Vietnamese car maker plans private share issue

The share issue aims to raise additional capital to finance THACO’s investment and business plans this year, the company said in a circular issued to shareholders last week.

The 30.3 million shares proposed in this placement make up 1.82 percent of THACO’s current chartered capital, and will raise the Singaporean shareholder’s stake in the car manufacturer to 26.57 percent.

The share ownership of remaining shareholders will remain unchanged. Currently, 6.8 percent of THACO is owned by billionaire Tran Ba Duong, founder and chairman of the company, and another 60.6 percent by Tran Oanh JSC, a holding company owned by Duong and his family.

The shares are expected to be issued soon after the State Securities Commission has confirmed the receipt of all documentation regarding the private placement.

Dong Nai-based THACO was established as an auto and commercial vehicle maker in 1997. It has a plant in central province of Quang Nam and 89 showrooms and 53 dealerships.

It makes trucks and buses and assembles cars for brands like Kia (South Korea), Mazda (Japan), and Peugeot (France).

Jardine Cycle & Carriage Ltd, which is part of the Jardine Group of companies, has a diverse business portfolio. They have long term shareholdings in major manufacturers such as Jakarta based Astra International, as well as other interests in the refrigeration, cement and milk business.

In Singapore, Jardine C&C is best known as the retailer of Mercedes Benz, Mitsubishi, Kia, Citroen, DS, and Maxus motor vehicles. The company has a current market capitalisation of S$14.55 billion (US$10.71 billion).