SKorean automaker hopes to produce trucks in NKorea
Thursday, 2 August 2007
SEOUL, Aug 1 (AFP): South Korea's Pyeonghwa Motors said today it plans to assemble trucks in communist North Korea through a partnership with an auto company from China or elesewhere.
Pyeonghwa, which has exclusive rights to produce cars in North Korea, has assembled more than 600 vehicles annually since it opened a factory in the city of Nampo, west of Pyongyang, in 2002.
"We plan to assemble trucks but a partner has yet to be selected," Noh Jae-Wan, a company official, told AFP.
Currently, Pyeonghwa works with two Chinese companies including Brilliance Automotive Holdings to produce sport-utility vehicles, sedans and minibuses in the North, he said.
"Our partner can be Brilliance Automotive or other auto companies," Noh said.
North Korean officials are interested in producing small trucks for farmers and factory workers, he said.
Pyeongwha (Peace) Motors is linked to the Unification church of Sun Myung Moon. Its Nampo plant is a joint venture with the North's Ryongbong company.
Pyeonghwa, which has exclusive rights to produce cars in North Korea, has assembled more than 600 vehicles annually since it opened a factory in the city of Nampo, west of Pyongyang, in 2002.
"We plan to assemble trucks but a partner has yet to be selected," Noh Jae-Wan, a company official, told AFP.
Currently, Pyeonghwa works with two Chinese companies including Brilliance Automotive Holdings to produce sport-utility vehicles, sedans and minibuses in the North, he said.
"Our partner can be Brilliance Automotive or other auto companies," Noh said.
North Korean officials are interested in producing small trucks for farmers and factory workers, he said.
Pyeongwha (Peace) Motors is linked to the Unification church of Sun Myung Moon. Its Nampo plant is a joint venture with the North's Ryongbong company.