BYD shelves plans for local assembly plant in Tanjung Malim

BYD Malaysia has announced it will not proceed with plans to build a completely knocked-down assembly plant in Tanjung Malim, Perak. Managing director Jacob Ma stated the company made this decision due to a shift in strategy aimed at finding the best solution for the local automotive ecosystem. Discussions with local vendors have been ongoing since last year, as BYD seeks to integrate with the local industry.

Current vehicle stocks are adequate, although certain models may face limited supplies. BYD is in close communication with distributors to meet customer needs. The company has not planned to import vehicles from Indonesia unless a specific model is unavailable and demand necessitates it. BYD's production capacity planning is a long-term strategy, spanning 10 to 20 years, aligning with the company's goal of expanding manufacturing capacity in the region.

Since BYD's introduction in Malaysia, it has sold over 35,000 vehicles, with more than 7,500 units sold in the first half of this year. In September, BYV vice-president Liu Xueliang affirmed the company's intention to continue exploring partnerships with local entities to bolster Malaysia's new energy vehicle industry. BYD's local manufacturing strategy and potential collaborations were under scrutiny after their Tanjung Malim project appeared to stall in March.

The government announced in July that imported electric vehicles must have a minimum import value of RM200,000 following social media claims about BYD's manufacturing license and related policies. In May, it was reported that BYD was considering a contract assembly partnership with Sime Motors Inokom plant in Kulim, Kedah, as the Chinese company reviewed its local manufacturing strategy in Malaysia.