Vietnamese automaker Kim Long Motors has signed a letter of intent with LG Energy Solution to secure a steady supply of cylindrical NMC battery cells for its upcoming electric vehicles. The company announced that the cells will be assembled into battery packs at its new industrial park in Hue, where a highly automated facility is currently under construction.
The plant is scheduled to begin operations in early 2026 with an initial capacity of 1 GWh per year, which is expected to expand in subsequent years. According to Kim Long Motors, battery assembly will play a crucial role in achieving its goal of localising over 80% of vehicle production by the second quarter of 2026.
Le Quang Dat, Vice Chairman of Kim Long Motors, stated,
“Through cooperation with LG Energy Solution, we can ensure a stable supply chain and maintain strict quality standards. This collaboration will boost the competitiveness of Vietnamese EVs and help Vietnam position itself as a hub for the clean energy industry in Asia and globally.”
Industry reports suggest that the cells supplied are likely from LG’s 46-series range and will be primarily used in Kim Long Motors’ electric buses. The automaker, a subsidiary of the Phu Tai Group, already completed a bus assembly plant in Hue in 2024 and is also constructing a passenger car facility with an annual capacity of 50,000 units.
Recently, Kim Long Motors delivered 443 electric buses to Ho Chi Minh City, supporting the rollout of 27 new e-bus routes. The company’s partnership with LG Energy Solution underscores Vietnam’s growing ambition to strengthen its domestic EV ecosystem and expand its role in the global clean mobility transition.
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