Local assembly was the thread running through Malaysia's Chinese-car news this week, along with a steady widening of where these brands can actually be bought and serviced.
Assembly moves
JAC's distributor Evolvelectric Motors has partnered with FT Assembly to build the T9 pickup in Malaysia. Production of the plug-in hybrid is expected to begin in November and the electric version in January; the PHEV reaches the market first as an import in early November. FT Assembly has put RM3.6 million into a facility in Kulim, Kedah, and may invest up to RM8 million more over three years. First-year output is projected at 3,000 vehicles with local content targeted at up to 30%. More on the brand at JAC.
Leapmotor shows what local assembly looks like from the buyer's side. The B10 stays at RM118,800 after its move to local assembly, the same as its launch price last December, and now comes with a package worth up to RM11,188 that includes a 22 kW wallbox and RM4,000 of insurance support. Proton, whose eMas 7 is related to Geely's EX5, said eMas deliveries have passed 40,000 in the 21 months since the first model launched.
Wider reach
Zeekr opened a pop-up outlet in Kuching, its first retail presence in East Malaysia, operated by Ghee Hua Group. Zeekr said it had more than 5,000 customers in Malaysia as of August and plans a dedicated showroom and a separate service centre in Kuching in the first quarter of 2027, with mobile servicing in the meantime.
On the peninsula, Carro Autofair in Puchong South brought five Chinese brands together — Zeekr, Omoda Jaecoo, iCaur, Chery and Dongfeng — with offers including the Jaecoo J5 at an effective RM99,000 and discounts of up to RM46,088 on pre-registered Dongfeng 007s.
Coming next
- Chery previewed the Tiggo Cross Sport Edition for an October launch. It is based on the non-hybrid Turbo, which sells for RM89,000; the Sport's price is not announced. See Chery.
- Voyah is weighing two more EVs, the Passion S sedan and Courage SUV, alongside the confirmed Dream 9 MPV. Neither is officially confirmed.
What it means
- Local assembly is no longer limited to passenger EVs: a plug-in hybrid and electric pickup are next.
- For Leapmotor buyers, assembly has shown up as added equipment at an unchanged price rather than a price cut.
- Buyers in Sarawak get a Zeekr sales point now, but the full service centre is still some months away. More at Chinese cars in Malaysia.