2005 Pyonghwa Motors Hwiparam from North Korea - Comments

No mechanical problems have occured.

Failed illumination from the instrument panel. Problem was repaired by a mechanic. It was solely electrical.

This car is manufactured in North Korea.

It was a gift to my family from the State.

I did not know to drive until I was issued this vehicle. The license program took me some weeks to achieve. The vehicle is built in a very modern process by the factory, so the construction is quite good.

Not much gasoline used, but gasoline is very expensive and it's difficult to get rations, so the vehicle does not get as much use as it could.

I have applied for permission to take the vehicle on vacation outside of Pyongyang with my family.

Great to see a comment from North Korea.

The described car is a Fiat Serena built under license in several countries including North Korea. The car was a gift from the State. How difficult is it for the average NK citizen to buy a car?

Apparently, the Hwiparam is a Fiat Siena/Palio underneath. The car isn't too bad, and it's good to see some progress like this in North Korea.

I wonder how one goes about getting petrol for it.

I am the initial reviewer. Just an update. The car has still been going well, even though sometimes it has not driven for weeks due to no fuel. No more problems with illumination.

To respond to some comments: The roads in North Korea are not all empty! Pyongyang has many vehicles, many people have no requirement for a vehicle because of the many other forms of transport. This is a common car in Pyongyang, but most cars are secondhand from Japan or maybe China. Thank you to most comments.

Sounds like a pretty good, car. I would buy one if they sold it here in Australia.

I think you'll find a gentleman with the surname of Benz was involved.

Also, I know this review was written before the "Big 3" went cap in hand to congress to save them, but how ironic that Toyota, Nissan and Honda are in far better financial shape, as they've been managed far better.

I used to be in car sales, in my time I've sold--Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge, Kia, Daihatsu, Vauxhall, Ford and Honda, by far the best for reliability and build was Honda, by far the worst, Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge.

So great to hear from someone in North Korea! God bless you and your family.

All these people sticking up for the awful NK regime - wonder how many of you live there? Exactly.

I didn't see anybody sticking up for it, just pleased to hear from somebody there. Give it time, communism is gasping its last, once the old guard dies it should change for the better.

Is this blog a political debate or a car review?... I'm a bit confused. Lets not abuse the site guys and gals... It's nice to see we have a review from a North Korean, yes, but it is a review, and should be respected as an assessment of the vehicle by the owner. Please stay on task, this site was constructed for automobile enthusiasts/enquirers, and that holds a testament to the merit and reliability provided by legitimate reviews... Lets not forget that.