Report: Geely EX2 CKD Starts In Indonesia

It appears Geely have begun locally producing (CKD) its best-selling EX2 EV hatch - twin to the Proton e.MAS 5 - in Indonesia, and with high local content incorporated too. (Image: Jakarta Globe)

Some interesting developments from across the Malacca Strait have surfaced. According to a recent report by Jakarta Globe, it appears that local assembly (CKD) of the Geely EX2 – the supposed ‘twin’ to the Proton e.MAS 5, marketed as the Geely Xingyuan in China – has begun in said Republic.

This is not just merely an ‘assembly’ effort as there’s a high degree of local content incorporated too – as high as 46.5% was reported. Moreover, the report also quotes Geely execs stating plans to use said operations as the automaker’s key ASEAN base.

Indonesia-spec Geely EX2 pictured. Spec-for-spec, the version sold in said Republic differs slightly from Malaysia's made by Proton - it packs a slightly larger battery pack.

“The presence of our production facilities in Indonesia demonstrates Geely’s strong commitment to making the country a key automotive base in Southeast Asia,” said Geely Auto Indonesia CEO Wu Chuxing, in the report mentioned.

Located in Bekasi, said new Indonesian plant belonging to Geely has even fast-tracked localising the EX2 earlier than the efforts of partners Proton and its rebadged e.MAS 5 rendition – said model continues to be fully imported (CBU) from China, but CKD is supposedly in the pipelines this year.

Proton's new dedicated EV assembly plant established in its main Tanjong Malim hub pictured. Locally built (CKD) versions of the larger e.MAS 7 EV C-SUV have begun rolling out of which recently.

The switch to CKD units also brought a marginal price cut for the e.MAS 7 EV C-SUV, which now commands a starting figure of RM99,800 (with rebates) onwards.

We’ll point out that national automaker Proton recently opened orders for the built-in-Malaysia e.MAS 7 model – based on the Geely Galaxy E5 model – earlier this week. The switch to CKD units did also bring a marginal price cut for the EV C-SUV offering mentionoed.

Speaking of price, the made-in-Indonesia Geely EX2 commands a lower figure than the e.MAS 5 too. In said republic, the EX2 starts from IDR229.9 million, or roughly RM54,600. In contrast, the Proton e.MAS 5 starts from RM59,800 sans rebates.

Proton e.MAS 5 pictured during its launch. Sans rebates, the Geely-based EV hatch commands a starting price of RM59,800.

What’s also interesting to note in the Indonesia-made Geely EX2 is the fact it packs a 40.8 kWh battery pack as standard – slightly larger than both the 30.12 kWh (Prime) and 40.16 kWh (Premium) packs in the e.MAS 5. Otherwise, most other specifications are similar.

Geely further notes that this new plant in Bekasi can churn out up to 60 vehicles daily to support the brand’s growing line-up for the Indonesian market – one of the region’s largest too, if we might add.

With Geely tipping Indonesia at being a key component to its regional growth and expansion, one does wonder where does the AHTV initiative for Tanjong Malim proposed by Proton stands in the grand scheme of things...

Based on what we’re observing, we again find ourselves pondering where does the proposed Automotive High-Tech Valley (AHTV) initiative for Tanjong Malim stands in the grand scheme of things that is the Proton-Geely partnership.

As reported prior, the new dedicated EV-only assembly plant established by P1 at its main Tanjong Malim hub was earmarked not just for Proton e.MAS models, but for other key Geely EV brands and models too.

Presently, the Proton e.MAS 5 is still offered as China-made CBU units. Though CKD plans were touted, no firm timeline for which was stated by P1 prior.

With said facility only starting to churn out the localised (CKD) e.MAS 7 now, we reckon it will be while before we see it enter full-swing production pace. Until then, partners Geely appears to have ‘back-ups’ in place outside Malaysia for its own endeavours.

 Well, what do you folks reckon? Should P1 ramp up its efforts and keep up? Or should partners Geely have sat for a bit and let the AHTV initiative noted prior take shape properly? As usual, hit the comments below with your take on things…