BCorp signs MoU with BYD in Malaysia

Berjaya Corp. Bhd (BCorp) has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China carmaker BYD Auto Co. Ltd. to manufacture and market a compact car model, the F0, in Malaysia. Under the MoU, both parties will also explore the possibility of setting up a new manufacturing plant near Rawang, which could develop as a production hub for BYD’s right-hand drive models for the Asian market. According to Francis Lee, executive of the Berjaya group, the initial plan is for BCorp to contract out the manufacturing of the 1-liter model to an existing auto assembly plant in Malaysia, possibly Inokom, while BCorp applies for a new manufacturing license from the Malaysian government to set up the proposed plant near Rawang, which may involve an equity investment from BYD on a joint-venture basis. (February 5, 2010)