Automobile manufacturer Isuzu Vietnam Co Ltd and the environmental equipment provider Hiep Hoa Group on Tuesday signed a strategic partnership agreement on the development of special-use vehicles in Viet Nam.

Nguyen Van Lien, chairman of the Vietnam Urban Environment and Industrial Zone Association (VUREIA), said the products of Hiep Hoa Group meet the requirements and demand of the market.

Special-use vehicles had to be imported in the past at very high prices, he said.

Isuzu Vietnam general director Hidekazu Noto said the company has launched its new generation of Euro 4-standard trucks and will expand its product portfolio.

The co-operation between Isuzu Vietnam and Hiep Hoa Group will create efficient special-use vehicles, Hidekazu said, adding that the two firms will strive to complete the quality of after-sale services and supply of components to meet diversified demand of customers.

The strategic partnership agreement is expected to help the two companies produce high quality trucks branded Isuzu Vietnam-Hiep Hoa, Hiep Hoa Group general director Dao Manh Hung said.

Hiep Hoa Group specialises in producing special equipment in the fields of urban environment, national defence and firefighting. The input components for Hiep Hoa Group’s products are mainly imported from Germany, Japan, Italy and the US.

The Japanese automobile firm Isuzu is familiar to Vietnamese customers for its diversified product portfolio, ranging from light trucks, semi-trucks, sports utility vehicles and trailers. The company is expanding to producing special-use vehicles and co-operating with special-use component suppliers. — VNS