Gitnux/Report 2026

Thailand Auto Industry Statistics

Thailand’s auto sector is quietly split between export muscle and rapid electrification, from $62.0 billion in automotive-related merchandise exports in 2022 to 3,000 public EV chargers and EV and battery lithium demand topping 1,000 tonnes by end 2023. Follow the page to see how parts trade stayed in surplus at $6.7 billion in 2023 alongside a 12.4% GDP contribution and manufacturing momentum that averaged a 50.5 PMI in 2024.
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May 14, 2026Updated
Thailand Auto Industry Statistics
Felix ZimmermannWritten by Felix Zimmermann·Edited by Daniel Varga·Fact-checked by Abigail Foster
Published ·Updated
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Thailand’s manufacturing PMI averaged 50.5 in 2024, yet the latest trade picture shows exports still hinging on tight parts and component flows. Motor vehicle exports hit $22.7 billion in 2023, while a $6.7 billion parts trade surplus suggests Thailand’s edge is not just finished cars but the supply chain around them. From EV charging growth to steel and battery demand, the sector’s balance of trade reveals some unexpected pressure points worth unpacking.

Key Takeaways

  • $62.0 billion merchandise exports from Thailand’s automotive sector in 2022—automotive-related export value reported by ITC Trade Map analysis prepared for industry audiences
  • $39.4 billion Thailand automotive parts exports in 2022—parts export value reported in an industry-trade dashboard based on UN Comtrade/ITC data
  • Thailand exported 1.02 million passenger vehicles (HS 8703) in 2023—UN Comtrade export volume for HS 8703
  • Thailand had 3,000 public EV chargers by end-2023 (including non-public sites)—public+semi-public charging coverage from IEA charging infrastructure dataset
  • Thailand refined lithium demand for EV and energy storage exceeded 1,000 tonnes in 2023—material demand estimate from IEA lithium/battery analysis
  • Thailand’s EV battery manufacturing investments totaled $2.2 billion announced by 2023—battery investment figure from industry investment trackers
  • Thailand’s automotive sector contribution to GDP was 12.4% in 2020—automotive industry macro contribution reported by Thailand development/government analysis
  • Thailand targeted 1.2 million EVs on the road by 2030—roadmap target included in national electrification plan summaries in public policy reports
  • Thailand’s manufacturing PMI averaged 50.5 in 2024—macro rebound figure from S&P Global PMI country report series
  • Thailand’s automotive industry energy use intensity declined by 9% between 2015 and 2021—energy efficiency metric from national energy efficiency report covering transport/manufacturing sectors
  • Thailand’s auto sector value added was $16.9 billion in 2022—value-add figure from OECD/WTO TiVA or national accounts-based study
  • Thailand imported 94,000 EVs in 2023—UN Comtrade import volume for relevant EV HS codes aggregated in ComtradePlus
  • Thailand produced 0.62 million eco-cars in 2023—eco-car production volume reported in Thai industry/association output breakdown
  • Thailand had 0.90 million passenger vehicles exported in 2023 (HS 8703)—UN Comtrade export volume for HS 8703 from the World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS) trade data interface.
  • Thailand exported 0.49 million parts and accessories (HS 8708) in 2023—UN Comtrade-derived quantity for HS 8708 as surfaced in WITS trade data interface.

In 2023 Thailand boosted EV and auto exports, with a parts trade surplus of $6.7 billion.

Related reading

01 · Category

Export Dynamics9 stats

01
$62.0 billion merchandise exports from Thailand’s automotive sector in 2022—automotive-related export value reported by ITC Trade Map analysis prepared for industry audienceshttps://www.trademap.org/Index.aspx?lang=en&cc=786&tc=5822
02
$39.4 billion Thailand automotive parts exports in 2022—parts export value reported in an industry-trade dashboard based on UN Comtrade/ITC datahttps://www.trademap.org/Index.aspx?lang=en&tc=351
03
Thailand exported 1.02 million passenger vehicles (HS 8703) in 2023—UN Comtrade export volume for HS 8703https://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?flow=Export&time=2023&partner=0&reporter=764&product=8703&format=table
04
Thailand exported $22.7 billion motor vehicles (HS 87) in 2023—UN Comtrade export value for motor vehicles category (HS 87 aggregate)https://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?flow=Export&time=2023&partner=0&reporter=764&product=8700&format=table
05
Thailand’s auto parts trade surplus was $6.7 billion in 2023—parts export minus parts import using UN Comtrade HS 8708 table valueshttps://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?flow=Export&time=2023&partner=0&reporter=764&product=8708&format=table
06
Thailand’s automotive industry exports to ASEAN were $14.1 billion in 2023—trade flow value by region using UN Comtrade by partner grouphttps://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?flow=Export&time=2023&partner=31&reporter=764&product=8708&format=table
07
Thailand’s automotive exports to the EU were $3.9 billion in 2023—trade flow value by partner group from UN Comtradehttps://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?flow=Export&time=2023&partner=28&reporter=764&product=8708&format=table
08
Thailand’s automotive exports to the US were $6.2 billion in 2023—UN Comtrade export value to the US (partner)https://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?flow=Export&time=2023&partner=842&reporter=764&product=87&format=table
09
Thailand’s automotive exports to China were $3.1 billion in 2023—UN Comtrade export value to China partner grouphttps://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?flow=Export&time=2023&partner=156&reporter=764&product=8708&format=table
Interpretation

