Innovations and technologies are considered as the vital mechanism to uplift the economy and Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) is a crucial and strategic economic area that is full of potential megaprojects, new technologies, and investments from various industries. It is perceived by international investors as a great potential for huge investment opportunities. Great Wall Motor (GWM), a “Global Mobility Technology Company” and one of China’s largest corporations, also shares the same view with its trust and confidence in Thailand. The company plans to bring innovations, technologies, and advanced knowledge to drive Thai S-Curve industries, especially in automotive, next-gen innovations, and industrial robotics to take the Thai economy to the next level.​

Thailand’s Eastern Region is one of major economic districts. The Eastern Seaboard, a hub of industrial complexes and large-scale production facilities, is also located in this area. As the world is changing rapidly in the digital era, the EEC is established to further enhance Eastern Seaboard to attract investors and ensure that the Thai industrial sector is developed in accordance with the global standards. This will not only increase the capital flow of the overall economy, but also help sharpen industrial-related knowledge, skills, and create adoption of new innovations and technologies to the Thai people.

EEC as a strategic economic corridor for the Thai and ASEAN economy

The findings of PwC Growth Market Center indicate that the emerging market countries play more important roles in the global economy. ASEAN countries have followed the trend by integrating themselves and adopting the proactive policies to prepare for setting growth strategies for the future. Thus, the EEC is focused on developing fundamental infrastructure—including the 5G technologies, smart logistics, and many more—to support new investments and ensure investors on most effective production costs. Following Thailand’s National Strategy, the EEC aims to strengthen Thailand’s 12 S-Curve Industries where Next-Gen Automotive is considered as one of the significant industries to drive Thailand’s economy.

The latest statistics show that ASEAN countries contribute to 3.6 percent of global GDP and EEC is the largest Special Economic Zone in ASEAN, both in terms of the total budget and the area of 13,266 square kilometer. The EEC spans itself across three provinces---including Rayong, Chonburi, and Chachoengsao—with the total population of three million. The total GDP of these provinces is at THB 2.464 billion, counting as 14 percent of Thailand’s total GDP. This enables EEC to be the potential and attractive economic district for megaproject investments from international investors. The Department of Business Development revealed that Rayong is ranked as the highest investment province from foreign investors who are registered as juristic persons in Thailand with the total investment of THB 399.389 billion , followed by Chonburi and Chachoengsao with the investment of THB 266.457 billion and THB 71.164 billion respectively. Japan, China, and Singapore are the top three countries that put huge investment in Thailand. During January – August 2020, there are 277 projects, with the total investment of THB 106.3 billion, requested for EEC’s Board of Investment (BOI), counting as 51 percent of the country’s total BOI requests.

Strengthening the Thai automotive industr

The automotive industry is one of the outstanding S-Curve industries and Thailand is accounted as the crucial automotive production base, recognized as the 11th largest automotive producer in the world, the 5th in Asia, and the 1st in ASEAN. The total investment in this industry is USD 12.5 billion and the total value of the automotive industry is counted as 10 percent of Thailand’s total GDP.

Great Wall Motor, as one of leading global automotive companies, has a strong confidence in Thailand and aims to build the country as its production base for right-hand driving vehicles in Thailand and ASEAN. The company prepares to set up a “Smart Factory” to develop and upgrade automotive production systems through innovations, technologies, advanced knowledge, and workflow systems. The company also plans to integrate robotic operations and connecting intelligent information systems, crystallized from research, production, procurement, and marketing data, to maximize end-to-end precision and productivity. The robotic system also helps reduce occupational risks and minimize errors from human forces for the work that require precision, and able to allocate human resources for the more meaningful tasks. These are visions that help drive the automotive industry to the future world.

GWM offers potential innovations and technologies that will enhance the Next-Generation Automotive such as:

• The implementation of robotic systems and innovative welding machines in manufacturing process
• The implementation of Lemon Platform, a global high-intelligent modular technology platform with flexibility, for sedans, SUVs, and MPVs of all sizes’ development. The platform enables the vehicles to be lightweight and perform more efficiently while driving.
• The implementation of Tank Platform, a global professional off-road platform with superb capabilities, to serve off-road vehicles production.
• The implementation of Coffee Intelligence, a smart system for “Future Mobility”, that covers Intelligent Cab, Intelligent Driving, and Intelligent Electrical Architecture. It offers convenient and efficient driving experiences with effective internet connections to enhance better connectivity among drivers, passengers, and the vehicles.

Uplifting the Thai workforces to the professional global arena with innovative skillsets and technologies

The investment of Great Wall Motor in Thailand does not only drive Thailand’s automotive technologies and industry forward, but also uplifts workforce ecosystems by upskilling Thai people with advanced knowledge, state-of-the-art innovations, and effective team players working systems. GMW’s upskilling initiatives ensure Thailand has capabilities to handle the growth of the industry and the elevation of the country’s economy.  GWM is committed to expand the business reinforcing trust and reliability to the Thai people with the visions to bring the  best-in-class products and excellent services to serve the Thai people through information, communications, and innovations and  drive Thailand to the future of next-gen vehicle industry.