Recognizing the shift in the Philippine market from seat buses to sleeper buses, THACO AUTO and Volvo Buses have partnered to develop sleeper bus products that are well-suited to the country's infrastructure and traffic conditions, providing passengers with comfort and convenience on long journeys.

THACO AUTO exported 10 sleeper buses to Autodelta in the Philippines in August 2023, becoming the first company to develop and supply sleeper buses to this market. THACO AUTO's R&D Center engineering team researched and designed the high-end sleeper bus model to Volvo's specifications and customer requirements, with over 60% localized content. The vehicle is built on a Volvo chassis with a monocoque body structure that meets European ECE R66 safety standards, reducing weight and increasing rigidity and stability. This event plays an important role in affirming THACO AUTO’s production capacity and product quality to meet the needs of ASEAN markets.

On February 3, 2025, the first working day of the Lunar New Year 2025, at Chu Lai Port (Quang Nam), THACO AUTO exported a large shipment to India, the Middle East, and Cambodia with a total value of $3.65 million. Among the shipments, 120 Kia Frontier K2500 trucks were exported to the Middle East, a completely new market with high-quality standards, 400 painted body kits for Kia New Carnival continued to be exported to India, affirming THACO AUTO's production capabilities and reputation. Furthermore, 45 Peugeot Django 150cc motorcycles with European style, meeting Peugeot Motorcycles global quality standards, were exported to Cambodia, elevating the brand's position in the mid-range and high-end scooter segments.

These containers marked a highly potential start to the new year, paving a strong path for the Group's market expansion strategy in 2025.

The Kia passenger cars manufactured by THACO, are highly appreciated by customers in ASEAN countries with the local content of 40%, quality comparable to cars made in Korea, and competitive prices. In 2020, THACO AUTO achieved an impressive milestone in the export of passenger cars with 720 units exported to ASEAN countries. There were 400 Sedona to Thailand, 160 Soluto, and 160 Cerato to Myanmar. According, THACO AUTO became a production and export center for Kia cars in the ASEAN. Over the years, the company has exported more than 2,900 Kia cars to Myanmar, Thailand, and Kazakhstan and expanded into other markets.

In April 2023, THACO AUTO exported a batch of specialized vehicles to serve the needs at NongKhang airports in Laos, making this a promising start of THACO AUTO’s penetration into business at civil airports.

THACO AUTO has manufactured and exported the 7-seat IVECO Daily Plus Premium mini buses, IVECO Daily ambulances, and Mitsubishi Fuso FA140/FA1014R tank truck. The vehicles are manufactured on modern lines in line with strict global standards of IVECO (Italy) and Mitsubishi (Japan) and designed according to the NongKhang airport’s special requirements. As a result, they help increase airport efficiency and improve service quality and customer experience.

THACO AUTO officially exported a batch of THACO-branded buses to Autodelta in the Philippines at the end of 2019. This was a significant milestone marking the first step into the international market of THACO AUTO.

These buses represent a completely new design, developed by the R&D Center, bringing the THACO brand with a local content exceeding 45%. They are equipped with Euro 5 engines, offering fuel efficiency and environmental friendliness. Its production process is strictly controlled at the THACO Bus Plant, the largest and most modern bus plant in Southeast Asia with an annual capacity of 20,000 units.

Accordingly, THACO AUTO continues to focus on market research, and quality standards of other countries, serving as a foundation for product development. The company invests in upgrading its technologies to further increase the local content, meeting the specific requirements of customers in both domestic and export markets.

In 2024, THACO AUTO exported over 1,000 painted bodies and components for the Kia New Carnival to India. The Kia New Carnival bodies and components are produced at THACO Kia Plant inside the THACO AUTO Complex, one of the leading auto manufacturing centers in Southeast Asia. Using advanced technology and equipment transferred from the Kia Corporation, the plant ensure that all products meet Kia's global standards.

Building on this success, THACO AUTO continues to expand its export for vehicles and spare parts to various countries, including the Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar, Kazakhstan, and India, etc, further broadening its market reach and strengthening its position in the global automotive value chain

In 2024, THACO AUTO exported 32 premium coach buses under the THACO brand to the Philippines for its partner, Autodelta. The model was quickly embraced by customers, receiving high praise for its design, quality, and modern features, meeting the demand for a distinctive and high-class product.

The bus boasts a spacious interior with a 2:1 seat layout, ensuring comfort and convenience for passengers. The seats are ergonomically designed to suit the body of Southeast Asian person, with meticulous attention to detail and various added features and amenities. Notably, the bus delivers powerful performance thanks to its Volvo chassis, combined with a monocoque body structure designed to meet European ECE R66 safety standards.

Mr. Robbie P. Torres, CEO of Autodelta, remarked: "This will be an outstanding product for the premium bus segment in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia."