Tata Motors partners DRB-Hicom for commercial vehicle operations in Malaysia

Homegrown auto major Tata Motors has entered into a partnership with Malaysia's DRB-Hicom for import, distribution and assembly of its commercial vehicles in the country as part of ongoing global footprint expansion.

As part of the pact, the company has signed a distribution agreement and technology license agreement with USF-Hicom (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of DRB-Hicom Berhad, Tata Motors said in a statement on Monday.

Another importation agreement has also been signed with DRB-Hicom subsidiary, DRB-HICOM Auto Solution Sdn Bhd and USF-Hicom, it added.

Commenting on the development, R T Wasan, head, international business (commercial vehicles) at Tata Motors, said, "One of the key parts of our business is the importance of our partnership with DRB-HICOM, which will not only help us service this market well, but also play a significant role in ensuring that we are listening to our customers."

"Through our subsidiary, USF-HICOM, we at DRB-HICOM intend to establish the Tata Motors brand, and promote its products and services, providing the best customer experience," said Mohd Khamil Jamil, managing director of DRB-Hicom Berhad Group.

The agreements will enable DRB-Hicom via USF-Hicom to become the exclusive distributor of selected Tata commercial vehicles, as well as expand its vehicle assembly business and distribution network in Malaysia, the company said.       

Under the importation agreement, DRB-Hicom via DHAS will become the exclusive importer and logistics service provider for Tata Motors Completely Knocked Down and Completely Built Unit vehicles in Malaysia, the company added.       

Last year in April, the two partners had announced a tie up to supply Tata trucks to Malaysia's armed forces.