BJ Mercantile Inc. (BJM), one of the country’s leading conglomerates, is shifting gears in a major way. Through a new strategic partnership with Vietnamese automotive titan THACO, BJM officially becomes the exclusive distributor of THACO trucks and buses in the Philippines—marking a significant leap in its commercial mobility offering.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by both parties, BJM will oversee sales, service, and parts distribution for THACO’s versatile vehicle lineup, boosting options for Filipino businesses in logistics, construction, transport, and more.
Strengthening a Legacy of Automotive Excellence
BJM began its journey in 1974 as an importer of used trucks and engines. Today, the company stands tall as a diversified enterprise with interests in automotive, real estate, logistics, cold storage, marine transport, and petroleum. This latest venture reflects the group’s commitment to innovation and customer-first solutions in the ever-evolving commercial vehicle landscape.
“We are honoured to partner with THACO and bring their proven line of trucks and buses to the Philippine market,” said Leilani Lim Tan, BJM Vice President.
“This partnership supports our mission to provide cost-efficient, high-performance transport solutions for Filipino entrepreneurs and industries.”
Who is THACO?
Who is THACO?Founded in 1997, THACO (Trường Hải Auto Corporation) is a dominant force in Vietnam’s automotive industry, boasting one of the most advanced manufacturing hubs in Southeast Asia—the Chu Lai Truong Hai Industrial Complex. Here, THACO produces a wide range of vehicles from light-duty trucks to full-sized buses, all engineered for durability and tropical road conditions.
THACO’s products are:
- Built on reliable Chinese chassis platforms
- Known for fuel efficiency and low operating costs
- Ideally suited for heavy-duty usage across Philippine roads
“This partnership with BJ Mercantile marks a significant milestone in THACO AUTO’s global expansion.
Together, we aim to deliver high-quality, cost-effective transport solutions tailored to the Philippine market, while supporting the modernization of its public transportation system with our buses and after-sales excellence.” says Doan Dat Ninh, Vice President of Thaco Auto.
Their arrival in the country complements BJM’s existing automotive roster, which includes premium brands such as Scania, Ashok Leyland, Fuso, and Hongqi.