Toyota wins approval for hydrogen Hilux production in Thailand

Toyota Motor Thailand has secured Board of Investment approval for a THB1.49 billion project to manufacture hydrogen fuel-cell Hilux pick-up trucks in Chachoengsao, with annual production capacity of 3,000 vehicles.

The new production line at Toyota’s Ban Pho plant is expected to begin operating in December 2027. Initial output will be entirely for export, particularly to Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

The Nation reported the approval, citing BOI secretary-general Narit Therdsteerasukdi, who described the project as Thailand’s first production of hydrogen fuel-cell pick-ups. The investment adds another powertrain technology to the country’s established automotive manufacturing base.

Ban Pho prepares for fuel-cell production

Toyota plans to integrate the Hilux Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle, or FCEV, into its existing Hilux production line at Ban Pho rather than build a separate vehicle factory.

The project includes manufacturing upgrades and additional workstations for hydrogen tanks, fuel cells, battery packs, electric motors and power-control systems. A hydrogen refuelling station will also be installed inside the factory to support production and testing.

The planned December 2027 start precedes the model’s scheduled introduction in Europe and Oceania from 2028. The 3,000-vehicle figure represents annual production capacity, rather than a confirmed sales total or a commitment to produce that number in the first year.

The hydrogen model forms part of Toyota’s multi-pathway strategy, under which the company uses different powertrain technologies according to energy supplies, infrastructure and customer requirements in individual markets.

Local sourcing planned at THB640 million a year

For Thai manufacturers and suppliers, the project includes plans to purchase about THB640 million worth of locally produced materials and components annually.

Those purchases are expected to include air-conditioning and cooling systems, seats, wheels and tyres, wiring harnesses and interior components. The sourcing plan therefore extends beyond the specialist fuel-cell equipment being added to the assembly process.

Toyota also plans to develop domestic suppliers, particularly Thai companies, through technology and knowledge transfer covering manufacturing, quality control, safety, environmental management and human-resource development.

The BOI expects that support to help local businesses meet FCEV production requirements and improve their opportunities to enter global automotive supply chains. These are anticipated benefits of the project, rather than outcomes already achieved.

For prospective buyers in Thailand, the announcement sets out an export-first manufacturing plan, not a domestic retail launch. The hydrogen refuelling facility described in the project is intended for factory production and testing.

A further technology for Thailand’s car industry

Narit said the investment demonstrated Thailand’s continuing importance within Toyota’s global manufacturing network, particularly for Hilux production and exports. He pointed to the country’s automotive supply chain and experienced workforce as foundations for adopting more advanced vehicle technologies.

Toyota Motor Thailand was established in 1962 and operates three vehicle plants: Samrong, Gateway and Ban Pho. According to company information cited in the report, they have combined annual production capacity of about 770,000 vehicles, while Toyota employs more than 13,000 people in Thailand.

The BOI’s wider strategy supports multiple powertrain types, including combustion engines, mild hybrids, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery-electric vehicles and FCEVs.

As of September 2026, it had approved investment promotion for 203 projects across Thailand’s electric-vehicle ecosystem, representing combined investment of more than THB141 billion. Those projects cover vehicles, batteries, key components and supporting infrastructure.

The Ban Pho project will add hydrogen fuel-cell production to that mix, with its initial commercial focus on overseas markets and a planned start of operations in late 2027.