Subaru has announced that the CKD (Completely Knocked Down) production of the Forester model has started at Tan Chong Motor Assemblies Sdn.Bhd. (TCMA) factory in Serendah, Selangor. To celebrate the production start, a line-off ceremony was held at the TCMA plant, attended by TCS Executive Director Reza Mutalib, FHI Deputy President Jun Kondo, and other guests.
The Forester is Subaru’s second model to be assembled at this plant, following the Subaru XV crossover that has been produced there since December 2012. TCS plans to assemble approximately 10,000 units of the Forester annually.
Locally-assembled Forester will go on sale this spring in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia through the Subaru dealer network operated by Tan Chong International.
(We received word that, in fact, the Malaysia-assembled Forester will make its regional appearance at the Bangkok International Motor Show which starts in a few weeks)
At the line-off ceremony, FHI Deputy President Jun Kondo said; “FHI will continue to work hand in hand with Tan Chong International to further enhance Subaru sales in the ASEAN region.”
In its mid-term management vision “Prominence 2020”, FHI laid out initiatives to build a strong business structure. Among them is the development of a strong business foundation in Southeast Asia, in which CKD production of the Forester in Malaysia plays an important role. With the Forester added to its range of locally-assembled models, FHI aims to further enhance Subaru sales in the growing ASEAN market.
