Kim Long Motor Introduces New Bus Lineup in Thailand

Kim Long Motor Introduces New Bus Lineup in Thailand

Kim Long Motor Introduces New Bus Lineup in Thailand as the Vietnamese manufacturer presented four bus models during an event in Bangkok on September 15, 2026. The lineup includes three 12-meter buses configured with 42, 43, or 44 seats, along with a 7.9-meter model offering 21 seats. During the event, Kim Long Motor and local distributor KIJSETTHI Mobility also handed over the first buses to customers in Thailand. The market introduction marks the initial commercial stage of the companies' cooperation and establishes a local distribution presence for both internal-combustion and fully electric bus products.

Kim Long Motor Bus Lineup and Thai Market Launch

The four-model lineup gives Kim Long Motor a range spanning larger 12-meter buses and a more compact 7.9-meter vehicle. The three larger models provide seating configurations of 42, 43, and 44 seats, while the smaller model accommodates 21 passengers. The first customer handovers took place alongside the market introduction in Bangkok, providing the initial deliveries under the new Thai distribution relationship. The launch therefore combines product introduction with the start of customer deployment, while positioning KIJSETTHI Mobility as the local distributor responsible for supporting the manufacturer's entry into the market.

Bus Models Introduced in Thailand

The announced lineup can be summarized by vehicle length and seating capacity. The three 12-meter models share the same overall length but differ in their stated passenger capacity, with configurations for 42, 43, and 44 seats. The fourth model measures 7.9 meters and provides 21 seats. The source article does not provide individual model names, so the table preserves the available specifications without assigning model identities that were not stated. These specifications represent the bus products introduced to the Thai market at the September 15, 2026 event.

KIJSETTHI Mobility Partnership and Expansion Plans

KIJSETTHI Mobility became Kim Long Motor's authorized distributor in Thailand in April 2026. During the initial phase of the relationship, the companies plan to offer EURO 5 internal-combustion-engine buses alongside fully electric vehicles while expanding sales and after-sales coverage throughout Thailand. Kim Long Motor's longer-term plan moves beyond completely built-up vehicle exports by targeting CKD production and assembly in Thailand, with localization planned at 50% or more. The company has also established a 2027–2030 objective to develop Thailand as a production and export base serving the ASEAN market.

Localization Targets for Kim Long Motor Buses

Kim Long Motor said its diesel bus models currently achieve a 90% localization rate in Vietnam, while its fully electric vehicles have reached 60% localization. The company expects the localization rate of its fully electric vehicles to increase to 90% by the end of 2026. These figures provide the manufacturing context for its planned Thai CKD strategy, where localization of at least 50% is targeted. The stated approach would shift the Thai operation from an initial CBU export model toward local production and assembly, while retaining the company's existing localization experience in Vietnam as part of its broader manufacturing strategy.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The Thai launch gives Kim Long Motor a foundation for expanding commercial-vehicle sales and after-sales support while introducing both EURO 5 internal-combustion and fully electric buses to the market. The planned transition from CBU exports to CKD assembly, combined with a localization target of at least 50%, could make Thailand more important to the company's regional manufacturing strategy if the plan progresses as stated. The 2027–2030 objective also points toward a broader ASEAN role for Thailand, with local production potentially supporting both domestic demand and exports. Customers, the Thai distributor, local manufacturing partners, and regional commercial-vehicle markets would be the most directly affected stakeholders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What buses did Kim Long Motor introduce in Thailand?
Kim Long Motor introduced four bus models in Thailand on September 15, 2026, including three 12-meter models with seating capacities of 42, 43, and 44 seats, plus a 7.9-meter model with 21 seats. The company and Thai distributor KIJSETTHI Mobility also handed over the first buses to customers during the Bangkok event. The initial product strategy includes EURO 5 internal-combustion-engine vehicles and fully electric vehicles, while longer-term plans call for CKD production and assembly in Thailand with localization of at least 50%.