Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD plans to set up its first EV assembly plant in Malaysia.

BYD and its Malaysian partner Sime Motors said in a statement on Monday that BYD Malaysia’s plans to establish a completely knocked down (CKD) factory in Malaysia, is a strategic step to make electric mobility more accessible, competitive, and affordable for Malaysian customers.

According to the statement, BYD Malaysia confirmed its plans for a new CKD factory in Tanjung Malim, Perak, spanning 600,000 square meters, with vehicle production expected to begin in 2026.

This investment underscores BYD’s long-term strategy to strengthen its presence in Malaysia and broaden the availability of EVs for local customers.

“Malaysia has always been one of BYD’s most important markets in Southeast Asia, and today’s dual announcement of CKD and the New BYD SEAL marks a new chapter in our journey here,

“With the strong support of Sime Motors, we are confident in deepening our roots in Malaysia and bringing world-class EV technology closer to local customers,” said Liu Xueliang, General Manager of BYD Asia Pacific Auto Sales Division.

According to him, this commitment is not only about delivering innovative products, but also about investing in the future of Malaysia’s EV ecosystem — from local assembly, to talent development, and electric mobility.

“Together, we look forward to accelerating Malaysia’s transition towards a greener and smarter transportation future, with BYD standing as a long-term partner to the nation,” he added.

Alongside this, BYD Sime Motors also unveiled The New BYD SEAL, setting new benchmarks in performance, comfort, and technology.

Available in two variants – Premium and Performance, The New BYD SEAL builds on the success of the previous model with thoughtful updates designed to deliver an even more rewarding driving experience.

“Today’s launch builds on the success of the BYD SEAL, which was Malaysia’s best-selling electric sedan in 2024,

“With the updated model, we are confident it will continue to attract a wide range of Malaysian customers with its enhanced features,” said Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director of Sime Motors, Southeast Asia.

“Together with the CKD production plan, this further reinforce our position as the No.1 BEV brand in Malaysia,

“Backed by strong after-sales commitment and the rapid expansion of our outlets nationwide, we remain dedicated to driving the growth of electric mobility across Malaysia. Currently, we have 36 BYD outlets in operations and growing,” he added.

Meanwhile, BYD Sime Motors has strengthened its nationwide footprint with the opening of the new BYD Balakong 3S Center by Wing Hin Ventures Sdn Bhd, bringing the total to 36 outlets across Malaysia.

As the largest BYD 3S Center in the country, the building spans a total area of 3,360㎡ across three levels, featuring two floors of car display showrooms, ten service bays, one floor dedicated to office space, and a 1,514㎡ after-sales area.

It delivers a comprehensive and premium 3S experience that reflects BYD’s commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction, according to the statement.

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