KUALA LUMPUR: BYD Malaysia Sdn Bhd has appointed Inokom Corporation Sdn Bhd, a Sime Motors subsidiary based in Kulim, Kedah, as its local assembly partner for completely knocked-down vehicles.
In a statement, BYD said the appointment followed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at its global headquarters in Shenzhen, China, formalising the collaboration between the two companies.
It said Inokom was selected after an assessment of the local market and available manufacturing capabilities. It said its vehicle assembly operations, experienced workforce and existing infrastructure would provide a solid foundation for BYD’s local assembly plans.
BYD Malaysia managing director Jacob Ma said local assembly was an important part of the company’s long-term commitment to Malaysia.
"We aim to bring BYD’s expertise in new energy vehicles and battery technologies closer to the Malaysian market while contributing to the continued development of the local automotive industry.
"This partnership marks another step in BYD’s growth in Malaysia alongside BYD Sime Motors. We remain focused on strengthening our local presence and exploring opportunities to deepen our investment through collaboration with local industry partners," he said.
Sime Group CEO Jeffri Salim Davidson said the partnership reflected the strength of Malaysia’s automotive manufacturing capabilities and the expertise developed over the years.
"Our experience in vehicle assembly, supported by an established workforce and local supply chain, provides a strong foundation for this collaboration," he said.
He added that the partnership could strengthen Malaysia’s automotive ecosystem, support local businesses and build capabilities to contribute to the industry’s long-term growth.