The Mazda brand was a very popular one in the bygone days and over time, the dealership had changed hands from Cycle & Carriage to now Bermaz Motor Sdn Bhd. In the last 2 years, in the able hands of the new Bermaz Motor, the brand had made very decent in-roads in the market place mainly in the premium segment.

The gloom that was very much the talking point in the first half of the year seems to have relented and the second half is expected to be comparatively better. Although many are forecasting a decent turnaround, others are taking a cautious stand which means seeking value.

Sime Darby Auto Connexion Sdn Bhd is a subsidiary of the mega Sime Darby entity which came into being more than 60 years ago. The group’s interest ranges from plantation, motor, energy & utility, healthcare and plantation with manpower strength of more than 100,000.

The gloom around the world seems to have set-in and this one appears to be of the long haul type that will affect anyone and everyone. In this climate, companies are forced to re-look at the car benefits of the employees with the view of managing costs.

The number 1 automotive brand in the domestic market in the non-national segment for a long time now is Toyota and the credit of this is obviously UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd. (UMWT) As one of the oldest players in the industry, they are entrenched in the minds of the motorist and the public at large.

The franchise of the Mazda brand had recently changed hands to Bermaz Motor Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the Berjaya Group of Companies, being appointed the sole distributor in Malaysia.

One of the oldest corporate in the local scene is the Sime Darby Group which is involved in a broad spectrum of industries including plantation, property, healthcare, industrial, motor and energy.

Isuzu Motors Limited may not be the first Japanese automobile brand that pops-up in everyone but the company was set-up way back in 1949. Even before this, its predecessor had been involved in the manufacture of diesel engines since 1936.

The Sime Darby Group is one of the pioneer conglomerates in the Malaysian corporate scene as it came into existence more than 60 years ago in the plantation sector.

The executive sedan segment is  keenly contested by a number of marques vying for a slice not only to gain market domination but also to reinforce the brand’s presence. In the local scene, the players include the Accord, Camry, Sonata, Tiana , Mazda6 and a few more.