[BCM] [MM] [C1] Introduction to Case Study for Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MM)

Thriving Through Crisis: Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia’s Approach to Business Continuity

Chapter 1

Introduction: Thriving Through Crisis: Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia’s Approach to Business Continuity

In an era of volatility—climate disruptions, geopolitical tensions, and rapid technological shifts—organisations must evolve from merely surviving crises to thriving within them.

For Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MM), a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and a linchpin of Malaysia’s automotive sector, resilience is not optional; it is foundational to sustaining its legacy as the nation’s “Most Popular SUV Brand.”  

Thriving Through Crisis, this eBook distills MM’s proven blueprint for Business Continuity Management (BCM), offering a roadmap to navigate disruptions while advancing strategic growth.

At the heart of this book lies a dual focus: understanding the unique fabric of MMM’s operations and implementing a structured BCM framework tailored to its challenges.

With manufacturing anchored at the flood-prone Pekan Plant in Pahang, a sprawling network of 70+ dealerships, and a supply chain spanning Japan and Southeast Asia, MMM’s resilience hinges on harmonising global standards with local realities.

From safeguarding electric vehicle (EV) innovation to ensuring uninterrupted customer service, this eBook bridges theory and practice, equipping leaders to turn continuity planning into a competitive advantage.

Section 1: Understanding Your Organisation

To build resilience, you must first understand the organisation’s DNA. This section lays the groundwork by dissecting MMM’s operational ecosystem, strategic priorities, and vulnerabilities:

1. Introducing BCM for MM: Why continuity is critical for an automotive leader balancing innovation and tradition.
   
2. Understanding MM: Its role in MMC’s global strategy, Malaysia’s automotive landscape, and key assets like the Pekan Plant.
3. BCM Goals & Objectives: Aligning continuity with MM’s mission—customer trust, EV adoption, and carbon neutrality by 2030.
4. BC Assumptions: Addressing dependencies on Japanese suppliers, IT systems (e.g., SAP ERP), and Malaysia’s regulatory environment.
5. Team Composition: Building a cross-functional BCM unit spanning manufacturing, IT, supply chain, and dealership management.
6. Planning Methodology: A preview of the seven-phase framework guiding MM’s BCM journey.
7. Risks & Critical Functions: From floods in Pahang to cyberattacks on connected vehicles, prioritising threats to revenue drivers like the Xpander production line.

This section ensures stakeholders grasp how MM’s operations, risks, and aspirations intersect—a prerequisite for designing actionable continuity strategies.

Section 2: Implementing Business Continuity Management for MM

With foundational knowledge, Section 2 (second instalment after eBook 1) delves into execution. It unpacks MM’s seven-phase BCM methodology, a systematic approach refined through crises and stakeholder collaboration:

1. Project Management (PM): Establishing governance and align dealerships with corporate BCM policies.
2. Risk Analysis & Review (RAR): Mapping threats like port delays and ESG compliance gaps.
3. Business Impact Analysis (BIA): Quantifying downtime costs for critical IT systems and production lines.
4. Business Continuity Strategy (BCS): Solutions like flood-resilient infrastructure and cloud-based data recovery.
5. Plan Development (PD): Crafting dealer-specific playbooks and crisis communication protocols.
6. Testing & Exercising (TE): Simulating floods, cyberattacks, and supply chain halts to validate readiness.
7. Program Management (PgM): Embedding BCM into MM’s DNA via audits, training, and ESG integration.

Each phase is illustrated with MMM-specific examples, from renewable energy backups at Pekan to compliance with Malaysia’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA).

Summing Up …

Thriving Through Crisis is not a generic guide—it is a playbook for automotive excellence in uncertain times. For MM’s leaders, dealers, and partners, it answers:

• How to balance global standards (e.g., ISO 22301) with Malaysia’s Automotive Policy 2020.
• Why continuity planning is vital for EV expansion and digital customer experiences.
• How to turn risks like climate disruptions into opportunities for innovation.

By the final page, readers will not only grasp BCM’s mechanics but also its strategic value: ensuring MM remains synonymous with reliability, sustainability, and ambition in Malaysia and beyond.

Prepared for Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia, this eBook reflects insights from MMM’s operational data, MMC’s global BCM policies, and Malaysia’s regulatory frameworks.