GS-Yuasa, one of the world's largest Japanese automotive battery manufacturers, is set to enter next month into Bangladesh market, mainly dominated by local firms.
For strengthening its foot from the very beginning, the company has already set up a $15 million battery assembly plant in Chittagong with an initial production capacity of 30,000 batteries per month.
GS-Yuasa, which accounts for more than 8% share of the world market and around 30% share of the Asian market, has strategic alliances with all leading Japanese vehicle manufacturers such as Toyota, Honda, Mazda and Mitsubishi to provide technologically advanced high quality batteries.
“We have set up a unit in Bangladesh to assemble automotive battery. It will start commercial production in January 2016," Riku Imai, manager, Market Development at GS Yuasa, told a group of journalists recently.
GS-Yuasa has teamed up with Eastern Lubricants Blenders Limited, a local firm and a subsidiary of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation, to distribute its products across the country.
“Bangladesh automotive battery market is very potential as its economy is growing,” saidImai
GS-Yuasa executive described how the idea came to him to penetrate into Bangladesh, saying: “When I visited here first time, I saw there are many Japanese brand cars driven across Bangladesh. However, I was afraid that there is no Japanese brand battery available here.”
“On the other hands, it is a great opportunity to introduce our quality battery to the market. Now I am very glad to launch our Yuasa brand battery business in Bangladesh.”
Moreover, Bangladesh automotive battery market is very potential as its economy is growing, he said.
Imai said the number of automobiles produced across the world will increase steadily in the future, many of which will be in Asia as well as in Bangladesh.
“The Asian market is the most important one for us because GS Yuasa has number one market share here.”
GS Yuasa had built foundation for batteries in Japan one century ago. As a top manufacturer of batteries, the company has continued developing more advanced batteries up until today based on its corporate policy of “Innovation and Growth”.
At present, the company also produces batteries, power supply systems, lighting equipment, special equipment and other electrical devices.