Our History

Mighty oaks from little acorns grow.

In our case it all started with another tiny nut!

The 112-year-old history of Cycle & Carriage Bintang is rich with stories of how a nutmeg trading company that was formed at the end of the 19th century, eventually rose to become a major motoring group in Malaysia today.

One such tale took place a few years after the World War Two, at a time when the population was still largely poor immigrants, and a few models of vehicles on the roads were nothing grand.

Chua Boon Peng - the son of the pioneer Chua Cheng Liat - came across a sheaf of handbills advertising 6 cars for auction; 4 were Mercedes-benz, 2 were Jaguars. The young mad was mesmerized by the German marque, and immediately advised his father to write to London for the cars. The elder Chua promptly indulged him, and a good thing too. A rival giant had exactly the same thought in mind.


The elder Chua then met up with a representative from Daimler-Benz AG. As Boon Peng recalls, "My father asked him,'What can we do to make sure that we get this deal?' This chap thought about it, it was a close fight. He then told my father, 'Just place the order. Even is you have no buyers yet, just do it.' And my father did. He ordered 6 cars and we got the franchise."

That was the year 1951. That milestone marked the moment when Cycle & Carriage was flung out of its orbit, and into the giddy heights of big business.

Over the years, Cycle & Carriage has shown that it has what it takes for a determined company to live and thrive for over a century; the courage to dream and to chase after the dreams realistically; and the ability to anticipate and respond to changes swiftly and decisively.

For a company that has lived two world wars, survived the Great Depression of 1993, rode out the recessions of '85 and 97' and adapted to changing government policies, the future is going to see a greater need for evolution in the way business is run to meet the challenges ahead.

Consumer focus will be absolutely key in a maturing market where buyers are sovereign. After-sales service will be even more critical to distinguish the household name of Cycle & Carriage, which has built for itseld, a reputation for excellence.

And even as the company continues to compete in a tough environment, it will not relinquish the dream of going for bigger and better things... and achieving that dream with the right alchemy of daring, prudence and astuteness.

After all, who would have believed that a simple sundry shop can one day , turn into an automobile giant?

Our History in Brief

1899
The Chua brothers opened the Federal Stores in Kuala Lumpur. Cycle & Carriage was formed on 15th June.

1906
A branch was opened in Brewster Road, Ipoh

1914
Another landmark branch in Bishop Street, Penang was opened.

1916
Business expanded to Orchard Road, Singapore.

1926
Cycle & Carriage Company Limited was incorporated as a public company. The branch Singapore became the headquarters.

1930
During the Great Depression, Cycle & Carriage’s operations focused solely at Singapore


1951
Cycle & Carriage re-opened its Malaysian operations and was awarded the Mercedes-Benz franchise.

1965
The assembly plant in Singapore produced its first Mercedes-Benz.

1968
Cycle & Carriage Limited was formed and listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange

1977
Cycle & Carriage Bintang was listed on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange.

1992
CCL Group Properties was formed to hold the Group Property interests in Singapore and Malaysia. New corporate identity with the ‘Wheels of Progress’ logo was launched.

1994
Jardine Motors acquired 12% stake of Cycle & Carriage Bintang. Cycle & Carriage Bintang in turn acquired 30% stake of Cycle & Carriage Malaysia from Cycle & Carriage Limited.

1996
Cycle & Carriage motor operations achieved the ISO 9002 certification

1998
The stake in CCL Group Properties rose to 40%.

2002
Jardine Matheson Group obtained a controlling shareholding in Cycle & Carriage Limited (subsequently renamed Jardine Cycle & Carriage Ltd).

2003
Cycle & Carriage Bintang ceased to be the exclusive Mercedes-Benz distributor, and acquired 49% of DaimlerChrysler Malaysia (the new distributor for Mercedes-Benz in Malaysia). Cycle & Carriage Bintang became the main dealer of Mercedes-Benz.

2004
Remaining 70% stake in Cycle & Carriage Malaysia was acquired. Jardine Cycle & Carriage acquired Jardine Motors stake in Cycle & Carriage Bintang, increases its shareholding to 59%. The first 3S Mercedes-Benz Autohaus is opened at Ipoh. Ipoh Motors lead the operation.

2005
The award-winning, largest 3S Mercedes-Benz Autohaus started its operations in busy Federal Highway, Petaling Jaya.

2006
Cycle & Carriage Bintang created history with the launching of two 3S Autohaus in a year – Mutiara Damansara and Johor Bahru

2009
Cycle & Carriage celebrates it’s 110th Anniversary by giving away to it’s customers 2 Mercedes-Benz B170 and later in the year 2 Travel Around the World Holiday packages.

2011
CCB acquired 100% interest in Lowe Motor, Penang, in enhancing its market share in the Mercedes-Benz business in Malaysia.

Lowe Motors has had a long history, having started their business selling and repairing motorvehicles since 1951.