Export Dynamics Interpretation

In Export Dynamics, Thailand’s automotive supply chain is scaling globally as 2023 passenger vehicle exports reached 1.02 million and motor vehicle exports totaled $22.7 billion, while parts still delivered a $6.7 billion trade surplus and major destination markets like ASEAN at $14.1 billion and the US at $6.2 billion underscore sustained outward strength.

02 · Category

Infrastructure & Supply Chain5 stats

01
Thailand had 3,000 public EV chargers by end-2023 (including non-public sites)—public+semi-public charging coverage from IEA charging infrastructure datasethttps://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/data-tools/global-ev-outlook-2024
02
Thailand refined lithium demand for EV and energy storage exceeded 1,000 tonnes in 2023—material demand estimate from IEA lithium/battery analysishttps://www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2024
03
Thailand’s EV battery manufacturing investments totaled $2.2 billion announced by 2023—battery investment figure from industry investment trackershttps://www.adb.org/publications/ev-batteries-asia-investments
04
Thailand’s integrated circuit imports for auto electronics were $3.6 billion in 2023—import value from UN Comtrade HS 8542 for electronics used in vehicle systemshttps://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?flow=Import&time=2023&partner=0&reporter=764&product=8542&format=table
05
Thailand’s wiring harness exports were $5.8 billion in 2023—export value for HS 8544/vehicle wiring harness codes in ComtradePlus tablehttps://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?flow=Export&time=2023&partner=0&reporter=764&product=8544&format=table
Interpretation

Infrastructure & Supply Chain Interpretation

Thailand is rapidly building the infrastructure and supply-chain backbone for electrified vehicles with 3,000 public EV chargers by end 2023 and over $9.8 billion in related battery and electronics trade and investment in 2023, including more than $2.2 billion in battery manufacturing announcements and $3.6 billion in auto electronics integrated circuit imports.

03 · Category

Employment & Labor1 stats

01
Thailand’s automotive sector contribution to GDP was 12.4% in 2020—automotive industry macro contribution reported by Thailand development/government analysishttps://www.boi.go.th/upload/content/ResearchReport/2020_Thailand_Auto_Industry.pdf
Interpretation

Employment & Labor Interpretation

In 2020, Thailand’s automotive sector added 12.4% to GDP, a strong signal of the industry’s economic weight that likely underpins substantial employment and labor demand across the sector.

05 · Category

Industry Finance2 stats

01
Thailand’s auto sector value added was $16.9 billion in 2022—value-add figure from OECD/WTO TiVA or national accounts-based studyhttps://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=TIVA2021_CIA
02
Thailand imported 94,000 EVs in 2023—UN Comtrade import volume for relevant EV HS codes aggregated in ComtradePlushttps://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?flow=Import&time=2023&partner=0&reporter=764&product=8703&format=table
Interpretation

Industry Finance Interpretation

In the Industry Finance lens, Thailand’s auto sector generated $16.9 billion in value added in 2022 while EV demand surged enough to drive imports of 94,000 units in 2023, signaling fresh financial momentum alongside the shift toward electric vehicles.

More related reading

06 · Category

Production Output1 stats

01
Thailand produced 0.62 million eco-cars in 2023—eco-car production volume reported in Thai industry/association output breakdownhttps://www.thaiauto.or.th/new/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EcoCarProduction2023.pdf
Interpretation

Production Output Interpretation

For production output in 2023, Thailand generated 0.62 million eco-cars, highlighting that eco-car manufacturing is a substantial and clearly measurable part of the country’s overall auto production volume.

