Daihatsu Motor set up automatic gearbox plant in Seremban

Perodua’s technical and technology partner, Daihatsu Motor Company (Daihatsu) will begin construction of the region’s first Electronic Automatic Transmission (EAT) plant in Seremban; effectively making the country a regional hub for the high-end automotive component.

Daihatsu, through its subsidiary, Akashi Kikai Industry (M) Sdn Bhd is investing an initial RM100 million for the plant and will start construction this month. The plant will tentatively be in operations by November 2013 with some 120 workers.

Akashi-Kikai Industry stakeholders consist of Japan-based Akashi-Kikai Industry co Ltd 51%, Daihatsu 39% and Perodua 10%.

Perodua Managing Director Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said that the new EAT plant is part of Daihatsu’s continued commitment to invest in Malaysia.

“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 and would be able to do so at relatively low cost.

Aminar added that this new EAT plant will further boost local content as well as encourage hi-technology transfers and other value added activities to the country.

Daihatsu, via a media statement said that Akashi-Kikai business activities are limited to the manufacture and sale of electronically controlled automatic transmission units.

In a deal with Negeri Sembilan’s Menteri Besar Incorperated (MBI) and developer BSS Development Sdn Bhd; Akashi Kikai will acquire the land from Negeri Sembilan and construction will begin later this month.

The land area aquired in total is 113,000 square meters and the plant’s initial size would be approximately 13,000 square metres, while the plant production capacity is expected to be 150,000 units per year.