DFSK Thailand, the maker of China's Dongfeng vehicles, has changed its corporate name to United Motors Co and diversified its distribution business to cover other brands apart from Dongfeng.
Managing director Pitaya Tanadamrongsak said United Motors would distribute not only Dongfeng's small trucks and minivans but also new Chinese commercial vehicles under the Foton-Cummins brand.
DFSK started operating in 2008 as an authorised distributor for Dongfeng.
In 2010, DFSK Motors, a top-three car maker in China with annual production capacity of 3 million vehicles, built a 300-million-baht factory in Chachoengsao province.
It was authorised to export small trucks assembled in Thailand to Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia.
Small trucks available in Laos are mostly Chinese brands, with 7,000 to 8,000 vehicles sold annually there.
Under the Asean Free Trade Area, the customs duty for vehicles imported from Thailand is waived, making retail prices in Laos more competitive.
"We need to look for other brands and vehicles, as Dongfeng sales have yet to perform well here," Mr Pitaya said.
"We still focus on Chinese brands, although their image among Thai customers is not categorised as good quality. More importantly, competitive prices and good after-sales service will attract Thai buyers and lead them to change their mindset on Chinese vehicles."
For Foton-Cummins, Mr Pitaya said the company would distribute mainly vans and four- and six-wheel trucks.
The company plans to make 2,000 Foton-Cummins vehicles this year.