Forging a strong partnership with Subaru’s manufacturer Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd, Motor Image has reached a major milestone with the first locally-assembled Subaru XV rolling out from the Segambut plant’s production line. As a subsidiary of Tan Chong International Limited, Motor Image’s bold step did not only strengthen the group’s presence in Malaysia, but also in the Southeast Asian region.
The ceremony was officiated by the Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, Y.B Dato’ Mukhriz Tun Mahathir in showing the support from the Malaysian government towards Tan Chong’s brave moves in the automotive industry.
“This development is a significant milestone for us as the ability to locally assemble Subaru cars in Malaysia allows us to leverage inter-ASEAN trade agreements, giving us an advantage in our plans to widen our distribution network”, said the Executive Director of Tan Chong International Limited, Mr. Glenn Tan.
“This initiative also shows our capabilities and versatility as an automotive powerhouse, both of which are strengthening our foothold in Asia”, he added.
Motor Image is also looking forward in expanding its operation in the region with a couple of growth strategy lined up, such as opening another 15 sales and distribution outlets in Indonesia and another 18 for Thailand. Malaysia is also included in the equation, where they plan to open seven more sales and distribution outlets.
The new locally-assembled Subaru XV comes in two variants; the XV 2.0i and the XV 2.0i Premium with a starting price of RM 150,000. The Segambut plant will have the capacity of producing around 5,000 units annually, where 65-percent of the vehicles assembled will be distributed to Indonesia and Thailand, while the rest is for the local market.
This new XV crossover is powered by an FB series 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, producing 150-horsepower and 196Nm of torque distributed to all four wheels via an Active Torque Split AWD system. The XV also comes with Vehicle Dynamics Control, cruise control, reverse sensor, dual front and driver’s knee airbags and a whole lot more for the occupant’s safety and entertainment.
