Isuzu Hicom Malaysia Sdn Bhd (IHM) commemorated a significant milestone – its 10 anniversary – in a ceremony held on 21st November, 2017 at Ancasa Royale Hotel Pekan, Pahang.
10th Anniversary Celebration: Isuzu Hicom Malaysia Marks Milestone
The ceremony was attended by Susumu Hosoi, Chairman of Isuzu Motors Limited (IML), Dato’ Sri Syed Faisal Albar, Group Managing Director of DRB-Hicom Berhad, Kazushi Izuchi from the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia, Koji Nakamura, Chief Executive Officer of Isuzu Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Taizo Nakahigashi, Chief Executive Officer of IHM, business partners, government authorities, IHM management and employees.
In his speech, Nakahigashi related that IHM was established in 2007 with the purpose of fulfilling the growing needs of local customers and responding to the increased market competition. Since its establishment, IHM had launched many Isuzu models. In the last decade, the company commercially produced nine vehicles, ranging from the N-series to the F-series, which also kept abreast of regulatory requirements in Malaysia.
IML Chairman Hosoi said Malaysia was an important market for the Isuzu Group. With proven, reliable and durable vehicles, the Isuzu brand was well received in Malaysia and achieved the Number 1 market share in the truck category for three consecutive years; attaining a dominant market share of 40 per cent.
Dato’ Sri Syed Faisal said he was pleased with the growth that the Isuzu brand had charted over its more than 30 years in Malaysia. Each year, more than 10,000 Isuzu vehicles were registered in Malaysia and IHM responded to this growth with the opening of the newest flagship facility in Malaysia earlier this year in Shah Alam.
“The opening of such centres will enable the brand to offer additional support to not just the dealer networks, but also to the growing customer base – presenting them with efficient and meticulous after-sales service,” said Syed Faisal.
This centre also doubles as a training ground for new mechanics to obtain the Isuzu i-Mec certification, an internal specification designed for mechanics handling Isuzu vehicles.
IHM also celebrated its 100,000-unit completion in February this year, marking another milestone in less than 10 years of its establishment. The 2017 model of the popular Isuzu was also named ‘the undisputed King of Cargo’ by the local media.
The ceremony continued with a walking tour of IHM’s facilities in Pekan. A simple tree planting ceremony was also held on the grounds of the facility to commemorate the milestone.
