Sungri Motor Plant is a 600,000 m2 vehicle factory in the city ofTokchon, North Korea. It was the most capable plant of the North Korean automotive industry before being surpassed by Pyeonghwa Motors. The plant produces urban and off-road passenger cars, small, medium, and heavy cargo, as well as haulage construction and off-road trucks and buses. All models are reported to be replicas or derivations of foreign cars. Vehicles are generally for civilian and commercial use, as government officials favour foreign imports and the armed forces have their own facilities. On Nov 20, 2017, Kim Jong Un was reported to have visited and provided site guidance at the Sungri Motor Plant.
History
The Sungri Motor Plant was founded in November 1950 as the Tokchon Motor Plant. It produced its first vehicle, a Sungri-58 truck, in 1958. In 1975, the plant was renamed Sungri Motor Plant. In 1980, annual production was reported by the government to be 20,000 units per year, however the rate was more likely between 6,000 and 7,000 units per year. In 1996 production was crippled due to the country's economic difficulties, with approximately 150 units produced.
Car models
Achimkoy - 5 seat sedan, a copy of the GAZ-M20 Pobeda. Most likely a single prototype.
Sungri-58 - A clone of the Soviet GAZ-51 Truck, however with weaker springs. The Sungri-58 also suffers from unusually high fuel consumption due to its crudely copied GAZ-51 carburetor which has been used since 1961. It was first built in 1958. Later Sungri-58KA and Sungri-58NA modifications with new cabin are appeared in the 1970s.
Sungri-60/10.10) - A large 6x6 truck of 1960, it has a ten-ton payload and was used primarily for military purposes. It was featured on a North Korean stamp from 1961.
Sungri-61 - Based on the GAZ-63 truck. It is a 4x4 version of Sungri-58. The Sungri-61 was first built in 1961. Later Sungri-61NA increased payload to 2 tons and a new cabin.
Sungri/Jaju-64 - Based on the KrAZ 256. A 6x4 dump truck, it has a 10-ton payload and 15-litre V8-cylinder diesel engine. It was featured on a North Korean stamp from 1965. Built from 1964 to 1982.
Sungri/Jaju-82 - A 4x2 multi-purpose truck of 1982, it has a 10-ton payload and a 15-litre V8-cylinder diesel engine. It was featured in a North Korean stamp from 1988. Sometimes referred to as "Chaju".
Sungrisan/Konsor-25 - A 25-ton dumper of 1970. It is based on the BelAZ trucks. Later built by the March 30th Works.
