The 2nd Southeast Asia-China New Energy Vehicle Industry Conference was held on 26-27 September, Bangkok, Thailand. The event brought together government representatives, industry experts, and business leaders from China, ASEAN, and beyond to discuss key topics including electric vehicles (EVs), battery technology, smart manufacturing, and charging infrastructure.
Wallace Bie, Comau Head of Marketing APAC, delivered a keynote speech titled “Comau End-to-End Smart Manufacturing Solutions for New Energy Vehicles”, showcasing the company’s innovative contributions and global strategies in the new energy vehicle sector.
As the largest automotive manufacturer and exporter in ASEAN, Thailand is rapidly transitioning from traditional internal combustion engine vehicles to EVs. This initiative highlights the future direction of Thailand’s automotive industry and the growing demand for technology and infrastructure related to EV manufacturing.
Increasing investment by Chinese original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in production facilities in Thailand is further strengthening the EV supply chain and deepening industrial collaboration between China and Thailand. In 2023, Thailand produced 1.84 million vehicles and exported more than 1.1 million.
Although production in 2024 is down by 20 percent compared to the first half of 2023, this country plays a key role in global vehicle production and exports, laying a solid foundation for the growth of the electric vehicle industry (sources: CEIC, Marklines, Reuters).
Amid this market transformation, Comau has quickly secured a competitive position in the EV manufacturing sector by leveraging its advanced automation technologies and extensive engineering expertise. The company’s global operations and agile customer service capabilities enable it to swiftly adapt to the evolving needs of the Southeast Asian market.
Over the past five years, Comau China has delivered more than 20 large-scale projects across 12 countries, reflecting the company’s global reach and execution strength. Its innovative solutions are pivotal in driving technological advancements and enhancing efficiency in EV manufacturing, aligning seamlessly with the increasing adoption of EVs in the ASEAN region.
Comau’s expertise in the EV industry spans critical processes, including body assembly, electric drive systems, and battery manufacturing. In body assembly, Comau’s advanced technologies, such as OpenGate and ComauFlex, are designed to provide customers with modular and automated production lines for efficient and flexible manufacturing.
Comau also brings extensive experience in electric drive systems, including hairpin technology, (recently launched in a successful event at Comau Headquarters in Shanghai) stator and rotor assembly, motor assembly, electric drive system final assembly, and end-of-line (EOL) testing, achieving comprehensive coverage and technical optimization. Comau has strategically addressed emerging challenges within battery manufacturing through the seamless integration of its proprietary laser welding, advanced vision systems, and Machine Inspection Recognition Archetypes (MI.RA) technology.
This approach has allowed the development of cutting-edge automated systems for the production of cells, modules, and battery packs with unparalleled efficiency and accuracy. Comau’s 360° portfolio covers a wide range of products, processes, and technologies that cater to every stage of the battery manufacturing process.
From prototyping and pre-production to mass manufacturing and even end-of-life battery recycling, Comau offers industry-leading solutions that ensure seamless operations and maximize output. Committed to innovation and quality, Comau provides customized technical solutions tailored to the ASEAN market. By collaborating with key partners, Comau aims to support the growth of the region’s EV industry while contributing to carbon reduction efforts and promoting sustainable development globally.