SAIC Motor-CP Co., Ltd. and MG Sales (Thailand) Co., Ltd., the manufacturer and distributor of MG vehicles in Thailand, have announced the appointment of Chatwitai Tantraphorn as the new Deputy Managing Director of MG Sales (Thailand), effective June 1, 2026.
In this role, he will oversee marketing, sales, aftersales service and the nationwide dealer network. He will work alongside Mr. Xu Yin, Managing Director, to strengthen MG’s business strategy and competitiveness as the Thai automotive market enters a more demanding 2026 cycle.
A leadership handover as competition intensifies
The management reshuffle follows the transition of Pongsak Lerdreedeewattanawong, the former Deputy Managing Director who helped build MG’s foundation in Thailand over the past 12 years, to a new role overseeing the broader Chinese automotive business group.
Chatwitai Tantraphorn is an experienced automotive executive with more than 30 years in Thailand’s car industry. His background includes senior management roles with premium automotive brands, along with early involvement in the development of electric-vehicle technology and the EV ecosystem in Thailand.
The immediate mission
MG’s new structure is designed to strengthen both front-end and back-end operations, from brand communication and sales execution to aftersales quality and dealer coordination. The goal is to make the company more responsive as Thai buyers become more selective and EV ownership expectations rise.
His premium-brand background could be especially important for MG as the brand tries to move beyond a value-led mass-market image and build stronger confidence around product quality, service consistency and long-term ownership support.
Bangkok Motorhaus Perspective
MG Thailand’s move to bring Chatwitai Tantraphorn into the Deputy Managing Director role is a strategic step in a 2026 market shaped by aggressive competition, new Chinese entrants and sustained price pressure. Choosing a Thai executive with premium-brand credibility and direct EV ecosystem experience suggests MG wants to refine its positioning, not simply fight on equipment value and price.
The most urgent challenge is confidence. MG needs to keep strengthening aftersales service and dealer relationships, because these are the real foundations for retaining existing owners and attracting new customers in a more cautious economy.
If the new leadership can connect MG’s next wave of products with a smoother, more consistent ownership experience, the brand will be better placed to defend its role near the front of Thailand’s alternative-energy vehicle market over the long term.
