon emissions reporting and recyclable products when choosing automotive parts.
Sunanta said Thailand, long recognized as a major manufacturer of conventional automotive components, must adapt to changing global demand by strengthening its position as a regional production hub for electric vehicles and advanced automotive parts. She noted that major Chinese automakers establishing manufacturing bases in Thailand, together with expanding domestic production of batteries and electronic components, provide a solid platform for increasing exports of EV parts to Germany and other European markets. However, exporters must comply with Germany’s strict environmental, social and governance (ESG) requirements, while ensuring products meet European safety regulations. Components affecting vehicle safety, including brakes, lighting systems, tyres and windshields, must obtain mandatory E-Mark certification before entering the German market.
The department also advised Thai companies to use international trade exhibitions to introduce their products and build business relationships with European buyers. Recommended events include the WM Werkstattmesse automotive aftermarket exhibitions in Berlin, Dortmund and Munich, Automechanika Frankfurt, one of the world’s leading automotive aftermarket trade fairs, and AAGtechnika in Münster, which focuses on independent automotive parts retailers and repair workshops. DITP said participation in these exhibitions can help Thai businesses better understand market requirements, showcase new technologies and expand export opportunities as Germany’s automotive industry continues its transition toward cleaner mobility.
