KULIM, 23 June 2026 – Inokom Corporation Sdn Bhd (Inokom) Operating from its 200-acre facility in Kulim, Kedah, within the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER), Inokom stands today as a key pillar of Sime Darby Berhad’s (Sime) Motors business.
Inokom produces vehicles for six global automotive brands spanning major automotive ecosystems – from Germany (BMW, MINI, Porsche), Japan (Mazda), Korea (Hyundai) and China (Chery) – serving both the domestic market and selected ASEAN region markets.
Its integrated facilities span Body Shops, Paint Shops, Assembly Shops and Centralised Warehouses, supported by a 100% Malaysian workforce of more than 2,700 skilled employees to date. Production volumes have grown significantly, rising from 20,500 units in 2021 to over 31,800 units in 2025. Over this period, Inokom has exported a total of over 24,500 units to regional markets, establishing it as one of Malaysia’s largest automotive exporters.
Sime’s Group Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Jeffri Salim Davidson said, “Inokom is a testament to what Malaysian industry is capable of achieving. It continues to uphold the trust of world-leading automotive marques, and this speaks volumes about the depth of capability we have built here in Malaysia. This aligns closely with high-value, homegrown industrial strength that the national GEAR-uP agenda strives to nurture and sustain, particularly in advancing high-value manufacturing built on Malaysian expertise and capabilities that are competitive on the global stage.”
Inokom’s credentials as a trusted assembly partner for global automotive brands are well established. The collaboration between Hyundai and Inokom began as early as 1993. In 2000, the facility expanded into commercial and passenger vehicle assembly, starting with the Inokom Lorimas (Hyundai Porter), followed by the Inokom Atos in 2002.
Mazda, one of Inokom’s longest-standing assembly partners and a key joint venture partner, launched its first locally assembled Mazda 3 in 2011, making it the only completely knocked down assembly plant in the ASEAN region at the point of time. The launch has been a cornerstone of the facility’s operations.
In 2021, Porsche selected Inokom as its first assembly facility outside of Europe, a distinction reflecting the confidence placed in Malaysian manufacturing standards. Local assembly was subsequently expanded in 2024 to include exports to Thailand.
Chery’s arrival in 2023 as an assembly partner further broadened Inokom’s portfolio, positioning it as a production base for models such as the Omoda and Tiggo series, including the Chery Omoda E5, Inokom’s first-ever electric vehicle (EV) assembly. This marks a significant step as the Chinese automaker extends its Southeast Asian footprint with both internal combustion and electrified offerings.
Inokom is also home to an Engine Assembly Plant for the BMW Group, supplying engines directly to the premium automaker’s assembly facility, which was established in partnership with Sime in 2003 and has been located at Inokom since 2009. The plant is the third-largest BMW engine assembly plant in the world, further cementing Inokom’s position as a high-value manufacturing hub in the region. Since 2018, the BMW Group has exported more than 11,800 BMW and MINI vehicles assembled at Inokom to the Philippines and Thailand. Adding to this milestone, the premium automaker rolled out its 100,000th vehicle produced at Inokom in 2022. More recently in 2026, the BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport assembled at Inokom became the first fully electric BMW model to be assembled in Asia Pacific.
Operating under a unique Plant-within-a-Plant concept, Inokom hosts dedicated assembly lines tailored to the specific technical and quality requirements of each principal, adhering to customised quality systems. The facility also holds internationally recognised certifications in quality, safety and environmental management, and has received industry recognition including the Industry Excellence Award from the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) in 2018, the High Productivity Enterprise Using Local Workers award from the Malaysia Productivity Corporation in 2019, and the Kedah State Appreciation Award in 2026.
Beyond its assembly capabilities, Inokom actively supports Malaysia’s automotive supply chain through 370 local vendors including Bumiputera enterprises to participate in its global supply chain, supporting the Government’s GEAR-uP agenda for inclusive growth. Its commitment to workforce development comprises comprehensive training programmes covering advanced automotive manufacturing technologies, leadership development and technical upskilling across electrical systems, diagnostics and quality compliance.
Dato’ Jeffri added, “The automotive landscape is changing rapidly, with new technologies, emerging markets and evolving expectations. We are committed to ensuring that Inokom stays ahead of the curve by continuously investing in our people, raising our standards and expanding our capabilities. As an industrial anchor in the NCER, Inokom also continues to create meaningful opportunities, from developing high-value skills to supporting local businesses and contributing to the country’s broader economic resilience.”
Looking ahead, Inokom is focused on its vision to be the preferred automotive assembly partner in the ASEAN region. The upcoming launch of a new advanced painting facility is expected to further strengthen operational capacity, as Inokom continues to raise the bar for what Malaysian manufacturing can deliver on the global stage.
