Like Proton, DRB-Hicom unit Modenas seeks strategic partner

Modenas Elegan 250 scooter

SHAH ALAM: Motosikal Dan Enjin Nasional Sdn Bhd (Modenas), a DRB-Hicom Bhd unit, has identified a strategic partner to better penetrate the motorcycle market, fortify niche market, fully use production plant in Gurun as well as strengthening its export.

DRB-Hicom Automotive Distribution, Manufacturing and Engineering chief operating officer, Datuk Abdul Harith Abdullah, said the company had been in discussions with the strategic partner for some time within closed doors.

“We have already finalised (the strategic partnership) and I will not say anything today. However, an announcement will be made within this year,” he told reporters in Shah Alam on Thursday.

He said the strategic partner would help Modenas come out with new models.

“We will give priority to this new collaboration,” he said.

Abdul Harith said the strategic partnership has to undergo some fine-tuning before announcement.

Abdul Harith said the strategic partnership would be a turning point for Modenas in the penetration of the motorcycle market, fortifying its niche segment, utilisation of its 120,000-unit Gurun production plant capacity.

This is in order to capitalise on the potential new market growth that we are looking at and we can do that without any major investment just model development, he said.

Abdul Harith said there was a big plan for Modenas including export programmes with the new partner.

“We need to work with a strategic partner who has the market base and the volume base as well as those who has the technology-based for us to work together. 

“We need to work with those who are willing to work with us, because what we have is the marketplace, the volume base and to share on technology platform so that we don’t need to spend so much,” he said. - Bernama