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June 23,2026 ,KULIM– Over nearly three decades, Inokom Corporation Sdn Bhd has grown into one of Malaysia’s most established automotive contract assemblers, building vehicles for six global brands across Germany, Japan, Korea and China from its 200-acre plant in Kulim, Kedah.
Today, Inokom the key pillar of Sime Darby Berhad Motors , assembles models for BMW, MINI, Porsche, Mazda, Hyundai and Chery, supported by a fully Malaysian workforce of more than 2,700 employees and integrated operations spanning body, paint, assembly and warehousing. Its production has climbed from 20,500 units in 2021 to over 31,800 units in 2025, while exports topped 24,500 units over the same period, cementing Inokom’s standing as one of Malaysia’s largest automotive exporters.
Inokom’s track record reflects the confidence global automakers have placed in Malaysian manufacturing. Hyundai’s relationship with the plant dates back to 1993, while Mazda’s local assembly operations began in 2011.
Porsche chose Inokom in 2021 as its first assembly facility outside Europe, with exports to Thailand added in 2024, while Chery joined in 2023 and brought Inokom’s first EV assembly programme with the Omoda E5.
The plant also houses BMW Group’s engine assembly facility, established with Sime in 2003 and operating at Inokom since 2009, now the brand’s third-largest engine assembly plant globally. In 2026, Inokom marked another milestone when the BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport became the first fully electric BMW assembled in Asia Pacific.
Dato’ Jeffri Salim Davidson-CEO of Sime Darby Group , described Inokom as proof of Malaysia’s industrial capabilities, highlighting its role in advancing the Government’s GEAR-uP agenda through high-value manufacturing, local vendor development and workforce upskilling.
Dato’ Jeffri added, “The automotive landscape is changing rapidly, with new technologies, emerging markets and evolving expectations. We are committed to ensuring that Inokom stays ahead of the curve by continuously investing in our people, raising our standards and expanding our capabilities. As an industrial anchor in the NCER, Inokom also continues to create meaningful opportunities, from developing high-value skills to supporting local businesses and contributing to the country’s broader economic resilience.”
Looking ahead, Inokom aims to strengthen its position as ASEAN’s preferred automotive assembly partner, with a new advanced paint facility set to further boost capacity and reinforce its role as a key industrial anchor in the Northern Corridor Economic Region.
