Danish- based tuner for the Mercedes-Benz, Kleemann, wants to transfer its technology to Malaysia through a special programme likely to be known as the “Kleemann-vendors programme” or an academy in Malaysia soon.
Kleemann Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd’s managing director Mohd Azad Jasmi said the move would accelerate Malaysia’s desire to be a regional automotive hub by bringing the much needed know-how in upgrading luxury and premium branded cars.
Kleemann Asia Pacific, a joint venture company between Kleemann A/S with its partners in Malaysia, aims to embark on the transfer of technology as early as next year.
“Our job is not merely marketing and distributing the CBU (completely-built-up) Kleemann cars in Malaysia and the Asia Pacific markets, but we also plan to transfer the Kleemann technology from Denmark into Malaysia.
The soft launch for Kleemann Asia Pacific would be held here this Friday where two Kleemann cars — the E55 and ML500 would be introduced.
The company has targeted to market 3,000-4,000 units of the spruced-up cars in the next 12-18 months in view of the growing demand by Mercedes Benz owners to upgrade and custom-fit their cars as well as interest by potential buyers.
“Kleenmann has immense high tech skills and know-how. We plan to leverage on Kleemann’s technology and in the process facilitate Bumiputera or Malaysian vendors in maximising their potential effectively.
“This is not merely about screwdriver technology, this is a very high-tech system, purposely-built, highly-engineered where you have to calculate, design and so on,” he said.
“So, this is what we mean by transfer of technology. We want to bring several of Kleemann’s technologies here, educate Malaysian vendors, leverage on whatever we have in Denmark in Malaysia. This is our development plan for the country,” he said.
Through the vendor or academy programme, he said Kleemann hopes to share its knowledge in the upgrading of engine and wheels in Malaysia for both the domestic and Asia Pacific markets.
Mohd Azad felt such technology transfer would compel other players in the local automotive industry to further enhance their automotive engineering and quality assurance which would indirectly help elevate the industry’s benchmark.
Kleemann Asia Pacific, capitalised at RM3 million and having made an initial investment of RM5 million, was established specifically to carry out various projects, including restyling, upgrading, optimising and customising vehicles for existing Mercedes-Benz owners.
The objective of the company is to penetrate the Asia Pacific market through the distribution of products with Malaysia as a hub or headquarters for Asia Pacific.
Besides increasing the power output, Kleemann also offers brake, suspension, wheels and chassis upgrades for Mercedes-Benz automobiles.
