Akashi Kikai Industry (M) Sdn Bhd, Malaysia’s most advanced Electronic Automatic Transmission (E-AT) plant was officially launched today by the YAB Dato’ Seri Haji Mohamad Haji Hasan, Chief Minister of Negeri Sembilan. The E-AT plant, which also supplies manual transmission engines as well as other components took an investment of RM200 million to build now supplies its products exclusively for Perodua.
“For this year, Perodua is targeting a new sales record of 208,000 vehicles and this means that we will be keeping Akashi Kikai very busy,” Perodua Chairman, Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin said. Also present was Perodua President & CEO, Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh.
On 7 March 2012, Akashi Kikai Co Ltd of Japan entered into an agreement with Negeri Sembilan’s Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI) and developer BSS Development Sdn Bhd; to acquire land from Negeri Sembilan to construct the E-AT plant. The land area acquired in total is 113,000 square meters and the plant’s initial size would be approximately 13,000 square metres, while the plant production capability is 200,000 units per year
“Akashi Kikai Industry (Malaysia) started a small volume production on March 3 last year, exactly 2 years after the signing. It (the new plant) expanded the production volume from last summer (August) and achieved stable and full-capacity production status this year,” Mr Noriyoshi Matsushita, President of Akashi Kikai Industry Co Ltd of Japan said at the launch.
“During this period, we supplied more than 180,000 units of E-AT to Perodua. We also started the production of manual transmissions (at the request of Perodua),” he added.
Akashi-Kikai Industry shareholders consist of Japan-based Akashi-Kikai Industry co Ltd 51%, Daihatsu Motor Corporation Sdn Bhd 39% and Perodua 10%. Daihatsu, through its subsidiary, Akashi Kikai Industry (M) Sdn Bhd allocated RM100 million for capital and now employs 200 staff. The plant is located in Sendayan TechValley, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, which is approximately 2 hours away from Kuala Lumpur. Perodua President & CEO, Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said that Akashi Kikai Industry (M) plant is an important milestone for Perodua’s 5-year strategic roadmap to become more competitive.
“We are very happy that Malaysia was chosen for this project as it shows that the country is still a viable investment destination for investors,” Aminar said.
He also said that this joint-venture company will effectively transfer high-end and high quality technology to Malaysia. Aminar hopes that more local vendors will be given the opportunity by Daihatsu and Akashi Kikai Industry to participate in future models.
