Malaysia to export VW Jetta and Polo Sedan in 2015

2014 Volkswagen Polo Sedan CKD 6

The Volkswagen Jetta and Polo Sedan – assembled in Pekan, Pahang – are set to be exported to ASEAN countries next year. Volkswagen Group Malaysia (VGM) is currently in talks with its local partner DRB-Hicom and the Malaysian government on the matter, Bernama reports.

“We have reached the local content target of 40% which is necessary for us to export our models and hopefully we can start to do it next year,” VGM’s MD Armin Keller told reporters. “We are technically ready and now awaiting the approval from the authority before we proceed with the plan,” he added.

In an interview last month, Keller said that because the cars currently being produced in Pekan are right-hand drive, VGM is currently focusing on RHD countries such as Thailand and Indonesia. However, he did not rule out producing left-hand drive cars for countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines if the business case “makes sense”.

Volkswagen Jetta CKD 3

Despite reports that VW has applied to set up an assembly plant in Thailand under the second phase of the country’s Eco Car scheme, Keller insisted that the German giant remains committed to Malaysia as its regional production hub. He added that while VW’s application has indeed been approved by Thailand, it has yet to make a decision on pushing ahead with the plan at this moment.

Besides the Jetta and Polo Sedan, Volkswagen also assembles the Polo Hatchback and Passat in Malaysia. The latter D-segment sedan kicked off local assembly here in 2012. VW production at Pekan will total around 7,000 to 8,000 units this year.

Besides local brands Proton and Perodua – which exports the Myvi to Indonesia as the Daihatsu SirionHyundai, Mazda, Peugeot, Volvo and Subaru are the other car companies currently exporting from Malaysia.

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • najib on Nov 20, 2014 at 1:33 pm

    there goes all the junk out of malaysia, taa-daa

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 16
    • Same L0rrr on Nov 20, 2014 at 3:38 pm

      These car at least help Malaysian earn some money.

      Not like the junk Preve/Suprima S/Iriz, Cakap Sendiri Syok Sendiri can’t even sell good in Malaysia, forever can not cross the border to Thailand and SG.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 8
    • DSG DSG DSG DSG on Nov 20, 2014 at 4:31 pm

      They got no choice but export this car because Malaysians are 100% not buying VW cars with DSG anymore. The Polo got no DSG but Malaysians know that the SC is full to the brim with DSG related issues until you have to make 5 weeks appointment just to do normal service on your car.

      Good now you are exporting the VW cars. At least, give the DSG problems to someone else and not Malaysians.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 13
      • A Pug Man on Nov 20, 2014 at 7:59 pm

        Hey, dont talk rubbish la DSG DSG, even though I dont own a VW, i have read all the latest information about DSG and also spoken to experts. All VW cars sold in Malaysia beginning Aug/Sept this year no longer have the weather affected DSGs. In fact, I see so many new VWs on the road now wit WA plate, that the car must be selling very well.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 11
        • PugManRubbish on Nov 21, 2014 at 5:34 pm

          Hey, PugMan…don’t talk rubbish lah..! the car really cannot sell one.., as no one with the right mind would want to own a headache..!
          SO good lah they export it out..

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
          • TheAnonymous on Nov 24, 2014 at 10:37 am

            Why cannot sell?
            My cousin had bought a New Passat last few months ago and he always fetch me to college.
            It has very great horsepower, even can simply cut off most of the cars on highway..

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
        • TheAnonymous on Nov 24, 2014 at 4:32 pm

          Actually VW had announced that all the DSG issues have been resolved so there is no point for us to bring in the DSG topic into this blog.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • kapchai on Nov 20, 2014 at 2:39 pm

    good to know Malaysia export cars

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Matthew on Nov 20, 2014 at 2:53 pm

    This news reminds me of a suggestion I wrote to the PM with years ago – in a bid to attract car manufacturers to set up here and export they should be allowed to sell one tax exempt car locally for every one car they export (or something along those lines) – that would force them all to set up export operations to remain competitive in the market place.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • Same L0rrr on Nov 20, 2014 at 4:05 pm

      Good suggestion but it will starve Proton or eventually close it.

      Who (in the government) cares about car exportation? Everyone just wanna keep Proton survive.

      It is all about money, bro.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 6
  • krs189 on Nov 20, 2014 at 2:58 pm

    Stok berlambak lambak sampai tak muat dah kat Pekan tu…

    eksport konon…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 4
  • Don Juan De Marco on Nov 20, 2014 at 3:09 pm

    So who says Malaysia lose out to Thailand?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 7
    • kzm (Member) on Nov 20, 2014 at 4:32 pm

      Btul btul btul…export konon..boleh cannot export car

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
  • Walter Ty on Nov 20, 2014 at 3:10 pm

    Malaysian assembled Polo Sedans & Jettas will make them competitively-priced in the Philippines under the ASEAN free trade area, once DRB-HICOM commences assembly of LHD steering units. These will eventually replace India-sourced Polos & Mexico-sourced Jettas, & Mexico does not have FTA agreements with ASEAN.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • EnergyAnalyst on Nov 20, 2014 at 4:24 pm

    I only get to know
    1. CKD Malaysian VW models have yet to be exported when Hyundai, Mazda, Peugeot, Volvo, P1, P2 and others have.

    2. DRB Hicom have not been able to make the local contents reaching 40% until now. Which can either means VW is too strict or DRB Hicom’s suppliers are too lame. Take your pick!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 2
  • Alex (Member) on Nov 20, 2014 at 7:32 pm

    Guys… this could had been Proton Saga and Proton Persona… anyone remember the black day the G decides to f us all?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 6
 

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