This comes right after news that GWM intends to collaborate with EPMB for CKD of its cars in Malaysia.
EP Manufacturing Berhad (EPMB) has recently announced that it has initiated the construction of a new EV-centric automotive manufacturing facility in Melaka.
Coming as part of EPMB’s wider commitment to establishing a manufacturing hub for energy-efficient vehicles and electric vehicles in Malaysia, the company has apparently pledged to invest over RM 100 million into this multi-phase project that is located within the HICOM Pegoh Industrial Park. As for its deliverables meanwhile, this project has been touted to, once fully completed, generate around 1,000 new job opportunities in the state of Melaka, in addition to being capable of producing up to 30,000 vehicles annually upon completion of the first phase alone.
Interestingly however, it remains to be seen what vehicles exactly to be produced at this new site. This is as while the recent news regarding EPMB has been its MoU signing with Great Wall Motors (GWM) for local-assembly of its cars, this new manufacturing facility however has actually instead been developed with collaboration from BAIC.
So based on the information from a previously-signed MoU between EPMB and BAIC in August, it could therefore be expected for this new manufacturing site to most probably produce the Chinese automaker’s BJ40P and X55II SUVs. Though going from the fact that the ground-breaking ceremony was marked with Ora Good Cat present, this compact EV from GWM might also be rolling out alongside the aforementioned BAIC SUVs too.
And on the topic of the ground-breaking ceremony, this event was witnessed by YAB Datuk Seri Utama Ab Rauf Yusoh, the Chief Minister of Melaka, alongside Mr. Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, Senior Executive Director, Investment Policy Advocacy, of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) representing Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman, the Chief Executive Officer of MIDA.
Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman, CEO of MIDA, applauded the company’s latest milestone during the ground-breaking ceremony by saying, “Congratulations EPMB and BAIC for the strategic collaboration in shaping the future of sustainable mobility. Such collaboration with BAIC is a testament of their confidence in Malaysia’s attractiveness as an investment destination and underscores the nation’s cutting-edge automotive manufacturing capabilities, with EPMB leading the way.”
“This new manufacturing facility, dedicated to energy-efficient vehicles (EEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs), perfectly aligns with the Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint (LCMB), National Automotive Policy (NAP) 2020 and Malaysia’s New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030) aspirations. These policies are rooted in harnessing opportunities in ESG sensitive markets and swiftly adopting technology to enhance the technological ecosystem of our manufacturing sector and Malaysia’s commitment towards sustainable transportation.”
Mr. Ahmad Razlan Mohamed, Group Chief Executive Officer of EP Manufacturing Berhad, meanwhile expressed, “We are excited to share news of the initiation of our inaugural automotive manufacturing plant. The establishment of an Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing facility is a pivotal step in realizing our comprehensive vision of developing a 360° supply chain for Malaysia’s EV market. Collaborating closely with our strategic partner, BAIC, we are poised to construct a cutting-edge EV manufacturing facility in Melaka, heralding the commencement of the next chapter in our growth trajectory. Additionally, we are keenly looking forward to collaborating with GWM, our esteemed customer, in contributing to position Malaysia as a central hub for EV and EEV in the ASEAN region.”
EPMB has previously received approval for a manufacturing license from Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI) on July 11, 2023. This license allows for the manufacture and assembly of four-wheel energy-efficient vehicles (EEVs), electric passenger vehicles (EVs), and electric commercial vehicles.
