Prime Minister suggests Skoda Auto build auto industry ecosystem in Vietnam

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Mr. Klaus Zellmer, Chairman of Skoda Auto Group (Czech Republic). (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

On the afternoon of March 27, receiving Mr. Klaus Zellmer, Chairman of Skoda Auto Group who is visiting and working in Vietnam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hopes that Skoda will develop the Vietnamese automobile industry ecosystem; not only producing cars but also other types of vehicles, as well as producing engines and equipment to supply automobile factories in Vietnam; from Vietnam, expanding the market to Southeast Asian countries.

Mr. Klaus Zellmer said that Skoda Auto is the largest car manufacturer in the Czech Republic, in 1991 it was privatized and became part of the Volkswagen Group, Republic of Germany.

Skoda is currently present in more than 100 countries and sells over 1 million vehicles per year. The company plays an important role in the Volkswagen Group's electric and digitalization strategy and plays a key role in the European and Indian car markets.

In Vietnam, in 2022, Skoda and Thanh Cong Group (TC Group) signed a cooperation agreement to produce and distribute Skoda-branded vehicles, with the goal of localization, applying modern technology and clean energy.

In September 2023, fully imported Skoda models were officially launched in the Vietnamese market.

The Thanh Cong Viet Hung Automobile Factory construction project in Quang Ninh province is the central project at the Automobile and Auxiliary Complex in Viet Hung Industrial Park, invested by TC Group.

The factory started construction in early 2023; officially inaugurated on March 26, 2025 and put into operation to produce and assemble cars, with equipment lines invested to produce and assemble Skoda cars.

Pleased to meet Mr. Klaus Zellmer again, after working in Prague last January during the Prime Minister's official visit to the Czech Republic, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh congratulated Thanh Cong Viet Hung Automobile Factory on its official inauguration, marking a concrete step forward in cooperation between Vietnam and the Czech Republic, especially after the two countries agreed to upgrade their relationship to a Strategic Partnership.

Considering that the automobile market is fiercely competitive, automakers must promote greening and digitalization, the Prime Minister said that in the long-term vision and plan for national growth and development, Vietnam focuses on increasing the localization rate, science and technology content, green transformation, and digital transformation in production, focusing on developing the automobile industry to promote the transition to sustainable means of transport, including electric vehicles.

Affirming that the Vietnamese Government is committed to always accompanying and sharing with businesses, ensuring that businesses operate legally, healthily and effectively; ready to listen to comments, enhance understanding, and improve cooperation efficiency, the Prime Minister asked Skoda Auto to increase and expand investment, business and cooperation with Vietnamese businesses in the field of automobile manufacturing industry; and develop the ecosystem of the Vietnamese automobile industry.

The Prime Minister suggested that Skoda increase localization; research and produce engines, components and equipment for other automobile manufacturers in Vietnam such as Truong Hai and Vinfast; and diversify products such as train cars, transport vehicles and machinery serving small and medium enterprises; consider cooperation opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises to participate more deeply in the production and supply chains of Skoda and Volkswagen, especially in the Southeast Asian region; continue to research and change models, produce car lines in line with trends and market tastes in Vietnam in particular and Southeast Asia in general.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Mr. Klaus Zellmer, Chairman of Skoda Auto Group (Czech Republic). (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

Along with that, promote the development of heavy industry to serve automobile production in Vietnam through Thanh Cong Group and other partners, promote the transfer of technologies, smart production lines and support Vietnam in training high-quality human resources in the metallurgical and mechanical industries...; expand production and business to industries where Skoda has strengths and Vietnam has needs in the spirit of "harmonious benefits, shared risks."

Agreeing with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's opinion, Skoda Chairman said that the current results of Skoda's cooperation in Vietnam are only initial results, and hopes to have more "pieces" to complete the overall picture of Vietnam's automobile industry.

Skoda wishes to expand investment, business, and develop the automotive industry ecosystem in Vietnam such as battery production and input products and equipment; and hopes that Vietnam will continue to develop infrastructure such as seaports, logistics, and human resource quality to serve the development of the automotive industry in the future./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/thu-tuong-de-nghi-skoda-auto-xay-dung-he-sinh-thai-cong-nghiep-oto-o-viet-nam-post1023127.vnp