A week ago the first batch of CKD kits of KAMAZ-55111 trucks was shipped to Vietnam. Export department of KAMAZ Foreign Trade Company informed that the first batch of 30 dump trucks would be assembled at “Vinacoal” production facility in August-September 2004. This very important Vietnamese national coal corporation will operate these vehicles, as it also owns a large fleet of vehicles. KAMAZ Inc. is planning to deliver up to 300 CKD kits to Vietnam by the end of this year.

The first KAMAZ trucks’ assembly plant in Vietnam was established under technical support of KAMAZ Inc. So far, this is the only truck assembling production in the country, which has been granted a license of the Ministry of Industry of Vietnam to assemble trucks over 8t payload. This assembly plant has signed a license agreement with KAMAZ Inc. last November. Coal Corporation is one of those companies that have initiated foundation of the national vehicle industry in Vietnam. To stimulate developing of this new industry, the Vietnamese government has set low customs duties for imported CKD kits. Earlier, the Corporation has already tried to launch assembly of vehicles of other OEMs from CIS, and also negotiated delivery of second-hand vehicles with some companies from South Korea and China. However, later “Vinacoal” has chosen the most optimized alternative for itself and its country, i.e. cooperation with KAMAZ Inc. It’s assumed that in the future there will be assembled other KAMAZ truck models at Vinacoal production premises. The Vietnamese partner plans to market the trucks assembled by the JV on the domestic market and also export it using network of KAMAZ dealers.

The first KAMAZ assembly plant in Vietnam differs from JVs with other foreign partners, as it is the first to introduce welding and painting operations of dump truck platforms and truck cabs from KAMAZ components. Until recently KAMAZ Inc. has used to export only assembled platforms and cabs for dump trucks and that increased transportation cost significantly.

KAMAZ started delivering its trucks to Vietnam 25 years ago, in 1979. Today Vietnam is one of the major customers of KAMAZ vehicles. Only within last four years Vietnam has acquired over 5 000 trucks from KAMAZ, and another 300 units were delivered within five months of 2004. Totally there are now operating over 8 000 KAMAZ heavy-duty trucks in the country. This is one third of this range fleet. Share of KAMAZ trucks in the range of new models has reached 74%. Their major customers are state companies. Nine of ten new KAMAZ trucks are used at construction sites, another 7% - in mining industry.

KAMAZ Inc. has a diversified and dynamically developing net of its dealers all over Vietnam. Its dealers provide a customer with a whole range of services, such as presale preparing of vehicles, selling, warranty maintenance, and after-sale services. This is one of the most competitive advantages of KAMAZ Inc. on the Vietnamese market.

© www.kamaz.net, 2004