Mazda Motor, Bermaz in JV production, sales talks

KUALA LUMPUR: Mazda Motor Corporation and Bermaz Motor Sdn. Bhd are looking into the viability of setting up a joint venture production and sales company in Malaysia.
The
joint venture is aimed at further enhancing Mazda's business and brand
strength in Malaysia, according to Mazda's statement which was posted
on its website on Friday.
The Hiroshima-based company said both
parties "have agreed to begin talks regarding the establishment this
year" of the JV production and sales company.
Mazda said it
began local assembly of the Mazda3, which is known as Axela in Japan,
in 2011. With the new joint venture project, plans to begin local
assembly of the Mazda CX-5 early in 2013.
"Mazda plans to
produce 3,000 CX-5s per year in Malaysia," it said, adding that Mazda's
sales had shown consistent growth since it started to do business with
Bermaz in 2008.
Takashi Yamanouchi, Mazda's representative
director and chairman of the board, president and CEO said in the last
financial year, it achieved record sales results of approximately 6,000
units and 1% of the market share.
"Local assembly of Mazda3
started in January 2011 and is going well. Malaysia is one of our key
strategic markets and we expect further growth there.
"The talks
with Bermaz about the joint-venture production and sales company
indicate Mazda's strong commitment to business in Malaysia. Mazda will
continue to focus on emerging markets to strengthen our overall
business foundation," he said.