Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) has confirmed that it will soon launch locally assembled (CKD) electric vehicles (EVs) in the country. Earlier revealed to us from an inside source back in March, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has now confirmed its CKD EV plans.
At the launch of the Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ today, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia CEO & President, Sagree Sardien said (on the sidelines), “We are certainly working on localizing the EQ models. In 2023, we will announce our first EQ model that will be localized, so I ask you to stay tuned for that.” No further details were revealed.
As for the location of the assembly, it will most likely take place at the same Pekan assembly plant where the hybrid Mercedes-Benz S-Class 580e is made. Back in March, our inside source told us that the first CKD EV by Mercedes-Benz would be the EQS. We’ll have to wait until the first quarter of 2023 to find out as MBM will make an “exciting announcement” during the said period.
The first EV that was launched in Malaysia by Mercedes-Benz is the Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 AMG Line which was launched in March. The EQA is a compact SUV with a single electric motor that makes 190 hp and 375 Nm. A 66.5-kWh battery gives the EQA an electric driving range of 429 km (WLTP).
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Next was the Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ which was launched in July, which is an all-electric version of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The EQS 450+ has a phenomenal EV range of 782 km (WLTP) thanks to its large 107.9-kWh battery pack and rear-wheel drive (RWD) configuration.
The EQS was followed by the EQB 350 4MATIC and the EQC 400 AMG Line which both had their prices confirmed in September. With the newly-launched EQE, MBM now has five models in its Malaysian EV lineup.
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With MBM’s CKD plans for its electric cars, it will be the second brand in the country to assemble its fully electric vehicles after Volvo Car Malaysia. CBU Electric Vehicle exemption from import tax, excise duty, and road tax in Malaysia will last until the end of 2023. CKD electric vehicles will enjoy a longer exemption period until the end of 2025.
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