Mercedes-Benz Commits To Malaysia With New HQ & Training Academy
When a multinational brand invests a significant amount of money in office space, and in particular, a well-equipped training facility, it’s pretty certain that that brand has long-term plans for that market. And that’s what leading premium marque, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Sdn Bhd (MBM) showed when it launched Wisma Mercedes-Benz, its new headquarters, and the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Training Academy in Bandar Kinrara, Puchong. These 2 premises were previously housed in different locations and are now brought together in the new purpose-built facility for synergy and efficiency to support its brand promise of delivering ‘The Best Vehicles’ and ‘The Best Customer Experience’ to customers.
“We have very exciting times ahead of us as we look forward to continue redefining the benchmark in the premium segment with the Best products, the Best service and the Best customer experience. As you can see, we take very seriously our motto of delivering ‘The Best or Nothing’ in every aspect of our business,” said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia President and CEO, Dr Claus Weidner.
Wisma Mercedes-Benz is the first of its kind in Malaysia. The 6-storey industrial facility, built to Daimler’s requirements, has been accredited as the first green industrial building in Subang Jaya and was awarded the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certification. An investment of RM 74 million, the facility houses Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia, Daimler TSS GmbH and the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Training Academy. Operations offices utilize 53,000 sq ft of the 118,000 sq ft facility, while the Training Academy occupies 65,000 sq ft.
“Malaysia is an important market for the Mercedes-Benz brand. The lead we have taken in the premium vehicle segment indicates the trust customers have in our vehicles and service quality. Our new purpose-built facility will enable us to consistently provide high levels of service, expertise and reliability to satisfy our customers, who expect the highest standards of excellence. Be it in Malaysia or anywhere in the world, customers are assured of this exceptional experience every time they encounter the Mercedes-Benz brand,” added Dr Weidner.
Following overwhelming response for its training programmes, the MBM Training Academy has expanded its capacity to accommodate over 2,000 training days per year. The MBM Training Academy features a fully operational workshop for real world workplace simulation and state-of-the-art training rooms purposefully built and equipped according to the latest Daimler AG Global Training standard. From the Academy, delivery of a host of certified and qualified international standard Mercedes-Benz Training Programmes will be delivered regularly to all retail staff. We had visited the previous center in Glenmarie and while it served its purpose, the new Academy has a more conducive environment for learning. And as we had witnessed in their biennial Skills Competition, it’s also a very competitive environment to bring out the best in human resource.
To mark the launch of the MBM Training Academy, Director of Global Training, Mr Joerg Himmelmann, handed over a unit of the ultimate in automotive technology and luxury, the Mercedes-Maybach S500, to Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, Vice President, After Sales, Mr Heinrich Schromm.
This training vehicle will be put to use for participants to fully experience all repair and diagnosis routines on all systems currently available in series production. This further creates an opportunity to develop participants with the highest level of diagnosis and fault-finding skills on the latest and greatest Mercedes-Benz technology.
Complementing the state-of-the-art equipment are the Daimler Certified Trainers who adhere to strict international standards. As part of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s regional role, regular Train the Trainer events are arranged and conducted within the facility by Global Training, Stuttgart topic expert Trainers. Trainers from Malaysia and all countries around the Asia Pacific region travel here to upgrade their skills and knowledge, staying on the cutting edge of the automotive industry. With this, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Training Academy strives toward its maxim “Developing The Best Automotive Talent”.
Following a rigorous recruitment process, apprentices under the MBM vocational training program (Advance Modern Apprenticeship), aside from attending international standard qualifications and first hand experience, have greatly benefited from its full scholarships which include an allowance as well as a secured career path in Mercedes-Benz authorized dealerships nationwide. This further reaffirms MBM’s commitment to develop the skills of Malaysia’s youth and create more job opportunities for them.
“We are certain that our continuous efforts to enhance the experiences of our customers each time they encounter the Mercedes-Benz brand will continue to drive the success of the brand. Mercedes-Benz Malaysia will continue investing in our dealer network and in enhancing all customer touch points nationwide. We will also continue to extend our unwavering support to the nation’s ambition of becoming an EEV hub in line with global standards,” concluded Dr Weidner.
Also present to mark the significant milestone were Head of Region Overseas, Mercedes-Benz Cars, Dr Till Conrad; Director of After Sales Region Overseas, Mercedes-Benz Cars, Mr Pierre-Emmanuel Chartier; Director Regional Centre, Daimler Commercial Vehicles South East Asia, Mr Kay-Wolf Ahlden; Member of the Board of Management, Africa & Asia Pacific, Daimler Financial Services AG, Mr Peter Henn; and Senior Vice President, Regional Head South-East Asia and Southern China / Sales & Marketing DFS Africa & Asia Pacific, Mr Thomas Hungerland.
