Inokom Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (Inokom) has marked a significant milestone in Malaysia’s automotive manufacturing industry with the launch of its new Paint Shop 3 (PS3), a major investment aimed at strengthening production capabilities, technology adoption and sustainable growth.

The new facility was officially launched by YB Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry. With an investment of approximately RM300 million, PS3 represents one of Sime’s largest manufacturing investments to date.

Built and operated entirely by a Malaysian workforce, the new facility reflects Sime’s confidence in the regional automotive industry and the capabilities of local talent. The investment is expected to create employment opportunities, strengthen local expertise and enhance Inokom’s competitiveness as a manufacturing partner for automotive brands in Malaysia and the wider region.

“Inokom has evolved alongside Malaysia’s National Automotive Policy. From our beginnings as part of the nation’s automotive development ambitions, we have grown into a trusted manufacturing partner for global automotive brands. Paint Shop 3 reflects our continued commitment to investing in local capabilities, technology transfer and the future growth of Malaysia’s automotive industry,” said Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Ben Yeoh, Director of Inokom Corporation Sdn. Bhd.



According to Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director of Sime Motors’ Assembly and Strategic Businesses, PS3 significantly enhances Inokom’s manufacturing ecosystem by expanding painting capacity, increasing production flexibility and strengthening the company’s ability to meet changing customer requirements.

The facility has been designed with advanced automation, sustainability features and future waterborne paint readiness. These capabilities are expected to allow Inokom to support future vehicle programmes while maintaining high standards in quality, efficiency and environmental responsibility.

PS3 adds substantial production capacity to Inokom’s operations. Based on a two-shift production model, the facility is capable of supporting up to 50,000 painted vehicle bodies annually at a rate of 15 units per hour. It also includes the capability to paint plastic components.

With the addition of PS3, Inokom’s total combined paint shop capacity has increased to 100,000 painted vehicle bodies per year. The facility is capable of supporting multiple vehicle models, giving the company greater flexibility to scale production and respond to future market requirements.

Automation plays a major role in PS3’s operations. The facility features a fully automated pre-treatment and electrodeposition line, advanced spray booths and an integrated conveyor system. A total of 32 painting and sealant robots are used to deliver consistent and precise paint application across vehicle exterior and interior surfaces as well as plastic components.

One of the key technologies incorporated into the facility is the Cartridge Bell System, which enables colour changes in less than 10 seconds and supports up to 27 colour variants. This helps reduce production downtime while improving flexibility and efficiency.

The high level of automation also contributes to improved worker safety, reduced material waste and consistent paint quality, particularly as production volumes increase.

PS3 also uses an energy-efficient three-coat, one-bake painting process. The system allows three coating layers to be applied through a single baking cycle, helping to reduce energy consumption and processing time while maintaining high-quality paint finishes.

The development of PS3 was supported by close collaboration with Mazda’s technical support team and engineering specialists. The partnership provided Inokom employees with training, technical guidance and valuable knowledge transfer throughout the installation and commissioning stages.

This technology transfer is expected to further strengthen local expertise in advanced automotive manufacturing and improve Inokom’s readiness to support the future development of Malaysia’s automotive industry.

The facility has also been designed to create a seamless and safer production flow between different manufacturing stages. Vehicle bodies are automatically transferred between the Body Shop, PS3 and Assembly Shop through overhead transfer tunnels.

This automated transfer system reduces manual handling, traffic interference and contamination risks during production.

The PTED line features a 1,053-metre fully automated conveyor network consisting of electric monorail systems, roller beds, lifters and turntables. The system enables smooth and continuous movement of vehicle bodies throughout the painting process, supporting stable production ramp-up and reliable throughput.

Sustainability has also been incorporated into the design of PS3. A Regenerative Thermal Oxidiser system connected to four ovens is designed to reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 60% through the decomposition of volatile organic compounds and the reuse of recovered heat.

The facility also uses a dry scrubber filtration system, which eliminates the need for water in spray booth operations. This helps reduce water consumption while lowering environmental impact and maintenance requirements.

PS3 has additionally been designed to be fully ready for waterborne paint technology. This allows Inokom to transition to more environmentally friendly coating technologies as industry requirements continue to evolve.

Energy efficiency is further supported by the building’s design. Production operations are located at ground level, while the ovens are positioned on the upper floor. This arrangement helps minimise heat exposure in working areas and reduces the amount of energy required for cooling.

With its combination of increased production capacity, advanced automation, technology transfer and sustainability-focused systems, Paint Shop 3 represents an important step in Inokom’s continued development.

The RM300 million investment strengthens the company’s ability to support growing automotive demand while contributing to Malaysia’s broader ambitions to develop a competitive, technologically advanced and sustainable automotive manufacturing ecosystem.