GWM Ora EVs to be locally assembled in Melaka soon

OCT 24 — Great Wall Motor (GWM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with EP Manufacturing Berhad (EPMB) for the production and assembly of the automaker’s products in Malaysia. If the deal goes well, future GWM vehicles and parts will be assembled at EPMB’s new Completely Knocked Down (CKD) production plant at the HICOM Pegoh Industrial Park in Alor Gajah, Melaka.

Operated by its subsidiary Peps-JV, the facility received the green light to manufacture and assemble Energy Efficient Vehicles (EEVs) as well as passenger and commercial EVs from the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI) back in July. Involving an investment of over RM100 million, the new venture is expected to create around 1,000 new job opportunities.

Managing Director of GWM Malaysia, Mike Cui (right) and EPMB’s Executive Chairman, Hamidon Abdullah (left) with the newly signed MoU.

EPMB said the new factory is able to deliver an annual production rate of up to 30,000 vehicles once the first phase of the facility is up and running. On the other hand, GWM expects the production of its vehicles at the factory will be gradually increased to 20,000 units by 2028.

At the moment, neither GWM nor EPMB have yet to reveal the exact models that will be assembled at the upcoming factory in Melaka. This does come as a surprise though since the facility will only be in operation towards Q4 2024.

Nevertheless, the MoU that both companies have signed together covers GWM’s Ora EVs, Haval SUVs, and Cannon pickup trucks. The facility will also be used to manufacture parts for these vehicles to help increase the usage of localized parts.

Aside from GWM, EPMB’s CKD plant will also be used by the subsidiary of Beijing Automotive Group, BAIC to assemble the right-hand drive variant of BJ40P and X55II SUVs as well as future EV and Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) models from the brand. Both companies have also planned to jointly develop BAIC-branded EVs for the Malaysian and other RHD markets within Southeast Asia.

Chief Minister of Melaka, Ab Rauf Yusoh (left) and EPMB’s Executive Chairman, Hamidon Abdullah (right) at the groundbreaking ceremony for EPMB’s new CKD factory in Melaka.

EPMB also has another EV project under its wings in the form of the Blueshark R1 electric motorcycle. The company does have a CKD assembly plan for Blueshark products to cover Malaysia and other Southeast Asian markets but it will take place at a separate facility in Glenmarie Shah Alam instead of Melaka. — soyacincau