BYD Malaysia recently announced that the company will be partnering Sime Motors’ Inokom Corporation to produce vehicles in Kulim, Kedah. This is the latest development in Malaysia’s push for local assembly (CKD), but what does CKD actually mean for car buyers and the wider automotive industry?
Much ado has been made of late regarding CKD in Malaysia, as well as the government’s – particularly the investment, trade and industry ministry’s (MITI) – new regulations and policies pertaining to it.
Here’s what’s interesting – although you’d be hard pressed to find any one party that thinks CKD does more harm than good, the reasons and justifications differ based on each party’s interests. For the average buyer, it’s simple – he or she supports CKD because it leads to cheaper cars. Or does it?
