Amid the global automotive industry’s transition into the era of AI, EV, and Smart Mobility, the Thailand Automotive Institute (TAI), in collaboration with RX BITEC, has announced its readiness to organize “Automotive Summit 2026” under the theme “Smart Mobility – Smarter is the Future”. The summit aims to equip Thai entrepreneurs to embrace emerging opportunities and challenges in the future automotive industry. The event will take place from 17–18 June 2026 at BITEC, Bangkok.
Dr. Kriengsak Wongpromrat, President of the TAI, stated that despite multiple challenges, Thailand continues to maintain its strong position as the world’s 11th-largest automotive producer, 5th in Asia, and No.1 in ASEAN. In 2025, Thailand’s automotive production reached 1.45 million units, representing a slight decline of around 1% from the previous year, with more than 20% being xEV vehicles. Domestic sales reached 620,000 units, up 9%, of which 44% were xEVs, while exports totaled 927,000 units, down 9% year-on-year.
The first quarter of 2026 has shown signs of recovery, with vehicle production reaching 370,000 units, an increase of 5%. Domestic sales rose by 19%, while exports stood at 220,000 units, decreasing by 2%. The industry’s target for 2026 remains at 1.45 million units produced, comprising 550,000 domestic sales and 950,000 export units. Meanwhile, Thailand’s battery electric vehicle (BEV) market experienced exponential growth, driven by the government’s EV 3.0 and EV 3.5 incentive measures. Domestic BEV production surged to 70,914 units last year, increasing sixfold from the previous year, while BEV sales climbed 81% to 121,415 units.
Thailand’s automotive industry is now entering the Smart Mobility era in full force. This transformation is reflected in the increasing adoption of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in new vehicle models, alongside the implementation of Global Safety Regulations (GSR) in major export markets aiming toward the “Vision Zero” goal of eliminating road fatalities by 2050. These developments are aligned with Deloitte’s consumer survey, which found that Thai consumers place high importance on product quality and smart technologies at 62% and 59%, respectively.
To support this transformation, the TAI will present Thailand’s future mobility roadmap through four key dimensions: Safety, Convenience, Cost Efficiency, and Sustainability — concepts that are becoming increasingly important worldwide. Automotive Summit 2026 will be conducted primarily in Thai, with selected sessions in English, across these four key dimensions, featuring over 20 seminar sessions under four thematic pillars:
Theme 1: Smarter is Safer
Exploring smart technologies that enhance transportation safety, including Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), AI sensor technologies for cabin components such as seats and seat belts, and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) communication systems aimed at minimizing accidents and establishing future safety standards. Key seminar sessions include:
- “Driving Safer Roads: Smart Mobility Solutions for Thailand’s Traffic Challenges”
- “How Smart Passive Safety Systems Save Lives”
- “Safety Standards and Future Mobility”
- Including a panel discussion “Is Thailand Ready for Next-Gen Safety Technology?” which will bring together leading experts from both the public and private sectors to discuss Thailand’s readiness for the upcoming transformation from multiple perspectives.
Theme 2: Smarter is Pleasure
Focusing on technologies that elevate the travel experience for greater convenience; smart connectivity systems, real-time communication systems, smart cabins, mobility platforms that meet the needs of digital lifestyle; including advanced engineering design innovations such as:
- “Crafting Memorable Experiences through Engineering Design”
- “Smooth Driving Technologies for Smart Mobility”
- “Personalization through AI & Data”
- Including sessions focusing on consumer perspectives on future mobility under the topic “Shaping the Future of Mobility through Consumer Insight”
Theme 3: Smarter is Saver
Highlighting technologies that improve energy efficiency and intelligent systems to optimize operational costs in both manufacturing and real-world applications. The program will also explore innovative designs for sustainable mobility systems, data analytics systems to improve transportation efficiency, and the application of X-in-the-Loop technologies to accelerate automotive development, with featured topics including:
- “Cutting Edge Designs for Sustainable Mobility”
- “System Integration for Cost Optimization in Smart Mobility”
- “How X-in-the-Loop can Shorten Automotive Product Development”
- “Predictive Maintenance & Cost Optimization in Smart Mobility”
Theme 4: Smarter is Greener
Approaches to developing the automotive industry toward sustainability through clean technologies, greenhouse gas emission reduction, alternative energy, and environmentally friendly automotive ecosystems; driving the transportation sector toward net-zero carbon emissions in support of Net Zero targets; efficient energy management across all vehicle platforms; and comprehensive EV battery life cycle management to support the future green economy. Interesting topics include:
- “Can Smart Technology Deliver Net Zero Transport?”
- “Maximizing Energy Management Across Vehicle Platforms”
- “EV Battery Life Cycle Engineering”
Dr. Kriengsak added that Automotive Summit 2026 is expected to become more than an academic conference. It will serve as a driving force in fostering collaboration among government agencies, the industrial sector, educational institutions, and entrepreneurs to jointly drive Thailand’s automotive industry toward a sustainable Smart Mobility future. He also expresses appreciation to Astemo Asia Ltd. and Autoliv as Platinum Sponsors, as well as RX BITEC and many other organizations for their excellent support of Automotive Summit 2026.
Mrs. Varaporn Dhamcharee, Managing Director of RX BITEC (Thailand) Co., Ltd., stated that this collaboration with the Thailand Automotive Institute marks the 13th consecutive year of organizing the event to serve as a knowledge-sharing platform for Thailand’s automotive industry, spanning from the era driven by internal combustion engines to the present transition toward electric vehicles and future mobility. The event aims to strengthen industry knowledge sharing and build a comprehensive business ecosystem within Automotive Manufacturing, part of Manufacturing Expo, which is ready to present technologies, content, and networks that meet the needs of entrepreneurs in both Thailand and ASEAN.
“This year marks the 21st edition of Automotive Manufacturing, ASEAN’s most comprehensive exhibition on machinery and technologies for automotive parts manufacturing. Last year, visitors to the event — of which more than half were engineers responsible for production, purchasing, research and development, and quality control, while nearly half were factory owners and executives at both senior and middle-management levels — showed strong interests in automotive electronics technologies [18%], followed by machinery for automotive parts manufacturing [15%], automotive parts [13%], materials used in parts manufacturing [13%], as well as software for automotive parts design [12%]. These figures reflect growing interest trends in Automotive Electronics, Automotive IT, and Future Mobility technologies, which are trends aligned with the theme of Automotive Summit as defined by the Thailand Automotive Institute.”
Last year, the Automotive Summit welcomed more than 700 participants, while this year attendance is expected to reach 900 participants. Those attending the Automotive Summit seminars who also wish to visit Automotive Manufacturing are advised to register in advance. Admission to Automotive Manufacturing is THB 500; however, pre-registered visitors will receive admission fee waivers. Registration is available until 16 June at the Automotive Manufacturing Official Website, www.automanexpo.com. For more information, please contact 02 686 7222 or email contactcenter@rxbitec.com.
