Subaru Starts CKD Production of the Forester in Malaysia

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles, today announced that the Company and TC Subaru Sdn.Bhd. (TCS), a subsidiary of Tan Chong International Limited, have started CKD (Completely Knocked Down) production of the Subaru Forester at a Malaysian assembly plant of Tan Chong Motor Assemblies Sdn.Bhd. (TCMA). To celebrate the production start, a line-off ceremony was held today at the TCMA plant, attended by TCS Executive Director Reza Mutalib, FHI Deputy President Jun Kondo, and other guests.

The Forester is Subaru’s second model to be assembled at this plant, following the Subaru XV crossover that has been produced there since December 2012. TCS plans to assemble approximately 10,000 units of the Forester annually. Locally-assembled Forester will go on sale this spring in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia through the Subaru dealer network operated by Tan Chong International.

At the line-off ceremony, FHI Deputy President Jun Kondo said; “FHI will continue to work hand in hand with Tan Chong International to further enhance Subaru sales in the ASEAN region.”

In its mid-term management vision “Prominence 2020” announced on May 9, 2014, FHI laid out initiatives to build a strong business structure. Among them is the development of a strong business foundation in Southeast Asia, in which CKD production of the Forester in Malaysia plays an important role. With the Forester added to its range of locally-assembled models, FHI aims to further enhance Subaru sales in the growing ASEAN market, offering Subaru’s distinctive “Enjoyment and Peace of Mind” driving experience to customers in the region. 

Subaru models sold in the Philippines will continue to be imported from Japan.