KUALA LUMPUR, November 26 – EP Manufacturing Berhad (“EPMB”), a prominent Main Market-listed company, has embarked on a groundbreaking endeavor in the automotive industry with the announcement of an innovative automotive manufacturing facility in Melaka. This move reflects EPMB’s dedication to establishing a manufacturing center for energy-efficient vehicles (EEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) in Malaysia, contributing significantly to the global sustainability drive. This visionary project will unfold in phases at the HICOM Pegoh Industrial Park, supported by a substantial investment exceeding RM100 million.
This remarkable initiative is set to create around 1,000 new employment opportunities in Melaka, fortifying the state’s growing importance in the regional and global EV industry. Upon its initial completion, this facility will have the capacity to manufacture up to 30,000 vehicles annually. The groundbreaking ceremony was graced by YAB Datuk Seri Utama Ab Rauf Yusoh, the Chief Minister of Melaka, and Mr. Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, Senior Executive Director, Investment Policy Advocacy at the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), representing Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman, MIDA’s CEO.
Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman praised this milestone and emphasized, “EPMB and BAIC’s strategic partnership in shaping the future of sustainable mobility is commendable. It reflects confidence in Malaysia as an investment destination and underscores the nation’s advanced automotive manufacturing capabilities. The facility, dedicated to EEVs and EVs, aligns perfectly with the Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint, National Automotive Policy 2020, and Malaysia’s New Industrial Master Plan 2030.”
Mr. Ahmad Razlan Mohamed, Group CEO of EP Manufacturing Berhad, expressed excitement about the initiative, stating, “We are thrilled to announce the initiation of our inaugural automotive manufacturing plant. Establishing an EV manufacturing facility is a pivotal step in realizing our comprehensive vision of developing a complete supply chain for Malaysia’s EV market. This marks the beginning of the next chapter in our growth trajectory and positions Malaysia as a central hub for EV and EEV in the ASEAN region.”
The project solidifies EPMB’s strategic partnership with BAIC International Development Co Ltd, a Fortune Global 500 company and a significant player in China’s automotive industry. In August, EPMB signed an MoU with BAIC International to produce BAIC’s SUVs and EVs locally. On October 18, 2023, they also signed an MoU with Great Wall Motor Sales Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (“GWM Malaysia”) to assemble vehicles at this facility. EPMB obtained a Manufacturing License from Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI) on July 11, 2023, allowing the production of four-wheel EEVs, EVs, and electric commercial vehicles.
