It appears that Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) is making some big changes in Malaysia. Based on the signs that we have seen so far, it appears HMC is taking over the mantle from its local partner, Sime Motors.
For years, Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has been the exclusive distributor and importer of Hyundai vehicles in Malaysia. The company also manages around 30 independent sales and aftersales dealerships across Malaysia, with 4 of them being Sime Darby Auto Hyundai (SDAH) branches.
New website hints at major Hyundai overhaul in Malaysia
We first noticed the changes when HSDM put up a notice on Hyundai Malaysia’s existing website that said the company has moved to a new official website, which is located under Sime Motors’ web domain. A quick search has led us to a “new” Hyundai Malaysia website, which features a banner that says “Hyundai Motor Malaysia arrives soon”.
There is also a link on the banner which brings visitors to a separate web page where interested parties can pass their contact information to HMC if they are interested in becoming a Hyundai dealer in Malaysia.
HSDM no longer listed as distributor on HMC’s website
Meanwhile, the distributor name for Malaysia on the global distributors list in HMC’s global website has been changed to Hyundai Motors Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. The website also noted that the new company is based at Menara Affin in TRX Kuala Lumpur.
According to the data archived by the Internet Wayback Machine, HSDM was listed as Hyundai’s distributor in Malaysia until earlier this month. In case you are wondering why the address shown in the archived data was not Sime Motors City in Ara Damansara, that is because HSDM used to operate in the said Glenmarie office until 2019, and the facility has since been transformed into the Auto Selection – EV Next branch.
Sime Motors is still very much in the picture
Now, let’s circle back to Sime Motors – there is no reason to believe that the company is out of HMC’s universe.
For one, HSDM is still around as a major Hyundai dealership with branches in Ara Damansara, Balakong, Johor Bahru, and Penang. In addition to that, Sime Darby Hyundai Sdn Bhd is still listed as the Franchise AP holder for Hyundai according to this document on the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry’s website.
Not to forget, HMC has also agreed to invest over RM 2 billion over the next 5 years to upgrade Sime Motors’ Inokom assembly plant in Kulim, Kedah. The Korean automaker currently holds a 15% stake in Inokom and is looking to Staria as well as an unnamed MPV starting from the middle of this year.
Aside from that, HMC is planning to assemble mid-to-large SUVs in the facility. The initial production target has been set at 20,000 units per year, and these vehicles will not only be released in Malaysia but also throughout Southeast Asia.
