Vietnam urges Toyota, Honda to switch to producing hybrid vehicles

Toyota and Honda should draft detailed plans to switch their production in Vietnam from petroleum vehicles to hybrid ones, said Tran Duy Dong, Chairman of Vinh Phuc province.

Vinh Phuc province, a manufacturing center in northern Vietnam, is home to factories of Toyota and Honda.

Dong made the statement at a Monday meeting with Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki, urging the Japanese diplomat to have further discussion with Toyota and Honda to speed up the progress.

Such a move will follow the Vietnamese government’s policy of green and eco-friendly production, he added.

Japan is now the second-biggest foreign investor in Vinh Phuc province with 75 projects and total registered capital of $1.9 billion. Notable names are Honda, Toyota, and Sojitz.

The province will ensure power supply for business and support solar power utilization, Dong emphasized.

He also asked the Japanese diplomat to help Vinh Phuc province attract Japanese investors, especially in sectors of power, electronics, high technology, and new energy.

In reply, Ito Naoki suggested Vinh Phuc continue streamlining administrative procedures, support firms to utilize solar power, and ensure a stable electricity supply.

Honda now operates three factories in the northern province, including two for motorbikes and one for cars, covering 15 hectares. Its annual output reached 1.75 million motorbikes and 35,000 four-wheel vehicles. Toyota runs two facilities, with a total capacity of 90,000 vehicles a year.