Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) approved Toyota Motor Thailand Co., Ltd.’s application for a 1.49 billion baht fuel-cell Hilux project intended to supply export markets, Thai media reported.
The Nation and Thai Rath, citing the agency, said the project would mark Thailand’s first production of hydrogen fuel-cell pickups. The proposed operation would be installed at Toyota’s Ban Pho plant in Chachoengsao province, which has an existing Hilux production line.
The new fuel-cell line would have annual capacity of 3,000 vehicles, according to the reports. Production is scheduled to begin in Dec. 2027. All initial output is intended for export, with Europe, Australia and New Zealand among the destinations named in the BOI account relayed by the outlets.
The reported investment would add equipment to the Hilux line for fitting hydrogen tanks, fuel cells, electric motors, battery packs and power-control systems. The plan also includes a hydrogen refueling station at Ban Pho to support factory operations and vehicle tests.
The BOI account puts planned annual purchases of locally sourced materials and components at about 640 million baht, the reports said. That spending would go to Thai parts suppliers if the project proceeds as planned. The Nation reported that Thailand’s established Hilux supply chain was a factor behind the proposed investment.
Toyota Motor Corporation, the Thai company’s parent, said in a Nov. 10, 2025, announcement that the new Hilux range would include fuel-cell, battery-electric and diesel versions. The company presented those options as part of its approach to offering different powertrains for different markets. It plans to introduce the fuel-cell Hilux in Europe and Oceania starting in 2028, after the reported Dec. 2027 production start.
