Stellantis Aims To Create Strategic New ASEAN Hub In Malaysia

Malaysia will serve as the new hub for the Asia-Pacific region for the global automotive giant Stellantis. The company plans to export approximately 280,000 vehicles in four years, beginning in 2025, from its assembly plant in Gurun, Kedah, with Peugeot being the brand most focused on. Up to five all-electric models will be assembled in Malaysia by Stellantis.
Production at the Stellantis plant in Gurun, Kedah, is about to increase, with an emphasis on both exports and local assembly. One aspect of this expansion is the broadening of the models available in the market.
Stellantis carries 14 brands in its constellation; Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, and Vauxhall.

Although Peugeot had previously been represented in Malaysia by franchises, the most recent of which was Bermaz Auto Alliance, Stellantis will now oversee the brand directly through a national sales company. The company will concentrate on the new platforms for the Peugeot 2008, 3008, and 5008 at the Gurun plant, according to Daniel Gonzalez, chief operating officer for Stellantis in Asean, who spoke with FMT.

Stellantis is launching the STLA Medium platform, a modular-by-design platform that facilitates the production of multi-energy vehicles (BEV, ICE, MHEV), with an investment of more than RM2 billion. This creates opportunities for the Gurun plant to produce cars from the Stellantis stable, including Jeep and Citroën, locally. Furthermore, Malaysia will serve as both the Asia-Pacific headquarters of Stellantis and the warehouse and distribution center for spare parts for its brands, which it will distribute to 18 countries in the region.

According to Ashwani Muppasani, Chief Operating Officer of Stellantis for India and Asia-Pacific, all vehicles produced at the Gurun plant will be exported to 20 Asia-Pacific nations between 2025 and 2028. By 2026, products developed on the company's STLA Medium platform will use up to 80% ASEAN components.



The investment will enable up to RM5 billion of component purchases from Malaysia, and up to 1,500 career opportunities at the Gurun plant. Stellantis will be setting up a regional training academy in Malaysia for knowledge and technology transfer.

As of March 1, 2024, Stellantis formally established Stellantis Malaysia National Sales Company (Stellantis Malaysia). The main organization in charge of PEUGEOT's marketing, sales, distribution, and after-sales in Malaysia will be Stellantis Malaysia, along with possibly other Stellantis brands.

Its newly appointed Managing Director of Stellantis Malaysia Jamie Francis Morais listed the company's top goals, emphasizing that they should concentrate on East Malaysia in particular. These goals included growing the market, offering more products, opening up new dealership opportunities across the country, and improving the customer experience.

In order to improve customer service, Stellantis opened a one-stop call center in Malaysia for owners of PEUGEOT, DS, and Citroën vehicles. The call center will offer 24/7 roadside assistance and centralised customer support services for sales and after-sales inquiries in addition to handling complaints and feedback.