Pyeonghwa Motors
Pyeonghwa Motors, 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, 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, a pickup truck and an SUV using complete knock down kits from Chinese manufacturer Dandong Shuguang, and a luxury car of SsangYong design. From 2013, the company has been fully owned by the North Korean state.
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.
History
Pyeonghwa Motors was officially founded by the Unification Church. The venture came during the period of the Sunshine Policy between North and South Korea, when sanctions on the country were not as tough. The venture was announced in 2000.In 2002, around $55 million was set aside to build the factory, with which the first production line in Nampo was completed and the first Hwiparam was produced. 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. Park Sang-Kwon, Pyeonghwa Motors president, started talks to end investment in 2012.
The Unification Church officially transferred all investment to Pyongyang in 2013.
Production
Pyeonghwa holds the exclusive rights to car production, as well as the purchase and sale of used cars in North Korea. However, most North Koreans are unable to afford a car. Due to the very small market for cars in the country, Pyeonghwa's output is reportedly quite low; in 2003, only 314 cars were produced, despite the factory's capacity to produce up to 10,000 cars per year.Model list
Hwiparam model range
Hwiparam I, 2000, based on the Fiat Siena.Hwiparam II, 2007, based on the Brilliance Junjie/BS4/M2.Hwiparam 1504/''Hwiparam III, 2010, based on the Brilliance FSV.Hwiparam 1506, based on the FAW OleyHwiparam 1518, based on the Brilliance H330Hwiparam 1607, 2013, rebadged first generation Volkswagen Jetta from the Chinese marketHwiparam 1610, based on the Besturn B50Hwiparam 1613, 2013, rebadged second generation Volkswagen Jetta from the Chinese marketHwiparam 2005, based on the Brilliance BS6Hwiparam 2009'', based on the Besturn B90Bbeokgugi model range
Bbeokgugi 1, 2003, based on the Fiat Doblò. Known to keep the Fiat vehicle badge.Bbeokgugi 2, 2004, based on the Shuguang SUV 4x2.Bbeokgugi 3, 2004, based on the Shuguang Huanghai.Bbeokgugi 4, 2005, based on the Shuguang Dawn.Bbeokgugi 1507, based on the Great Wall Voleex C10Bbeokgugi 1509, based on the FAW Senya S80Bbeokgugi 1515, based on the Beijing Auto E150EVBbeokgugi 2008, based on the Beijing Jeep Zhanqi BJ2024Bbeokgugi 2013, based on the Bestune X80Bbeokgugi 2015, based on the Haval H9Bbeokgugi 2019, based on the first generation Haval H5 Bbeokgugi 2021, based on the first generation Haval H5 Bbeokgugi 2406, based on the first generation Haval H5Bbeokgugi 2417, based on the Changfeng Liebao Q6Samcheonri model range
Samcheonri 0102/Samcheonri I, 2005, based on the Jinbei Haise van.Samcheonri 0107, based on the King Long Jinwei high roof vanSamcheonri 0606, based on the King Long Jinwei ambulanceSamcheonri 0708, based on the Jiabao V52 7-seater Samcheonri 0711, based on the Jiabao V80 Samcheonri 0711, based on the JAC Refine M5Samcheonri 0808, based on the Jiabao V52 8-seaterSamcheonri 0901, based on the Jinbei HaiseSamcheonri 0903, based on the Jinbei HaiseSamcheonri 0904, based on the King Long Jinwei 9-seater high roof vanSamcheonri 1105, based on the King Long Jinwei 11-seater high roof vanSamcheonri 2103, based on the Jinbei HaiseChangjeon model range
Changjeon 0208, based on a Huanghai bus modelChangjeon 1610, based on the Maxus V80Changjeon 1703, based on the King Long Kaige 17 seater minibusChangjeon 1902, based on the Toyota CoasterChangjeon 2103, based on the King Long Kaige 21 seater minibusChangjeon 2302 based on a King Long coach model with 23 seatsChangjeon 3001, based on a King Long coach model with 30 seatsChangjeon 3019, based on the Higer KLQ6758Zunma model range
Zunma, 2005, based on the SsangYong Chairman.Zunma 1606, 2013, based on the FAW-Volkswagen Sagitar.Zunma 1811, based on the Bestune B70Zunma 2008, 2013, based on the FAW-Volkswagen MagotanFurther models and partnerships
In summer 2006, the North Korean government magazine Foreign Trade of the DPRK, which advertises North Korean products, published a photograph of a new luxury car produced by Pyeonghwa, the Junma, which appears to be a rebadged version of the South Korean SsangYong Chairman.The Junma bears a strong resemblance to SsangYong cars, specifically the Chairman, which are favored by North Korean government officials. The Chairman is based on an old Mercedes E-Class design.
In 2006, Pyeonghwa reached an agreement with Chinese manufacturer Brilliance China Auto to assemble its Jinbei Haise vans, which are based on an old version of the Toyota HiAce.
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.
In 2009, Pyeonghwa announced a profit on its North Korean operations.
The Premio and Pronto are also sold in Vietnam by Mekong Auto. Both are based on Huanghai vehicles. Mekong Auto has sold Fiat cars in Vietnam since 1995, and this relationship may have led to Pyeonghwa assembling Fiats in North Korea.