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| 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 : 平和自動車 – a Korean language word for "peace"),[2] also spelled Pyonghwa, is one of the two car manufacturers and dealers in the North Korean automotive industry, alongside Sungri Motor Plant. Until 2013, it was a joint venture in Nampo between Pyonghwa Motors of Seoul (South Korea), a company owned by Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church, and the North Korean Ryonbong General Corp. The joint venture produced small cars under licence from Fiat and Brilliance China Auto,[3] a pickup truck and an SUV using complete knock down kits from Chinese manufacturer Dandong Shuguang, and a luxury car of SsangYong design.[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 book Automobiles Made in North Korea, has estimated the company's total production in 2005 at not more than around 400 units.[6]
- ^ "Interview of Sang Gwon Park, President of North Korea's Pyeonghwa Motors". www.tparents.org.
- ^ Berkowitz, 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 from the original on 2011-08-08. Retrieved 2011-08-08.
- ^ Power, 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". Retrieved 4 September 2016.
- ^ "China Car Forums — View Single Post — Pyeonghwa Motors (DPRK) and Mekong (Vietnam)". Retrieved 4 September 2016.