UMW Toyota Motor

[2] Prior to 1968, Malaysian market Toyota models were only imported as complete built up (CBU) units.

[3] In May 1964, the Malaysian government enacted a policy to encourage the local assembly of vehicles and manufacturing of automotive components, as per the recommendation of experts from the Colombo Plan.

[3] Cars that were locally assembled with Malaysian manufactured components, then limited to low-value parts like tyres, lights and batteries would be granted a reduction in import duty, making them cheaper and more competitive as a result.

[2] Toyota exported complete knock down (CKD) kits from Japan to Malaysia, where they were assembled by Champion Motors.

Production engineers from Toyota contributed to the design of ASSB's plant and advised on the assembly of vehicles.

[6] The success of the Corolla was largely attributed to its admirable reliability, fuel efficiency and value for money appeal, elements which many of its European counterparts could not match.

[9] Nonetheless, UMWT adapted to the market changes by pushing the Toyota brand upmarket, with an emphasis on aftersales and customer satisfaction.

Toyota eventually surpassed arch-rival Nissan to become the best-selling foreign-badged car company in the Malaysian market, a title which UMWT held for over 20 years.

[11] In 2006, UMW Toyota Motor was awarded the franchise rights to distribute Lexus vehicles in Malaysia.