KLANG: A joint venture between UMW Holdings Bhd and Toyota Motor Corp has celebrated 50 years of vehicle production in Malaysia with the launch of its new RM2 billion plant in Bukit Raja here today.
UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd has brought into the plant the latest and advanced manufacturing technology, high levels of automation and innovative design, while promoting energy efficiency in Malaysia.
"We have not forgotten the environment and safety. Our new plant has been conceived as a Society-Caring plant which is less noisy and it operates with various renewable energy initiatives as well as low in carbon footprint," said UMW Toyota chairman Tan Sri Hamad Kama Piah Che Othman at the launch.
The event was graced by the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, Japanese ambassador to Malaysia Dr Makio Miyagawa and Toyota chief executive officer of China and Asean region Tatsuro Ueda.
Operated by Assembly Service Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of UMW Toyota, the 670,000 square metres plant is able to produce 50,000 units per year.
Construction started in the second half of 2016 before the plant kicked off its operations on January 2 this year.
Currently, the plant is producing the Toyota Vios and the Toyota Yaris. It has about 1,000 staff.
"With this state-of-the-art plant, UMW Toyota is able to level up production to ensure operational efficiency and cost-competitiveness. It will be one of the most important assets to realise Toyota's aim to provide ever-better cars for the Malaysian public and is the key initiative for steady growth in the years to come," said Hamad Kama Piah said.
To commemorate Toyota's 50 years production milestone here, UMW Toyota presented a Toyota Yaris to the Selangor Youth Community for use in its programmes that involved youth.
