Receiving Klaus Zellmer, chairman of Skoda Auto, in Hanoi on March 27, Chinh congratulated the firm on the official launch of the Thanh Cong Viet Hung Auto Plant in Quang Ninh province, marking a major milestone in Vietnam-Czech Republic cooperation.

Given Vietnam’s promising automotive market and the vast regional potential, the Prime Minister noted that the industry is becoming increasingly competitive that requires green and digital transformation.

He reaffirmed Vietnam’s long-term growth strategy, with a focus on increasing localization rates in manufacturing, enhancing technological innovation, transitioning to green and digital production, and promoting sustainable transportation solutions, including electric vehicles.

The government of Vietnam supports businesses, ensures a transparent and favorable investment environment, and listens to feedback from enterprises to enhance cooperation effectiveness, he told his guest.

The PM encouraged Skoda Auto to expand investment and long-term business operations in Vietnam by developing a comprehensive ecosystem of mobility, and exploring new business sectors.

He urged the firm to facilitate deeper Vietnamese integration into Skoda and Volkswagen’s global supply chains, especially in Southeast Asia, while transferring smart production technologies and training high-quality human resources in metallurgy and mechanical engineering.

He expected that Skoda Auto would adapt vehicle models to match Vietnamese and regional market demands, enhance Vietnam’s heavy industry sector, and raise localization rates by manufacturing engines, components, and automotive parts in Vietnam to serve domestic and international markets.

Zellmer for his part praised Vietnam’s strategic advantages, including port infrastructure, logistics networks, and a highly skilled workforce.

In Vietnam, he said, Skoda partnered with TC Group in 2022 to produce and distribute Skoda-branded vehicles with a focus on localization, modern technology, and clean energy. In September 2023, Skoda introduced fully imported vehicles to the Vietnamese market.

A key project in this collaboration is the Thanh Cong Viet Hung Auto Plant in Quang Ninh, developed by TC Group. Construction of the plant began in early 2023, and it was officially inaugurated on March 26, 2025. The facility is equipped with advanced production lines to manufacture and assemble Skoda vehicles in Vietnam.

Zellmer strongly agreed with the Prime Minister’s vision, and expressed the firm’s desire to further expand cooperation in Vietnam.

Skoda Auto is the largest car manufacturer in the Czech Republic. It was privatized in 1991 and later became part of Volkswagen Group, Germany. Currently, Skoda Auto operates in over 100 countries, selling more than 1 million vehicles annually. The firm plays a crucial role in Volkswagen Group’s electric vehicle and digital transformation strategy, particularly in Europe and India.

PM encourages Skoda Auto’s further investment in Vietnam

VOV.VN - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has appreciated Skoda Auto’s investment project in Vietnam and encouraged the largest automotive manufacturer of the Czech Republic to expand cooperation plans in the country.