Joining the likes of Chinese carmakers like Chery, Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) motor will be another Chinese brand to have a local assembly (CKD) plant in Malaysia. With the GAC brand officially distributed by WTC Automotif, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Warisan TC Holdings Bhd), WTCA will invest a total of RM60 million into its CKD efforts.
The RM60 million project involves the manufacturing of the brand new GAC Motor GS3, as well as expanding the brand’s presence in Malaysia. The CKD project was announced approximately 18 months after WTCA and GAC International signed a distributorship agreement, appointing WTCA as the sole and exclusive distributor of GAC vehicles in Malaysia.
Warisan TC Holdings Chief Executive Officer, Tan Keng Meng said, “We are confident that with our Tan Chong Group’s years of experience and our latest investment in our facility, we will meet GAC’s expectations. Our team has a strong collaboration with the GAC team to ensure that we are able to meet the GAC Quality Standards. GAC has set a very high standard in the automotive industry as they have dominated the Top 1 in China’s JD Power Initial Quality Survey for eight consecutive years.”
Also present at during the announcement, GAC Group Vice President and GAC International Chairman, Yu Jun said, “GAC has always placed utmost priority on delivering superior quality cars. We are confident that with its wide experience in the automotive industry, WTCA can meet our high manufacturing quality standards. We will be expecting that with 3-5 years development, the production and sales will reach 50,000 units. In order to fulfil this target, GAC will continue to coordinate internal and external resources and increase support for the Malaysian market, accelerate the launch of key models, improve the model matrix, and provide more intelligent and higher-quality vehicle products for local consumers.”
RELATED: GAC GS3 compact SUV now in Malaysia from RM88,800
The GAC CKD project in Malaysia is significant as it is the first CKD effort by GAC in the ASEAN region. As part of the RM60 million CKD project, WTCA plans to establish more than 70 showrooms nationwide via their own brand setup and dealership appointments. The first GAC Motor Malaysia flagship showroom will be based in Section 13 Petaling Jaya, which is expected to be ready in the third quarter of 2023.
Among the exciting CKD models for GAC will be the new CKD GAC Motor GS3 which will have a 3rd-generation 1.5-litre TGDI engine. The engine will be paired with a 7-speed WDCT. Still based on the same chassis as the outgoing GS3, the new TGDI GS3 features a next-generation design and level 2 advanced driver assistance systems.
RELATED: GAC GS3 compact SUV launched in Malaysia, from RM88,800
During the event, WTCA also handed over 25 units of the current GAC GS3 to Mayflower Car Rental to be used as part of its rental fleet. Mayflower car rental also introduced its “All-New Adventure” GAC Motor GS3 programme, which is a car leasing programme which costs from RM150 per day after a special promotion discount.
