#Thailand #Changan Automobile #sustainable manufacturing #Rayong #Rayong Thailand

ChangAn's Groundbreaking Facility in Rayong

On May 16, 2025, ChangAn Automobile officially inaugurated its first international manufacturing base for new energy vehicles (NEV) in Rayong, Thailand. This facility marks a pivotal moment in ChangAn's mission to implement sustainable and low-carbon transport technologies while enhancing efficiency, cost management, and product quality.

With its global expansion strategy in full swing, the opening of this facility coincided with a significant milestone—the production of ChangAn's 28.59 millionth vehicle. This new plant serves as a key manufacturing hub, showcasing the company's prowess in product globalization, smart manufacturing, branding, and green digital innovations.

State-of-the-Art Production

The Rayong plant features five advanced intelligent workshops, including areas dedicated to welding, painting, and assembly of engines and batteries. With 90% automation at crucial quality control stations, this facility boasts one of the highest automation rates in Thailand's automotive sector. Additionally, the plant is tailored to incorporate energy-saving and environmentally friendly features aimed at bolstering green development objectives. Notably, a 14 MW photovoltaic system is projected to supply 45% of the plant's electricity, further enhancing its sustainability metrics.

The implementation of advanced manufacturing systems reduces production costs and enables efficient fabrication of high-end vehicles. The welding workshop is equipped with 39 robots utilizing cutting-edge material joining techniques such as FDS, EPS, and SPR, which exceed traditional joining methods in durability. In the painting section, 29 robots apply advanced spraying technologies that extend paint longevity to 15 years while reducing emissions by 40%. Furthermore, the assembly line consists of 140 stations, featuring 18 fully automated and 125 semi-automated setups that allow for the production of diverse models with varying power specifications.

Smart Manufacturing Integrated with AI

ChangAn emphasizes a digital-first approach by employing a full-stack digital ecosystem geared towards real-time operations. This enables the entire manufacturing process to be planned on-the-fly, strengthening supply chain coordination and reducing order delivery cycles from 21 days to just 15. The company has implemented its Quality Assurance Operating System (CAQOS), overseeing quality management across supplier components, vehicle manufacturing, and market services.

The facility employs 77 surveillance cameras and 62 reliable checkpoints to create 71 quality control processes, ensuring comprehensive monitoring of parts, production, and post-market services. Furthermore, ChangAn plans to localize 80% of its manufacturing in Rayong, contributing to the creation of 30,000 jobs while facilitating low-carbon growth and talent development for Thailand's green transition.

Vision for the Future

Positioning itself as a pivotal player in Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, ChangAn aims to surpass 5 million global sales and achieve 3 million sales of new energy vehicles by 2030. To support this ambitious plan, the company will introduce 12 new energy models over the next three years, enhancing its AI capabilities as well.

The new Rayong parts center will bolster right-hand drive markets with round-the-clock delivery services, thus reinforcing ChangAn’s commitment to efficient operations.

Shen Xinghua, Managing Director of ChangAn Automobile Southeast Asia, reflected on this achievement, stating, "After 556 days of hard work and the dedication of over 2,000 global partners, we've built a factory that is efficient, state-of-the-art, and intelligent. We are here to stay. Together, we will help shape a cleaner, smarter, and stronger automotive future—first for Thailand, then for the world."