The EV brand of Chinese automaker Guangzhou Automobile Group has opened a new factory in Thailand.

The brand Aion launched the factory in the eastern province of Rayong.

It is the brand's first overseas factory and is expected to eventually manufacture as many as 50,000 EVs per year for the regional market.

The move comes after the automaker's largest rival, BYD, started production in Thailand earlier this month. These Chinese manufacturers are trying to boost their sales in Southeast Asia as the United States and European countries are planning to impose additional tariffs on EVs from China.

Aion ranks third in China's new energy vehicle market, behind BYD and Tesla.