The Korea Automotive Technology Institute has supplied 20 electric pickup trucks and charging infrastructure to Paraguay and opened an automotive parts technical support hub there. The move is being viewed as building a Latin American cooperation model that goes beyond simple vehicle exports to encompass parts production, workforce training, and charging infrastructure.
The Korea Automotive Technology Institute (President Jin Jong-wook) announced on the 12th that it held an opening ceremony for the "Automotive Parts TASK Center and EV Delivery Ceremony" on the 11th (local time) in Hernandarias, Paraguay.
The project is part of the Industrial Technology Cooperation Development Support Program (ODA) promoted by South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), and served as an occasion to review the results of South Korea-Paraguay industrial cooperation that has continued since 2022 and to expand the scope of future cooperation.
About 100 officials from both countries attended the event, including Institute President Jin and South Korean Ambassador to Paraguay Son Hyuk-sang, as well as Paraguayan Vice President Antonio Barrios, Minister of Industry and Commerce Marco Riquelme, and Itaipu Binacional President Justo Zacarías.
The TASK Center opened this time is a comprehensive technical support facility equipped with an education office building and a processing and production practice building. It provides local automotive parts companies with technical services across the manufacturing spectrum, including precision machining, prototype production, testing and evaluation, and resolution of technical difficulties.
Local specialists trained by the institute through the ODA project will operate the center and advanced equipment together with related organizations such as the Itaipu Technology Park, taking charge of support for local companies.
A project to distribute eco-friendly vehicles was also carried out. The institute delivered 20 Musso EVs—electric pickup trucks made by South Korea's KG Mobility (003620)—and 15 EV chargers to the Paraguayan government. The chargers consist of five fast chargers and 10 slow chargers.
Following the supply of electric buses last year, the institute is simultaneously distributing EVs and charging infrastructure to broaden the local electrification base while also securing a bridgehead aimed at helping South Korean automakers and parts companies enter the Latin American market.
"The opening of the TASK Center and the distribution of EVs and charging infrastructure will serve as an important foundation for leading the development of Paraguay's eco-friendly mobility industry," Jin said.
"By training local specialists and strengthening technical capabilities, we will support the sustainable development of Paraguay's automotive industry and actively assist South Korean automakers and automotive parts companies in securing new growth opportunities in the Latin American market."
The project is drawing attention as a case in which South Korea's automotive technology cooperation model bears fruit in a developing country. While ODA projects have often remained at infrastructure construction or one-off material support, this one combines operation of a technical support center, training of local personnel, distribution of complete vehicles, and construction of charging infrastructure.
Paraguay is a member of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) and…
