Selected UMW Toyota Motor Service Centres Still Providing Aftersales Support
It is safe to say that everyone (almost) is affected by the restrictions of the Movement Control Order and its various stages. Naturally, UMW Toyota Motor also sees disruptions to its production and retail businesses as well as most business activities. However, selected Toyota service centres are still operating to provide aftersales support to customers.
The selected UMW Toyota Motor Service Centres continue to operate according to the provisions by the state and local authorities, to ensure that vehicle owners can obtain assistance in emergencies. 24/7 assistance is available by calling the Toyota and Lexus Helplines at 1-800-888-247 and 1800-225-3987, respectively.
“Across the nation, customers can still obtain emergency assistance and selected aftersales services for their vehicles,” said Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT). While advising customers to contact the service centres to make an appointment first, he assures customers that when they were at the facility, all the necessary measures are in place for their protection as well as the protection of the employees serving them.
With the ongoing Movement Control Order which began on 1 June 2021, many business sectors have had to remain closed. This ultimately has an impact and in the auto sector, new vehicle sales for the whole industry has dropped significantly in the month of June.
Commenting on the situation, Ravindran said that the continued closure of all Toyota and Lexus showrooms nationwide meant that no business could be conducted. At the same time, manufacturing of vehicles including the supply chain and logistic efforts have also come to a halt. While accepting that the Government has had to act for the good of the country, it has presented a challenge for the company.
While the showrooms remain closed, you can still obtain detailed information about Toyota and Lexus vehicles from their respective websites i.e. toyota.com.my and lexus.com.my. Car bookings can also be made online.
“We still have an encouraging order bank for the various models. Nevertheless, we are hopeful that the restrictions of the lockdown can be eased to allow us to operate in a limited and safe way. Naturally, we will abide by all Standard Operating Procedures, as we have during the past year,” said Ravindran.
The exemption of Sales & Service Tax (SST) on new vehicles has been extended until the end of 2021. This exemption covers both locally-assembled and imported Toyota and Lexus models. “We encourage customers to make their bookings online as we can then plan production at our two assembly plants to minimize waiting time when the restrictions are lifted, to enable customers to enjoy the current financial incentives,” he added.
Prolonged Restrictions
“While the government has formulated a National Recovery Plan (NRP) in four phases, we are still in Phase 1, which is the most restrictive. The current situation also makes planning for recovery difficult,” said Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor.
Takeyama said that prolonged restrictions on vehicle production can have an impact not just on passenger vehicles but also commercial vehicles, which are essential for transportation of goods around the country.
“Furthermore, export business will be affected as well as our subsidiaries export a substantial amount of automotive components as part of Toyota’s global supply chain. If this situation continues for long, we are concerned that our overseas customers may look for new suppliers as they cannot have their own production delayed due to shortage of parts from Malaysia. This could have an impact on Malaysia’s economy as a whole if export business declines,” he added.
Meanwhile, the company had earlier announce its investment to further the initiatives for carbon neutrality through the manufacturing of Hybrid Electric Vehicles. The prolonged shut down of its manufacturing plant could impact and delay this plan.
