What happened to BAIC motors after its launch in Malaysia until now in August 2026 and is local assembly still moving along or not?
People close to the matter have ‘whispered’ to us that BAIC is looking for a new AP partner and their assembly has coming to a halt under further notice.
Since previewing its entry into Malaysia in May 2024 at the Wisma Tractors in Subang Jaya, BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co.) has experienced a period of quiet delivery delays followed by a sudden progress on local assembly which has now turned into a quiet delay.
In May 2024 BAIC made its brand preview in Malaysia through local distributor Edaran Otomobil Elektrik (EOE) and when we met with the marketing team just a month after its launch, there were already ‘rumblings’ in the business framework.
We could read between the lines of the marketing team that the BAIC business was coming to a halt so very soon. Bookings opened for two core models which was the BAIC X55 II which is a C-segment crossover competing against the Proton X70 and Honda CR-V at an estimated selling price of from RM120,000 to RM140,000.
There was also the BAIC BJ40 Plus which was a rugged, boxy body-on-frame 4×4 off-roader with removable doors and top, competing with the GWM Tank 300 and this had an estimated selling price from RM180,000 to RM190,000.
Following the initial bookings, official updates and retail rollouts were significantly delayed beyond their original late-2024 target. Brand activities on social media and physical showroom rollouts slowed down, leading to speculation regarding the brand’s commitment.
Fast forward to December 2025 and news of a contract assembly partner EP Manufacturing Bhd (EPMB) confirmed that BAIC had not abandoned its Malaysian plans, attributing the quiet period to local assembly requirements, preparations and schedules.
Is Local Assembly (CKD) Still Moving Along Today?
Yes, it seems that local assembly is moving forward but there is still no confirmation on selling prices and dealer network.
BAIC still has a valid 10-year contract assembly agreement with Bursa-listed EP Manufacturing Bhd (EPMB) to assemble vehicles locally at its Pegoh, Melaka facility.
Trial assembly and pilot production for both the X55 II and BJ40 Plus were successfully completed in November 2025.
EPMB is further expanding the Pegoh facility with a dedicated paint shop facility (Phase 3) set to go live later in 2026 to support its assembly clients (including BAIC and Great Wall Motor).
Local assembly is running at the Melaka facility, with customer deliveries and brand expansion taking shape following the January 2026 mass production rollout.
Final Note
From past news and interviews, we at www.dsf.my have seen some Chinese automotive brands that partner with local Malaysian AP holders become stagnant in its Malaysian roll-out after a BIG launch event.
Yes, there is the news and media coverage as a Minister will attend and cut a ribbon, then there is a few months of excitement ….. this is followed by a quiet period …… too quiet …… then we hear news that the local partner has been divorced and the Chinese automotive brand comes and sets up office and all the necessary in Malaysia by themselves and very soon after sees sales success.
Example, Great Wall Motor, Blueshark and MG. The NETA brand just went bankrupt (problems in China) and looks like BAIC will be moving in the same direction as GWM and MG very soon.
