PETALING JAYA: Sime Darby Bhd and Porsche have rolled out the first locally assembled Cayenne for the domestic market.

       The vehicle will now be assembled at the first assembly facility for Porsche vehicles outside of Europe at Sime Darby’s motor vehicle production and assembly facility in Kulim, Kedah.

       “We are very honoured by Porsche’s continued trust in Sime Darby, as we deliver a product consistent with Porsche’s highest standards for quality, performance and driving experience.

       “The facility, which is 100% staffed by highly skilled Malaysians, not only supports the growth of our businesses across the automotive value chain in Malaysia; but also creates a pipeline of jobs to empower the local community,” Sime Darby’s group chief executive officer Datuk Jeffri Salim Davidson said in a statement.

       This specific right-hand drive Porsche Cayenne models are destined for the local market only, it said.

       The local assembly facility underscores Porsche’s commitment to Malaysia as well as the Asean region and demonstrates Sime Darby’s dedication to expanding its high value assembly capabilities as a critical element for growth for its Motors’ business, it added.

       “We have reached a new milestone, rolling out the first locally assembled Cayenne and fulfilling the sports car dream of even more Malaysian Porsche fans. Our growth strategy underlines the importance of Malaysia for Porsche as we look to expand our presence in the Asean region.

       “And it demonstrates our confidence in Sime Darby as a strong partner on our side,” Detlev von Platen, Porsche AG member of the executive board for sales and marketing, said in the statement.

       The statement said that the local assembly facility is designed to meet high sustainability standards: on the roof, solar panels will provide all the power needed for operation, and on the ground, rainwater harvesting technologies ensure that wastewater is kept to a minimum.

       It is also staffed by a team of highly skilled and 100% Malaysian talent, all of whom have received comprehensive training from Porsche, it said.

       Sime Darby also said the assembly is further supported by a network of local suppliers and service providers in the area that helps to empower the future of the local community with job opportunities, upskilling prospects, and potential for further expansion.

       “The new assembly site in Malaysia meets specific market needs and operates alongside Porsche’s established network of production sites in Europe. In particular, it meets comprehensive quality standards set forth by Porsche when assembling Porsche sports cars,” said Albrecht Reimold, Porsche’s member of the executive board for production and logistics.

       Senior Minister and International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said in the statement that the government viewed the automotive industry as a strategic economic sector.

       Established automotive-producing nations have demonstrated the vibrancy of the global supply chain’s development, which has been instrumental in the substantial growth of creating jobs and skilled workforce as well as generating many business opportunities for small and medium enterprises, he noted.