China‘s leading electric car maker BYD will open an assembly plant here to produce electric vehicles from 2026, state executive councillor Loh Sze Yee said.
Loh said preliminary work began in July, with construction of the factory expected to begin at the end of August. The launch ceremony will be carried out by menteri besar Saarani Mohamad on Sept 4.
The first phase of the project will cover 60 hectares and is expected to create thousands of job opportunities, he said.
“The plant will also provide broader cooperation opportunities for local companies in the automotive supply chain sector, in addition to empowering the local population with green technology skills,” he said.
He said the project was a major achievement resulting from the state government’s implementation of a “speed lane” for faster approval of strategic investments.
Loh said BYD’s presence would strengthen the automotive ecosystem in Perak through its synergy with Proton-Geely, support from the industry in northern Selangor, and the planned establishment of a research and development centre in Sungkai.
He said construction of Proton Holdings Bhd’s first EV factory was nearing completion, with overall progress of the project at 87%.
BYD electric vehicles are currently imported from China; they range in price from the RM100,000 Atto 2 to the RM183,000 Sealion 7.
