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

Tony Nash, CEO, Complete Intelligence 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

Peter Lewis, Director, Peter Lewis Consulting Limited gives us an outlook on Hong Kong's economy and markets.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Polly Cunanan of MSF shares how the organization is responding to crises in Gaza, Sudan, and Afghanistan.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

H.E. Nineta Barbulescu, Romania’s Ambassador to Malaysia, discusses the country’s stability, EU stance, and ties with Malaysia.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Cliff Lim, Director of Risk & Compliance, Southeast Asia, Dow Jones talks about financial crimes that have been happening in the region.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

(REPEAT) We dive into the local and international news that matters to you.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Tony Nash, CEO, Complete Intelligence 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

Yuvarajan Periyan, licensed financial planner at Uno Advisers Sdn. Bhd. discusses the incoming Consumer Credit Act.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Koh Peng Chye, Founder, Teh Tarik Nation

11:00 AM

Tech Talk

Girish Ramachandran, Executive Director, 27 Advisory

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

Aren Yip, Malaysia Country Manager, Airwallex

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Our flagship show, we feature both game-changers and groundbreakers in the hot seat.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

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

3:05 PM

Beyond the Ballot Box

We speak to a grassroots organiser from Malaysia and Australia about the challenges facing ordinary people and how to build a fairer world for everybody.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

We look back at the highlights from the third Health & Living (For Her) event, ‘Brilliant, Female, Magnificent: Redefine Your Wellbeing’, where our experts spoke about mental, physical & financial health.

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

6:00 PM

Talkback Thursday

8:00 PM

BBC World Service