GWM 1st ASEAN CKD Plant In Malaysia To Produce 30,000 Vehicles Annually

Great Wall Motor (GWM) Malaysia held a groundbreaking ceremony for its CKD production plant in Melaka on October 20, 2023. The event was attended by YAB Datuk Seri Utama Ab Rauf Yusoh, Chief Minister of Melaka, 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, Ahmad Razlan Mohamed, Group Chief Executive Officer of EPMB, and Mike Cui, Managing Director of GWM Malaysia.

The CKD plant, which will eventually produce GWM SUV, pickup, and cutting-edge electric vehicles, will cost over RM100 million to build.  This would be done in multiple phases at the HICOM Pagoh Industrial Park in Melaka. Around 30,000 automobiles can be produced annually during the first phase, with a goal of producing 20,000 vehicles per month by 2028.

On October 18, 2023, GWM and EPMB agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding for the manufacturing of parts and the assembly of automobiles. This alliance is a component of GWM's ASEAN expansion strategy, which focuses on new energy projects. The establishment of GWM's first full knock-down (CKD) facility in the ASEAN region would also benefit greatly from this action.

Since the 1990s, EPMB has been a trusted supplier of high-quality parts to Malaysia's leading automakers. Recently, the company expanded into the electric vehicle market. The partnership attempts to be mutually beneficial for both parties.

The Malaysian government's goal of strengthening Malaysia's automotive sector capabilities is consistent with this relationship. Great Wall Motor Malaysia's managing director, Mike Cui, expressed gratitude for the collaboration and emphasised the significance of it for GWM's ambition to become the region's top automaker. The collaboration is anticipated to increase client confidence in both businesses.