The Hyundai Thanh Cong Ninh Binh truck assembly plant is a significant investment project for Hyundai in Vietnam, marking a strong step for the Korean automaker in conquering the Southeast Asian market. With a total investment of $460 million USD and a current capacity of 70,000 vehicles per year, this is Hyundai’s most modern production plant in Vietnam.
Located on an area of over 100 hectares in Gian Khau Industrial Park, Gia Vien District, Ninh Binh Province, the Hyundai Thanh Cong truck assembly plant officially began operations in March 2011. Initially, the plant focused on producing passenger cars meeting global quality standards. However, with the goal of diversifying products and meeting the increasing demands of the market, the plant has expanded into the production of Hyundai buses and trucks.
Capacity and Objectives of the Hyundai Truck Assembly Plant
The Hyundai Thanh Cong Ninh Binh plant currently has a capacity of 70,000 vehicles per year and aims for an ambitious target of 200,000 vehicles per year by 2021. This is part of a strategy to localize production, ensuring a minimum localization rate of 40% as directed by the Government. To achieve this capacity, the plant operates continuously in 3 shifts per day, an average of 300 days per year.
Modern Technology at the Hyundai Truck Assembly Plant
Since 2014, the Hyundai truck assembly plant has applied automated robots in the production line, especially in the welding and painting workshops. The application of robot technology not only improves product quality but also ensures the health of workers and minimizes work accidents. According to Mr. Nguyen Minh Son, Director of the Factory, robots currently handle 40% of the workload, and this number could reach 60-70% in the future.
The 12,150 m2 painting workshop is equipped with the most advanced technology, ensuring product quality in Vietnam’s harsh climate conditions. The vehicle’s components are imported directly from Hyundai Motor and assembled on a modern overhead conveyor system.
Quality and Inspection
Each Hyundai truck undergoes a rigorous inspection process for operability, acceleration, and braking system before leaving the factory. The factory has a test track area simulating various road conditions such as flooding, winding roads, and slopes to comprehensively test the quality of the vehicle. Hyundai Motor’s inspection results show that the number of errors recorded at the Hyundai Thanh Cong Ninh Binh plant is always the lowest in Hyundai’s global production system.
Conclusion
The Hyundai Thanh Cong Ninh Binh truck assembly plant is a testament to Hyundai’s serious and long-term investment in Vietnam. With modern technology, a closed production process, and a skilled workforce, the factory is committed to providing high-quality products, meeting the increasing diverse needs of the domestic market and aiming for export to countries in the region. Achieving a high localization rate will help Hyundai trucks have a competitive advantage in terms of price, contributing to promoting the development of the Vietnamese automobile industry.
