Secure your Audi now! There is a risk of price increases from 2026!

Secure your Audi now! There is a risk of price increases from 2026!

The automotive industry in Thailand is currently undergoing an exciting transformation that affects both buyers and manufacturers. The approaching New Year will see the introduction of a major restructuring of vehicle excise duties, which will come into effect from January 1, 2026. This measure could have a significant impact on the procurement of new vehicles.

Audi Thailand has already responded to the changing conditions and recommends interested buyers make their decisions before the end of the year. Loud Thairath Prices for many popular models are expected to rise by 10 to 12 percent. In particular, vehicles with a displacement of over 3,000 cc, such as Audi RS models, could even be more than 2.5 million baht more expensive. Buyers should hurry to secure the current prices, because models such as the Audi A5 edition one or the Audi Q5 TFSI e can be ordered at the previous prices until December 31, 2025.

Tax reform and its effects

With the planned tax reform, the Thai Excise Department wants to promote the transition from vehicles with combustion engines to more environmentally friendly alternatives. The focus is on electric and hydrogen vehicles. Loud Bangkok Post The tax rates for hybrid vehicles, especially those with less than 100 grams of CO2 emissions per kilometer, will be significantly reduced. From 2026, these cars will only pay 6 percent excise tax.

Another important development concerns mild hybrid vehicles, which are also being heavily promoted. For these models, tax rates of 10 percent for vehicles with low CO2 emissions and 12 percent for those with higher emissions apply from 2026 to 2032. These new regulations are a departure from previous practice, which called for annual tax increases of 2 percent.

Sustainability in focus

The Thai government is committed to using these measures to promote sustainable mobility while supporting the industry. The National Committee for the Promotion of the Electric Vehicle Industry is ensuring that new changes in taxes also favor the production of hybrid and electric vehicles. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra heads the National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee, which is driving these initiatives. The new tax criteria are also intended to ensure that manufacturers adhere to strict CO2 emissions targets.

Another aspect is the promotion of local production. Companies that invest in production and use local parts between 2024 and 2027 can benefit from lower tax rates. This regulation aims to ensure that more vehicles are produced in Thailand itself and thus reduce dependence on imports.

The coming period will be exciting for drivers in Thailand. Anyone who acts now could benefit from the current prices and pay less for their new vehicle. It remains to be hoped that the new tax structures will lead to a more environmentally friendly transport policy in the long term.