Regional vehicle launched

Regional vehicle launched

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Nissan Motor Co. of Japan yesterday launched a stationwagon using parts sourced from Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Taiwan and Japan, officials said yesterday.

"It is an ideal arrangement ensuring the best auto technology from each participating country and brings about an overall reduction in cost because of the economies of scale," said Tan Hoe Pin, deputy managing director of Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn. Bhd.

The company is a subsidiary of Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd., the sole distributor for Japan's Nissan cars in Malaysia.

The Nissan AD Resort 1.6 liter vehicle, costing M$57,000 (US$22,800), was produced under a so-called brand-to-brand complementation scheme initiated by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1988, officials said.

Autoparts authorized under the scheme enjoyed 50 percent or more import tariff cuts and local content accreditation, officials said.