Di Yi Cai Jing·2025-10-03 06:21Core Viewpoint - Chinese home appliance leaders are increasing investments in Thailand and Southeast Asia to navigate the complex and changing trade environment by deepening their global presence [1][3][5] Group 1: Investment and Expansion - Haier Group has launched its smart air conditioning factory in Thailand, which began construction a year ago and commenced operations on September 23 this year [3] - Hisense has initiated the construction of its largest overseas industrial park in Thailand, with an initial investment of 4.7 billion Thai Baht (over 1 billion RMB) [3][6] - Midea Group is also enhancing its supply chain layout in Thailand this year, while Gree Electric's subsidiary is focused on producing and selling refrigeration components in Thailand [3][5] Group 2: Strategic Considerations - Thailand is the second-largest air conditioning manufacturing base globally, benefiting from good Sino-Thai relations and multiple free trade agreements, which facilitate exports to the EU and the US [5][8] - The establishment of local production bases in Thailand allows Chinese companies to respond quickly to Southeast Asian market demands and mitigate tariff barriers [5][8] Group 3: Production Capacity and Technology - Haier's Thai factory covers approximately 324,000 square meters with a planned annual production capacity of 6 million units, serving both Southeast Asian and global markets [5][6] - Hisense's HHA smart manufacturing park aims for an annual production capacity of 12 million units by 2030, with an estimated annual output value of 100 billion Thai Baht (approximately 21.97 billion RMB) [6] - The trend towards "green" and "smart" manufacturing is evident, with companies adopting eco-friendly refrigerants and advanced technologies to enhance efficiency and reduce carbon emissions [6][8] Group 4: Local Supply Chain Development - There is a need to improve the local supply chain in Thailand to meet the origin requirements for exports and to keep production costs competitive [8][9] - Midea has been actively engaging with local suppliers to enhance the procurement of components, aiming to generate over 1.5 billion Thai Baht in parts sales [9] - Gree Electric is transitioning from an agency model to independent operations in Thailand, focusing on establishing a comprehensive overseas manufacturing and sales network [9][10]