Purveyors of Yamaha motorcycles in Malaysia, Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM), has rolled out their 3 millionth motorcycle from their Sungei Buloh factory, where they moved to from their Shah Alam site that opened its factory doors back in 1979, which produced just 3,500 units per month, and first give us Malaysians the RX100, followed by the Y80, DX100 and DT125 in later years.
Five years later, HLYM produced their 1 millionth Yamaha motorcycle in 1994 and three years later and RM100 million in investments, the current Sungai Buloh site was opened in 1997.
Now, with a current production capacity of 250,000 units per annum and roughly 1,300 personnel under employment, HLYM has managed to roll out its 3 millionth bike this year in 2012.
Present was Dato’ Ir Donald Lim Siang Chai (Deputy Minister of Finanace) who officiated ceremony with the placement of a plaque on HLYM’s best selling Yamaha 135 LC, while Y Bhg Datuk Kwek Leng San (President & CEO of Hong Leong Manufacturing Group), C H Ng (Managing Director of Hong Leong Yamaha Motor Sdn Bhd), Y Bhg Dato’ Yau Kok Seng (Group Managing Director of Hong Leong Industries Bhd) and Mr. Hiroyuki Yanagi (President of Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd.) looked on with pride.
According to HLYM, their current production capacity has only just been increased to 250,000 units per annum. This increase is in line with the expectation of greater future demand, since they’re already experiencing roughly about a 10% rise in sales compared with the same period from last year (2011).
Currently, HLYM possesses about 33% market share with a network of about 200 dealers nationwide making them the second largest after Kawasaki with a market share of about 50%.
For the moment, HLYM has been exporting parts and motorcycles to Singapore and with the current rise in demand for more Yamaha motorcycles, their expansion plans may soon include exportation to other countries within the ASEAN region, but for now, we’re still hoping that HLYM will begin manufacturing their more enticing big bikes right here in Malaysia. Fingers crossed.
