KUALA LUMPUR: Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) is consolidating Sime Darby Bhd and UMW Holdings Bhd to create an automotive giant under one of the largest merger and acquisition deals in Malaysia.
Sime Darby and UMW Holdings are part of the stable of PNB's strategic companies, the country's largest fund manager said in a statement yesterday.
Under the deal, Sime Darby is buying a 61.2 per cent stake in UMW Holdings from PNB for RM3.57 billion in cash or RM5 per share.
Once the agreement becomes unconditional, Sime Darby will make a general offer for the remaining 38.8 per cent stake that it does not hold to delist UMW Holdings from Bursa Malaysia.
The acquisition will strategically transform Sime Darby into the leading automotive player. This is by adding high-volume mass-market brands Toyota and Perodua into its portfolio that already boasts the likes of Ford, Hyundai, BMW, Porsche, Rolls-Royce and Land Rover.
The enlarged group could control nearly two thirds of the country's new vehicle market.
"This is a strategic move to further scale up and strengthen our presence in the Malaysian automotive sector, adding two highly performing brands into our Malaysian portfolio – Toyota and Perodua.
"The deal will cement Sime Darby's position as Malaysia's leading automotive player," said Sime Darby group chief executive officer Datuk Jeffri Salim Davidson said in a statement yesterday.
The acquisition is accretive to Sime Darby's earnings per share and will enhance Sime Darby's shareholders' return, he added.
Sime Darby expects the acquisition to be completed within three months from the date of the sale and purchase agreement, subject to regulatory and shareholders' approvals and customary closing conditions.
PNB, in its statement, said the consolidation of UMW Holdings and Sime Darby aims to reinforce local and regional prominence in the automotive sector.
"By joining forces, the merged entity is expected to bolster operational efficiency, enhance technological innovation, and contribute to the electrification agenda that is becoming a global imperative.
"This strategic move is also in alignment with the government's New Industrial Master Plan 2030, which will support the automotive sector's further growth, especially in positioning the country as the automotive hub for the region," it added.