This is the longest ever principal and distributor partnership in UD Trucks’ history globally – with a grand dinner celebration event themed ‘Powering the Nation Forward’. This momentous event, held at Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur, was graced by Dato’ Rosie Tan, Group Chief Executive Officer, Tan Chong Motor Holdings Berhad and Jacques Michel, President of Volvo Group Trucks Asia and JVs Sales. It was also attended by other top management of Tan Chong Group, UD Trucks and TCIE, as well as staff, partners, customers and members of the media.
Speaking at the evening, Filip Van den Heede, Managing Director Hub Malaysia, UD Trucks said, “Over the past 40 years, TCIE has been a pioneer and leader in the commercial vehicle services industry in Malaysia. UD Trucks, as a partner, has been able to introduce our innovative trucks that the world needs today and substantially grow our brand in Malaysia over the years because of a genuine, sturdy and trusted relationship between TCIE and UD Trucks.”
“TCIE has been constantly growing its all-rounded capabilities and enhancing service offerings for customers. Delivering comprehensive and satisfactory truck ownership experience to all valued customers has been our shared core focus, and we are proud to call TCIE our sole distributor partner in Malaysia,” Added Van den Heede.
In 2007, Volvo Group acquired Nissan Diesel and several years later in 2010, rebranded it to UD Trucks, which essentially means Ultimate Dependability. The fundamental relationship between Tan Chong and UD Trucks remained strong despite the change in principal ownership, and continued to deepen and expand beyond various challenges.
Van den Heede continued, “When the Volvo Group took over, we continued to build on the legacy of Kenzo Adachi, the founder of UD Trucks, to ‘build the truck that the world needs today’. Despite the various challenges that both UD Trucks and TCIE had to face from time to time, our common values and goals drove us forward and we prevailed at every opportunity. We continued to look forward and stepped up on our collaboration to strengthen our partnership which resulted in the continuous creation of key milestones.”
“This led us in Malaysia to become the first market in the world to assemble UD Quester and UD Croner outside of Japan. With this 40th year anniversary celebration, we are very thankful and remain confident that TCIE will continue to be the ideal Malaysian partner for us for local manufacturing, distribution and customer support. We certainly look forward to many more successful years to come!”
TCIE, in 1978, was the first to bring in the CK11 and half cab UG780 Nissan Diesel trucks to grace Malaysian roads back then and had been able to build on the brand with the latter model. Since then, UD Trucks and TCIE have continuously worked hand-in-hand in going the extra mile to provide new, innovative and creative trucking solutions for customers in Malaysia. When Volvo Group entered the fray, it was the ultimate intention to combine the best of 3 worlds – UD Trucks’ immense history of Japanese craftsmanship, Volvo Group’s advanced technological know-how and TCIE’s local presence, extensive sales network and aftermarket expertise – to provide trucks that Malaysian customers can fully depend on.
In celebrating this occasion, Wong King Yoon, Director, Tan Chong Industrial Equipment Sdn Bhd shared, “The pioneering spirit of Tan Chong Group that was espoused by our founder, the late Tan Sri Dato’ Tan Yuet Foh, had allowed TCIE to pursue every new opportunity that came with new challenges. The strong bond and deep understanding we have developed with UD Trucks and Volvo Group has successfully established our reputation, credibility and reliability as one of the best sources for smart trucking solutions in the market today.
Wong continued, “TCIE has come a long way to be where and who we are today. From our humble beginning, TCIE now offers the full range of services, from assembly to distribution, marketing, financial and insurance assistance to servicing and full aftermarket support. As the sole distributor and long-term partner of UD Trucks, we feel gratified to have contributed to the growth of the UD brand in Malaysia. We would not have achieved it all without UD Trucks and the unwavering support by our business partners and customers. I am happy to say that we have all powered the nation together for the past 40 years and many more years ahead!”
To commemorate this auspicious occasion and to reaffirm their continued partnership, top management of Tan Chong Group, UD Trucks and TCIE went on stage and took part in the Kagami Biraki ceremony, a traditional Japanese ceremony where the lid of the sake barrel is opened by knocking with a wooden mallet usually reserved for significant events worthy of being celebrated. Guests were also treated to a sumptuous 8-course dinner, live band performances, Ishikari Japanese dance and lucky draws
In conjunction with this celebration also, UD Trucks and TCIE took the opportunity to express their appreciation to partners and customers by giving out the Golden Partnership Award to those who have notably contributed to this 40-year partnership.
The first Golden Partnership Award for customer went to ASAC Logistics Sdn Bhd, a truly loyal customer of TCIE. ASAC Logistics was the very first proud owner of the CK11 in 1978 and over the years up to-date, has continued to support the purchase of UD trucks. They have more than 500 units of UD Trucks in their fleet and has evolved to be one of the largest logistic companies in Malaysia.
The Golden Partnership Award for Sales Dealer went to LK Utara Auto Sdn Bhd. Appointed by TCIE as the authorized private sales dealer in 1999, the company focuses solely on the sale of UD Trucks and has to-date, successfully sold more than 880 units of UD Trucks; maintaining its position as the top 3 best performance private sales dealer for 19 consecutive years.
The Golden Partnership Award for Service Dealer was awarded to Mun Chai Auto Works Sdn Bhd. Established in 1980, Mun Chai Auto Works was appointed by TCIE as the authorized service dealer for UD Trucks. Continuous and extensive service and technician training were provided to ensure the tip-top service quality. Today, Mun Chai Auto Works has more than 20 service bays to cater for its growing business.
The final Golden Partnership Award for Parts Dealer went to Kaifa Auto Parts Sdn Bhd as it continues to maintain its top 5 best performance position since 1999. TCIE appointed Auto Enterprise (M) Sdn Bhd as the authorized parts dealer in 1978, and in 1999, the role was transferred to its sister company, Kaifa Auto Parts Sdn Bhd to solely focus on UD Trucks.
