Pyeonghwa Motors
 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(September 2015) |
 | |
| Company type | State-owned company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manufacturing |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Pyongyang ,North Korea |
Area served | North Korea, Vietnam |
Key people | Park Sang-Kwon, CEO and Chairman[1] |
| Products | Automobiles |
| Owner | Ryonbong Unification Church |
Pyeonghwa Motors(Hangul:평화자동차;Hancha:Bình thản tự động xe – aKorean languageword for "peace"),[2]also spelledPyonghwa,is one of the two car manufacturers and dealers in theNorth Korean automotive industry,alongsideSungri Motor Plant.Until 2013, it was a joint venture inNampobetween Pyonghwa Motors ofSeoul(South Korea), a company owned bySun Myung Moon'sUnification Church,and theNorth KoreanRyonbong General Corp.The joint venture produced small cars under licence fromFiatandBrilliance China Auto,[3]apickup truckand anSUVusingcomplete knock downkits from Chinese manufacturerDandong Shuguang,and a luxury car ofSsangYongdesign.[citation needed]From 2013, the company has been fully owned by the North Korean state.[4]
Pyeonghwa has the exclusive rights to car production, purchase, and sale of used cars in North Korea. However, most North Koreans are unable to afford a car. Because of the very small market for cars in the country, Pyeonghwa's output is reportedly very low: in 2003, only 314 cars were produced even though the factory had the facilities to produce up to 10,000 cars a year.[5]
Erik van Ingen Schenau, author of the bookAutomobiles Made in North Korea,has estimated the company's total production in 2005 at not more than around 400 units.[6]
History[edit]
Pyeonghwa Motors was officially founded by theUnification Church.[7]The venture came during the period of theSunshine Policybetween North and South Korea, when sanctions on the country were not as tough.[8]The venture was announced in 2000.[citation needed]
In 2002, around $55 million was set aside to build the factory,[7][9]with which the first production line in Nampo was completed and the first Hwiparam was produced.[citation needed]The Premio and Pronto were later introduced in 2004.
In 2009, PM earned about $700,000 from the sale of 650 cars, with $500,000 remitted to South Korea.[7][9]Park Sang-Kwon, Pyeonghwa Motors president, started talks to end investment in 2012.[9]
The Unification Church officially transferred all investment to Pyongyang in 2013.[4]
Model list[edit]
| Model | Production | Status | Body style | Country of production |
| 410 | 1994 to 2002 | Import and conversion | Saloon | Germany ⇒ North Korea / China |
| Hwiparam | 2002 to 2006 | Mass production | Saloon | North Korea |
| Hwiparam II | since 2005 | Import | Saloon | China |
| Hwiparam III | since 2011 | Import | Saloon | China |
| Junma | 2005 to 2006 | Import | Saloon | North Korea |
| Paso 990 | since 2011 | Mass production | Minivan | Vietnam |
| Ppeokkugi | 2003 to 2004 | Mass production | Van | North Korea |
| Ppeokkugi II | since 2004 | Mass production | SUV | North Korea |
| Ppeokkugi III | since 2004 | Mass production | SUV and Pick-up | North Korea |
| Ppeokkugi 4WD-A | since 2009 | Mass production | SUV | North Korea |
| Ppeokkugi 4WD-B | since 2009 | Mass production | SUV | North Korea |
| Ppeokkugi 4WD-C | since 2009 | Mass production | SUV and Pick-up | Vietnam |
| Premio DX | 2004 to 2009 | Mass production | SUV and Pick-up | Vietnam |
| Premio DX II | since 2009 | Mass production | SUV and Pick-up | Vietnam |
| Premio MAX | since 2004 | Mass production | SUV and Pick-up | Vietnam |
| Pronto DX | 2004 to 2009 | Mass production | SUV | Vietnam |
| Pronto GS | since 2009 | Mass production | SUV | Vietnam |
| Samchunri | since 2005 | Import | Mid-size van | China |
| Zunma | since 2008 | Mass production | Saloon | North Korea |
| Zunma 1606 | since 2013 (?) | Import | Saloon | China |
| Zunma 2008 | since 2013 (?) | Import | Saloon | China |
- HwiparamI, 2000, based on theFiat Siena.[10]
- HwiparamII, 2007, based on the Brilliance Junjie/BS4/M2.[10]
- HwiparamIII, 2010, based on the Brilliance FSV.[10]
- Bbeokgugi (Peokkugi)1, 2003, based on theFiat Doblò.[10]Known to keep the Fiat vehicle badge.[11]
- Bbeokgugi (Peokkugi)2, 2004, based on theShuguang SUV 4x2.[10]
- Bbeokgugi (Peokkugi)3, 2004, based on theShuguang Huanghai.[10]
- Bbeokgugi (Peokkugi)4, 2005, based on theShuguang Dawn.[10]
- Junma,2005-2006, series production of the Junma, based on theSsangYong Chairman.[10]
- Junma(Zunma 1606), 2013, based on the FAW-Volkswagen Sagitar.[10]
- Junma(Zunma 2008), 2013, based on the FAW-Volkswagen Magotan[12][13]
- Samcheonri,2005, based on theJinbei Haise.[10]
Further models and partnerships[edit]
In summer 2006, the North Korean government magazineForeign Trade,which advertises North Korean products, published a photograph of a new luxury car produced by Pyeonghwa, the Junma,[14]which appears to be a rebadged version of the South KoreanSsangYong Chairman.[15][16]
