Mazda Motor Corporation announced today that Berjaya Auto Philippines Inc. will start the new distributorship of Mazda vehicles, parts, and accessories in the Philippines from January 1, 2013.

The major shareholders of Berjaya Auto Philippines Inc. will be Bermaz Motor International Ltd, an indirect subsidiary of Berjaya Corporation Berhad, and Berjaya Philippines Inc. Berjaya Corporation Berhad is a major Malaysian conglomerate listed on Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad while Berjaya Philippines Inc. is listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange. Berjaya Corporation is also the Mazda distributor in Malaysia through its subsidiary company Bermaz Motor Sdn. Bhd.

"Mazda is very impressed with Berjaya's track record in building the Mazda business in Malaysia, registering year over year sales increases in Malaysia since its appointment in 2008. With this new business opportunity, Berjaya again demonstrates its commitment to Mazda by investing in the Philippines, establishing an organization many months before official operation and filling the positions with experienced professional management talent," said Mr. Yuji Nakamine, Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer of Mazda Motor Corporation, during his speech at the Distributor Agreement signing ceremony held at the Blue Leaf Pavilion in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Berjaya Auto Philippines will bring the Mazda brand to greater heights in the Philippines, and promised to continue to offer Filipino customers new and exciting products. The Japanese manufacturer is known for its stylish and high quality vehicles, like the recently launched Mazda CX5 compact SUV with SKYACTIV technology.

Mr. Francis Lee, Executive Director of Bermaz representing Berjaya Group of Companies, expressed delight on the decision of Mazda Motor Corporation to appoint Berjaya Auto Philippines to manage the Philippines operations and distributions.

"We have managed to lift the Mazda brand tremendously in Malaysia when we took over as distributor in 2008. The Mazda sales volume has increased from less than 1,000 units in 2009, to about 6,000 units last year. We are eager to replicate the same success story in the Philippines not only through sharing of best practices, but also harnessing the best Filipino talents," said Mr. Lee.

The Berjaya Group is not new in the Philippines. The Group has already been doing business in the Philippines for 18 years, and currently has 800 employees engaged in food & beverage, hotels, gaming & lottery management businesses; and now automotive distribution of Mazda products.

At the helm of Berjaya Auto Philippines is Steven Tan, the company's CEO. Mr. Tan, a Malaysian, has more than 15 years of experience in the automotive industry. He has worked across the Asia Pacific region and handled key leadership positions in the Mazda business.

"This Distributor Agreement is the proof of Berjaya's commitment in strengthening the Mazda brand in the Philippines. We are very excited to work with the dealer network, suppliers, bankers, and the media in the coming months and years," said Mr. Lee.