BYD Officially Names Sime Motors’ Inokom As Local Assembly Partner

BYD has officially announced that it has selected Sime Motors' subsidiary, Inokom Corporation Sdn Bhd, as its local assembly partner in Malaysia. This decision comes after the company announced its decision to abandon plans to establish a completely knocked-down (CKD) facility in Tanjung Malim, Perak.

The collaboration was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at BYD's global headquarters in Shenzhen, China. Inokom was chosen based on an assessment of the local market and available manufacturing capabilities. The company's vehicle assembly operations, experienced workforce, and existing infrastructure were identified as a practical foundation for BYD to advance its local assembly plans.

BYD's decision to cancel its assembly plant proposal in 2025 was reportedly due to Malaysia's new automotive policies, which require the automaker to export up to 80% of locally assembled vehicles and maintain a minimum price of RM100,000 for units sold domestically. Despite these changes, BYD remains committed to establishing local assembly operations in Malaysia.

Jacob Ma, Managing Director of BYD Malaysia, emphasized the importance of local assembly in the company's long-term commitment to the Malaysian market and its plans to bring expertise in new energy vehicles and battery technologies closer to the local market. Sime Group CEO Dato' Jeffri Salim Davidson highlighted the partnership's significance in strengthening Malaysia's automotive ecosystem and creating opportunities to support local businesses and develop capabilities for industry growth.

Details regarding the local assembly program have not been disclosed yet, with BYD promising to provide further information "in due course."