Kawasaki to raise production capacity in Malaysia

Mukhriz (left) at the official Launching of Kawasaki New Models at Lagoon 2 Ballroom, Sunway Hotel Resort & Spa Petaling Jaya. - THE STAR/RICKY LAI

Mukhriz says Malaysia’s total industry volume for motorcycles is expected to grow by over 10% this year. PETALING JAYA: Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd Japan plans to increase production capacity in Malaysia to 40,000 units in three years. Its motorcycle and engine division president Hiroshi Takata said the firm currently produced 15,000 units a year and was expected to increase this to 20,000 units by the year-end. “This will enable us to capture the growing demand for motorcycles in Malaysia, one of our growing markets in South-East Asia,” he said after the launch of the new Kawasaki Z800 and upgraded Ninja 250 models. The new models were launched by Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mukhriz Tun Mahathir. According to Mukhriz, Malaysia’s total industry volume for motorcycles is expected to grow by more than 10% this year to 600,000 units from 540,000 last year. Meanwhile, Kawasaki Motors (M) Sdn Bhd general manager Jeffrey Lim Chee Sing said the company was looking to upgrade its plant in Glenmarie, Shah Alam to accommodate the increasing capacity. Kawasaki Motors Malaysia currently has a 50% market share for premium bikes with cylinder capacity of 250 and above. — Bernama Mukhriz (left) at the official Launching of Kawasaki New Models at Lagoon 2 Ballroom, Sunway Hotel Resort & Spa Petaling Jaya. - THE STAR/RICKY LAI

PETALING JAYA: Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd Japan plans to increase production capacity in Malaysia to 40,000 units in three years.