1.
GV ASSEMBLY PLANT.
0.04

2.
CU SIGN "A.M.I."
0.08

3.
GV INT: STORAGE AREA OF CRATES BEING UNPACKED.
0.14

4.
LV ASSEMBLY CAR BODY. (2 SHOTS).
0.22

5.
LV & CU SUPERINTENDENT CHECKING FINISHING WITH WORKER.
0.33

6.
LV CAR BODY BEING LIFTED IN OVEN.
0.38

7.
CU SUPERINTENDENT WATCHING.
0.41

8.
SV PAINTED CAR COMING OUT OF OVEN.
0.48

9.
SV PLANT MANAGER AND ENGINEERING MANAGER INSPECTING FORD FALCON. (2 SHOTS).
0.56

10.
TV PLANT.
1.00

11.
LV CARS LEAVING PLANT.
1.10



Initials RM/VS/JH/PF



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A MOTOR VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PLANT HAS JUST OPENED IN MALAYSIA CAPABLE OF ASSEMBLING 35 DIFFERENT VEHICLES FROM FIVE MAJOR MOTOR MANUFACTURING CONCERNS. VEHICLES MADE BY THE BRITISH MOTOR CORPORATION, THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY OF AMERICA, GENERAL MOTORS HOLDEN OF AUSTRALIA, RENAULT OF FRANCE AND CHRYSLER ROOTES, CAN ALL BE PRODUCED UNDER LICENSE FROM PARTS IMPORTED INTO THE COUNTRY.

OWNED BY ASSOCIATED MOTOR INDUSTRIES (MALAYSIA) LIMITED, THE CAR ASSEMBLY PLANT WAS BUILT AT A COST OF EIGHT MILLION MALAYSIAN DOLLARS. AT THE MOMENT ONLY 20 CARS ARE BEING ASSEMBLED A DAY, BUT THIS NUMBER WILL BE INCREASED TO 35 CARS A DAY SOON WHEN THE PLANT IS FULLY OPERATIONAL.

UNDER NEW IMPORT RESTRICTIONS THE MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT IS LIMITING THE IMPORT OF ASSEMBLED CARS TO ONLY 160 EACH MONTH FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS. THIS IS TO STIMULATE DEMAND FOR THE LOCALLY ASSEMBLED VEHICLES.

THE PLANT EMPLOYS 400 MALAYSIANS AND IS MANAGED ENTIRELY BY AUSTRALIANS. THEY TAKE ABOUT 10 DAYS TO FINISH A CAR FROM THE IMPORTED PARTS. A PLANT OFFICIAL SAYS THAT THE MALAYSIAN-ASSEMBLED VEHICLES WILL HELP SAVE IMPORT DUTIES AND FREIGHT COSTS.