SAIC Motor Malaysia is partnering with EP Manufacturing Berhad (EPMB) to begin local assembly (CKD) of the MGS5 EV.
The local assembly operation is set to commence in the first half of 2026 and marks a key milestone in SAIC Motor’s regional growth strategy, reinforcing Malaysia’s role as a potential regional hub for MG. The announcement was made on October 15, 2025, during a special event attended by key industry stakeholders.
MGS5 EV to Lead Green Energy Push
The MGS5 EV, an all-electric SUV already part of the brand’s five-model line-up, will be the first MG model to roll off the assembly line at EPMB’s Melaka facility.
En. Hamidon Bin Abdullah, Executive Chairman of EPMB, stated that the collaboration would accelerate localization, including battery pack assembly for MG vehicles, which enhances the value proposition for the Malaysian market. The Melaka facility is uniquely capable of assembling Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV), Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV), and Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) models under one roof.
SAIC Motor Malaysia’s strategy focuses on three priorities: affordability, faster delivery, and stronger localisation. Managing Director of SAIC Motor Malaysia, Mr. Emory Qi, emphasized that every locally assembled vehicle will undergo “stringent global-level inspections through SAIC’s Quality Sustenance Programme”.
Malaysia: A Strategic Hub for ASEAN
SAIC Motor Malaysia highlighted Malaysia’s strategic location within ASEAN as positioning it as a natural hub for regional distribution and growth. The long-standing friendship between Malaysia and China further provides a strong foundation of trust for the collaboration.
Since its launch just over a year ago, SAIC Motor Malaysia has rapidly expanded its dealer network to 26 MG Motor Authorised Dealerships nationwide. The strong market reception, particularly for the MG Cyberster, has already made Malaysia the best-performing market in Asia and Oceania for the brand’s iconic all-electric roadster.
Beyond vehicle assembly, the investment is expected to create jobs, strengthen the vendor ecosystem, and lay the groundwork for future R&D development in Malaysia. Mr. Emory Qi concluded, “Together with our partners and local talent, we are building a future where innovation, sustainability, and opportunity drive Malaysia forward with MG”. MG has been one of the brands of SAIC Motor—one of the Top 10 car manufacturers in the world—since 2007.
