Billionaire Tran Ba Duong drives THACO into passenger car market

(NLDO) - THACO Auto plans to roll out its first THACO-branded minibus in June 2026, with passenger cars to follow in 2027.

At the start of the Lunar New Year of Binh Ngo 2026, in a message released on February 23, billionaire Tran Ba Duong, Chairman of THACO Group, conveyed his expectation that all business sectors will continue to achieve major milestones in the year ahead.

He emphasized that 2026 marks the fourth year of THACO's five-year (2023-2027) multi-industry strategy - a pivotal year of acceleration and breakthrough.

Over the past three years, THACO has remained committed to prioritizing long-term transformation over short-term revenue and profit, undertaking a comprehensive restructuring to build a new-generation multi-industry industrial group. The vision is to create a highly integrated ecosystem with strong complementarities, founded on industrial and digital capabilities, operating at scale with advanced technology and engineering, and aligned with regional and international standards.

By 2027, THACO aims to consolidate its leadership in the domestic market, achieve revenue of approximately VND 180 trillion, and expand its workforce to more than 100,000 employees.

In the automotive sector, THACO Auto - building on its experience and success with THACO-branded buses and trucks - plans to launch a THACO-branded minibus line in June 2026, followed by a passenger car line in 2027.

The company will place strong emphasis on research and development tailored to customer needs, with a focus on product customization and personalization. It also intends to boost export sales while expanding its spare parts and after-sales service operations.

Meanwhile, retail activities at THACO Auto's provincial and municipal subsidiaries will be further standardized and professionally managed to ensure stable, systematic, and efficient performance.

In 2026, THACO Auto targets total sales of more than 96,600 vehicles and revenue of VND 65.5 trillion, with export revenue exceeding USD 30.5 million. The company’s total workforce is expected to reach 13,000 employees, while total investment disbursement is projected at more than VND 1 trillion.

By 2027, THACO Auto aims to generate revenue of VND 72 trillion.

Dai Quang Minh Company is tasked with investing in and developing road, seaport, and railway infrastructure projects linked to transit-oriented development (TOD), specialized industrial parks, urban areas, and real estate. The company operates under a model defined by deep specialization and high integration.

In 2026, THACO plans to commence 42 projects and complete 12 projects, meeting requirements in terms of scale, quality and accelerated timelines. Notably, it will expedite construction of the Ben Thanh - Tham Luong Metro Line and break ground on the Ben Thanh - Thu Thiem and Thu Thiem - Long Thanh International Airport routes, aiming for synchronized operation by 2030.

At the same time, the company will receive and master core railway technologies, including tunnel boring, precast concrete production and elevated viaduct construction. 

It will continue implementing the Dau Giay - Tan Phu BOT Expressway project to ensure timely handover, and will begin construction and partially put into operation new industrial park projects in Chu Lai - Da Nang City, as well as a 786-hectare specialized mechanical engineering industrial park in Ho Chi Minh City. 

These projects are designed to meet the development schedule of THACO Industries’ railway and multi-purpose mechanical engineering industrial complex.