Penang, April 30: Dunlop is entering a new chapter in Malaysia under new stewardship, with Toyotsu Binter Malaysia Sdn Bhd (TBM) presenting the brand’s renewed direction at Malaysia Autoshow 2026 following its appointment earlier this year as the exclusive distributor of Dunlop tyres in Malaysia.
The appearance signals a strengthened market position for Dunlop in Malaysia, supported by improved nationwide accessibility, closer engagement with dealer and retail partners, and the introduction of a refreshed product lineup aligned with both conventional vehicles and the growing electric vehicle (EV) segment.
Dunlop has maintained a long-standing presence in Malaysia dating back to the 1960s, forming part of the brand’s continued relevance across generations of motorists. The current initiative builds on this heritage while introducing a more globally aligned product and market strategy supported by Toyotsu Binter’s regional experience across ASEAN markets.
This direction is further strengthened by Toyotsu Binter’s alignment with the wider network of Toyota Tsusho Corporation and close collaboration with principal Sumitomo Rubber Industries, reinforcing Dunlop’s role in supporting evolving mobility trends in Malaysia and across Southeast Asia.
As part of the showcase, Dunlop introduced the Blue Response TG, a passenger car tyre designed to deliver improved ride comfort and handling stability while optimising rolling resistance and cabin quietness, performance characteristics increasingly relevant for electrified vehicles.
Marcus Lim, Managing Director of Toyotsu Binter Malaysia Sdn Bhd, said the transition marks an important step in strengthening Dunlop’s presence locally and reflects a renewed long-term commitment to the Malaysian market.
“This marks the beginning of a new chapter for Dunlop in Malaysia. Our focus is on strengthening supply consistency, expanding dealer reach and ensuring Malaysian motorists benefit from Dunlop’s latest global tyre technologies, including products developed to support the shift towards electrified mobility,” he said.
TBM is currently working with a network of more than 190 Dunlop authorised wholesalers, trade partners and direct Dunlop dealers nationwide, primarily across Peninsular Malaysia, with further expansion planned over the next two years to support wider market coverage. The company is also exploring opportunities to introduce specialist Dunlop retail concepts as part of its long-term network development strategy.
Alongside its distribution expansion efforts, TBM is strengthening Dunlop’s positioning across both the replacement and original equipment (OEM) segments in Malaysia as part of its wider effort to grow the brand’s presence within vehicle manufacturers’ supply programmes.
This includes original equipment fitment on selected models from Toyota, Lexus, Isuzu, Mazda and Leapmotor, including Toyota’s fully electric bZ4X, spanning both conventional and electrified vehicle platforms.
Speaking at the event, Takehiko Asai, Managing Director of Sumitomo Rubber Industries ASEAN, said
“Dunlop’s engineering capabilities continue to support its partnerships with global vehicle manufacturers, and our OEM relationships reflect the confidence automakers place in Dunlop’s performance and reliability. This provides a strong foundation as we continue introducing products designed to meet evolving mobility needs in Malaysia and across Southeast Asia.”
Electric vehicles now account for approximately one in every 14 newly registered vehicles in Malaysia, with the government targeting electrified vehicles to represent 15% of total industry volume by 2030, supported by continued expansion of the national charging infrastructure.
In response to this transition, Dunlop is expanding the availability of tyres engineered to address the distinct demands of EVs, including higher vehicle weight, instant torque delivery and reduced cabin noise. Models currently positioned for EV compatibility include the Sport Maxx Lux, Blue Response TG, SP Sport Maxx 060+ and e.Sport Maxx.
The upcoming introduction of the e.Sport Maxx in Malaysia is expected to further strengthen Dunlop’s EV- ready product offering, combining improved rolling resistance efficiency with strong wet and dry performance and enhanced cabin quietness supported by Silent Core Technology.
Building on this expanded product direction, Dunlop’s refreshed presence at Malaysia Autoshow 2026 signals a continued effort to strengthen its position in Malaysia as a premium performance tyre brand that combines advanced Japanese engineering with accessibility for Malaysian motorists.