Quick look
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After around 40 years of diminished presence, Dunlop tyres will be marketed more prominently in Malaysia by Toyotsu Binter Malaysia.
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Dunlop has been in Malaysia for over 110 years and was the first brand made at Malaysia’s first tyre factory which opened in 1963.
Dunlop has long been a well known name in Malaysia, the first brand of tyres to be made locally. However, during the 1980s, following a change of ownership of the company, its presence diminished due to less dedicated marketing activities.
Now, the brand will see revitalization in the Malaysian market with the appointment of Toyotsu Binter Malaysia Sdn Bhd (TBM) as an exclusive distributor. This development was highlighted during the recent Penang Autoshow 2026 where the brand had a booth to show its latest tyre offerings.
TBM, which operates under the Toyota Tsusho Corporation (the global trading and logistics arm of the Toyota Group) network, is tasked with growing the brand’s footprint as part of an integrated regional strategy.
This comes with Sumitomo Rubber Industries’ acquisition of the exclusive right to the use of the Dunlop trademark in Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei from January 2026. This right was previously granted under a sub-licence to Continental Tyre Malaysia. Before that, there were also other parties holding rights to the Dunlop brand name in other regions.
More Dunlop dealers
Initially, TBM will be focussing on resolving supply consistency and expanding the current network of over 190 authorized wholesalers and trade partners around the country.
“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,” said TMB Managing Director, Marcus Lim.
Specialized service concepts
Besides better product availability across Peninsular Malaysia, further expansion into East Malaysian markets is planned over the next 2 years. This logistical overhaul is intended to support a broader retail strategy that may eventually include specialized service concepts designed to elevate the brand’s technical positioning.
A significant component of this renewed direction is the closer alignment with Sumitomo Rubber Industries and its global engineering standards. By leveraging Toyotsu Binter’s regional experience in other ASEAN markets, the distributor aims to introduce products that are specifically suited for Southeast Asian road conditions.
This collaboration is expected to facilitate a faster roll-out of global tyre technologies, bridging the gap between international product cycles and local market availability for both replacement and original equipment sectors.
The shift towards electrified mobility also sees the brand’s updated catalogue having tyres designed for EVs, as evidenced by the introduction of the Blue Response TG. This passenger car tyre has been engineered for EVs with attributes such as lower rolling resistance and improved cabin acoustics.
More products will be added in due course, all incorporating specialized technologies to cater to the requirements of high-performance and electric vehicles. This reflects a long-term commitment to move beyond basic retail to a more specialized service-oriented approach.
History of Dunlop in Malaysia
Dunlop tyres have been sold in Malaysia for over 110 years, having been among the items imported by Sime Darby as part of its trading activities. As motorisation grew after World War II, sales of tyres also increased and by the early 1960s, it was time to make tyres locally.
Dunlop Malayan Industries Limited (later becoming DMIB Berhad) was established by Sime Darby in 1961 and opened the first tyre factory in Malaysia in 1963. It was located in the light industrial area of Petaling Jaya, then a new township being opened up in Selangor.
When the government began to develop the domestic auto industry in the mid-1960s, it invited automakers to assemble their vehicles in Malaysia. At the same time, efforts were made to also develop an ecosystem of local part manufacturers to support the assembly plants. An initial list of 19 items was formulated which were to be deleted from the CKD packs (the boxes in which the car parts were brought in for assembly) and sourced from local companies. To persuade the car companies to use these locally-made items, the tax on similar items imported was higher.
As DMIB was already making tyres, those were immediately included on the deletion list, along with paint, windscreen glass, batteries and 15 other items.
Dunlop tyres became a household name among Malaysians, with a variety of different tyres to suit different vehicles. Commercial vehicle operators also appreciated Dunlop tyres, especially for the heavy logging trucks, because they proved to be very tough and long-lasting.
Dunlop tyres were also a popular choice for racing drivers. In particular, the Formula 70 SP Sport was the preferred choice for those racing in the Series Production class in the 1970s. The tyres had superior wet grip, thanks to the ‘aquajets’ developed by Dunlop in 1962. These were channels in the tread that allowed water to quickly be removed from under the tyres.
DMIB followed industry trends and offered new products with the latest technologies that gave improved performance. When radial, low-profile and steel-belted tyres appeared, Malaysian motorists also got them.
The decline of the original Dunlop Rubber Company led to ownership changes in the second half of the 1980s, affecting operations in Malaysia as well. Production of Dunlop tyres ceased and the factory would later (in early 2000s) begin producing Continental tyres.
