Paraguay delegation visits KGM's Pyeongtaek factory; automaker to supply 20 Musso EVs

Paraguay's vice minister of industry visits Pyeongtaek factory

Delegation reviews eco-friendly vehicle technology, production lines

KGM to join government ODA electric vehicle pilot program

A Paraguayan delegation, including the country's vice minister of industry, visits KGM's Pyeongtaek factory as part of a training program hosted by South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. KGM CEO Hwang Ki-young (second from right) and Paraguayan Vice Minister of Industry Javier Viveros (third from left) discuss potential areas of cooperation. [KGM]

KG Mobility (KGM) said Wednesday that a Paraguayan delegation — including the country's vice minister of industry and representatives from government agencies and institutions — visited its Pyeongtaek factory as part of a training program hosted by South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

The meeting, held Tuesday at KGM's Pyeongtaek headquarters, brought together KGM CEO Hwang Ki-young, head of development and production Kwon Yong-il, Paraguayan Vice Minister of Industry Javier Viveros, and Yang Jeong-jik of the Korea Automotive Technology Institute. Participants reviewed KGM's latest technology trends, including electric vehicles, and discussed potential areas of cooperation.

Following the meeting, the delegation toured the production line and visited the design center, where they observed the development process for the SE-10 — slated for release in early 2027 — as well as concept cars and full-scale clay models. The group also test-drove the Musso and Actyon Hybrid at the company's proving ground.

A Paraguayan delegation, including the country's vice minister of industry, tours the production line at KGM's Pyeongtaek factory as part of a training program hosted by South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. [KGM]

South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is pursuing the establishment of an automotive parts TASK Center in Paraguay as part of its official development assistance program. The Korea Automotive Technology Institute, the project's lead agency, will support the center's construction and operation, along with a pilot rollout of electric vehicles — including electric buses and small electric trucks — as well as the installation of charging stations and the creation of after-sales service centers. KGM will supply 20 Musso EVs for the pilot program.

Paraguay plans to distribute the electric vehicles supplied through the project to government agencies for use in passenger transport and cargo operations on a trial basis, with the aim of building and expanding an electric vehicle ecosystem in the country.

Latin American countries, including Paraguay, are channeling significant policy support into the adoption of eco-friendly vehicles and the transition of public infrastructure such as mass transit, backed by the region's abundant natural resources. Paraguay in particular stands out as a high-potential growth market for electric vehicles, given its vast electricity supply — anchored by the Itaipu hydroelectric dam, one of the largest in the world.

"The Paraguayan delegation was able to directly verify KGM's eco-friendly vehicle technology and quality management capabilities during this visit," a KGM official said. "KGM products have earned recognition not only from general customers but also from the public sector in overseas markets, and we will continue to expand export volumes by securing sales channels through supply chain diversification — beyond government ODA projects — and growing our market presence."

Meanwhile, KGM last month launched its brand in Myanmar, introducing an electric vehicle lineup that includes the Torres EVX and Musso EV as it moves to tap that market in earnest. The company plans to accelerate its global push by sequentially expanding knockdown assembly operations in Saudi Arabia and Vietnam, starting from its Myanmar entry.

eyre@heraldcorp.com