The Prime Minister of Thailand has switched to a Chinese electric vehicle.

Ask AI · How should Thailand’s prime minister’s decision to change cars reflect the impact of the energy crisis?

According to a report by People’s Daily on April 5, the 47th Bangkok International Motor Show was held at the Bangkok Impression Exhibition Center in Bangkok, Thailand, from March 25 to April 5. After Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin visited the exhibition areas of Chinese automakers, he said that Chinese brands have strong competitiveness in both technology and pricing, effectively driving the high-quality development of Thailand’s automobile industry.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (left) arrives at the booth of a Chinese automaker. Photo source: People’s Daily Online Southeast Asia

Media previously reported that a scene like no other appeared in front of the office of Thailand’s Prime Minister—Anutin gave up his usual Rolls-Royce and switched to a Chinese BYD electric vehicle for commuting to work. In his earlier public schedule, he also rode in a Zeekr.

Anutin, in an interview, recommended that the public try more electric vehicles, saying that they not only save energy but also have no tailpipe emissions.

Since the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran at the end of February this year, international oil prices have now broken through $110 per barrel. Thailand, which is highly dependent on crude oil imports, saw diesel prices rise by about 30% in just March. With oil and gas prices surging sharply, businesses’ operating costs increasing, and people’s spending power being significantly compressed.

This energy predicament caused by geopolitical conflict is changing people’s transportation choices in the most direct way.

People’s Daily noted that compared with previous years, this year the Bangkok Motor Show attracted clearly more attention for new energy vehicles. The Chinese brand display area was larger, and more categories of cars were on display. On-site visitors lined up to experience test drives, and in some exhibition areas long lines formed in front of the front rows.

In the BYD exhibition area, the “Blade Battery” became the focal point; within the GAC Aion exhibition area, samples of solid-state batteries attracted professional visitors to stop and look; and the Dongfeng Fengxing Letian strengthened the battery pack’s sealing and water-related capability, targeting Thailand’s climate and road conditions…… Chinese automaker brands not only bring the latest complete-vehicle products, but also new energy vehicle technologies and locally tailored product customization solutions, deeply participating in and empowering the local industrial ecosystem.

Rennit, an engineer who has long been keeping track of developments at motor shows, said: “New energy vehicles have already become the absolute ‘main character’ at exhibitions. This year, everyone is paying even more attention to charging technology and driving range.”

Besides Thailand, from Southeast Asia to Europe, and from Latin America to the Middle East, Chinese new energy vehicles have been widely welcomed.

China News Network reported that in Manila, Philippines, a salesperson at a Chinese new energy vehicle dealership said that in March, the number of orders inside the store surged—“in two weeks, it’s as much as one month previously.”

Data released by the Australian Federal Chamber of Automotive Industry also shows that in February this year, cars from China sold 22,362 units in Australia. China became the first country to supply the most new cars on a monthly basis in Australia for the first time, breaking Japan’s long-standing lead position since 1998.

In Brazil, in February this year, Chinese electric vehicles topped Brazil’s retail sales chart for the first time. In the United States, China News Network, citing survey data from Reuters, reported that nearly half of U.S. respondents who plan to buy a car in the next two years believe Chinese cars offer very good or excellent value for money. However, due to policy restrictions, consumers have difficulty buying Chinese electric cars within the U.S.

Source: People’s Daily, China News Service “Sanlitun” column, Reference News