EPMB LAUNCHES PHASE 2 OF MELAKA CAR MANUFACTURING PLANT

Vehicle Assembly Plant 2 will expand EPMB’s manufacturing capabilities & strengthen Malaysia’s position as an emerging automotive manufacturing hub in Asia

From left: 1. Mr. Mohd Nizam Mohamed, Director of Group Manufacturing, EP Manufacturing Berhad 2. YAB Datuk Seri Utama Ab Rauf Yusoh, Chief Minister of Melaka 3. Mr. Hamidon Abdullah, Executive Chairman, EP Manufacturing Berhad 4. Mr. Mike Cui (崔安琪), Managing Director, Great Wall Motor Malaysia

SHAH ALAM, 11th DECEMBER 2025 — EP Manufacturing Berhad (EPMB) has announced the launch of Phase 2 of its Melaka manufacturing facility, bringing its annual production capacity to 30,000 units a year from 6,000 currently and accelerating its transformation from a Tier-1 component supplier into a vertically-integrated vehicle assembly partner for global car brands.

Since EPMB broke ground on Phase 1 of its manufacturing facility in Q4 2023, over 6,000 units of the GWM H6 HEV have been produced and sold in Malaysia. Pilot production for the BAIC X55 & BJ40 was completed in November 2025, with full production slated to begin in January 2026. Pilot production of MG vehicles is expected to begin in February 2026.

Along with its expanding production capacity, EPMB’s automotive assembly capabilities are supported by its integrated component manufacturing plants in Kedah, Perak, Selangor, and Melaka.

Phase 3 of EPMB’s manufacturing plant is expected to be operational by the end of Q3 2026 and will incorporate in-house body painting capabilities, increasing localisation, creating additional value and strengthening the automotive assembly ecosystem in Melaka. It will be built next to the existing Phase 2 facility, on an adjoining 8-acre plot of land.

From left: Mr. Mike Cui (崔安琪), Managing Director of GWM Malaysia; Mr. Hamidon Abdullah, Executive Chairman of EP Manufacturing Berhad; and YAB Datuk Seri Utama Ab Rauf Yusoh, Chief Minister of Melaka, showcasing the first GWM Wey G9-PHEV MPV to roll off the production line at EPMB’s second plant in Alor Gajah, Melaka.

En. Hamidon Abdullah, Executive Chairman of EPMB, said:

“We are proud to announce the launch of Phase 2 of our automotive production facility in Melaka, which will enable us to significantly ramp production and cater to growing demand for our customers’ brands in Malaysia.

Achieving this milestone has only been possible with the trust and collaboration with our OEM partners — GWM, BAIC and SAIC, as well as the dedication and commitment of our employees.

We continue to engage with a growing number of Chinese OEMS that are seeking an assembly and localisation partner in Malaysia. Malaysia is now viewed as an emerging and competitive automotive hub for the Asia Pacific region — especially for right-hand-drive models.

As we deepen our integration with China’s highly advanced and competitive automotive supply chain, we are positioning EPMB and Melaka as a hub for Chinese carmakers targeting the Malaysian and ASEAN automotive markets.”

Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA, said:

“EPMB’s Phase 2 expansion reflects Malaysia’s continued shift towards higher-value automotive production. This project strengthens domestic manufacturing and assembly capabilities, supports technology adoption across the automotive value chain, and contributes directly to quality job creation and workforce upskilling for the rakyat. Beyond the immediate economic benefits, this investment demonstrates Malaysia’s competitive proposition as a strategic manufacturing and assembly hub for the Asia Pacific market — particularly for OEMs looking to establish right-hand-drive production capabilities serving both domestic and regional demand.”

He added, “Aligned with the National Automotive Policy and broader aspirations under NIMP 2030, MIDA will continue to facilitate deeper localisation, stronger industry linkages, and the sustainable growth of Malaysia’s automotive ecosystem. We are committed to supporting investments that not only expand production capacity but also drive technology transfer, enhance local supplier capabilities, and position Malaysian workers at the forefront of advanced automotive manufacturing.”

The launch of Phase 2 on Thursday was witnessed by YAB Datuk Seri Utama Ab Rauf Yusoh, the Chief Minister of Melaka, as well as Melaka state executive councillors, heads of state agencies, representatives from the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), JPJ, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, the Malaysia Automotive Robotics & IoT Institute (MARii), financial partners, industry leaders and OEM partners.

The expansion of EPMB’s assembly operations in Melaka is expected to deliver substantial economic benefits, including up to 1,000 new jobs and the development of EEV, EV, automation and advanced manufacturing capabilities, attracting local and foreign automotive players to the State.

On Thursday, EPMB also celebrated the first GWM Wey G9-PHEV MPV to roll off its assembly line.

“The Wey G9 marks our entry into the premium MPV segment, demonstrating our growing capability to assemble vehicles that are larger, more technologically advanced, and more complex,” said Hamidon.

In October 2025, EPMB announced it had been appointed by SAIC Motor Malaysia Sdn Bhd as the contract assembler for selected MG models in Malaysia. SAIC Motor Malaysia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SAIC Motor Corporation Ltd, a Shanghai-listed Fortune Global 500 company and one of China’s largest state-owned automotive groups. Its brand portfolio includes MG, Maxus, Roewe, IM, and Baojun.

Earlier in 2024, EPMB was appointed as contract assembler in Malaysia for Great Wall Motor and BAIC, two Chinese state-owned enterprises, for eight- and 10-year terms respectively.