Thailand Eyes EV and Hybrid Car Parts Exports to German Market
Thailand's government is pushing exports of electric and hybrid vehicle parts to Germany, where the automotive market is shifting away from traditional engines. Thai suppliers must meet strict environmental standards and safety certificatio
Thailand's Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) has identified opportunities to export electric vehicle and hybrid car components to Germany. DITP Director Sunantha Kangwalkulgij said the ministry has instructed commercial attachés worldwide to accelerate Thai product and service exports, following Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachai Suthumpandi's policy. The Bangkok Trade Office in Berlin recently reported findings from a survey of Germany's automotive parts market and export prospects for Thai components.
The survey found that while internal combustion engine parts remain in demand in Germany, the market is transitioning to hybrid systems. Suppliers must maintain existing gasoline engine parts inventory while simultaneously stocking electric vehicle components to meet growing EV demand. Consumer behavior shows Germans prioritize price transparency, supplier reliability comparisons, and competitive pricing due to ongoing inflation. Sustainability, carbon emissions data, and recyclability are also increasingly important.
Sunantha stated that Thailand, long an internal combustion engine parts manufacturer, faces challenges from this automotive market shift and must adapt by positioning itself as a regional EV manufacturing hub. With major Chinese automakers establishing production in Thailand and a growing battery and electronics component industry emerging, export opportunities to Germany will follow—but only if environmental, social, and governance standards are rigorously met.
Product safety and certification (E-mark) are mandatory for parts affecting vehicle safety or the environment, such as brakes, lights, tires, and windshields. Exports must comply strictly with customs procedures. Thai businesses should participate in trade shows to introduce products, including WM Werkstattmesse in Berlin (April 24–26, 2025), Dortmund (September 4–6, 2025), and Munich (October 16–18, 2025), as well as Automechanika Frankfurt (September 8–12, 2025), a leading international automotive parts trade show, and AAGtechnika 2025 in Münster (October 24–25, 2025), which targets independent parts retailers and repair shops.
