Following the increase of Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) Japan’s stake in Malaysian motorcycle maker Modenas from 19% to 30% last year, news has emerged that Modenas will be assembling Kawasaki motorcycles soon. Although no specifics were given as to the models or capacity of the Kawasaki models likely to be assembled, we were informed by a source inside Modenas that “the business plan is still being finalised.”
Modenas has an assembly plant in Gurun, Kedah which currently assembles a variety of Modenas rebadged models. Modenas currently sells a variety of motorcycle models, including the Dominar D400, the NS200, RS200, NS160 and V15, all rebadged from Bajaj.
Other models in the range include the Kriss 110, Kriss MR2 and CT115S kapchais, as well as the Karisma 125 and Elegan 250 scooters. The Elegan 250 is a rebadged Kymco scooter, sold alongside the Kymco Downtown 250i.
We want the ZX-25RR!!
What happen to Kawasaki own assembly plant in Shah Alam?
This is supposed to go how to make money. Just ignore to design own bikes. Rebagde is better but, the government should open the AP to ensure competition.
Bring in the smaller capacity retro style W series… the W175 n W250..!
As real production stalled already (beeing the CT115S the last ‘real’ Modenas manufactured there, the other models are rebranded CKD kits), it’s the only way to keep the Gurun plant utilized.
This is not a news. Modenas is a designated kawasaki motorcycles plant for ages. It even has its own code in kawasaki VIN chassis number, for character number 11, Modenas Gurun plant code for kawasaki is “G”.
One of a few kawasaki bikes assembled in gurun was the Kawasaki KRR-150RR. Modenas has also assembled 75 of the 150 Petronas FP-1 superbike, and also Bombardier Can-Am Spyder 3 wheelers.