BOI and GWM connect 76 Thai suppliers for global supply chain

• The Thailand Board of Investment and GWM held GWM Sourcing Day on November 11, 2026, at Amari Bangsaen Hotel, Chonburi.
• A total of 76 Thai enterprises were selected out of 203 applicants to pitch and join business matching sessions.
• The initiative aims to boost local content and support manufacturing across 10 vital automotive parts sectors for electric and hybrid vehicles.
• GWM plans to launch more than 10 new vehicle models by 2027 while positioning Thailand as its core export hub.

The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) has partnered with Great Wall Motor (GWM) and tier-1 auto parts manufacturers to host the GWM Sourcing Day, providing a platform for Thai entrepreneurs to negotiate parts procurement and integrate into GWM's global manufacturing network. The event took place on November 11, 2026, at the Amari Bangsaen Hotel in Chonburi province, drawing over 200 participants from 76 qualified companies.

Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of the BOI, stated that the event was organized to allow local operators to review procurement policies and engage in direct business matching with GWM's purchasing division and Tier-1 suppliers. The primary objective is to increase the local content ratio to substitute imports and help Thai manufacturers transition into the supply chains of global automakers during this major industry transformation.

"The BOI is actively coordinating with major investors to host Sourcing Day events, connecting foreign corporate investments with Thai entrepreneurs and ensuring that investment funds truly reach parts suppliers within the supply chain."

Narit Therdsteerasukdi

Event activities featured procurement policy presentations, 71 business matching pairs, and showcases of vehicle samples and parts covering 10 target categories requested by GWM for domestic procurement. These categories include body and coating, chassis, electrical systems, electric vehicle parts, exterior parts, interior and NVH systems, drive batteries, powertrains, thermal management and air conditioning systems, as well as dies, molds, tools, and related services. Additionally, the event opens opportunities for Tier-2 and Tier-3 Thai suppliers to secure future contracts directly or through Tier-1 makers.

According to BOI data, GWM is a leading Chinese automaker with over 1 million global sales for 10 consecutive years. Operating in Thailand since 2020, the company has received investment promotion for 3 projects valued at over 25,000 billion baht, covering Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), and internal combustion engine vehicles. The GWM Smart Factory in Rayong currently employs over 1,100 Thai staff members and serves as the highest-capacity right-hand drive production base with over 80,000 units per year, with plans to scale up production for the ORA, TANK, HAVAL, and POER brands to serve ASEAN and global export markets.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

Wayne, a representative from GWM, added that the company plans to introduce more than 10 new vehicle models encompassing BEVs, PHEVs, HEVs, and diesel by 2027, creating long-term growth opportunities for domestic parts suppliers. GWM is prepared to collaborate with suppliers across four core pillars: procurement excellence, technology and innovation, rigorous quality assurance and process control, and fast, flexible logistics.

Source: Techsauce