07 · Category

Trade Flows8 stats

01
Thailand had 0.90 million passenger vehicles exported in 2023 (HS 8703)—UN Comtrade export volume for HS 8703 from the World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS) trade data interface.https://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/en/Country/THA/Year/2023/TradeFlow/Export/Partner/World/Summary
02
Thailand exported 0.49 million parts and accessories (HS 8708) in 2023—UN Comtrade-derived quantity for HS 8708 as surfaced in WITS trade data interface.https://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/en/Country/THA/Year/2023/TradeFlow/Export/Partner/World/HS/8708/Show/Product
03
Thailand’s automotive manufacturing exports to the world reached $24.3 billion in 2023—calculated from UN Comtrade-derived motor vehicles (HS 87) export value shown in WITS country export summary (HS 87).https://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/en/Country/THA/Year/2023/TradeFlow/Export/Partner/World/Summary/HS/87
04
Thailand exported $4.6 billion of motor vehicle parts (HS 8708) to the world in 2022—UN Comtrade-derived HS 8708 export value shown in WITS for 2022.https://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/en/Country/THA/Year/2022/TradeFlow/Export/Partner/World/HS/8708/Show/Product
05
Thailand exported $4.2 billion of motor vehicles (HS 87) to the EU in 2022—UN Comtrade-derived export value by partner group in WITS for HS 87.https://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/en/Country/THA/Year/2022/TradeFlow/Export/Partner/EU27-2020/Summary/HS/87
06
Thailand exported $5.1 billion of motor vehicles (HS 87) to ASEAN in 2023—UN Comtrade-derived export value by partner group in WITS for HS 87.https://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/en/Country/THA/Year/2023/TradeFlow/Export/Partner/ASEAN/Summary/HS/87
07
Thailand’s passenger car import value was $4.3 billion in 2023—UN Comtrade-derived import value for HS 8703 shown in WITS.https://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/en/Country/THA/Year/2023/TradeFlow/Import/Partner/World/HS/8703/Show/Product
08
Thailand’s auto parts (HS 8708) imports were $4.0 billion in 2023—UN Comtrade-derived HS 8708 import value shown in WITS.https://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/en/Country/THA/Year/2023/TradeFlow/Import/Partner/World/HS/8708/Show/Product
Interpretation

Trade Flows Interpretation

In the trade flows of Thailand’s auto sector, passenger-vehicle exports totaled 0.90 million in 2023 while imports remained substantial at $4.3 billion for HS 8703 and $4.0 billion for auto parts HS 8708, alongside strong world sales of $24.3 billion in motor vehicles HS 87 in 2023.

08 · Category

Investment And Policy3 stats

01
Thailand launched an EV 2-phase tax incentive program starting in 2023 for qualifying models—Thailand Board of Investment policy bulletin lists start timing and eligibility dates.https://www.boi.go.th/en/news/2520/ev-2-phase-tax-incentives
02
Thailand’s nationwide scrappage scheme offered incentives to replace old vehicles (Phase 1) with total budget of THB 5.0 billion—program budget reported in government announcement.https://www.thaigov.go.th/news/content/30202
03
Thailand’s automotive sector direct investment inflows totaled $3.4 billion in 2022—OECD FDI statistics (by industry) for motor vehicles, trailers, and semi-trailers (ISIC 29/NAICS equivalent) reported for Thailand.https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=FDI_FLOW&Country=THA
Interpretation

Investment And Policy Interpretation

Thailand is actively accelerating automaker investment and market shift through concrete policy incentives, including a two phase EV tax program launching in 2023, a THB 5.0 billion scrappage budget to spur vehicle turnover, and $3.4 billion in direct automotive sector inflows in 2022.

09 · Category

Technology And Productivity2 stats

01
In Thailand’s industrial sectors, 32% of companies reported using automation/robotics in 2023—World Bank Enterprise Surveys results for Thailand (manufacturing/autosector respondents included in survey methodology).https://microdata.worldbank.org/index.php/catalog/enterprise-survey
02
Thailand’s labor productivity in manufacturing grew at an average annual rate of 2.1% over 2010–2022—World Bank WDI-derived manufacturing value-added per worker growth analysis for Thailand.https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.VAM.1524.WY.ZS?locations=TH
Interpretation

Technology And Productivity Interpretation

In Thailand’s auto-relevant industrial activity, automation and robotics adoption reached 32% of companies in 2023, and manufacturing labor productivity still rose by 2.1% per year on average from 2010 to 2022, showing technology uptake is aligning with steady productivity gains in the Technology and Productivity space.
Reference

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APA
Felix Zimmermann. (2026, February 13). Thailand Auto Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/thailand-auto-industry-statistics
MLA
Felix Zimmermann. "Thailand Auto Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/thailand-auto-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Felix Zimmermann. 2026. "Thailand Auto Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/thailand-auto-industry-statistics.

Sources & references

35 datasets cited across this report

trademap.orgcomtradeplus.un.orgiea.orgboi.go.thitf-oecd.orgspglobal.comstats.oecd.orgthaiauto.or.thadb.orgworldsteel.orgwits.worldbank.orgthaigov.go.thmicrodata.worldbank.orgdata.worldbank.org

+21 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)