Chujo, Sulaiman and Honda Malaysia president/chief operating officer Sarly Adle Sarkum posing with the Civic.
PETALING JAYA: Honda Malaysia today celebrated an important chapter with the rollout of its 1 millionth car produced at its Pegoh plant in Alor Gajah, Melaka.The 1 millionth car was a red Civic 1.5L RS. The variant, priced from RM145,000, will be going to a customer in Malaysia.
At the event, Honda Malaysia managing director and chief executive officer Madoka Chujo also announced she would be leaving to return to Japan to assume a new role with the company after a shortlived stint in Malaysia. Her successor would be announced next week.
Chujo
Chujo was the first woman CEO at Honda Malaysia, and was appointed to the post on April 1, 2021.
"It has been 20 years since Honda Malaysia's establishment in the country," said Chujo.
"In March 2021, we achieved the 1 millionth sale unit milestone with all Malaysians. Just one year later, I am now celebrating another significant milestone with all of you - the 1 millionth production unit, which is the all-new Civic."
Melaka chief minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali launched the milestone celebration.
Honda Malaysia has retained its No.1 position in non-national passenger vehicle segment for eight consecutive years since 2014.
Honda Malaysia opened its No.1 Line at the Pegoh plant in January 2003. It was built on an area of 46,543.00 square metres, with a production capacity of 50,000 cars annually. The first Honda model that rolled out from the No.1 Line was the second-generation CR-V.
In October 2013, Honda Malaysia rolled out the Jazz Hybrid model in the No.2 Line which sits on a 49,190.50 square-metre land.
The No.2 Line had its official opening ceremony in January 2014 and the expansion further increased the total production capacity of the Pegoh plant to 100,000 units per year, enabling the company to locally assemble seven models to cater to the growing customer needs.
The seven models are the City, City Hatchback, Civic, Accord, BR-V, HR-V and CR-V. The plant can produce multiple models at the same time with its flexible production capability.
Honda Malaysia said it has invested in a range of advanced manufacturing technologies in the Pegoh plant that are on par with the Honda plants in Japan.
One of the approaches undertaken by Honda Malaysia is the application of advanced manufacturing in the plant such as the Laser Brazing technology that creates a smooth and clean roofline for a sleeker exterior appearance.
The Inner Frame Welding technology is used to enhance the car's body rigidity while the Spray Polyurethane Foam reduces noise and vibration for Honda models.
Honda Malaysia said it would continue to expand the application of e:HEV technology, VTEC Turbocharged, Honda SENSING and Honda CONNECT to its model line-up.
The Honda plant made its 600,000th unit in 2017. To date, Honda has produced more than 124 million automobile units globally.
Honda Malaysia targets to sell 80,000 cars in 2022.
> Honda Malaysia plant factsheet
