Hoping to wean drivers off second-hand Japanese cars, LS Auto signed a deal on January 18 to import vehicles from China’s Guangzhou Automobile Group, GAC Motor, starting in March. The deal could open the door for GAC to produce vehicles in Myanmar.
“[GAC] is based in China, but 70 percent of the parts are produced in Europe and America,” said LS sales chief Daw Caroline, adding after-sales service would be offered.
GAC Motor produced 728,000 vehicles in 2012, the 10th-largest output of any Chinese auto maker.
“We believe the incoming government will stimulate social and economic development. We will bring to the Myanmar car market our 30 years of experience,” said GAC vice chair Yuan Zhongrong in a ceremony at Sedona Hotel.
Presidential adviser U Ko Ko Hlaing said, “The recent changes in import policy will encourage the sale of brand-new cars … We hope GAC will not just import vehicles, but will invest in building a car industry in Myanmar.”
U Zaw Myo Myint, spokesperson for LS Auto, said, “We hope to change the opinion of people who think cars from China are not high-quality. Many drivers here prefer second-hand Japanese-made cars, but brand-new vehicles are less costly to maintain.”
Source: Myanmar Times