Vietnam’s automaker THACO to export semi-trailers to US market

The Vietnamese car manufacturer has worked with a US partner to export semi-trailers made in Chu Lai, Quang Nam province, to the US market, which is one of the most challenging markets in the world with strictly high-quality standards.

Under the severe impact of COVID-19 pandemic and the fierce competition of the current automobile market, THACO, one of the leading and largest automakers in Vietnam, said it was “swimming against the stream” by selling automobile products, mechanical parts, and components abroad.

The company began to diversify products and complete the automobile manufacturing and trading value chain since 2016 by establishing THACO Special Vehicles Manufacturing Limited Company, known as THACO SV, which specializes in producing high-quality semi-trailers, special vehicles, and heavy-duty special vehicles with the suitable features satisfying the various demands of local and foreign markets.

The factory is equipped with modern facilities, advanced and automatic technology in all processes, including laser, CNC plasma cutting machines, automatic welding robots to create accurate welding and minimize thermal expansion.

THACO SV pays special attention to quality control of every single stage. Products are tested by modern equipment imported from Japan, Italy and Korea; a 2.4 km length test drive at the THACO-Chu Lai Industrial Park, which fully simulates actual terrain with ramps, slippery roads, gravel, winding stretches, and flat roads.

THACO SV also promotes research and development (R&D) activities through investing in design software (such as AutoCAD, Catia,…),  simulation software (such as Hyperworks, …) and a highly professional R&D engineering team.

THACO workshop that produces products for the U.S. market. Photo courtesy of THACO

Developing export products

THACO SV produces and supplies a full range of special vehicles from mid-sized to heavy vehicles, meeting the diverse demands of customers.

The main products include all kinds of semi-trailers (skeleton, gooseneck, flatbed...); and special vehicles such as dump semi-trailers, cargo semi-trailers, fuel tanks, concrete mixers, car carrier semi-trailers, heavy crane trucks.

Aside from serving the domestic market demand, THACO also focuses on developing export products meeting the specialized requirements of each partner and market as well as the standards and regulations of importing countries.

So far, Thaco’s semi-trailers, fuel tanks and concrete mixers have been exported to Columbia and South Korea. Semi-trailers as the key export products have been granted with roadworthy certification in the US, Japan, and ASEAN countries.

The Vietnamese car manufacturer works with a U.S. partner to export semi-trailers made in Chu Lai. Photo courtesy of THACO

 America is a challenging but potential market that THACO has been seeking to enter. After thorough research, THACO met and discussed the cooperation strategy with PITTS Enterprises - one of the fifth largest manufacturers of semi-trailers in North America with a history of more than 100 years.

In February 2020, the two giants signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the cooperation of the production and distribution of semi-trailers in the US.

Accordingly, Dorsey Intermodal - a subsidiary of PITTS Enterprises - will be the representative of THACO in North America. THACO’s products and services will be distributed and guaranteed via Dorsey’s network to ensure qualified standards, and satisfy American customers’ demands.

At the end of May 2020, THACO will export the batch of 69 semi-trailers to the US market and sign a dealership agreement with PIITS Enterprises. In 2020, about 1,600 cars are expected to reach abroad markets making about $50 million value.

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