SSM Becomes Exclusive Distributor for Hino Motors in Myanmar

Summit SPA Motors, Ltd (hereinafter “SSM), a subsidiary of Sumitomo Corporation (Head Office: Chuo Ward, Tokyo; Representative Director, President & CEO: Kuniharu Nakamura), has been granted to be an exclusive distributor of  Hino Motors, Ltd. (Head Office: Hino City, Tokyo; President and CEO, Member of the Board: Yoshio Shimo) products in Myanmar.  SSM, jointly established with the Myanmar conglomerate Serge Pun & Associates (SPA) Group, has been serving as an authorized dealer for Hino Motors in Myanmar since April 1, 2017.

SSM began its business as Hino Motors’ Authorized Service Station in Yangon (Myanmar’s largest city) in 2014. Thereafter, it opened another branch in Mandalay (Myanmar’s second-largest city) and has been providing after-sales service from its two branches as well as on-site repair service utilizing trucks. The repair and maintenance work performed by mechanics trained in Japan have earned a reputation for high quality in Myanmar, and in February 2017 a Japanese mechanic was seconded by Hino Motors to conduct education/training that would enhance the level of service even higher. By becoming an authorized distributor for Hino Motors, SSM is seeking to supplement its service station functions by constructing a commercial vehicle sales network across Myanmar to further expand its commercial vehicle business.

Myanmar is enjoying rising foreign direct investment and vigorous domestic economic activity. Economic growth has expanded the volume of goods transported within Myanmar, making it all the more important that commercial vehicles maintain reliable operating rates. SSM will help improve operating rates and develop Myanmar’s economy, which continues to grow rapidly, by providing the high-quality repairs essential for the trucks and buses that underpin Myanmar’s economic activity and by supplying new Hino-make vehicles to the Myanmar market.

SSM and Sumitomo Corporation will strive to build even better relations between Myanmar and Japan and support business expansion in both countries by serving as Hino Motors’ sole distributor in Myanmar.

<Profile of Summit SPA Motors>
Company name	:	Summit SPA Motors, Ltd.
Shareholder composition	:	Sumitomo Corporation: 60%; Serge Pun & Associates: 40%
Description of business	:	wholesaling/retailing of commercial vehicles, maintenance services
Business locations	:	Yangon and Mandalay (Myanmar)
Employees	:	63 (as of May 31, 2017)
Year established	:	2014

 
<Exterior view of office and maintenance facility>