July 10 (Reuters) - Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers are pouring into Thailand, having committed to invest $1.44 billion in production facilities in Southeast Asia's biggest automaking hub that has long been dominated by Japanese companies. IN THE PIPELINESeveral deals are also in the pipeline, according to the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), which has been pursuing Chinese automakers. Chongqing Changan, GAC and Chery did not respond to requests for comment on their plans for Thailand. RISING POPULARITYThe influx of Chinese models appears to be helping to boost the popularity of EVs in Thailand, the second-largest car market in Southeast Asia. On Toyota's (7203.T) Thailand website, the Corolla Altis is priced at 894,000 baht and the Yaris Ativ at 549,000 baht.

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Persons: China's, Thailand's, BOI, Geely, Wall's Ora, Devjyot, Jamie Freed Organizations: Asia's, General Motors, EV, Electronics, Auto, SAIC, Charoen, New Energy, Assembly, of Investment, State, Chongqing Changan Automobile, Ford, Mazda, Guangzhou Automobile Group, China's Chery, Chongqing Changan, GAC, Chery, Reuters, Corolla, Thomson Locations: Thailand, EVs, Southeast Asia, Europe, Chongqing, China, BOI, Bangkok