In a statement today, the group said the facility, with an investment of over RM100 million, will be developed in several phases at the Hicom Pegoh Industrial Park in Alor Gajah, Melaka.
According to EPMB, the project will create about 1,000 new jobs in Melaka and the facility’s first phase will have a capacity to produce 30,000 vehicles a year.
EPMB is engaged in the manufacturing of metal-based and plastic-based automotive components, and the distribution of automotive parts.
The ground-breaking ceremony of the manufacturing facility today was witnessed by Melaka chief minister Ab Rauf Yusoh and Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) senior executive director Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim.
Moving forward, EPMB CEO Razlan Mohamed said the establishment of the manufacturing facility is a crucial step in developing a 360-degree supply chain for Malaysia’s EV market.
“Collaborating closely with our strategic partner, BAIC International Development Co Ltd, we are poised to construct a cutting-edge EV manufacturing facility in Melaka, heralding the commencement of the next chapter in our growth trajectory.
“Additionally, we are keenly looking forward to collaborating with Great Wall Motor, our esteemed customer, in contributing to position Malaysia as a central hub for EVs and EEVs in the Asean region,” he said.
In August, EPMB signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China’s BAIC International, paving the way for the local production of BAIC’s BJ40P and X55II sport utility vehicles (SUVs), right-hand drive internal combustion engine vehicles and EVs.
The group also signed another MoU with Great Wall Motor on Oct 18 to assemble vehicles for the Chinese carmaker.
Meanwhile, Mida CEO Arham Abdul Rahman said in the statement that the new manufacturing facility perfectly aligns with the country’s aspirations as spelled out in the Low-Carbon Mobility Blueprint, National Automotive Policy 2020 and Malaysia’s New Industrial Master Plan 2030.
“These policies are rooted in harnessing opportunities in ESG-sensitive markets and swiftly adopting technology to enhance the technological ecosystem of Malaysia’s manufacturing sector and commitment towards sustainable transportation,” he said.
Malaysia secured RM26.2 billion in approved investments for the EV sector from 2018 to the first half of 2023, according to the statement.
At market close today, EPMB’s share price was down by 1.5 sen or 1.82% at 81 sen, giving it a market capitalisation of RM178.43 million.
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