Neta's Woes Deepen, Risks Paying EV Import Fines in Thailand

KatadataOTO – Besides Indonesia, Thailand also has an import tax relaxation regulation to make it easier for manufacturers to invest there.

In Thailand, electric car companies that import will be required to locally produce two EVs (Electric Vehicles) for every one CBU (Completely Built Up) unit by 2026.

If that production target cannot be met, then for every one car imported, the manufacturer must produce three units domestically in 2027.

Recently, it was revealed that a ministry in Thailand has begun to scrutinize the Neta brand, which is facing various challenges in the global market as well as its home country.

Photo : KatadataOTO

Neta's sales in Thailand have indeed been poor, even plummeting in February 2025.

Local media reported that Neta could potentially have to pay an import fine of 2 billion baht (Rp 999.3 billion).

This is despite the brand previously recording satisfactory results. Towards the end of 2022, Neta registered 18,000 units in domestic sales.

“This issue needs to be considered by Neta's new executive team. Because the developments and the amount of money are quite large,” said an internal Neta spokesperson as quoted from the Bangkok Post, Tuesday (24/05).

It was further explained that under the subsidy program rules, electric cars receive an incentive of 100,000 baht per unit. This figure is equivalent to around Rp 50 million when converted to the rupiah exchange rate.

Meanwhile, the tax reduction for imported models reaches 40 percent for the 2024-2025 period.

Amid the heating up issue of Neta's bankruptcy, a representative of Hozon Auto in Thailand assured consumers that sales and production will continue as usual there.

Photo : Courtesy

For your information, in Indonesia, Neta also recorded poor results. The bankruptcy issue also gained traction here after their first dealership in Kelapa Gading permanently closed.

Neta Indonesia emphasized that the dealership closure will not affect consumers. They claim they will continue to offer electric vehicle options for consumers in the country.

“This business decision does not affect Neta Auto Indonesia's commitment to supporting the growth of the electrification vehicle industry in the country,” stressed Frietz Frederick, Brand PR and Digital Senior Manager of Neta Auto Indonesia to KatadataOTO some time ago.