BYD scraps Tanjung Malim CKD plant plans but local assembly remains on track
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 — BYD Malaysia has confirmed that it will not proceed with plans to build a completely knocked-down (CKD) vehicle assembly plant in Tanjung Malim, Perak, although its plans for local assembly operations remain on track, Berita Harian reported.
Managing Director Jacob Ma said discussions to establish CKD operations were now at an advanced stage following a change in the company’s strategy to find the most suitable solution for Malaysia’s automotive ecosystem.
He said the decision not to proceed with the Tanjung Malim project did not alter BYD’s commitment to local assembly.
“We want to ensure BYD can move in tandem with the local automotive ecosystem and began discussions with vendors in the country last year.
“We want to see how we can work with them and become part of the existing ecosystem,” he said during a question-and-answer session at the BYD Media Appreciation Night here last night.
On vehicle supply pending the start of CKD operations, BYD Sime Motors Managing Director Adeline Lew said current stocks remained sufficient to meet market demand, although supplies for some models were limited.
“We are constantly monitoring and working closely with our dealer network to ensure customer needs continue to be met and still have sufficient stock to support the market,” she was quoted as saying.
BYD Malaysia currently has no immediate plans to import vehicles from its manufacturing facility in Indonesia to supplement supply to Malaysia in the short term.
This is because the facility will prioritise the Indonesian market, unless there is demand for specific models that cannot be met through existing supplies.
Jacob said BYD’s production capacity plans in the region should be viewed from a long-term perspective of between 10 and 20 years.
He said the approach was in line with the company’s strategy to develop greater production capacity in the region.
According to the report, in terms of business performance, BYD Malaysia has sold more than 35,000 vehicles since the brand was introduced in Malaysia, with more than 7,500 units sold in the first half of this year.Meanwhile, Jacob confirmed that BYD’s flash charging technology would also be introduced in Malaysia.
He said further details on the implementation of the technology would be announced soon.
