NexV Manufacturing Sdn Bhd (NMSB), a joint venture between Careplus Group Berhad and GoAuto Group Sdn Bhd, has initiated the construction of Malaysia’s first green technology facility dedicated to the production and assembly of New Energy Vehicles (NEV), including electric vehicles (EVs).
The ceremony held in the Chembong Industrial Area, Rembau, Negeri Sembilan, marked a significant leap forward in the country’s automotive landscape.
With a planned capacity of 30,000 vehicles per year in its initial phase, NMSB aims to assemble NETA models, constituting one-third of the production, through the joint venture with Intro Synergy Sdn Bhd, a GoAuto subsidiary. The facility will not only manufacture NETA vehicles but will also extend its services to other NEV brands for Completely Knocked Down (CKD) assembly of passenger and commercial EVs, along with electric motorcycles.
The project unfolds in three phases, commencing the development of an assembly plant in the first quarter of 2024. Phases two and three, scheduled for 2026 and 2028, will witness an expansion of the production capacity to 50,000 units per year, with a total investment of RM600 million.
The venture is set to create over 600 skilled and semi-skilled jobs, emphasizing expertise in EV manufacturing and smart manufacturing technologies. Recruitment and training of the plant’s workforce are slated to begin in August 2024, aligning with the commencement of operations in early 2025.
In addition to its commitment to green vehicles, the plant emphasizes eco-friendly solutions, incorporating technologies with zero wastewater discharge and noise pollution. Solid waste will undergo recycling within the facility, and a significant portion of the factory’s energy needs will be met through solar panels installed on the plant’s roof.
Collaborating with NEV brands like Intro Synergy, HIGER, and YUTONG, NMSB aims to reinforce Malaysia’s standing in the global EV industry. The event also saw the exchange of a CKD agreement between Intro Synergy and Hozon New Energy Automobile Co. Ltd., signifying collaborations for CKD operations in Malaysia. Moreover, NMSB exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Qingdao Huayue Guotai New Energy Car Co. Ltd. to explore new opportunities for New Energy Vehicles in Malaysia and ASEAN.
Careplus CEO, Lim Kwee Shyan, expressed gratitude to stakeholders, authorities, residents, and business partners, hoping that the assembly of NETA V models would gain widespread acceptance and support among Malaysians. ”We would like to thank all stakeholders including federal and local authorities, local residents and all of our business partners. We hope that with the assembly of NETA V model, more Malaysians will be able to accept and support the products produced by Chembong”. he said.
NMSB received its interim Manufacturing License from the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI), through the Malaysia Investment Development Authority (MIDA) in October 2023. The recent receipt of the Development Order from the Rembau District Council signals the commencement of the manufacturing plant’s construction.
Go Auto Chairman, Dato’ SM Azli SM Nasimuddin Kamal, highlighted the extensive support received from both state and federal governments, recognizing the project’s significant contribution to advancing local assembly and localization efforts in Malaysia.
MIDA CEO, Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman, commended NMSB for achieving this milestone, citing it as a collaborative effort driving the future vision of sustainable mobility. He emphasised the project’s alignment with national EV targets, the Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint (LCMB), National Energy Policy (DTN), National Automotive Policy (NAP) 2020, and the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030. MIDA pledged full support and facilitation to local businesses aiming to thrive in the dynamic and competitive market.
