Automotive industry in North Korea
The automotive industry in North Korea is a branch of the national economy, with much lower production than the automotive industry in
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is not involved in the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles (OICA) or any other United Nations industrial committee, so information about its motor vehicle industry is limited. The OICA does not publish figures for automobile production in the DPRK. As reported by a limited number of observers with first-hand knowledge, North Korea can produce 40,000 to 50,000 vehicles a year.
History
The North Korean automobile industry had its origins during the
Motor-vehicle manufacturers
Sungri Motor Plant
Since 1950, Sungri Motor Plant in Tokchon has been North Korea's first and largest motor vehicle plant, producing urban and off-road passenger cars and small, medium, and heavy cargo, haulage, construction, and off-road trucks and buses under the names Sungri and Jaju, among others. It was the most capable plant of the North Korean automotive industry before being surpassed by Pyeonghwa Motors. All models are reported to be replicas or derivations of foreign cars.[1] Its vehicles are generally for civilian and commercial use; government officials favour foreign imports and the armed forces have their own facilities.[2]
The Sungri Motor Plant was founded in November 1950 as the Tokchon Motor Plant (덕천자동차공장). It produced its first vehicle, a Sungri-58 truck, in 1958. In 1975, the plant was renamed Sungri Motor Plant (sungri means victory in Korean). In 1980, annual production was reported by the government to be 20,000 units per year, but the rate was more likely 6,000–7,000 units. In 1996, production was crippled by the country's economic difficulties, with about 150 vehicles produced.[2]
Pyeonghwa Motors
Founded in 2000, Pyeonghwa Motors in
Pyeonghwa has the exclusive rights to production, purchase, and sale of used cars in North Korea. Most North Koreans are unable to own cars[why?]. Because the market for cars in the country is so small, Pyeonghwa's output is reportedly very low. In 2003, 314 cars were produced, even though the factory could build up to 10,000 cars a year.[3] Erik van Ingen Schenau, author of Automobiles Made in North Korea, has estimated the company's total production in 2005 at no more than about 400 vehicles.[4]
In summer 2006, the North Korean government magazine Foreign Trade, which advertises North Korean products, published a photograph of the Junma, a new luxury car produced by Pyeonghwa,[5] which appears to be a rebadged version of the South Korean SsangYong Chairman.[6][7] The Chairman bears a strong resemblance to Mercedes-Benz cars, which are favored by North Korean government officials, and is based on an old Mercedes E-Class design.[citation needed]
In 2006, Pyeonghwa reached an agreement with Chinese manufacturer
In 2009, Pyeonghwa announced a profit on its North Korean operations.[10]
The Pregio and Pronto are also sold in Vietnam by Mekong Auto.[11] Both are based on Hyundai vehicles. Mekong Auto has sold Fiat cars in Vietnam since 1995, and this relationship may have led to Pyeonghwa's building Fiats in North Korea.[citation needed]
Pyongsang Auto Works
In 1968, Pyongsang Auto Works in
Chongjin Bus Works
Since 1974, the Chongjin Bus Works has produced the Jipsam 74, the Jipsam 86 articulated trolleybus and Jipsam 86 and 88 buses. In more recent years, it has produced modern trolleybuses styled in the Chollima 321 from Pyongyang.[12][13]
Pyongyang Trolleybus Factory
Since 1961,
Kim Jong Tae Locomotive Works
Pyongyang Bus Factory
In 2021, the factory produced two new buses: the Pyongyang 191 double decker bus and the Pyongyang 192 bus.[15][16] This factory also builds the Tongil tram, a body replacement of the Tatra KT8D5.
Further reading
- Automobiles Made in North Korea. China Motor Vehicle Documentation Centre, Seventh edition: February 2010.[17]
References
- ^ Kim, Mi-young (2002-02-05). "The Struggling North Korean Automobile Industry". The Chosun Ilbo. Archived from the original on 5 December 2002.
- ^ ISBN 978-0810879874.
- ^ "The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition): Daily News from Korea". Archived from the original on 26 May 2008. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
- ^ "China Car Forums - View Single Post - Pyeonghwa Motors (DPRK) and Mekong (Vietnam)". Retrieved 4 September 2016.
- ^ "www.kcckp.net / server maintenance". Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
- ^ "Ssangyong Chairman Limousine 4d". Global Auto Index. Archived from the original on 2008-03-11. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
- ^ "Google Translate". Retrieved 4 September 2016.
- ^ "Pyeonghwa Motors (DPRK) and Mekong (Vietnam) - China Car Forums". Retrieved 4 September 2016.
- ^ "www.kcckp.net / server maintenance". Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
- ^ Pyeonghwa Sells in North Korea[permanent dead link], The Wall Street Journal, July 16, 2009
- ^ Mekong. "Mekong - Tin tức". Retrieved 4 September 2016.
- ^ "Chipsam 2020-1". transphoto.org. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
- ^ "Chipsam 2020-2". transphoto.org. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
- ^ "Kim Jong Un inspects updated trolley bus factory". The Pyongyang Times. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
- ^ "Kim Jong Un learns about trial products of new passenger buses". The Pyongyang Times. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
- ^ "New-model Passenger Buses" (PDF). Democratic People's Republic of Korea: 48. April 2021.
- ^ China Motor Vehicle Documentation Centre (2006). Automobiles Made in North Korea. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
External links
- Photos of vehicles made in North Korea compiled by Erik van Ingen Schenau, author of Automobiles Made in North Korea.