Local carmaker Kim Long Motor company and Korean Daon Mobility ink an agreement on exporting the local brand bus into the Korean market. (Photo: Kim Long Motor)

The agreement, which was signed at the Hue City-based Chan May Lang Co Economic Zone, is expected to be the first step in an annual deal, supplying Kim Long Motor branded vehicles for operation and transportation service in Korea through the Korean partner.

It’s expected that the first batch of 50 electric EV Buses will be delivered to the Republic of Korea (RoK) for operation in the second quarter this year.

The locally-made 22-seat e-bus class, which operates with a lithium polymer battery provided by Korean SK company, can travel for 310km on just one charge and will be used for ‘green’ transport services in the capital Seoul, Incheon and Busan.

The Kim Long Motor Hue factory, the first vehicle manufacturer in Hue City, rolled out its first minibus and van products, the Kim Long X9 series, after nearly two months of construction last year.

The manufacturer has already inked agreements on supplying 500 minibuses for the first domestic customers – Phuong Trang FUTA Buslines and the Futa-Ha Son transport company.

Previously, Kim Long Motor Hue and Changan Automobile Group from China signed a cooperation agreement to build a passenger car factory in Hue City, with a capacity of 50,000 vehicles per year.

In 2023, automobile manufacturer KG Mobility of the RoK had a working session with Kim Long Motors for a plan to assemble and produce KG Mobility vehicles in Vietnam.

The local carmaker has set a target of achieving a localisation rate for its production of up to 90% in the second quarter of 2026.