BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Enterprise  >  Open For Business  >  How Automotive Synergy Navigated Through ‘Kodak Level’ Disruption

How Automotive Synergy Navigated Through ‘Kodak Level’ Disruption

Ian Sia, Founder, Automotive Synergy

12-Jun-24 10:00

How Automotive Synergy Navigated Through ‘Kodak Level’ Disruption

“My mum said to me, stop playing with cars or turn it into a business. So I turned it into a business.”

Established in 2004, Automotive Synergy started life as Malaysia’s distributor of satellite navigation systems with Garmin, as satnav became more popular, Automotive Synergy’s business expanded, developing key connections with car manufacturers such as Toyota, Mitsubishi, and BMW, as well as oil and gas companies like Mobil and Shell. However with the rise of the smartphone and apps such as Google Maps and Waze, satnav as a standalone product lost prominence and faced ‘Blackberry Level’ disruption.

Thankfully the business had shifted its focus to providing car care chemicals, before distributing other automotive care products and establishing export markets in various countries for its own in-house products.

With all that in mind, we explore the origins of Automotive Synergy, how the company pivoted as the satellite navigation business changed, and the ambitions ahead for this company.

Produced by: Roshan Kanesan

Presented by: Roshan Kanesan


This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  marketstechnologymanagingentrepreneurs

Tags:  automotive care solutionsautomotive industryentrepreneurshipbusiness





Play / Pause

Listen now : BFM 89.9 -- The Business Station

Today’s Shows



6:00 AM

The 6AM Stretch

Thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping our lives.

7:00 AM

World Market Watch

Vishnu Varathan, Head of Economics & Strategy, Mizuho Bank tells us where international markets are heading.

7:15 AM

Morning Brief

We recap global and local headlines from today's papers and portals.

7:30 AM

Morning Brief

Imran Yusof, Head of Research, MBSB Research gives us an outlook for Malaysia's oil & gas sector in 2026.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Sabrina Firdaus Aloysius, Senior Executive of Research from IDEAS, shares insights into how influencers shape Malaysia’s political conversations.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

H.E. Gerhard Eisl, Austrian Ambassador to Malaysia, discusses how Austria’s culture, innovation, and opportunities are strengthening ties with Malaysia.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Dr. Joanne Orlando of Western Sydney University discusses the impact of Australia’s historic under-16 social media ban.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh, President of the Association Private Hospitals Malaysia, discusses the government’s ongoing review of the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Vishnu Varathan, Head of Economics & Strategy, Mizuho Bank tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) We take a look at the FBM KLCI as well as regional capital markets.

9:35 AM

Ringgit & Sense

Kimberly Law, co-founder and licensed financial planner at Uno Advisers discusses what to do and what not to do with your first salary.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Weisheng Neo, General Partner, Qualgro

11:00 AM

Tech Talk

Bala Kumar, Chief Product & Technology Officer, Jumio

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

Prashant Kumar, Founder, Entermind

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

H.E. Gerhard Eisl, Austrian Ambassador to Malaysia, discusses how Austria’s culture, innovation, and opportunities are strengthening ties with Malaysia.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

An eclectic selection of BBC shows, curated with variety in mind.

3:05 PM

Beyond the Ballot Box

Malaysia’s interethnic income inequality story is marked by decades of inconsistent policy focus and overly broad ethnic categories. We speak to Dr Lee Hwok-Aun about a better way to understand and frame the issue.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

For years, lung cancer has been a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. We hear about some lung health developments in Malaysia which may bring hope to patients.

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

6:00 PM

Talkback Thursday