The Economy/ Contents

The automotive and motorcycle industry

H. Osman Rani, M. Anuar Adnan and Mohamed Aslam

After Independence, the automotive industry was largely confined to the local assembly of foreign makes. In the 1980s, however, the industry became a key initiative in the country’s strategy for developing heavy industries. The project chosen to launch the initiative was the manufacture of a national car, followed thereafter by the national motorcycle.

  • Information in the full article includes
  • The national car project
  • A model for the industry
  • The future
Auto plant

Trade and Industry Minister Dr Lim Swee Aun (left) at the launch of Malaysia’s first car assembly plant, Swedish Motor Assemblies Sdn Bhd, in 1968.