(Yicai) July 19 -- GAC Aion, the electric vehicle marque of Chinese carmaker GAC Group, said its first overseas factory in Thailand has become operational.

The THB2.3 billion (USD63.5 million) plant in Rayong province went live on July 17, with GAC Aion's new Aion V model rolling off the assembly line, the firm announced on the same day. The first phase will have an output of 50,000 units a year, which can gradually increase to 100,000, it added.

Chinese carmakers SAIC Motor, Great Wall Motor, BYD, and Hozon Auto previously built factories in Thailand, while Chery Automobile and Changan Automobile also plan to construct plants there.

The new facility is a semi-knocked down factory that can co-produce multiple Aion models, including the second-generation Aion V, Aion Y Plus, and Hyper HT, the Guangzhou-based company noted.

Srettha Thavisin, prime minister of Thailand, thanked GAC Aion for choosing to build its first overseas EV plant in the country during a meeting with GAC Group's Chairman Zeng Qinghong yesterday. He invited the carmaker to buy parts and components locally to help Thai suppliers develop and enhance their position in the global EV supply chain.

GAC Aion can consider setting up a research and development center in Thailand, Thavisin noted, adding that the Thai Board of Investment is prepared for continued coordination.

GAC Aion has also developed a cooperation model for Chinese and Thai schools and enterprises and opened a talent training base on July 1 to support cultivating new energy vehicle talents in Thailand.

GAC Aion's second overseas plant in Indonesia will likely be completed and become operational by the end of this year. GAC Group covers 65 overseas markets, including Malaysia and Singapore, with its exports surging 190 percent to 68,000 units in the six months ended June 30 from a year earlier.

Editor: Martin Kadiev