UMW Toyota opens new Integrated Quality Hub
UMW Toyota Motor has opened its new Integrated Quality Hub (IQH) at Bukit Raja, Klang to improve delivery quality and lead time of its vehicles to customers. Developed at a cost of RM200 million, the new 87.5 acre facility is part of a bigger RM 1 billion three-year investment plan expected to conclude in 2013.
Facilities housed in the IQH are Centralized Vehicle Stockyard, Accessory Centre, Test Track, Body & Paint Centre, and Production Parts Warehouse. Designed specifically with the famous Toyota Production System in mind, the IQH has the capacity to stock up 9,500 vehicles at any one time, able to deliver 420 vehicles per day.
The Accessory Centre is able to fit 142 combination of accessories which include items such as navigation system, audio system and body kits at customers’ request. With this in place, customers can specify their desired accessories package five days before taking delivery of their vehicle in Peninsula-based outlets. Final inspection is performed at the end of line to ensure quality.
Speaking at the official opening ceremony of the new facility, Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin, UMW Toyota Motor’s Chairman said, “The main objective is to improve the delivery lead time so that customers can enjoy quality Toyota vehicles, fresh from the factory.”
The facility also boasts its own 2.1km test track for vehicle evaluation. It has a 1km-long straight allowing for speeds up to 140kph. Other sections of the track allow for testing of handling, hill climbing and different road conditions such as wave, rope, and slope.
By the end of 2012, the facility would also have opened its Body & Paint Centre as well as its production parts warehouse. The B&P centre will have 57 work bays to cater for central region customers, while the 11 acre warehouse will store parts for UMWT’s manufacturing facility and accessory centre.
UMW Toyota Motor also seeks further support from the Malaysian and Japanese Government to expand its future business operations. In a statement released by the company, it said that it is looking forward for the Malaysian government’s further implementation of the National Automotive Policy to ensure a long term competitiveness of the automotive industry.
It was recently announced in Budget 2012 that the Government will be extending the exemption of import and excise duties for sub-2,000cc hybrid vehicles until 31 December 2013. UMWT currently has two models benefiting from this exemption, namely the Toyota Prius and Lexus CT 200h.
Commenting on the Budget, Encik Ismet Suki, President of UMWT said, “We are delighted with the announcement by the Prime Minister. This shows that the government is committed to make Hybrid vehicles affordable for more Malaysians. It would be exciting to see more Hybrid vehicles on our roads and more people would be aware about the effectiveness of Hybrid technology as a proven alternative to lowering fuel consumption and environment friendly.”
Pictures: Official UMW Toyota Motor release.
