BJ Mercantile Inc. has partnered with Vietnam’s Thaco Auto (Truong Hai Group Corp.), officially becoming the exclusive distributor of Thaco trucks and buses in the Philippines. The deal, cemented through a memorandum of understanding signed Thursday, covers sales, service, and parts for Thaco’s lineup of completely built units (CBUs), including 8.5-meter to 12-meter buses, as well as light and medium-duty trucks.
The agreement marks Thaco’s formal market entry into the Philippines, where it aims to tap strong demand for cost-efficient commercial vehicles. For BJ Mercantile, the move enhances its transport offerings, which already include Scania, Ashok-Leyland, Fuso, and Hongqi.
“This partnership aligns with our commitment to offer reliable, high-quality vehicles,” said BJ Mercantile VP Leilani Lim Tan, citing Thaco’s robust production capabilities in Vietnam’s Chu Lai Industrial Complex.
Thaco, one of Southeast Asia’s largest automakers with over 70 percent localization in bus manufacturing, began exporting to the Philippines in 2019 and views the country as a key growth market amid transport modernization efforts.
The collaboration strengthens BJ Mercantile’s position after 50 years in the industry and deepens Thaco’s footprint in the ASEAN region.
