Dato' Zainal Abidin Ahmad to Succeed Datuk Dr Aminar Rashid as President and CEO of Perodua Come 1st January 2019

Malaysian compact car manufacturer Perodua has announced earlier today that their longest-serving President and Chief Executive Officer, Datuk (Dr) Aminar Rashid Salleh, 58 is set to retire after nine years of running what can be said as the most successful car company in Malaysia today. It is under his leadership that Perodua not only expanded its market share from 31.2% in 2010 to above 37% share as of year-to-date 2018. As CEO, he also  also started the company's transformation programme within the Perodua Group which has made the company what it is today.

Industry News - PROTON Sells More Cars - Seems Like An Upward Trajectory For The Company

It looks like PROTON seems to be on an upward trajectory over the past few months. They have registered a total of 61,380 vehicles from January up to October 2017. During the same period last year, the Malaysian company managed 57,734 units making a slight improvement in sales for the brand. 

Motorcycles: Harley-Davidson Announces End of Dealership Arrangement with Naza Prestige Bikes & Will Search for New Dealer Partners

This is a little surprise announcement by Harley-Davidson Asia. They have just announced that there will be a change in the dealership and distributorship situation here in Malaysia where there are currently searching for a new authorised dealer for this country following the end of the current dealership agreement with Naza Prestige Bikes Sdn Bhd.

250,000th Axia is presented to a teacher from Pulau Langkawi

This is a small bit of news that I'd like to share. It may have already been picked up by other local automotive websites but it is interesting in some way in terms of the automotive industry here in Malaysia. Perodua has sold 250,000 Axia compact city cars to date and counting since it was launched in 2014. And going strong. It could already be 255,000 by the time I finish typing this article.

Zhejiang Geely Holding takes 49.9% equity in PROTON

DRB-HICOM Berhad (DRB-HICOM, the Group) today signed the Definitive Agreement for China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely) to take 49.9% equity in Malaysia’s first carmaker, PROTON Holdings Berhad (PROTON) for RM1 Billion. On the same day, the Group also sold its entire stake in Lotus Advance Technology Sdn Bhd to Geely and Etika Automotive Sdn Bhd. This is DRB-HICOM exiting the sports car business.

Industry News: Tire Technology International names Continental 2017 Tire Manufacturer of the Year - Innovative steps in R&D, Testing and Production

Tyre manufacturer Continental  was honored by UK-based trade journal “Tire Technology International” with its 2017 Tire Manufacturer of the Year award. Continental was chosen by a panel of 27 judges from all over the world where is chose to recognise the company's efforts in its continuous investment in the fields of research & development, testing and production equipment.

BMW Group Malaysia achieves highest ever growth for 2016

 Mr. Han Sang Yun, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia

BMW Group Malaysia delivered a total of 10,906 units of BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad vehicles in the country last year, charting a 16% growth increase compared to the same period in 2015 (9,368). In other words, a fabulous year for the premium brand. 

Ficosa opens a new factory for rear view mittors in Tennessee, USA - Some thoughts about production costs in high income nations

 Ficosa, who are one of the major manufacturers of rear view mirrors in vehicles on earth have opened a new facility in America. With an investment of over 50 million dollars, the new plant is equipped with the sector’s latest technology, becoming the most advanced in Ficosa’s global portfolio. The Cookeville, Tennessee facility, which has a total surface area of 270,000 square feet, is dedicated to producing rear view systems for automotive manufacturers such as Nissan, Ford, Volkswagen, Fiat Chrysler and General Motors. 

News: Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia gets a new Managing Director

A bit of industry news now folks. Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia Sdn Bhd (MBSM) has appointed automotive financing industry veteran, Mike Ponnaz, as its new Managing Director effective 1 November 2016. He replaces Hilke Janssen, who had helmed MBSM over the past four years.

MERCEDES-BENZ MALAYSIA 3RD Quarter 2016 Performance Report - On the way to another record year with 9,047 cars delivered between January-September 2016

 Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) is on the way to another record year in terms of sales and growth. The Mercedes-Benz brand is still the number one premium automotive brand in Malaysia with 10% growth and 9,047 cars delivered to customers in the first nine months of 2016. Seriously folks, there may be an economic slowdown in various sectors but not here. And definitely not for the people who are buying these Mercedes-Benz cars.