THE launch of Cambodia's first car assembly plant has been delayed due to the late delivery of equipment, company officials said yesterday.

Officials at the US$62 million Hyundai car assembly plant in Koh Kong province had planned to start production this month and originally targeted August 20 as the date to begin installing equipment. But the machinary did not arrive until early September, according to officials at owner Camko Motor Company.

Camko finance director Lim Visal said yesterday that the plant would be ready to assemble cars by the end of the year, but declined to specify a date.

Camko Motor Company is a joint venture between the domestic distributor of Hyundai vehicles, KH Motors, and Phnom Penh-based Ly Young Phat group. The plant is being built in Neang Kok Koh Kong special economic zone in Koh Kong, some 370 kilometres southwest of Phnom Penh.

Construction on the first phase of the 165,000-square-metre plant began in June last year. Once complete, it will be able to assemble up to 3,000 cars a year.

The first phase cost some $12 million, with second phase slated to cost $10 million and the third phase $40 million. Officials previously said it would turn out SUVs and minibuses for the domestic market.