CYBERJAYA (April 25): BMW Group Malaysia is planning to make Malaysia its export hub for its BMW3 series, BMW 5 series and BMW 7 series variants to Vietnam and the Philippines by 2018.

"Malaysia continues to be a strategic hub for the BMW Group in South East Asia and we at BMW Group Malaysia are pleased to be able to raise our competency here to assemble and export these premium vehicles to emerging markets in the region to grow our capabilities in the ASEAN region," the group's managing director and chief executive officer Han Sang Yun told a press briefing today.

Han said this after unveiling two new, locally assembled sports activity vehicles — the BMW X1 and BMW X4 — which are the 9th and 10th new models to join its portfolio of vehicles that are assembled in Malaysia.

The new locally-assembled BMW X1 and BMW X4 are a testament to the group's longstanding investment and commitment to Malaysia as a strategic hub for the BMW Group in the South East Asian region, said Han.

"Overall, the BMW Assembly Plant in Kulim now assembles over 20 variants of BMW and MINI vehicles in the country," he said.

He also announced a reduction of up to 9% of the retail prices for its energy efficient vehicles (EEVs) BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo (GT), BMW X3, and the BMW 5 Series, after these models obtained their respective customised EEV status incentives from the Malaysian government.

"I am pleased to announce that we have now received the customised EEV status incentives for the BMW 3 Series GT, BMW X3 and BMW 5 Series. We will be extending this benefit by the Malaysian government to our customers and we will be revising the prices for the vehicles lower by up to 9%," said Han.

The Minister II of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan, who officiated the unveiling of the BMW X1 and BMW X4, said MITI is pleased that the BMW Group (Malaysia) has continued its commitment and investment here to make Malaysia a strategic hub for the company in the region.

"This move not only demonstrates that Malaysia has the necessary infrastructure, people and capability as a strategic country for foreign investment, but also shows that Malaysia is well underway towards becoming a regional automotive hub for EEVs," he said.