Joint venture companies Purem by Eberspaecher and AAPICO Hitech have marked the official opening of their first plant in Malaysia.

Purem is an exhaust supplier which joined with AAPICO to enter the import restricted markets of Malaysia and Thailand.

“This is our second auto part investment in Malaysia within this year," said Yeap Swee Chuan, president & CEO of AAPICO Hitech.

The new Rawang plant covers 4,000 square metres and makes exhaust gas aftertreatment systems including hot ends with catalytic converters and manifolds and cold end mufflers and pipes.

About 100 workers will produce and deliver about 400,000 components yearly for four different car models directly to an unnamed Malaysian automotive manufacturer.

More local supply is planned as well as expansion of the factory to include catalyst coating.

The plant could be expanded up to 7,000 sq m to operate at full capacity.

Later this week the JV will officially open a second plant to serving ASEAN. The site in Rayong will deliver exhaust systems "for a pickup truck of a leading US automotive manufacturer".

Purem Aapico was founded in August 2022 with Eberspaecher holding 51% and AAPICO 49%.