By Rosemarie Khoo Mohd Sani
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- National motorcycle manufacturer Motosikal dan Enjin Nasional Sdn Bhd (Modenas) is charting an ambitious growth path with plans to expand its product lineup, boost exports and scale up production capacity in the coming years, as it celebrates three decades of operations.
Chief executive officer Roslan Roskan said the company, which began with the iconic Kriss 110 underbone motorcycle in 1996, has since transformed into a diversified two-wheeler and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) producer with global aspirations, particularly following Japan’s Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ (KHI) equity increase in 2019.
“With Kawasaki now holding a 30 per cent stake in Modenas, we have become the sole distributor and assembler for Kawasaki motorcycles in Malaysia.
“This has significantly enhanced our manufacturing capability and allowed us to penetrate new markets,” he told Bernama.
DRB-Hicom Bhd holds a 70 per cent equity interest in Modenas, while the remaining is owned by KHI.
Meanwhile, after delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Roslan said Modenas began its new business direction in 2022.
Since then, he said, Kawasaki motorcycle sales via Modenas have tripled, and its product portfolio has grown substantially.
From January until August 2025, Modenas has already launched five of its models, seven under the Kawasaki brand and one under the Kymco brand.
For the remainder of this year, Roslan said five more models will be launched, but details of the models and brand will yet to be announced.
Scaling up for Exports and New Models
Modenas has already begun exporting its ATVs to key ASEAN markets such as the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia.
For scooters and underbone motorcycles, it is exported particularly to the Philippines market, while for higher cubic capacity (cc) via its partnership with Kawasaki, it is currently exporting to China and the Middle East.
“We have a big plan to make exports as one of our core businesses again, and now, we are exploring exporting our Modenas models to Indonesia, Turkiye and Greece.
“In the past, we stopped exporting around 2017-2018 due to emission regulation compliance issues. Now, with Kawasaki’s support, we are ready to return stronger,” said Roslan.
The company’s plant in Gurun, Kedah, which operates with an all-local workforce of over 600 employees, currently has a production capacity of over 130,000 units annually on a single-shift basis -- a volume that can be easily scaled up, he said.
“We aim to produce a total of about 100,000 motorcycles by 2026 or 2027, growing between 30 per cent to 40 per cent over the next two to three years.
“We also expect to reach 1,000 employees by then from slightly over 600 at present,” he said.
Diversifying Lineup: Scooters, ATVs and EVs
Beyond its traditional underbone motorcycles, Modenas is growing its lineup of scooters, particularly in the 150 cc and above category.
Recently, Modenas launched the Kymco DTX 250 premium scooter in May 2025, and the AK550 maxi-scooter in January 2024, in collaboration with Taiwan-based Kymco.
Modenas, through its subsidiary Edaran Modenas Sdn Bhd, has been the exclusive distributor of Kymco motorcycles from Taiwan, particularly scooters in Malaysia, since 2016.
Meanwhile, it launched two ATV models for the ASEAN market, with a third planned for later this year.
On the electric vehicle (EV) front, he said Modenas currently operates one EV production line and produces two electric motorcycle models, with plans to increase to three this year, and up to five to seven models in the next three years.
Roslan said Modenas is cautiously optimistic about EV motorcycles, given Malaysia’s relatively low fuel prices.
“EVs offer lower maintenance and are more environmentally friendly, but widespread adoption may take time.
“We are investing in research and development locally and collaborating with partners to improve features and affordability,” he said.
Localisation, Talent Development, Industry Support
In line with its commitment to Malaysia’s industrial ecosystem, Modenas plans to invite 30 additional local small and medium enterprise (SME) vendors to supply materials and services, further deepening localisation efforts.
The company is also actively working with technical and vocational education and training institutions, notably GiatMara.
It has established an industrial centre of excellence in Pendang, Kedah, and collaborates on training curriculum and modules for future technicians.
He also said four GiatMara centres, namely in Kelantan, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak, have been authorised to provide after-sales service for Modenas motorcycles, particularly EV models used by Pos Malaysia, which currently operates 1,200 electric bikes.
“So far, we have trained 60 technicians via GiatMara, and we expect this number to grow as EV usage increases,” Roslan said.
In November 2024, Pos Malaysia and Modenas collaborated to provide customised MEV-1 PRO motorcycles to meet Pos Malaysia’s needs and operational demands of logistics and delivery services.
This is in line with Pos Malaysia’s commitment to full electrification of its first-and last-mile delivery fleet by 2030, in line with its net-zero goal by 2050.
DRB-Hicom is a major shareholder of Pos Malaysia, currently holding 53.5 per cent in equity interest.
Outlook: Double-digit Growth Target
Looking ahead, Modenas is projecting double-digit growth in sales annually, driven by the expansion of its model lineup, increased exports, and higher output capacity at its Gurun facility.
“The total industry volume last year recorded 420,000 units, with Modenas, Kymco and Kawasaki alone comprising 39,443 units.
“With continued innovation and strategic partnerships, we aim to sustain this momentum,” he added.
Roslan said Modenas would continue producing fuel-based motorcycles, especially smaller cc underbone models, as local riders still prefer them for affordability and ease of use.
“As we mark our 30th anniversary, we remain committed to strengthening Malaysia’s motorcycle ecosystem by producing locally-designed bikes, supporting local SMEs and empowering homegrown talent,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
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