Ford has a long history in Malaysia which is not surprising since the company’s mass production techniques made the motorcar affordable for the masses, and began the motorisation of the world from the beginning of the 20th century.
Records show that the earliest Ford was a Model N, imported to Malaya in 1909. More cars were probably brought in by private importers or rich individuals during the next decade until the volume and market potential was large enough that the company established a subsidiary in Singapore.
As its business in Malaysia grew, Ford worked with local business partners, among them Sime Darby which would remain a longstanding partner to this day. As the distributor for the brand, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC-Ford) – a subsidiary of Sime Darby Motors – has continuously been growing the brand and network of outlets covering Peninsular as well as East Malaysia.
Year after year, SDAC-Ford has made investments to set up new dealerships. In 2023, for example, it started work on a new RM12 million Ford Signature dealership in Seberang Prai, Penang. This new 3S centre will be fully operational by the end of the second quarter of 2024.
Over in East Malaysia, SDAC-Ford has also significantly expanded its presence. With Sabah as the third largest pick-up market in the country, the company has opened two key dealerships in the districts of Inaman and Penampang in Kota Kinabalu.
In Sarawak, SDAC-Ford opened a dealerships in Kota Samarahan last October which joins 8 other dealerships in the area. To date, there are 38 authorised dealerships nationwide.
“We are immensely proud of the strides we made last year, resulting in 2023 being a year of unparalleled success for SDAC-Ford. It is truly a testament to the appeal of our award-winning Ford vehicles, coupled with the hard work and dedication of our team and the unwavering support of our customers. As we gear up for another exemplary year, we are confident that Ford will continue to shape the market, as we deliver on our commitment to excellence and high customer satisfaction,” said Turse Zuhair, Managing Director, SDAC-Ford.
The success of the brand can also be attributed to the popularity of the vehicles sold, in particular the Ranger. As evidence of the excellence of this model, various motoring media have given the latest generation awards over the past two years.
Visit www.sdacford.com.my to know more about Ford vehicles in Malaysia and where to experience them.
