(From left): Khor, Watanabe, Hong Leong Manufacturing Group president and CEO Datuk Kwek Leng San, Yamaha Motor Japan senior executive officer and director Katsuhito Yamaji and Malaysia Motorcycle & Scooter Dealers Association chariman Wee Hong.
SUNGAI BULOH: It was a proud day for the local motorcycle industry as Hong Leong Yamaha Malaysia (HLYM) unveiled its 4 millionth bike assembled in the country on April 26.
The event was marked with a glittering ceremony at its factory here yesterday, as company executives showed off a 2018 Yamaha Y15ZR with a special livery.
HYLM was incorporated in Malaysia in 1978 as a joint venture between Hong Leong Industries Bhd and Yamaha Motor Co Ltd. Production of Yamaha motorcycles started in Malaysia in 1979 with the two-stroke Yamaha RX100. Since then, HLYM production facilities underwent many rounds of upgrades and improvements, including moving its home from Shah Alam to Sungai Buloh.
Attendees were treated to a stroll down memory lane, as HLYM put up a special exhibition of the bikes assembled in Malaysia, starting with the RX100. There was also a Passola scooter introduced in 1983 that became the first two-wheeler for many young Malaysians. And then, there was the Virago 535, a ride that I used to earn my full B riding licence.
In his speech, HLYM managing director Datuk Jim Khor thanked various parties for contributing to Yamaha’s success.
“The unwavering commitment of our dedicated team, from factory personnel to the sales force, vendors, partners and our loyal network of dealers across the country have made this significant event possible. I also wish to make special mention of Yamaha Motor Japan and thank them for their continuous and much valued support,” he said at the event that was also attended by Yamaha Motor Japan executive vice president Katsuaki Watanabe.
HLYM assembles more than a dozen models here, including the E115, Lagenda 115Z, 135LC, Y15ZR, Ego Avantiz, Ego Solariz, NMax, XMax 250, FZ150i, MT-07, and MT-09.
