CEO vows to support affected users
After some of its traders offered sizable discounts, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin called on BYD, China’s electric vehicle manufacturer, to ensure security and a proper costs scheme for consumers, leaving customers who had purchased the vehicles before the refund plan feeling” short-changed.”
Mr. Srettha instructed BYD Chief Executive Wang Chuanfu to better control the cost of ownership and protect local customers during a courtesy phone on Friday from the top.
Mr. Wang was in Thailand on Thursday to inaugurate the second South Asian factory for the company in Rayong.
The company was also instructed by the prime minister to make the most of the Thai supply chains and ensure the highest outcome possible in accordance with the government’s recommendations.
Mr. Wang provided assurances that the company may find solutions for the company’s customers and that upcoming pricing would be reasonable.
He claimed that the business has given the Thai business a lot of importance. He claimed that BYD has used innovative systems for creation and has manufactured a number of auto parts at its shop in Thailand.
According to Mr. Wang, the shop has a 150, 000 EV manufacturing capacity each year and will take about two years to reach its full potential. He added that the business is prepared to invest more money and employ more people there.
Ford authorities in Thailand and its only seller, Rever Automotive, which has a community of over 100 retailers, did not immediately respond to Reuters ‘ messages seeking comment.
After a problem claimed a sales representative had claimed the company’s car would increase after a lowering campaign was over, the government launched an investigation into BYD’s dealers.
After receiving complaints about BYD dealers ‘ aggressive discounting that have caused some customers to feel they overpaid for their Chinese EVs, the Office of the Consumer Protection Board ( OCPB) has launched a probe.
Some Ford owners in Thailand expressed anger on social media that they had been left feeling unsatisfied by the company’s extensive discounting.
” Nothing hurts more than this”, said one user on Facebook, explaining that a BYD Atto 3 auto she had bought for 1.19 million baht was then selling for 859, 000 baht.
Another angry owner posted a picture of himself writing disparaging remarks on the cap of his electric vehicle, including,” I am always buying this car brand once.”
According to Rever’s website, some models are now being discounted by up to 340, 000 Baht as of yesterday.
The OCPB’s senior official, Passakorn Thapmongkol, confirmed to Reuters that the organization had met with Rever officers and requested documents related to the discounting system. ” More consumers are steadily coming in to report issues”, Mr Passakorn added.
The OCPB’s secretary-general, Thasornatt Thanittipun, stated that the organization will contact the seller and the impacted consumers to provide information and resolve their dispute.
” First, a private business has the right to start a discounting system. However, he said,” we will have to look into the issue and learn from both sides because we have received problems from customers.”
Wissanu Wongsinsirikul, director- standard of the Trade Competition Commission, said that if products are sold below manufacturing costs without great business reasons, this may violate the Trade Competition Act.
However, he claimed that it should not be prohibited to sell for steep discounts when they are offered on company grounds, such as when traders discount old designs to make room for new ones.
Thailand is BYD’s largest marketplace outside China, which is crucial to its plans to expand internationally, especially in the midst of the EU’s 17.4 % tariffs on the manufacturer.
The manufacturer is the third-largest person in customer cars, having commanded a 46 % share of Thailand’s EV market in the first quarter, according to research firm Opposition.