Quick Takeaways
- Kim Long Motor secured a landmark 1,000-bus supply deal in Thailand, expanding its ASEAN commercial vehicle footprint.
- The order blends ICE and electric buses, supported by localized battery manufacturing and scalable production in Vietnam.
On December 9, 2025, Kim Long Motor Thailand bus supply agreement became a defining moment for the Vietnamese commercial vehicle manufacturer as it entered a major international partnership. Kim Long Motor signed an agreement with Thailand-based KIJSETTHI Mobility to supply 1,000 KIMLONG-branded buses, strengthening its footprint across the Southeast Asian public transportation market.
This large-scale order reflects Thailand’s growing demand for diversified bus technologies while highlighting Kim Long Motor’s manufacturing depth and export readiness. The agreement covers a mix of internal combustion engine and electric buses, tailored to Thailand’s local operating conditions, regulatory standards, and urban transport requirements.
Kim Long Motor Thailand bus supply agreement details
Under the Kim Long Motor Thailand bus supply agreement, the delivery portfolio includes multiple bus configurations designed for both urban and intercity applications. The order spans different vehicle lengths and propulsion systems to support Thailand’s varied transport needs.
The supply package includes:
This diversified lineup positions Kim Long Motor as a flexible supplier capable of supporting both conventional and electrified fleet strategies in Southeast Asia.
Electric bus technology and localized battery production
A key highlight of the Kim Long Motor Thailand bus supply agreement is the integration of advanced electric powertrain technology. The 7.5-meter and 12-meter electric buses are equipped with BYD battery systems, manufactured at the Battery Production and Assembly Plant located within the Kim Long Motor Automobile Industrial Park in Hue, Vietnam.
Localized battery manufacturing enhances quality control, supply chain reliability, and cost efficiency. It also reinforces Kim Long Motor’s capability to deliver electric buses at scale while meeting international safety and performance expectations.
ICE bus lineup with proven powertrains
In addition to electric models, the agreement includes ICE buses developed for long-distance and urban operations. The KIMLONG 99 12-meter seating and sleeper buses are powered by the YUCHAI K11 engine, known for fuel efficiency and reliability in commercial transport applications.
The order also features 7.8-meter Euro 5-compliant buses, specifically engineered for congested city routes where emissions compliance and maneuverability are critical. This balanced portfolio ensures operators can transition gradually toward electrification without compromising operational continuity.
Manufacturing strength at the Hue production facility
All 1,000 buses under the Kim Long Motor Thailand bus supply agreement will be manufactured at Kim Long Motor’s automated production facility in Hue. The plant combines advanced manufacturing systems with scalable production capacity, enabling consistent quality across large export volumes.
KIJSETTHI Mobility highlighted its confidence in Kim Long Motor’s delivery capability, citing the Hue facility’s automation, quality assurance processes, and proven export readiness as key factors behind the partnership.
Strategic impact on Southeast Asian mobility
This agreement goes beyond a single export order. It signals Kim Long Motor’s transition into a regional commercial vehicle supplier while supporting Thailand’s broader goals of modernizing public transport and advancing sustainable mobility solutions.
By combining ICE efficiency with electric bus innovation, the partnership contributes to cleaner urban transport networks and sets a benchmark for future cross-border collaborations in the ASEAN mobility ecosystem.
This large-scale order reflects Thailand’s growing demand for diversified bus technologies while highlighting Kim Long Motor’s manufacturing depth and export readiness. The agreement covers a mix of internal combustion engine and electric buses, tailored to Thailand’s local operating conditions, regulatory standards, and urban transport requirements.
Kim Long Motor Thailand bus supply agreement details
Under the Kim Long Motor Thailand bus supply agreement, the delivery portfolio includes multiple bus configurations designed for both urban and intercity applications. The order spans different vehicle lengths and propulsion systems to support Thailand’s varied transport needs.
The supply package includes:
- 12-meter ICE buses for high-capacity passenger movement
- 12-meter electric buses optimized for sustainable public transport
- 7.8-meter ICE buses suited for dense urban corridors
- 7.5-meter electric buses designed for compact city routes
This diversified lineup positions Kim Long Motor as a flexible supplier capable of supporting both conventional and electrified fleet strategies in Southeast Asia.
Electric bus technology and localized battery production
A key highlight of the Kim Long Motor Thailand bus supply agreement is the integration of advanced electric powertrain technology. The 7.5-meter and 12-meter electric buses are equipped with BYD battery systems, manufactured at the Battery Production and Assembly Plant located within the Kim Long Motor Automobile Industrial Park in Hue, Vietnam.
Localized battery manufacturing enhances quality control, supply chain reliability, and cost efficiency. It also reinforces Kim Long Motor’s capability to deliver electric buses at scale while meeting international safety and performance expectations.
ICE bus lineup with proven powertrains
In addition to electric models, the agreement includes ICE buses developed for long-distance and urban operations. The KIMLONG 99 12-meter seating and sleeper buses are powered by the YUCHAI K11 engine, known for fuel efficiency and reliability in commercial transport applications.
The order also features 7.8-meter Euro 5-compliant buses, specifically engineered for congested city routes where emissions compliance and maneuverability are critical. This balanced portfolio ensures operators can transition gradually toward electrification without compromising operational continuity.
Manufacturing strength at the Hue production facility
All 1,000 buses under the Kim Long Motor Thailand bus supply agreement will be manufactured at Kim Long Motor’s automated production facility in Hue. The plant combines advanced manufacturing systems with scalable production capacity, enabling consistent quality across large export volumes.
KIJSETTHI Mobility highlighted its confidence in Kim Long Motor’s delivery capability, citing the Hue facility’s automation, quality assurance processes, and proven export readiness as key factors behind the partnership.
Strategic impact on Southeast Asian mobility
This agreement goes beyond a single export order. It signals Kim Long Motor’s transition into a regional commercial vehicle supplier while supporting Thailand’s broader goals of modernizing public transport and advancing sustainable mobility solutions.
By combining ICE efficiency with electric bus innovation, the partnership contributes to cleaner urban transport networks and sets a benchmark for future cross-border collaborations in the ASEAN mobility ecosystem.
Kim Long Motor Vietnam press release
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