Toyota to start selling electric vehicle in Thailand

Toyota Motor has announced that it will start selling electric vehicles in Thailand. The Southeast Asian nation is a key overseas market for Japanese carmakers.

Toyota said at an event in Bangkok on Wednesday that the SUV will be a model manufactured in Japan.

The price is set at a little over 1.8 million baht, or roughly 50 thousand dollars when combined with subsidies from the Thai government to promote electric vehicles.

The EV was shown driving through 30-centimeter-deep water to demonstrate it is suitable for Thailand. Roads there are often inundated by heavy rain.

Toyota is also considering producing EVs in Thailand, where it has a 30-percent market share.

But it faces competition from a Chinese firm. Leading EV maker BYD has already unveiled a plan to open a new factory in the country.