Shanghai (ZXZC)- HOZON Auto signed on Nov. 10 a framework agreement with PTT Public Company Limited (PTT), the biggest refiner and seller of petroleum products in Thailand, to build a long-term strategic partnership, the Chinese EV startup announced via its WeChat account.

HOZON Auto, PTT signing agreement; photo credit: HOZON Auto

Through the partnership, both parties will be dedicated to developing the smart car ecosystem that integrates value-added services and infrastructures with user experience, in a bid to provide consumers in Thailand and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with high-quality China-made intelligent vehicles.

By working with PTT, HOZON Auto will also introduce its high-standard services as well as highly efficient smart travelling solutions in Thailand. More importantly, the startup will regard Thailand as the center for its global strategy and will afterwards make inroads to the EV markets of other ASEAN’s member countries.

The Thai government is the majority shareholder of PTT, which is on a mission to implement the national strategic planning for a green and zero-emission future.

At the 18th China-ASEAN Expo, HOZON Auto announced its foray into the new energy vehicle (NEV) market of ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) with the right-hand drive NETA V launched at the same time.

Among Chinese NEV startups, HOZON Auto is the first one to develop right-hand drive car model for export. According to the automaker, the NETA V's overseas version features a combined range of 401km.