Chinese Automakers Double Southeast Asia Share to 14%, Eclipsing Honda
Chinese automakers' combined deliveries in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines surged 95% to 377,450 units, doubling regional share to 14% from 7% in 2024 at the expense of Japanese brands including Honda. Battery electric vehicle sales jumped 105% to 264,000 units, with Chinese brands accounting for roughly 90%.
1. Shift in Regional Market Share
Chinese brands saw combined deliveries jump 95% to 377,450 units in key Southeast Asian markets, doubling regional share to 14% from 7% and eroding Honda's traditional dominance across Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.
2. BEV Sales Surge
Battery electric vehicle sales in these four markets rose 105% to 264,000 units, with Chinese manufacturers capturing roughly 90% of BEV demand while Honda and other Japanese rivals struggled to match the pace.
3. Market Breakdown by Country
Thailand led with over 140,000 Chinese-brand vehicle sales (23% market share), followed by Indonesia at 128,000 units (16%), Malaysia at 59,990 units (7%) and the Philippines at 48,960 units (11%).
4. Incentives and Localization
Generous tax and investment incentives propelled BEV adoption, prompting Chinese automakers to localize production and build dealer networks, further challenging Honda's position as some import incentives were scaled back in early 2026.