It is understood that Apple is discussing the production of Apple smart watches Apple Watch and laptop MacBook in Vietnam.Scholars of interviewees believe that in the context of the game between China and the United States, in order to reduce dependence on China, technology giants have increased their investment in Vietnam to achieve diversification of production sites.
On Wednesday (August 17), the Nikkei quoted three people familiar with the matter. Apple supplier Lixun Precision and Foxconn have tested the production of Apple Watch in northern Vietnam. This electronic product has been produced in China so far.
Vietnam is one of the extremely important manufacturing centers outside China, where the suppliers produce iPad tablets and AirPods headphones for Apple.After the supply chain was interrupted due to the crown disease in Shanghai, China continued to transfer iPad production activities to Vietnam.Sources also said that Apple is also discussing with suppliers to establish a smart speaker HomePod production line in Vietnam.
Li Honghe, a senior researcher and a coordinator of the Vietnamese research project of the Easpta Eastern South Asian Research Institute, said in an interview with Lianhe Morning Post that investors hope to transfer production bases from China and increase investment in Vietnam to achieve the place of production.Diversification.
Handi Edi, a senior analyst of Isaiah Research, told Nikkei that some electronics manufacturers are trying to balance the tension in Sino -US relations."From a geographical point of view, we found that major international electronic brands such as Apple and Samsung tried to reduce their dependence on production products in China. At the same time, they used more Chinese suppliers ... creating more products for them.These are measures to balance geopolitics. "
It is reported that Apple suppliers with production facilities in Vietnam have increased from 14 in 2018 to at least 22.Major electronics manufacturers such as Google, Dell and Amazon also build factories in Vietnam.
In the next five years, it is expected to continue to realize the diversification of production sites
Li Honghe said: "As the competition between China and the United States continues to intensify, it will take time to achieve a diversified process. It is expected that this trend will continue in the next five years."
He also pointed out that the cost of labor in Vietnam is still quite low compared with China, and has higher skills and discipline than workers in other regional countries.In addition, Vietnam's infrastructure development is rapid, especially in the Red River Delta region where most manufacturing plants are located.The Vietnamese government actively attracts high -tech investment and provides various types of assistance to facilitate the transfer of these investors.
As for the production of MacBook, two people familiar with the matter said that Apple has asked suppliers to test the production line in Vietnam.However, the large number of production lines to Vietnam is slow, including interference from the crown disease.
However, Li Honghe believes that the outbreak of Vietnam has been eased, and there is currently no restrictions on action in the territory.The problem is more about China's clearing policy, which may make it difficult for some suppliers to transfer their facilities or experts to Vietnam."Once these restrictions are canceled, for these investors, the process will become easier to arrange."
He also said that the Vietnamese government should also continue to improve infrastructure and labor quality, and continue to work hard to reduce the festival and crack down on corruption to help investors reduce costs.
Apple, Foxconn and Lixun Precision did not immediately reply to Lianhe Zaobao's inquiry.
