Rapid boost for tyre makers

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s tyre manufacturers are unable at the moment to meet the demands of the national automotive industry because of non-competitive raw material prices.

However, with the opening of a new synthetic rubber plant at the Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (Rapid) corridor in Pengerang, Johor, they can expect to do so in five years. At the same time, the country can be optimistic of producing its own Malaysian brand tyres, said Malaysian Consortium of Rubber Products (Malcorp) chief executive officer Serajudin Ismail.