MAN Malaysia Reconnects With Sarawak
In a move to reestablish its presence in Sarawak, MAN Malaysia recently made visits to key locations in the state i.e. Kuching, Bintulu, and Sibu. This visit marks a renewed focus on the Sarawak market, where MAN Trucks had once enjoyed success, with nearly 190 trucks sold between 2005 and 2013.
During at stop in Kuching, the MAN Malaysia team paid a courtesy visit to an old customer whose fleet of MAN CLA medium- and heavy-duty trucks had served reliably for over a decade. Despite the fleet’s decommissioning, the team was met with positive feedback, including praise from one driver who highlighted the truck’s impressive pulling power on hilly terrain, powered by a modest 6.8L engine. 
The Kuching visit also included a check-in with the Malaysian Civil Defence Force, which utilises a MAN TGM 18.280 4×4 primarily for rescue missions. The team capped off its visit with a dinner hosted for members of the Sarawak Lorries Transport Association, a 40-year-old organisation. The evening offered valuable insights into the current needs of local transporters, who predominantly operate Japanese and Chinese trucks.
The following day, the team flew to Bintulu, where they reconnected with former customers and met with the president of the Federation of Sarawak Lorry Association. The trip provided an opportunity to discuss the evolving demands of the industry and to introduce the advanced features of MAN’s latest offerings.
On the third day, the MAN Malaysia team embarked on a 3-hour drive along the newly constructed Pan Borneo Highway, from Bintulu to Sibu. A stop in the coastal town of Mukah allowed the team to assess several decade-old MAN TGA 33.400 6×4 and MAN TGS 33.440 6×4 trucks, still in operation transporting coal from an underground mine to a local power station.
Before concluding their trip and returning to Kuala Lumpur, the team made a final courtesy call in Sibu to a customer who had recently visited the MAN Pavilion at the 2024 Malaysia Commercial Vehicle Expo (MCVE). The visit reinforced the positive experiences many had with the durability and power of MAN Trucks, and sparked interest in the new Euro 5-powered models.
“We are encouraged by the feedback from the Sarawak market. Those that had operated MAN Trucks before had a lot of positive experiences with the power and durability of our products. Some also expressed interest in the class-leading features of our new Euro 5-powered MAN Trucks,” said MAN Malaysia Managing Director Andrew O’Brooks.
With its Euro 5 engines, MAN Trucks are setting new standards in driver orientation, fuel efficiency, assistance systems, digital networking, and sustainability. This recent visit to Sarawak reflects MAN Malaysia’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the region’s transport industry and highlights its dedication to delivering innovative and sustainable transport solutions.
For more information on the MAN, please visit www.man.com.my.