The Chairman bears a strong resemblance toSsangYongcars, which are favored by North Korean government officials.[2]The Junma is based on an old MercedesE-Classdesign.[17]
In 2006, Pyeonghwa reached an agreement with Chinese manufacturerBrilliance China Autoto assemble itsJinbeiHaise vans, which are based on an old version of theToyota HiAce.[18][19]
In 2007, Pyeonghwa introduced Brilliance's Junjie car under the name Hwiparam II. The original Fiat-based Hwiparam has appeared on Pyeonghwa's web site.[20]
In 2009, Pyeonghwa announced a profit on its North Korean operations.[21]
The Premio and Pronto are also sold inVietnambyMekong Auto.[22]Both are based onHuanghaivehicles. Mekong Auto has sold Fiat cars in Vietnam since 1995, and this relationship may have led to Pyeonghwa assembling Fiats in North Korea.[citation needed]
Advertising[edit]
Pyeonghwa is currently the only company inNorth Koreato advertise. A series ofbillboardsandTV commercialshave been made in an effort to show residents that their country is able to produce products such as motor vehicles. The ads may be aimed primarily at expatriate businessmen in Pyongyang, butCar and Drivermagazine suggests that they are actually propaganda aimed at the local population, to make them believe that their country is economically successful.[23]
-
Pyonghwa Motors billboard showing theHwiparam. -
An advertising board of "Pyeonghwa Motors" inPyongyang.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^"Interview of Sang Gwon Park, President of North Korea's Pyeonghwa Motors".tparents.org.
- ^abBerkowitz, Justin (August 13, 2010)."Cars from North Korea: Axis of Evil".Car and Driver.
- ^"Pyongwha Fiparam, el utilitario que anima la industria del automóvil de la RPDC"(in Spanish). Choson Digest. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-08-08.Retrieved2011-08-08.
- ^abPower, John (2 November 2015)."Yes, North Korea makes cars, and here are the latest models".Mashable.
- ^"The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition): Daily News from Korea".Retrieved4 September2016.
- ^"China Car Forums — View Single Post — Pyeonghwa Motors (DPRK) and Mekong (Vietnam)".Retrieved4 September2016.
- ^abcRamstad, Evan (November 27, 2012)."End of the Road for North Korean Auto Maker?".The Wall Street Journal-Korea RealTime.Retrieved2012-12-06.
- ^"North Korean Cars: Pyonghwa Motors".Visit North Korea. 2019-06-24.Retrieved2019-06-24.
- ^abc"Unification Church to wind up auto venture in NK".Yonhap News Agency.2012-11-28.Retrieved2012-12-05.
- ^abcdefghij"Pyeonghwa Motors Official Page".pyeonghwamotors. Archived fromthe originalon 2013-04-08.
- ^"pyeonghwa motors corporation: North Korea has its own automaker that you may know nothing about — Times of India".The Times of India.2 April 2017.
- ^"ZUNMA 2008 | chinesecars".chinesecars.net.Retrieved14 September2021.
- ^Text on all sources online for the Zunma 2008 is wrong, the CC is not shown, instead the Chinese FAW-Volkswagen Magotan, can be compared with Magotan images online.
- ^"kcckp.net / server maintenance".Archived fromthe originalon September 30, 2007.Retrieved4 September2016.
- ^"Ssangyong Chairman Limousine 4d".Global Auto Index.Global Auto Systems Europe Kft. Archived fromthe originalon 11 March 2008.Retrieved4 September2016.
- ^"Google Translate".Retrieved4 September2016.
- ^Hevesy, Alex (July 13, 2015)."Yes, even North Korea has its own luxury car brand".Autoweek.
- ^"Pyeonghwa Motors (DPRK) and Mekong (Vietnam) - China Car Forums".Retrieved4 September2016.
- ^"kcckp.net / server maintenance".Archived fromthe originalon September 30, 2007.Retrieved4 September2016.
- ^"Chinese cars abroad — Page 5 - China Car Forums".Retrieved4 September2016.
- ^Pyeonghwa Sells in North Korea,Wall Street Journal,July 16, 2009
- ^Mekong."Mekong — Tin tức".Retrieved4 September2016.
- ^Berkowitz, Justin (August 2010),"Cars from the" Axis of Evil ": North Korea",Car and Driver,archived fromthe originalon 2010-09-05,retrieved2010-09-08
External links[edit]
- Official website
- Pyongwha brochure(PDF) on theKorean Friendship Associationwebsite
- Photos of North Korean vehiclesincluding Pyeonghwa models, compiled by the author ofAutomobiles Made in North Korea
- Pyeonghwa Motors video advertisement
- Location of Pyeonghwa motors plant in Nampo:38°45′15″N125°24′20″E/ 38.754284°N 125.405438°E
| Companies |
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| Related topics | |||||||||||||
| Active national brands | |
|---|---|
| Defunct brands | |
| Related topics | |
- Nampo
- Unification Church affiliated organizations
- Unification Church controversies
- Car manufacturers of North Korea
- Manufacturing companies based in Seoul
- Luxury motor vehicle manufacturers
- Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1999
- North Korea–South Korea relations
- Government-owned companies of North Korea
- 1999 establishments in North Korea