Peugeot cars are manufactured at a new plant in Quảng Nam Province. VNS Photo Công Thành

QUẢNG NAM — The Trường Hải Automobile Corporation (Thaco) in co-operation with French car manufacturer Peugeot Group (PSA) officially inaugurated a new manufacturing plant and rolled out two made-in-Việt Nam models – the Traveller Luxury and Traveller Premium – in the central province of Quảng Nam yesterday.

The luxury European car brand's plant, which cost VNĐ4.5 trillion (nearly US$200 million), was designed with a total capacity of 20,000 cars per year for domestic use and export.

General director of Thaco Phạm Văn Tài said the plant was thanks to the relationship that had been built between Thaco and Peugeot since 2013.

“The newest Peugeot models follow the successful introduction of SUVs  Peugeot 3008 and 5008 in Việt Nam. The plant is equipped with modern production lines and updated automation technology to meet the luxury brand’s standards under the supervision of French technical experts,” he said.

He also added that 4,500 Peugeot 3008 and 5008 were sold in Việt Nam in 2018, leading the European luxury car brand segment in the domestic market.

General director and CEO of PSA Laurence Noel said the introduction of the Peugeot Traveller marked an important step in the development of Peugeot and positive co-operation with Thaco.

She said the debut of the two models was a result of the latest interest in the newest French car brand in Việt Nam after the successful debut of the SUV models.

She said the Peugeot Traveller had made an impressive start in the European and global markets after it was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2016.

Laurence also said the latest made-in-Việt Nam MPVs conformed to the strict control standards of the PSA and network of PSA plants around the world.              

Thaco has been an exclusive agent for the French car giant's return to the local market in 2014.

The local manufacturer has already opened 13 Peugeot showrooms with 3S (sales-services-spare parts) facilities across the country.

Thaco has produced and distributed vehicles for Kia from South Korea, Mazda from Japan, Peugeot and BMW.  

The local carmaker has invested VNĐ17.478 trillion (US$773 million) to build an agricultural and forestry industrial park, the expansion of the Thaco-Chu Lai Mechanical Automotive Industrial Park, the new wharf at Chu Lai-Trường Hải Port and residential quarters for workers in Quảng Nam Province’s Chu Lai Open Economic Zone (OEZ).   

It has also built 32 automobile manufacturing and support industry plants in the OEZ, creating 8,000 jobs and contributing $700 million to the provincial budget each year. — VNS