Stellantis has chosen Malaysia as its export hub in the Asia-Pacific region, intending to export around 280,000 vehicles in four years starting in 2025 at its assembly plant in Gurun, Kedah, with Peugeot being the plan’s most focused brand, according to a report by Berita Harian. The automotive conglomerate will also assemble up to five all-electric models in Malaysia.
Stellantis Chief Operating Officer for India & Asia-Pacific, Ashwani Muppasani predicts 67% of its sales in the ASEAN region to be made up of fully electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030.
Additionally, Malaysia is set to become Stellantis’ headquarters in Asia-Pacific, as well as its spare parts warehouse and distribution centre for brands under Stellantis to 18 countries in the region. Ashwani also mentioned that all vehicles made in the Gurun plant will be exported to 20 Asia-Pacific countries between 2025 and 2028. Products built on the corporation’s STLA Medium platform will utilise up to 80% of components from ASEAN by 2026.
The investment will enable up to RM5 billion of component purchases from Malaysia, and up to 1,500 career opportunities at the Gurun plant. Stellantis will be setting up a regional training academy in Malaysia for knowledge and technology transfer.
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Stellantis has recently shifted its focus to the Indian and Asia-Pacific markets as the North American and European markets are already saturated, with its growth in the regions having slowed down in recent years.
The Gurun plant, which is the firm’s only plant outside of Vietnam in ASEAN currently has an annual export capacity of 60,000 units. With its upcoming expansion plans, the facility will see its capacity increased to 90,000 units following market demands and the company’s plans, while being driven by exports.
Stellantis, an automotive group formed between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and the PSA Group, fully owns the plant in Gurun since 2021. Previously owned by Naza Corporation, the facility currently produces and exports Peugeot models including the 2008, 3008, and 5008 to ASEAN markets such as Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Cambodia.
Late last year Stellantis announced that it is taking over the distributorship for the Peugeot brand from Bermaz. The firm will also be establishing a new National Sales Company (NSC) in Malaysia in the first quarter of 2024, which will direct and manage the sales and distribution of Stellantis Group vehicles in the country.
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