It’s been 43 years since United Motor Works assumed the distributorship of Toyota vehicles in Malaysia, coinciding with the rapid ascent of the Japanese carmaker on the world stage. Fast forward to today and UMW Toyota Motor is now a household name synonymous with reliability and after-sales excellence.
The journey to get to this point has not been easy and was the result of continuous development and improvement – a Japanese philosophy called kaizen. It is through this guiding principle that Toyota has been able to grow into the world’s largest carmaker – crucially, without sacrificing its high quality standards.
It may seem unthinkable now, but when Japanese cars were first sold outside their home country, there was plenty of scepticism surrounding the reliability of these vehicles, which were perceived as being cheap and of poor quality. To solve this, Toyota implemented a new way of building cars, eliminating waste and implementing just-in-time manufacturing, as well as giving workers the autonomy to stop the production line if a quality issue arises – fixing it at its source rather than having to deal with it further down the line.
This method, refined over decades, became known as the Toyota Production System (TPS) and has been so successful that other companies have studied “The Toyota Way” and implemented it themselves. This philosophy, by the way, extends to building cars that will remain relevant in the long run rather than chasing short-term trends – one of the many reasons why Toyota remains a trusted brand with high resale values.
Other Toyota manufacturing plants overseas have adopted TPS, too – including in Malaysia, where Assembly Services Sdn Bhd (ASSB) has been producing Toyota vehicles since 1968. Wholly owned by UMW Toyota Motor, it assembles cars locally in Shah Alam and Bukit Raja, utilising TPS to ensure that Toyota cars built in Malaysia are held to the same ironclad standards of quality as those from Japan.
Among the many nameplates offered in Malaysia are three that have stood the test of time and have become the go-to for buyers over many years. In the Vios, Toyota has a solid, dependable entry-level model that offers all the goodness of its other cars at a more affordable price point, bringing joy to a wider audience.
Then there’s the Camry, a storied nameplate with a legacy stretching back over 40 years. With an enviable reputation for quality and reliability, it remains a favourite for those who have made it in life, delivering comfort and proven performance. The latest model, available in both petrol and hybrid versions, adds the latest infotainment technologies and an available electrified powertrain to the mix.
But if you want a look at where durability and dependability can truly take you, look no further than the Hilux, which continues to be Malaysia’s runaway best-selling pick-up truck. A track record spanning decades means it remains the default choice, both for lifestyle buyers and business owners who need their work vehicles to operate day in, day out, often in the harshest conditions.
All this stemmed from a decision to rethink the production process in Toyota’s early years, laying the groundwork for the continuous improvement that still defines the company today. It truly is The Toyota Way.