Alongside the launch of the Toyota Vios Hybrid (HEV), UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) also announced that the battery packs of those models will be assembled locally at their facility in Bukit Raja, Klang.
UMWT has long reiterated its long-term commitment to reflect the mothership, in making electrified mobility accessible to Malaysians. To do so, that would require a certain degree of local assembly, a step taken with the Vios Hybrid and assembly of its battery here.
“The Vios Hybrid represents an important step forward in making electrified mobility more inclusive in Malaysia. As our most accessible hybrid model, it reflects Toyota’s Best in Town approach by delivering advanced hybrid technology into a car Malaysians already trust and rely on every day,” said Datuk Ravindran K., President of UMWT.
The Vios Hybrid represents UMWT’s initiative in making electrified mobility further accessible by assembling key electrification components locally. Furthermore, doing so ensures they boost the local industry and supports it on multiple tiers.
That next step comprises investment in a dedicated hybrid battery assembly line in Bukit Raja.
The line is capable of producing up to 30,000 battery units annually, while the facility assembles 97% of battery components locally. Not only does that support local vendors, but it also significantly reduces secondary CO2 emissions associated with import logistics while paving the path to meet the growing component demands for hybrid vehicles.
It is a high-precision assembly line, featuring intelligent fool-proof systems, automated inspection processes, sound-checker functions, battery performance testing, and full traceability throughout production. Each and every step here ensures the battery pack meets Toyota’s global standards for Quality, Durability and Reliability (QDR).
Apart from expanding the local vendor chain, the battery assembly line also creates high-value employment opportunities, equips local talent with advanced electrification skills, and reinforces Malaysia’s position within the regional automotive value chain in line with the government’s goal of transforming the country into a regional vehicle manufacturing hub.