TC Subaru Confirms CKD To CBU Sales Model Switch In Malaysia Starting 2025

Fifth-gen Subaru Forester featured. Said model is assembled in Thailand, but its successor will be a CBU from Japan instead.

Following the announcement made by principals Subaru Corporation prior, local Subaru brand distributors TC Subaru Sdn Bhd (TC Subaru) have issued a statement locally to acknowledge said shift.

Issued earlier today, said statement sees TC Subaru confirming that it will switch to a new sales model locally starting next year (2025) led by fully imported (CBU) Subaru models produced in Japan. 

Local assembly or CKD operations of Subaru models in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia are all set to cease by the end of this year, as stated in the recent joint announcement made by Subaru Corporation and Tan Chong International Limited (TCIL).

To date, only the second-generation XV model was the latest Subaru offering to be localised in Malaysia at the Tan Chong Motor Assemblies (TCMA) plant in Segambut, Kuala Lumpur. The last of which reportedly rolled off TCMA’s line back in June 2023.

As noted in the joint statement made by Subaru Corporation and Tan Chong International Limited (TCIL), local assembly or CKD operations of Subaru vehicles in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia will all cease by end of this year.

Additionally, said line had preciously assembled the fourth-gen Forester model before its assemblies of its fifth-gen successor shifted to Thailand by the Tan Chong Subaru Automotive (Thailand) (TCSAT) venture, but this is also set to cease by end of this year too.

TC Subaru’s statement continued in highlights TCIL and Subaru Corporation’s confidence that this decision will position the Subaru brand more favourably. It also highlights TCIL’s continued partnership with the Japanese automaker and its regional sales efforts.

The statement then ended with TC Subaru reaffirming its commitment in catering towards existing Subaru owners and customers through its network or dealers and authorised service outlets.

“Every Subaru dealership across Malaysia will continue to offer comprehensive support and services, with the expertise of Subaru-certified technicians and genuine parts found at all authorised service centres here,” elaborated the firm on that last note.