According to Glenn Tan, executive director of Tan Chong International, the company’s Segambut plant will be ready in time to handle the production of next-generation Subaru models that ride on Fuji Heavy Industries’ (FHI) new Subaru Global Platform. This was revealed during an interview session at the ongoing Bangkok Motor Show.
The architecture was revealed for use in all next-generation Subaru vehicles recently, with the first being the 2017 Subaru Impreza. Other models expected to follow include a five-door hatchback version of the Impreza and the XV, both of which were previewed by concepts at the Tokyo and Geneva motor shows, respectively.
Among the plus points of the new platform include increased rigidity, NVH, ride and handling, along with the ability to adopt conventional petrol as well as hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains. Lower manufacturing costs can also be attributed to this streamlined platform.
Currently, Tan Chong’s Segambut plant locally assembles both the facelifted XV and Forester here in Malaysia. The latter is the latest model to be made here, with a localisation content of 40%. Set to be launched on April 14, 2016, the new Forester gains additional features and several other revisions, the most notable being Subaru’s X-Mode off-road function.
As for the former, the XV has been produced there since December 2012. Both models (XV and Forester) share the same assembly line, but with separate body shops. In terms of numbers, the plant has the capacity of produce approximately 15,000-16,000 cars per year.
When asked if more Subaru models will be locally assembled in the future, Tan stated that as of now, there are no plans to do so. However, he said the company will focus on expanding the variant offerings of its existing models. With the next generation of Subaru models set to be assembled at Segembut, could there be a change of heart in store?
GALLERY: 2017 Subaru Impreza
GALLERY: Subaru Impreza 5-Door Concept at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show
GALLERY: Subaru XV Concept
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Please CKD new Impreza
confirmed to produce Impreza
& wrx sti. The world need more noise, now w/o Evo alredi
Just CKD the Forester XT, both the facelift and next-gen version. Lots of XV owners want to upgrade to an XT that will not cost more than RM160k.
2.0 NA alr 160K @@
I was wishing that TC will CKD the Impreza next after starting to CKD the Forester but I didn’t expect TC to actually announce that they will have the capability to CKD the Impreza if they wanted to.
CKD Impreza with boxer engine and AWD to compete with Civic and Altis? Yes PLS!
Awesome news. If the new Impreza is good (and not plain and dated like the current one), TCMH should assemble it here for ASEAN + Australia… because why not ? However, they should move future Subaru production to their Serendah plant, it’s newer and more modern. They could expand capacity there at any time needed. The problem with the Segambut plant is that if demand becomes too great, they’ll have a hard time meeting it with the already limited capacity.
With a volume car like the Impreza, they need economies of scale to remain profitable. They cannot produce small numbers like the XV and Forester, they’re niche models, they have few competitors and thus, profit margins can be maintained with slightly higher prices. TCMH cannot do the same if they intend to build the Impreza here. Worse still, the C-segment is too competitive and extremely limited in Malaysia, they must look abroad, that’s why I said ‘ASEAN + Australia’.
TCMH and TCIL must choose carefully, but given their reputation, I have no doubts about their capabilities. As with my earlier comments, I wish them all the best and strength in these troubled times. As well, my condolences to the late Datuk Tan Kim Hor. He was a great man, and he will be sorely missed.