BYD shifts Malaysia manufacturing strategy toward local partnerships

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has decided not to proceed with its original plans to build a standalone completely knocked-down (CKD) assembly plant in Tanjung Malim, Perak. Instead, the company is shifting its strategy toward collaborating with established local partners to integrate into the Malaysian automotive ecosystem.

Jacob Ma, managing director of BYD Malaysia, stated that discussions with local vendors regarding assembly are at an advanced stage. He noted that the decision aims to ensure the company moves in tandem with the local industry. While the company has sold over 35,000 vehicles in Malaysia since its introduction, including 7,500 units in the first half of 2026, current stock levels are sufficient to meet demand.

BYD maintains a long-term manufacturing outlook for the region, spanning 10 to 20 years. The company also clarified it has no immediate plans to import vehicles from Indonesia unless specific model demand cannot be met by existing Malaysian stock.