Mazda and Malaysia's Bermaz form JV

Mazda Motor Corp., one of Japan’s leading automobile manufacturers, and Malaysia’s Bermaz Motor Sdn Bhd have formed a joint venture company, Mazda Malaysia Sdn Bhd. The new company will produce the Mazda 3 and CX-5 models in Malaysia and will be headquartered in Selangor, Malaysia. Mazda will have a 70% stake in the joint venture, while Bermaz will own the remaining 30%. The manufacturing facility will cost around MYR85 million (US$28 million).
The joint venture plant will assemble Mazda 3 and CX-5 vehicles for distribution by Bermaz and will have the capacity to produce 3,000 units of each model. Mazda’s director and senior managing executive officer, Yuji Nakamine said, ”Mazda considers Malaysia as one of its most important markets. Based on this strong partnership with Bermaz, in whom we place our complete trust, we will strengthen our business and brand in Malaysia.”
Early this year, Mazda began local assembly of Mazda 3 in its Kedah plant. The CX-5, which adopts the full range of Mazda’s SkyActiv technology for increased fuel efficiency and engine output, will be assembled at the Inokom plant in the Malaysian state of Kedah in the spring of 2013.
In 2008, BerMaz entered into a distribution agreement with Mazda for the distribution and retail of built-up vehicles and spare parts in Malaysia. Bermaz Motor Managing Director Datuk Ben Yeoh Choon San said Mazda’s growth in Malaysia over the last few years requires the principal manufacturer to be more involved in the domestic market so as to increase its competitiveness. (September 12, 2012)