World’s Biggest Car Theft Case Between Governments

While North Korea attracted attention with its industrialization moves in the 1970s, the incident with Sweden; not only a diplomatic inconvenience but also One of the most interesting car thefts in history happened.

When Sweden’s powerful car brand knocked on North Korea’s doors, no one knew how this deal would go. How did the car shipment agreement happen? to a scandalous theft had it transformed?

Sweden sent 1000 Volvo 144s to North Korea.

The 1970s were a time when North Korea had a thriving industrial economy and received aid from other countries. Sweden began to see Korea as a lucrative market. Volvo, ASEA, Kockums, Atlas Copco and Alfa Laval Swedish companies such as; He wanted to export his products to the country and organized an industrial fair in Pyongyang city.

In 1974, the Swedish government; Considered one of the safest and most powerful cars in the world at the time, for use as a taxi. Shipment of 1000 Volvo 144 sedans as well as over $70 million worth of heavy machinery made an agreement with North Korea for

North Korea never paid for all of these vehicles.

North Korea has not paid this bill even today. In fact, according to the Swedish Export Credit Agency, the interest and unpaid penalties on these cars, up to $322 million reached. Sweden still sends invoices to North Korea twice a year, but in vain.

This unpaid bill became such that it created tension in diplomatic and economic relations between Sweden and North Korea. incident “the biggest car robbery in history” It became established as such and automobile manufacturers never dared to send cars to North Korea again.

So how are these old cars protected now?

There is still a mystery as to how the North Koreans preserved their old Volvo 144 cars. Cars in general for taxi purposes is being used, and theories include the possibility that the agreement with Sweden includes a provision for large quantities of spare parts.

Other theories are that spare parts was smuggled into the country or that North Korea is remanufacturing parts for cars with its own small knockoff industry. Regardless, this incident is still remembered today as the “biggest car theft ever.”

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