Our History
Cycle & Carriage has had an illustrious history in the region that spans more than a century, and throughout these years, we have become one of the regions largest automotive retailer.
| 1895 | The Federal Stores (later named Cycle & Carriage) was set up as sundries shop in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Selling everyting from a soap to writting paper to screwdrivers and simple machine parts. It was still at the age of the horse & carriage. |
| 1899 | On 15th June 1899, the Federal stores became Cycle & Carriage, extended their business into bicycles, motorcycles and motor cars. |
| 1906 | As the country's road filled-up with buses, trucks and cars, the first 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 | The Cycle & Carriage Company Limited (C&C) was incorporated as a public company with its head quarters at Orchard Road, Singapore. |
| 1930's | During the Great Depression, C&C closed down all it's Malayan branches and focused solely in Singapore. |
| 1951 | C&C re-opened its Malaysian operations and was awarded the much sought after Mercedes-Benz franchise. It is one of the first Mercedes-Benz businesses in Asia. The Malaysian dealership operated in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. |
| 1965 | The assembly plant in Singapore produced its first Mercedes-Benz. |
| 1967 | Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad (CCB) was incorporated as a wholly owned subsidiary of C&C. |
| 1969 | C&C was listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange. |
| 1974 | CCB took over the Mercedes-Benz franchise from C&C. |
| 1977 | CCB was listed at the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange |
| 1981 | CCB invested 45% interest in Diesel Product & Support, a joint-venture company with Bumiputera interest and MTU Singapore to distribute MTU engines and spare parts in Malaysia. |
| 1982 | CCB invested 40% interest in Maroda to form a new Mercedes-Benz dealership in Terengganu. |
| 1983 | Ipoh Motors was acquired by CCB and became a wholly owned subsidiary. Ipoh Motrs was incorporated in 1947 by tin-mine merchants and town bus operators. The aquisition gave CCB immediate access to an established motor retailing business in Perak. CCB aquired Hercules Automotive Engineers to facilitate the manufacturing and assembly of trailers and commercial vehicle body structures. |
| 1984 | CCB opened a new service centre for passenger and commercial vehicles in Batu Caves, Selangor to cater the increased after-sales demands. |
| 1987 | CCB scaled down the business of Hercules Automotive Engineers during the Malaysian economic recession. |
| 1989 | CCB was awarded the Mazda franchise. |
| 1991 | CCB acquired 64% interest in Asia Automobile Industries to facilitate the assembly of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars which complement CCB's commercial vehicle assembly activities. CCB acquired Srisari to facilitate the acquisition of Wisma Bintang and the adjacent service centre. |
| 1992 | A new corporate identity - the 'Wheels of Progress' logo was launched, signifying a century of excellence and continuous growth in its businesses. Hercules Automotive Engineers started the business of fitment of vehicle accessories. CCL Group Properties was formed to hold Group Property interests in Singapore and Malaysia. CCB acquired 20% stake. |
| 1993 | Jardine Motors acquired 12% stake of CCB. Asia Automobile Industries took over the assembly of Mercedes-Benz and Mazda commercial vehicles from CCB. |
| 1994 | Asia Automobiles Industries started assembly of Mercedes-Benz S-Class and C-Class passenger cars. CCB acquired 30% stake of Cycle & Carriage (Malaysia) from C&C. CCB disposed of its 40% interest in the loss making Maroda. |
| 1995 | CCB diluted its interest in MTU Services (Malaysia) from 45% to 20% to allow increased Bumiputra participation in this company. Srisari which was formerly dormant started assembly of Mercedes-Benz passenger engines. CCB was awarded the KIA franchise. |
| 1996 | Asia Automobile Industries started assembly of KIA commercial vehicles. |
| 1997 | CCB disposed of the remaining 20% interest in MTU Services (Malaysia). |
| 1998 | CCB's stake in CCL Group Properties rose to 40%. |
