Pyeonghwa Motors during and after Korean reunification?

[StockCarRacer]

[WIKIPEDIA]Pyeonghwa Motors[/WIKIPEDIA] is a North Korean automaker that produces two small cars under licence from Fiat, and a pick-up truck and an SUV using complete knock down kits from Chinese manufacturer Dandong Shuguang. It is a joint-venture in Nampo between Pyonghwa Motors of Seoul (South Korea), a company owned by Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church, and the North Korean Ryonbong General Corp.

Pyeonghwa has the exclusive rights to car production, purchase, and sale of used cars in North Korea. However, most North Koreans are unable to afford a car. Because of the very small market for cars in the country, Pyeonghwa's output is reportedly very low. In 2003, only 314 cars were produced even though the factory had the facilities to produce up to 10,000 cars a year. Erik van Ingen Schenau, author of the book Automobiles Made in North Korea, has estimated the company's total production in 2005 at not more than around 400 units.

A Pyeonghwa Motors advertisement; they are the only company to advertise in North Korea.

So, when communism officially ends in North Korea and reunifies with South Korea as a democratic government in the future, what will the future be for that company? Who will buy Pyeonghwa Motors? Will the new owner upgrade Pyeonghwa's factories?

 

[Finnish Bomber]

It will be a long wait for the Koreas to unite, just saying...

 

[Jim Prower]

Agreed. I think the better question is "Will they ever unite again..." and, due to that, that's a discussion better left to the Debate forum.

 

[Grand Prix]

That advertisement is so hilarious though.

 

[AMCNUT]

This thread reminds me of an article I read a little while ago... good reading, especially since it not a subject often covered.

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/10q3/cars_from_the_axis_of_evil_north_korea-feature

Thoughts?

But on-topic, i think N. Korean businesses will more or less be absorbed mercilessly by the South or allowed to survive based on pity. Especially cars - it'll likely become a regional division of Hyundai or something...💡

 

[sanmusa]

That advertisement is so hilarious though.

Pyeonghwa means peace, and that car's name is Hwiparam, which means whistle... now, who the heck buys a car named Peace Whistle??

I've spent six years of my life in Korea and I want to go back. I don't think the Koreas are getting reunited any time soon. My wife's Korean and she thinks the country is better off split right now. Unifying with North Korea will slow the South Korean economy for one or two decades.

 

[StockCarRacer]

Thoughts?

But on-topic, i think N. Korean businesses will more or less be absorbed mercilessly by the South or allowed to survive based on pity. Especially cars - it'll likely become a regional division of Hyundai or something...💡

In my opinion, it will be bought by PSA Peugeot Citroen S.A. or Fiat S.p.A. and either one of them who buys Pyeonghwa will upgrade Pyeonghwa's factory in Nampo once Korea is a single country. However, Pyeonghwa will have its own design studio somewhere in a reunified Korea after getting assistance from Pininfarina, Bertone, or Italdesign just like the Chinese automakers have.