(L-R): YBhg Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin, Chairman of DPEM, Mr Koji Miyake, Managing Director of DPEM, YAB Datuk Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Haji Hasan, Chief Minister of Negeri Sembilan, Mr. Hiroyuki Yokoyama, Vice Executive President Daihatsu Motor Co. Ltd and YBhg Datuk (Dr) Aminar Rashid Salleh, President & CEO of Perodua
The Daihatsu Perodua Engine Manufacturing Sdn Bhd (DPEM) production plant in Sendayan, Negri Sembilan is now officially open. This engine plant represents a RM 500 million joint venture investment by Daihatsu Motor Co. Ltd. of Japan and national carmaker, Perodua. It is the second significant investment made by Daihatsu in Sendayan after building a transmission plant, Akashi Kikai Industry (M) Sdn Bhd, adjacent to this facility with the objective of setting up a powertrain production hub in Malaysia.
The engine plant sits on 35 acres of land with the plant taking up 5 acres, housing facilities like a prayer room, canteen, locker rooms and hostel, catering to the needs of 202 workers. The plant was officially opened by the Negeri Sembilan Chief Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Haji Hasan who welcomed the investment to promote an economic ecosystem in the state.
“This investment came just in time as the government – both on state level and federal level – is looking to further diversify the country’s income: in line with the right honourable Prime Minister’s call to reduce dependency on oil industry. The best option is to move towards attracting companies that offer cutting edge
technology which will ultimately give added value to the economy,” he said.
DPEM Chairman, YBhg Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin said DPEM, which began operations in May 2016, is the in-house supplier of engine components for the popular Bezza sedan; it has also secured 2 OEM customers and is currently looking for more manufacturers to supply engine components to. Akashi Kikai, which started in July 2015, supplies Perodua with the Electronic Automatic Transmission as well as manual transmission for the Axia and Bezza.
“With both DPEM and Akashi Kikai now online, we are able to offer a comprehensive engine component solution to other (automotive) original equipment manufacturers (OEM),” said Asmat.
Asmat said that DPEM and Akashi Kikai were established to reap the opportunities arising from a fully liberalised automotive market by offering high quality engine components at competitive prices.
“With full liberalisation of the automotive industry imminent; it makes sense to tap into the potential for growth within the ASEAN region where most of the economies located here are looking to flourish over the next few decades. For now, we are focused in making the right first steps; of preparation and improvements and hopefully we will see the returns in a relatively acceptable time-frame,” he said.
Also present at the launch was Perodua President & CEO, YBhg Datuk (Dr) Aminar Rashid Salleh, Executive Vice President of Daihatsu Co. Ltd, Mr Hiroyuki Yokoyama and Managing Director of DPEM Sdn Bhd, Mr Koji Miyake.
Keyword: Daihatsu-Perodua Engine Plant Officially Opened