KUALA LUMPUR (April 15): MBM RESOURCES BHD’s partnership with China’s largest listed vehicle maker SAIC Motor Corporation to revive MG marque in Malaysia is viewed positively by analysts.
But this plan will not have immediate impact on the company’s financials and analysts are maintaining their ratings and target prices on MBM.
Last week, MBM announced that it has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) SAIC to explore the possibility of reviving the iconic MG marque in Malaysia.
“A 50:50 partnership with SAIC could strengthen MBM’s position in the domestic market even further, as well as open up the possibility of venturing overseas together,†said a research report by Maybank KE Research.
“We are encouraged by MBM’s continual exploration of new opportunities for growth,†it added.
Affin Investment Bank, in its note, said the expansion denotes potential margin expansion as MBMR moves up from its existing distribution margins of 2-4% to incorporate a more lucrative 10-15% assembler margin composition.
“The tie-up with a strong partner like SAIC – the largest listed vehicle manufacturer in China, lends credibility to the potentially successful business expansion of a MG CKD plant in Malaysia.
“Pending a management update, we are maintaining our ADD rating and TP of RM3.45/share,†said Affin.
Maybank KE said as the MG marque has no presence in Malaysia now and the impact could be muted over the immediate term, it is keeping its forecasts, with BUY call and unchanged TP of RM3.80 on MBM.
It added that the partnership with China company by MBM, which has successfully established itself as a multi-brand dealer (carrying global names such as Volkswagen, Volvo and Mitsubishi), could lead to local assembly works of MG marque.
The MG marque was first brought into Malaysia in 2004. However, it was phased out due to a lack of demand.
Nonetheless, the recent emergence of continental marques such as VW, Peugeot and Ford presents an opportunity for MBM to revisit the possibility of capturing more market share as continental marques regain their edge in the domestic car market, Maybank KE said.
Source