Truong Hai Automobile Joint-Stock company (Thaco), in co-operation with Japan’s Mazda Motor Corporation, has launched a new Crossover Utility Vehicle model, the Mazda New CX-5, in Chu Lai-Truong Hai Industrial Complex in Quang Nam Province.

Thaco said the new Mazda will prelude the new Mazda plant – the second Mazda factory in Quang Nam Province – which is under construction.

The new Mazda plant, built at a total investment of US$380 million from 2016, is expected to produce 100,000 Mazda cars per year with a localisation ratio (local made spare parts and accessories) of 44 per cent.

The Japanese car maker also plans to boost co-operation with Thaco in producing spare parts and accessories locally.

Mazda is the leading Japanese brand in Viet Nam, with the CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle) CX-5, Mazda3, and Mazda2, in addition to Mazda2 and 3 All-New, and Mazda 6.

Thaco has invested $400 million in constructing a logistics centre, car production factories, a vocational training college, a seaport, storage facilities and shipping services.

It plans to produce a total annual capacity of 215,000 trucks, vans, commercial cars, and achieve a localisation ratio of 16 per to 46 per cent, and expect a revenues of $3.1 billion in 2017.

It currently manufactures and distributes Korea’s Kia model, Japan’s Mazda and France’s Peugeot.

Thaco will become the new official importer of BMW and Mini vehicles in Viet Nam in January 2018.— VNS