Bye bye WALD....

[zaki444]

New Straits Times 31 Aug 2005APs: Ministry acts Deborah Loh PUTRAJAYA, Tues--------------------------------------------------------------------------------No more permits for ‘Wald’ brand cars Ministry of International Trade and Industry secretary-general Datuk Sidek Hassan said today the decision to stop issuing APs for Wald-modified vehicles was based on reports of non- compliance with import regulations by the local importer."Two weeks ago, we stopped issuing APs for Wald vehicles. The importer was informed of the decision prior to its implementation," Sidek told the New Straits Times.He did not say how many APs the ministry had issued for Wald vehicles this year.Wald vehicles are mostly Volkswagen and Toyota models that have been tuned-up and modified by Wald International Ltd of Japan.According to the first list of AP holders issued by the Prime Minister’s office in July, Wald vehicles are imported by Amazing Tempo. It is owned by Tunku Datuk Zainol Tengku Izham and Ramzia Arshad, who were allocated 2,025 APs this year.Asked why similar action was not taken against other importers of tuned-up vehicles, Sidek said the ministry had not detected any problems with them."We continuously monitor the industry, as we do with all other trade areas under our jurisdiction. This move against Wald is the result of certain reports we have received," he said.A controversy has been raging since former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad alleged the uncontrolled issuance of APs had caused the entry of relatively cheap foreign- made vehicles into the country and the malpractice of under-declaration. This, he said, had jeopardised sales of the national car, Proton.The matter was raised at the Umno general assembly, too. The Prime Minister’s office later issued a statement saying the Cabinet had decided the AP policy would be reviewed due to weaknesses.Sidek said the move to stop the import of Wald models was not part of the national automotive policy, which is being reviewed and is to be announced soon."That is different. What we are doing here is the result of our monitoring to ensure compliance with our rules."He said the Customs Department had been informed of the decision.

 

[zaki444]

And here's Amazing Tempo's response....


"We have yet to receive any official letter of notification from MITI on their decision to stop issuing APs for the importation of WALD Tuned vehicles, as a result of our alleged non-compliance with their importation regulations as stated by a MITI official in various recent news reports. Regardless of the fact that this information has not been officially conveyed to us prior to its release to the general media, we will make every effort to abide by the Ministry’s decision.

This will undoubtedly result in us having to wind up Amazing Tempo’s WALD business, and this in turn will affect 106 dealers nationwide, with approximately 1000 workers losing gainful employment.

Today, we will face the reality of the government’s decision and will be meeting our business partners and employees to notify them officially of our decision to abide by the government’s decision. We strongly believe in the government’s good judgement and intentions, and continue to hold the view that this move to stop further issuance of APs to WALD is for the greater good of our national automotive industry.

This decision would undoubtedly have not been an easy one to come to as it involves several key factors that would affect the government themselves:

Government-Linked Corporation Investment Related To WALD
USF- Hicom – as they are our partners in the distribution of WALD vehicles nationwide and hold 50% of our vehicle allocation, this is an investment of about RM200 million that has been made by USF-Hicom. USF-Hicom is a government-linked corporation because it is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DRB- Hicom, which in turn is 37% owned by Khazanah Nasional

Future Projects
Amazing Tempo had great plans and vision for their partnership with USF Hicom and in fact plans were made to leverage on the success that was sure to follow on from the WALD venture platform. Unfortunately, these projects will be shelved indefinitely.


Revenue from WALD
Annually, Amazing Tempo would have contributed something to the tune of RM300 million worth of customs excise and import duties that the government is now forgoing.

While we find this a bitter pill to swallow, especially since we are only 10 months old, Amazing Tempo prides itself on conducting its business with the highest levels of ethics. We continuously strive to adhere to all relevant rules and regulations governing the automotive trade, and we will continue to do so. Thank you in anticipation of your continued support and understanding."

 

[supergripen]

:blink: well,there goes variety once again!!! it was all getting exciting with so many choices of models..well,somebodys got to spoil the fun!!!!!

 

[zaki444]

Bet u the bigwigs who brought in Brabus, Kleenex, LX Mode, Impul n the likes r quaking in their pants as we speak?

 

[supergripen]

 

[schone]

what's the deal with WALD ... ? What 'modification' do they do? I feel so ulu.. coz I don't know the background .. anyone care to elaborate or provide a link ?

 

[Jipster]

The sad thing is enforcement may be 'selective', so the really big un's may get away..... the WALD case may just be a 'very public' sacrifical lamb to satisfy the current discontent relating to APs....

Lets hope there are real initiatives put in place to fix the problem........

 

[saat]

Originally posted by schone@Sep 1 2005, 08:43 AM
what's the deal with WALD ... ? What 'modification' do they do? I feel so ulu.. coz I don't know the background .. anyone care to elaborate or provide a link ?

Wald does delicate modification of replacing the original decals with their own.

In some cases, they do another modification to replace the original car manufacturer name to WALD in the manufacturing document.

...............this is at least in the main in Wald Malaysia

 

[Jipster]

Originally posted by saat+Aug 31 2005, 08:10 PM-->QUOTE (saat @ Aug 31 2005, 08:10 PM)

 

[zaki444]

Originally posted by saat+Sep 1 2005, 09:10 AM-->QUOTE (saat @ Sep 1 2005, 09:10 AM)

 

[saat]

Originally posted by Jipster+Sep 1 2005, 09:48 AM-->QUOTE (Jipster @ Sep 1 2005, 09:48 AM)

Originally posted by saat@Aug 31 2005, 08:10 PM

 

[Alvin]

Well the problem with WALD is that they were suppose to sell their car with the wald modifications. That is why they are allowed to bring in new Honda's or toyota's but all they do is just stick the wald bag on. Price quote is with the wald tuning package but when you pay that is taken out so you basically pay even slightly lower than KAH motors! The wald tuning is actually a 20k option. This is what i got when i almost bought the Golf GTI. Guess the violation is this & many complains from people like UMW or Kah motors.
Other like brabus is ok due to they are indeed brabus pack cars.

 

[ALBundy]

Yup, that is one way where they tried to work around the existing laws in order to procure APs. But like said before, this is indeed bad news for car lovers. Less choices... h34r:

 

[Juan Powerblow]

So, what's gonna happen to the many VW cars on the roads purchased from WALD? Who's gonna honor warranties and do repairs etc?

 

[Alvin]

Guess if they wind up, no more warranty lor! Now i'm glad i didnt get the GTI!

 

[ALBundy]

Not only VWs but the number of Toyota and Honda they have sold is quite substantial as well.. h34r: :blink: That being said, will there be a "fire-sale" for the existing cars they have in stock?

 

[BMW9700]

Originally posted by supergripen@Sep 1 2005, 01:11 AM
:blink: well,there goes variety once again!!! it was all getting exciting with so many choices of models..well,somebodys got to spoil the fun!!!!!

 

[Spaceman]

come come..let go grab some GTis for half price...hehee i don mind no warranties if car is new ..
luckily GTi not in my list, else i'll be firing everyone around me by now!

 

[Spaceman]

yeah, i remember my neighbour got his WALD wish early this year, gotta go and do some exclusive interview to find out how he feels right now! kekee...am i adding fuel to the fire...

 

[bmwky]

Originally posted by Jipster@Sep 1 2005, 08:57 AM
The sad thing is enforcement may be 'selective', so the really big un's may get away..... the WALD case may just be a 'very public' sacrifical lamb to satisfy the current discontent relating to APs....

Lets hope there are real initiatives put in place to fix the problem........

Ah...our man has spoken.......from first hand experience.