EPMB Starts Production Of Two New GWM Hybrid Models In Melaka
ALOR GAJAH, Nov 2 (Bernama) -- EP Manufacturing Bhd (EPMB) is expanding its vehicle assembly operations in Pegoh, Melaka, with the roll-out of two new Great Wall Motor (GWM) models, namely the Wey G9 HEV multi-purpose vehicle and EC15S hybrid sport utility vehicle (SUV).
This brings the number of models assembled at EPMB’s facility there to eight.
EPMB executive director Aidan Hamidon said the start of production of the two models came less than five months after the roll-out of the GWM Wey G9 PHEV, marking another milestone in the partnership between EPMB and Chinese automobile maker GWM that began in 2023.
He said EPMB currently assembles four GWM models, as well as two SAIC-MG models and two XPeng models at its facility in Melaka.
“Since we began working with GWM in 2023, our assembly partnership has expanded from just one model, the HAVAL H6 HEV, to four models including the Wey G9 PHEV and Wey G9 HEV.
“The expansion of our GWM model portfolio reflects our partner's confidence in our capabilities and our shared vision for the growth and development of Malaysia's automotive industry,” he said in a statement here today.
Meanwhile, he said the production of the two hybrid vehicle models would further strengthen Melaka's position in the country’s automotive manufacturing and export ecosystem, with locally sourced components being used in the vehicle assembly process.
In a separate development, he said EPMB is also increasing the annual capacity of its vehicle painting facility, which is to be developed in Melaka, to more than 30,000 vehicles per year in response to growing demand from automotive customers.
Aidan said the facility is slated to begin operations at the end of August 2027, following testing and commissioning.
He said the addition of in-house body painting capabilities is expected to increase localisation calculations, create additional value and strengthen Melaka's automotive assembly ecosystem.
He noted that EPMB's partnership with GWM had also resulted in more than 10,000 vehicles of the brand being assembled in Malaysia since completely knocked down production started in October 2024.
“GWM has exported over 1,100 Malaysia-assembled GWM G9 MPV to Thailand and Indonesia.
“These achievements demonstrate both the strength of GWM’s product offering as well as the potential for Malaysian automotive players to scale regionally in collaboration with global players,” he added.
-- BERNAMA