‘First’ vehicle assembly plant next year: RMA

Local publicly-listed firm RMA (Cambodia) Plc is planning to set up the Kingdom’s “first-ever” motor vehicle assembly plant, to capitalise on the rising consumer demand for brand-new personal vehicles seen in recent years.

The move has prompted some to say that this could be a game-changing development for the domestic automotive industry.

 

RMA CEO Ngorn Saing told The Post on September 15 that his company received approval from Ford Motor Co to manufacture Ranger pickups and Everest SUVs, saying that the US auto major recognises the increasing demand in Cambodia for new vehicles.

He said RMA has signed a land leasing agreement for a 4ha site in Pursat province’s easternmost district of Krakor, and separate contracts with a construction manager and general contractor.

 

“We expect the assembly plant to be ready next year, and now we are just waiting for government approval so that we can begin construction. It’ll take between three-to-four months to complete, and we’ll be able to start assembly early next year,” he presumed.

The planned facility will have a lofty production capacity of 10,000 units per year, or over 27 per day, he said, admitting that this will exceed demand, and noting that the assembly line would be tailored to better match market needs.

Pursat provincial governor Mao Thonin heralded the project, saying he expects it to generate new jobs in the province and kickstart a new industry for the Kingdom.

“We welcome the forenamed investment into our province, wherefore they will create more jobs, improve the livelihoods of the people here, and produce more skilled labour for the automotive industry,” he said.

RMA’s Saing pointed out that the domestic automotive industry is dominated by second-hand vehicles, which account for 70-80 per cent of all sales in the Kingdom, a trend which he said has rapidly reversed in the last few years as more Cambodians opt for new models.https://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/first-vehicle-assembly-plant-next-year-rma