Honda Begins Construction of Second Automobile Production Line in Malaysia
Andrew M. -
CleanMPG - July 20, 2012
Is Honda getting back on solid ground?
Honda Malaysia (HMSB), a Honda automobile production and sales joint venture in Malaysia, today held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction of its second automobile production line at the existing auto plant in Malacca, Malaysia. The ceremony was attended by Y.A.B. Datuk Seri Hj. Mohd. Ali Bin Mohd. Rustam, Chief Minister of the State of Malacca and Y.B. Dato' Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Malaysian Minister of International Trade and Industry as guests of honor as well as other dignitaries, guests, and Honda executives and associates, including Hiroshi Kobayashi, chief operating officer for Honda's regional operations in the Asia Oceania Region.
On the second line, which is scheduled to begin operation before the end of 2013, HMSB is planning to produce mostly small-sized vehicles such as Jazz (known as Fit in Japan), and hybrid vehicles. The annual production capacity of the second line is planned to be 50,000 units, doubling HMSB's overall production capacity from the current 50,000 units with the first line to 100,000 units. The total investment on the second line is expected to be 350 million Malaysian ringgit (approximately $110 million US), and HMSB is planning to hire approximately 700 associates when the second line becomes operational.
Malaysia is the Honda's largest hybrid vehicle market in Southeast Asia today, with a further increase in demand for hybrid vehicles expected. Thus, at the end of this year, HMSB will begin local production of hybrid vehicles using the existing production line. HMSB will begin production of the Jazz Hybrid, which is currently being imported from Japan, on the existing line, with production to be transferred to the second line when it becomes operational in 2013. HMSB, which became the largest hybrid vehicle seller in Malaysia in 2011 with sales of approximately 4,600 units, plans to sell approximately 10,000 units in 2012. As a leading hybrid vehicle company in Malaysia, Honda will locally produce hybrid vehicles and provide them to more customers with speed, affordability and low CO2 emissions.
Moreover, preceding the construction of the second production line, HMSB has expanded its test course and Pre-delivery Inspection (PDI) site. In addition, a new automated welding facility was introduced to the existing line timed to the local production of the all-new Civic which went on sale on July 12, 2012.
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