BMW Group Malaysia and Sime Darby Motors through its division Sime Darby Auto Engineering (SDAE), has opened the doors to the new SDAE Engine Assembly Facility in Kulim, Kedah. 

Established on a land site of over 6 acres with a built-up area space of 8,500 square metres and with a total investment value of over RM 132 million by SDAE. 

“We aim to produce more than 50,000 vehicles as well as the engine parts and components for the vehicle by the year 2020. 

“Sime Darby Motors’ vision is to be the preferred contract assembly partner for most dynamic automakers in ASEAN,” said Sime Darby chairman Tan Sri Dr Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah adding that the opening of the new facility takes them one giant leap forward in making this goal a reality

The new engine assembly facility will also support BMW Group Malaysia’s growing demand for locally assembled vehicles with the newest capabilities in engine assembly technology as well as support the premium automaker’s export initiatives to other markets in the region.

“Together with SDAE we have managed to establish a new engine assembly for BMW engines in Malaysia. 

“Our strong cooperation with our reliable partner comes to fruition with the assembly of 3- and 4-cylinder petrol engines, alongside 4-cylinder diesel engines, as well as the 3- and 4-cylinder combustion engines for the Plug-In Hybrid electric vehicle,” said BMW Group senior vice president, production engines and electrified powertrains, Ilka Horstmeier. 

Equipped with the newest innovation for engine assembly including EST tightening equipment, Dosing and Bonding Technology (DoboTech) equipment, engine graving, engine oil filling and test machines for hydraulic valve play compensation, leak tests as well as hot and cold testing, the new facility employs an additional 60-person workforce demonstrating a commitment to increasing employment opportunities and career growth prospect within the local job market in the Kulim Hi-Tech area. 

BMW Group Malaysia managing director Harald Hoelzl said Malaysia has long played the role of a strategic partner to the BMW Group in South East Asia.

“This significance is reflected in our business performance here which mirror our achievements worldwide.

“ In the first quarter of 2018, the BMW Group is already on target for an eighth consecutive year of record sales with a delivery of 604,629 vehicles worldwide, a 3 per cent growth as compared to the same period in 2017.”

Hoelzl added the positive performance worldwide echoes in Malaysia, where BMW Group Malaysia has already successfully achieved a 15 per cent increase in the deliveries of BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad vehicles in the country, delivering 3,000 vehicles in the first quarter of 2018.

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