Boon Siew Honda has come a long way indeed as the company recently celebrated its diamond jubilee or sixtieth anniversary in Malaysia in 1957. To tie in with the celebrations, Boon Siew Honda has also announced the production of their 5 millionth motorcycle to roll off the production line at its Penang manufacturing plant.
Several key figures in the industry were present with the list stretching to include His Excellency Kiyoshi Itoi, Consul-General of Japan in Penang, 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 Sdn Bhd and Mr. Nobuhide Nagata, managing director and CEO of Boon Siew Honda Sdn. Bhd.
“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 Berhad 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.
Nobuhide Nagata, managing director, CEO of Boon Siew Honda added, “Thanks to the support from our customers in Malaysia, Boon Siew Honda has reached the 5millionth unit production of motorcycle. 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.”
The story of Boon Siew Honda began in 1957 with the opening of a single showroom along Pitt Street, Penang. With only 50 units of the venerable Honda Cub to begin with, the business quickly grew to include local production of Honda motorcycles in 1969 via a technical collaboration. Jump to 2008, Oriental Holdings Bhd and Honda Motor Co. Ltd. formed a joint venture company that led to the birth of Boon Siew Honda Sdn. Bhd.
More recently, the company started manufacturing operations at its new plant in Batu Kawan to better cope with the increasing demand. Said facility covers an area of 23.7 hectares and is reported to cost RM200 million. As for notable production milestones, the company hit its millionth mark in 1986 before doubling it by 1999. In 2007, 3 million units were produced and 2011 saw the 4 millionth motorcycle roll off the line.