Across every road of Vietnam -from urban to rural, plain to mountainous areas - one can easily see DFM trucks made by Truong Giang Dong Phong Automobile Company. The coverage of the distribution, sale and after-sale systems has confirmed the quality and reputation of this product in the market. Vietnam Business Forum had an interview with Mr Phan Van Thien, Director of Dong Phong Automobile Co., Ltd. for the enterprise’s operation in the time to come.
Vietnam economy is in its recovery stage. What is your forecast about the growth of Vietnam's automobile industry in the coming period, especially the truck series?
Vietnam has a rapid economic recovery speed in the region and supporting policies on interest rates in recent years have somewhat good impact to the operations of domestic businesses and consumers.
Vietnam has more than 87 million people; this is a promising market for automobile manufacturers in general and trucks’ in particular. Despite broad market, we should be able to position us in which segment of the market then we can well establish in the market and develop. In recent years there have been quite a many local and foreign enterprises engaged in automobile assembly and production, though rate of success remains low and many businesses pitifully have to say good bye to the auto industry - an exciting but challenging playing field.
Currently the market has seen about 10 businesses involved in the production and distribution of trucks. They provide the market with around 3,000 trucks of various kinds monthly. It is forecasted that the future demand for these trucks will increase.
DFM Truong Giang Dong Phong is highly appreciated in Vietnam's automobile market. Which factors lead to this success?
The success of a brand is created by many factors. For us, it is that building the image always comes with quality of products and customer service before and after sale. "Available-Fast-Good-Cheap" criterion is our guideline for sustainable development. DFM always provides best products with qualified quality and reasonable price to create the product competitiveness in the market.
DFM, with its closed production and distribution system, has appeared in Vietnam's market for 5 years now. We manufacture, assemble and distribute light trucks of various kinds from 0.8 to 25 tons. DFM has been included in “top” products under direct supervision by the Vietnam Registry Department.
DFM now has its distribution systems in all provinces and cities across the country with over 70 agents. Each agent is supported by the company to invest in infrastructure, product showrooms, and sales and in building maintenance facilities to make sure that its customers are entitled to best interest. So far, DFM Truong Giang Dong Phong has become one of the leading brands in truck series produced or assembled locally.
It is expected that in the fourth quarter we will put our second plant into operation and assemble more new fashioned series for the market. Hopefully we will get the support of customers.
Some have argued that engaging in a big playing field, gains are more than losses? Do you think differently?
In my opinion, gains and losses are equal. It's important that we know how to capture and take advantage of opportunities. In a big playing field, the competition is fair and you will be defeated and forced to move to another one if you are not strong enough. So, integration means we must consolidate our machinery, enhance our competing capacity and make a difference in our products. Only by improving corporate management systems and training human resource to meet the needs of overall development will we be able to compete.
DFM Truong Giang Dong Phong has confirmed that marketplace is a battlefield. It must win the battle. So in order to compete and survive at this time the business is to build strategic business lines and products. This will be the backbone of the business in the sustainable construction and development process.
Reported by Luu Hiep
Vietnamese
