GSS Energy's wholly-owned subsidiary, Giken Sakata, has entered into a JV with GPCC Korea to establish I-Motor Asia. Electric scooter ISO will be launched in Thailand and Vietnam by the JV by end-2018. Photo: Company GPCC Korea is a leading manufacturer of electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers and four-wheel low speed electric vehicles. I-Motor Asia will be working with Giken’s precision engineering facilities in the manufacturing and assembling of both gasoline and electric models in the 125cc and 150cc categories and three-wheelers (“tuk-tuk”) in South East Asia markets, India and Taiwan. |
NextInsight had an email Q&A with GSS Energy:
Q: What parts (of vehicles) will GSS be manufacturing? 
Batam factory of GSS Energy produces precision parts for electronic goods, etc. NextInsight file photo.A: GSS will first focus on the assembly of the vehicles as well as parts that our factories can produce.
Q: Will all of these parts be produced in GSS' Batam plant? Or in your China plant as well?
A: At this point, they will be produced at our Batam factory focusing on the Southeast Asia markets.
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GSS Energy |
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Share price: |
Target: |
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Source: RHB Research |
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Q: What parts will not be produced by GSS?
A: The main parts will initially be outsourced/procured until critical mass is reached.
Q: What are the production targets for vehicles in 2018, 2019 and 2020?
A: At this point, we do not want to give a forecast.
Q: What would be the top 3 markets for the vehicles? Starts with Indonesia?
A: Thailand, Vietnam and India will be the first 3 markets for us to look at.
Q: What's the expected revenue and profit from this vehicle JV for this and next year?
A: At this point, we do not want to give a forecast.
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Stock price |
12.5 c |
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52-week range |
12-19 c |
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PE (ttm) |
23 |
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Market cap |
S$62 m |
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Shares outstanding |
496 m |
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Dividend yield (ttm) |
-- |
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1-yr return |
-21% |
Q: What core competence is needed that the JV partners do not have. How do they plan to acquire it?
A: Our JV was established on the partners’ complimentary expertise and skillsets. Our core competence has always been:
(i) manufacturing and assembly capability & efficiency, having operated on Japanese standards.
(ii) Our more than a decade of technical innovations and design competence in the electric vehicles space, with Italian, Japanese & Korean experience &
(iii) being able to tap on a well-known global brand name that spells quality, efficiency and prestige.
We are now building up the distribution network to complete the competency.
Q: For GSS Energy, this diversification will shift management attention away from its current precision engineering (PE) and oil & gas segments. What is the potential impact?
A: The diversification fits well within the PE structure and its business development strategy. Existing PE business will not be affected. This will be an add-on to the operation.
There are no effects on the oil and gas business as their operations are operated independently of the PE business.