Prime Minister suggests Skoda Group build auto industry ecosystem in Vietnam

(Chinhphu.vn) - 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 suggested that Skoda jointly develop the Vietnamese automobile industry ecosystem, research product diversification, provide equipment for other car manufacturers, as well as other fields such as railways and aviation, to meet both domestic and foreign needs.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh receives Mr. Klaus Zellmer, Chairman of Skoda Auto Group - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Mr. Klaus Zellmer said that Skoda Auto is the largest car manufacturer in the Czech Republic, which was privatized in 1991 and became part of the Volkswagen Group, Germany. Currently, Skoda is present in more than 100 countries and sells over 1 million vehicles per year. The company holds an important position in the Volkswagen Group's electric vehicle development and digitalization strategy, and plays a key role in the car market in Europe and India.

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, application of 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 in the Viet Hung Industrial Park Automobile and Auxiliary Complex, invested by TC Group. The factory started construction in early 2023; officially inaugurated on March 26, 2025 and put into operation for automobile production and assembly, with equipment lines invested to produce and assemble Skoda automobiles.

Chairman Skoda assessed that Vietnam has many advantages for the group to cooperate and invest, such as seaport systems, logistics, and abundant human resources with high skills.

The Prime Minister suggested that Skoda jointly develop the Vietnamese automobile industry ecosystem, research product diversification, provide equipment for other car manufacturers, as well as other fields such as railways and aviation, to meet both domestic and foreign needs - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

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 Skoda has chosen Quang Ninh as a very suitable location, the Vietnamese automobile market is very potential as well as the regional market is very large, but the Prime Minister also said that the automobile market is very competitive, automobile manufacturers 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.

The Prime Minister affirmed that the Vietnamese Government is committed to always accompanying and sharing with businesses, ensuring that businesses operate legally, healthily and effectively; and is ready to listen to contributions, enhance understanding and improve cooperation efficiency.

Skoda Chairman assessed that Vietnam has many advantages for the group to cooperate and invest; the current cooperation results of Skoda in Vietnam are only initial results, hoping to have more "pieces" to complete the overall picture of Vietnam's automobile industry - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Wishing Skoda success, the Prime Minister suggested that Skoda Auto increase and expand long-term investment and business and cooperation with Vietnamese enterprises in the field of automobile manufacturing industry; develop the ecosystem of Vietnam's automobile industry; expand production and business to industries where Skoda has strengths and Vietnam has demand in the spirit of "harmonious benefits, shared risks"; connect and promote other investors to Vietnam.

At the same time, 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 that are suitable for trends and market tastes in Vietnam in particular and Southeast Asia in general.

At the same time, promote the development of heavy industry to serve automobile production in Vietnam through cooperation with 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...

In particular, the Prime Minister suggested that Skoda increase localization, diversify products, research and produce engines, components and equipment for other automobile manufacturers in Vietnam and possibly other transportation sectors such as aircraft and railways, to meet domestic demand and markets outside Vietnam. Increasing the localization rate will also help Skoda reduce costs and increase competitiveness in Vietnam.

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.

Ha Van

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/thu-tuong-de-nghi-tap-doan-skoda-xay-dung-he-sinh-thai-cong-nghiep-o-to-tai-viet-nam-102250327175332609.htm