EP Manufacturing Berhad (EPMB) has announced the launch of Phase 2 of its Melaka car assembly facility, bringing annual production capacity to 30,000 units from the current 6,000 units. It coincided with the roll off of the CKD GWM Wey G9, which is a plug-in hybrid luxury MPV.
Formerly a Tier-1 component supplier, EPMB is now described as a vertically-integrated vehicle assembly partner for global car brands. Phase 1 of the plant opened in Q4 2023, and since then, over 6,000 units of the GWM H6 HEV have rolled out from Melaka. Pilot production for the BAIC X55 and BJ40 was completed in November, with full production slated to begin in January 2026. Pilot production of MG vehicles is expected to begin in February 2026.
EPMB says that its automotive assembly capabilities are supported by its integrated component manufacturing plants in Kedah, Perak, Selangor and Melaka. Phase 3 is on the cards and is expected to be operational by the end of Q3 2026. This facility will incorporate in-house body painting capabilities, increasing localisation. It will be built next to the Phase 2 factory on an adjoining eight-acre plot of land.
“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,” said Hamidon Abdullah, EPMB’s executive chairman.
“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,” he added.
In October 2025, EPMB was appointed by SAIC Motor Malaysia as the contract assembler for selected MG models in Malaysia. Last year, EPMB secured contract assembly jobs from Great Wall Motor and BAIC on eight- and 10-year terms respectively. More on the new GWM Wey G9 here.
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BAIC X55 and BJ40?? Are they sure they want to waste time with these two models instead of newer offerings??
X55 loses out in terms of price, looks, and features to the entire Chery-Omoda-Jaecoo-Jetour roster, not to mention it’s more of an unknown vs. Proton’s vehicles at that price range (X70 and the upcoming eMas 7 PHEV)
BJ40 is an entire generation behind Tank 300 and Jetour T2. At that RM190k price, the BJ40 is built on the bones of an obsolete Wrangler derivative from a failed BAIC-Jeep joint venture, powered by a crude ancient Saab 2-liter turbo engine.
Not to mention.. where are the BAIC showrooms? Does this brand even exist anymore in Malaysia?