PENANG, Malaysia, December 11, 2017 – Boon Siew Honda Sdn. Bhd. (BSH), a manufacturer and distributor of Honda’s motorcycle in Malaysia, today celebrated a historical milestone of 60 years of Honda’s motorcycle business in Malaysia, and 5 million units production in Penang.

The ceremony was presented by Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Chuan, Second Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI), Dato’ Madani bin Sahari, CEO of Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI), H.E. Kiyoshi Itoi, Consul-General of Japan in Panang, Datuk Loh Kian Chong, Executive Chairman of Oriental Holdings Berhad, Seiji Kuraishi, Executive Vice President, Executive Officer & Representative Director of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Dato’ Seri Loh Cheng Yean, Chairman of Boon Siew Honda and Nobuhide Nagata, Managing Director and CEO of Boon Siew Honda Sdn. Bhd.

Honda motorcycle business in Malaysia began in 1957 with the establishment of the first motorcycle showroom by Boon Siew Sdn. Bhd. at Pitt Street, Penang, with fifty units of 4-stroke Honda Cub. In 1969, local production of Honda motorcycles commenced through a technical collaboration. In 2008, Oriental Holdings Berhad and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. formed a joint venture company, Boon Siew Honda Sdn. Bhd., to strengthen Honda motorcycle production and sales in Malaysia. In 2013, Boon Siew Honda began manufacturing at its new plant in Batu Kawan to cater to the increasing demand of Honda motorcycles in Malaysia.

Honda’s motorcycle production milestones in Malaysia are:

“For over 60 years, Oriental Holdings Berhad had developed a strong relationship with Honda Motor and we have unified our vision to offer innovative and reliable motorcycles to the public through their latest agreement. This bond between Oriental Holdings and Honda Motor reflects on the business relationship between Malaysia and Japan in the automotive industry. Through this partnership, we have seen the growth along the Malaysia economy and we will continue to provide valuable contribution to the nation with Honda,” said Dato’ Seri Loh Cheng Yean, Chairman of Boon Siew Honda.

“I would like to express heartfelt appreciation to Boon Siew and Oriental Holdings for great collaboration through 60 years of our partnership in motorcycle business. With Honda Vision to 2030 and strong support from the government, business partners, and customers, I’m certain that Boon Siew Honda will be able to provide attractive and quality products that make customers’ lives more enjoyable and be a company that Malaysian society wants to exist,” said Seiji Kuraishi, Executive Vice President, and Executive Officer & Representative Director of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

“Thanks to the support from our customers in Malaysia, Boon Siew Honda has reached the 5-millionth unit motorcycle production milestone. The passion of our company founders who wanted to help people in their daily lives and pursue the joy of riding has been inherited by all associates and we commit to offer products that go beyond the customers’ expectation,” said Nobuhide Nagata, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Boon Siew Honda.