Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) has taken its stake in Malaysian motorcycle manufacturer Modenas from 19% to 30%. KHI has been a shareholder of Modenas since the latter began operations in 1995.
This came about after the sale of 14.3 million ordinary shares were sold to KHI by Modenas’ parent company, DRB-Hicom. In monetary terms, the additional shares are valued at RM40.3 million.
Aside from that, KHI has also purchased 52 million convertible preference shares in Modenas, which take effect should Modenas achieve certain conditions previously agreed upon by both parties. While the terms and conditions of the convertible shares were not disclosed, should the terms come into effect, KHI will increase its shareholding in Modenas to 48%.
With the increase in shareholding, KHI will take a more active role in the operations of Modenas. “I believe it will augur a vibrant phase of customer-driven products for MODENAS, especially in the street bike and sports bike segment,” said Datuk Seri Syed Faisal Albar, managing director of DRB-Hicom.
Modenas currently undertakes components machining for Kawasaki motorcycles, from its production facility in Gurun, Kedah. Inthe early years, Modenas motorcycles were based on Kawasaki products, notably the Jaguh, based on the Kawasaki Eliminator and the Kriss 110, taken from the Kawasaki Kazer.
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Well done, Modenas. Just as well that you hand the reins over to the Japs. It’s been too long and you’ve become a bit long in the tooth with nothing much to show for it.
Well good luck to you Kawasaki motor Malaysia. Don’t know what KHI will do to you.
Plenty of Kawasaki malaysia products are built in modenas. For example the Kawasaki KIPS KRR150.
Nothing wrong with the Modenas, they are lacking innovative people in the company. Own buy same DNA people in PROTON. Maybe the strategies in universities to publish why Malaysia automotive industries cannot grow and sustain at least for the 2nd generation workforce.
Kawa is not active in the kapchai market here which is mainly dominate by Yamaha and Honda. if these are their plans to inject their kapchai engine into these market and rebadge as Modenas would see a good move.
Good news. Bajaj bike is low tech, reliability veery bad. Twin spark is a tech from zaman batu, bad resale value. Moped, scooter all from sym? Look alike. Japan is a way to go.
not twin spark, its triple spark tech. Bajaj own technology.Very reliable engine par with Japan technology and quality.
how will this affect their collaboration with bajaj and kymco? will modenas rebadge J300
J300 also from kymco. Heck, even BMW scooter also rebadge from kymco
should sell all to KHI
Malaysians will have better options now with more CKD Kawasaki’s.
Modenas needs to improve and capitalise on Kawasaki technology.
Thank you Kawasaki.
Kawasaki ended their long standing JV with Bajaj of India due to deepening ties with KTM. This happened in 2017
Around the same time, Modenas started their cooperations with Bajaj and thus bringing affordable bikes from V15, to Pulsars to Dominars
Wondered what would happened next? Hope current owners of V15, Pulsars to Dominars will not be left out
Hello Kawa, bring in the retro W175 into mesia. Either you bring in thru modenas or the other distributor. Big potential for your bikes but they are not available in this country. Even india & indon have them.
Modenas should produce motorcycle in the 135 cc and 150c market segment using water cooled and high horsepower engine to be able to compete with Yamaha and Honda…
Then what about the Bajaj deals?
We want more Kawa model here cheap..
Spare part cheap… expensive parts for Kawa compared to Yama..
If India, Indon, Malaysia use common model sure parts cheap..
Y15=FZ=LC
KTM=Bajaj= Modenas
Now become more popular due to parts easy and cheap..
Aprilia=Kawa=Honda= European not common people choice..parts bloody expensive..
Bajaj triple spark saving fuel is thier own tech, the engine is same as KTM.