KUALA LUMPUR: PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd and Mazda Logistics Co (Malox) joint venture (JV) via Mazda Logistics Malaysia Sdn Bhd (MLM), formed to complement Mazda’s business activities in Malaysia and the rest of Asean, marked a milestone with the official launch of Mazda CX5 export last week.
The partnership, formed last December, started operations via the Inokom Corp Sdn Bhd plant in Kulim, Kedah, assembling Mazda vehicles for Mazda Malaysia Sdn Bhd, a JV between Mazda Motor Corp and Bermaz Motor, a subsidiary of Berjaya Corp.
MLM president Shinji Sakatani said the JV would be able to facilitate production, which was expected to double next year, with the expertise provided by Malox.
He noted that the CX5 export to Thailand represented the biggest export of cars produced in Malaysia by Inokom for Mazda.
Thailand would be the first export destination in Asean for these Malaysia-made sports utility vehicles.
“Ensuring the quality of the car during export activities is our main priority at the moment. We must make sure our Mazda cars are in perfect condition when it arrives in Thailand.
“If we can match the quality of Japan export, we will get more business here,” he said.
As part of the JV, Malox would transfer the company’s automotive logistics experience to MLM so that the latter can match the logistics quality standards of the former.
Part of the transfer of expertise include activities such as third-party logistics, pre-delivery inspection and module assembly.
PKT Logistics group chief executive and managing director Datuk Michael Tio told StarBiz that the JV would help bring the company’s logistics services to world-class standard.
“Mazda Logistics Japan has many years of experience in automotive logistics. PKT hope to learn from them and thus, elevate Malaysia logistics to international standard,” he said.
Mazda Malaysia would be exporting the CX5, which includes the gasoline-powered Skyactiv -G 2.0L and 2.5L versions of the Mazda CX-5 as well as the ultra-high-efficient 2.2L Diesel Skyactiv-D 2.2L.