| 1999 | CCB gave up the KIA franchise. Asia Automobile Industries became a wholly owned subsidiary of CCB after CCB's acquisition of the remaining 34% interest. The company achieved ISO 9002 certification for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars trim and final assembly process. |
| 2001 | CCB invested in a Mercedes-Benz showroom at Jalan Tun Razak near the Kuala Lumpur City Centre area. Asia Automobile Industries and Srisari achieved the MS ISO 9002:1994 certification for the assembly of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, engines and commercial vehicles. Cycle & Carriage Automobiles was incorporated as a wholly owned subsidiary of CCB. |
| 2002 | Cycle & Carriage Automobiles was awarded the Peugeot franchise. Asia Automobile Industries and Srisari achieved MS ISO 9001:2001 certification. Jardine Matheson Group obtained a controlling shareholding in C&C. |
| 2003 | C&C was renamed as Jardine Cycle & Carriage (JC&C). CCB ceased to be the exclusive Mercedes-Benz distributor in Malaysia, as acquired 49% of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (the distributor for Mercedes-Benz in Malaysia, custodian of the brand, product and services of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Germany). CCB became the main dealer of Mercedes-Benz. |
| 2004 | Malaysia's first Mercedes-Benz Autohaus is opened in Ipoh. CCB acquired the remaining 70% interest in Cycle & Carriage (Malaysia) from JC&C. JC&C's acquisition of Jardine Motors stake in CCB increased it's shareholding to 59%. |
| 2005 | Asia Automobile Industries and Srisari terminated the Mercedes-Benz assembly contract with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia. 40% owned CCL Group Properties commenced members' voluntory liquidation after disposal of its Menara Weld and Wisma Cyclecarri. The largest Mercedes-Benz Autohaus in Malaysia started its operations on the busy Federal Highway, Petaling Jaya. It has also become the headquarters of CCB's Mercedes-Benz business. |
| 2006 | Mutiara Damansara Mercedes-Benz Autohaus was opened in March. Johor Bahru dealership was upgraded into a Mercedes-Benz Autohaus in June. CCB's Petaling Jaya Mercedes-Benz Autohaus was garnered the prestigious FIABCI Malaysia Property Award in the Industrial Development category for its state-of-the-art showroom. Cycle & Carriage (Malaysia) terminated Proton, KIA, Hyundai dealerships to focus on retailing Mazda vehicles. CCB incorporated Cycle & Carriage Parts & Accessories to take over the parts wholesale business from Cycle & Carriage (Malaysia). CCB was awarded the Sinotruck franchise and incorporate Cycle & Carriage Motors for the purpose. |
| 2007 | CCB implemented the new Mercedes-Benz Autoline IT systems. Asia Automobile Industries recommenced assembly for Sinotruck Cycle & Carriage Automobiles gave up the Peugeot franchise. |
| 2008 | CCB disposes Hercules Automotive Engineers which holds the Mazda franchise. CCB disposes Asia Automobile Industries, Cycle & Carriage Motors and Cycle & Carriage Parts and Accessories which holds the Sinotruck franchise and part business via a management buy-out but its ex-Managing Director. CCB is now focused on Mercedes-Benz as it's core business. |
| 2011 | CCB acquired 100% interest in Lowe Motors to further expand its Mercedes-Benz market share in Malaysia. |
| 2012 | CCL Group Properties ceased to be an associate of the company following the completion of members voluntary liquidation in July. |
| 2013 | Glenmarie Mercedes-Benz Autohaus was opened in August. |
| 2015 | Ipoh Motors Sdn Bhd and Lowe Motors Sdn Bhd changed their company names to Cycle & Carriage Bintang (Perak) Sdn Bhd and Cycle & Carriage Bintang (Northern) Sdn Bhd, respectively. |
| 2016 | Cycle & Carriage Bintang Petaling Jaya Autohaus was upgraded to MBS 2. Opening of Mercedes-Benz City Store. It is the first of its kind located in the lifestyle and entertainment hub, TREC Kuala Lumpur. |
| 2017 | Cheras Mercedes-Benz Autohaus was opened in March. |
| 2018 | The 13th Autohaus was launched in March located in Gopeng, Perak. |
| 2019 | Jan 19: Launch of Star Galleria, a 20ft x 8ft mobile Autohaus Aug 26: Official launch of the revamped Cycle & Carriage Bintang Mutiara Damansara Autohaus. |
| 2020 | June 30th: Official launch of the newly located Cycle & Carriage Bintang Alor Setar Autohaus. |