Taking on the post of Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (VAMA) chairman from January 1, Laurent Charpentier - also Ford Vietnam managing director, tells VIR about difficulties and challenges facing Vietnam-based auto firms.

What challenges have you faced since taking the VAMA post?

For me the greatest challenge is how to effectively handle both Ford Vietnam managing director and VAMA chairman roles with clearly defined functions.

VAMA’s former chairman came from Toyota Vietnam, a firm with rosy sales figures as well as strong contingent of workforce which could be supportive to VAMA operations. How about Ford Vietnam?

Human resources is one determinant to success, but the way work is handled and cooperation among team members is no less important. Let’s take the example of tax arrear reclamation issue in 2011. Not only big firms like us but smaller ones were proven very active when working with the Vietnamese government and other competent state agencies. I do hope that during the time acting as VAMA chairman all other members will team up closely to pick the expected dividends.

You have taken office at the time when Vietnam’s auto market is in the doldrums. Can you shed some light on VAMA’s solutions?

Difficulties are in fact multiple and I hope VAMA members sit together for remedial actions. VAMA’s top target is to foster Vietnam car industry development, but not just bringing benefits to car assemblers and manufacturers. VAMA is working for the industry’s long-term and sustainable development to meet’s increasing people’s demands and lure more and more component producers to jump into the country to open manufacturing plants.

Soaring registration fees and higher number plate costs from January 1, 2012 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City could dampen local auto market in the first half of 2012. In my view, demand will resume in the second part of the year.

The current pressing issue is motorbikes and automobiles continuously bursting into flames in the past months which had scared riders. What will VAMA do from the part of car manufacturers?

Competent state agencies have engaged in finding the root of recent fires associated with vehicles but no final conclusion is now available. From VAMA part, we are willing to support relevant state bodies to find the root of the problem. Founding a technical sub-committee at VAMA to aid state agencies is a viable option.

We are drafting a letter which will soon be forwarded to the government and competent state agencies about VAMA cooperation in motorbike and auto recent fires in a hope to bring light to the case to put consumers’ mind at ease when using means of transport.