Berjaya Corporation Berhad has signed memorandums of strategic cooperation with two Chinese brands, namely Skyworth Group and Skywell New Energy Automobile Group, and will be in charge of introducing the brands’ products into Malaysia. The former is a Chinese company known for making smart home appliances. The latter is a new energy vehicle (NEV) maker, also based in China. In China, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) are included under the NEV category.
Berjaya Eco-Drive, a subsidiary of Berjaya Corporation has collaborated with Skywell to establish the carmaker as a(n) NEV brand in Malaysia as well as the broader ASEAN region. This partnership will see the two companies working on advancing various NEV technologies and marketing Skywell’s vehicles.
As for Berjaya’s collaboration with Skyworth, this partnership will see the two firms advancing and exploring smart home technologies, as well as new energy solutions. Berjaya and Skyworth will also develop and implement green energy solutions, including residential, commercial, and industrial photovoltaic systems.
Berjaya Founder & Advisor, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun said, “The strategic collaborations with Skyworth herald transformative prospects, poised to revolutionise various sectors across Malaysia and the ASEAN region. By combining our collective expertise and leveraging regional strengths, we stand at the forefront to catalyse innovation, foster sustainable development, and illuminate the path towards a more prosperous future for the entire region.”
“We also look forward to further promoting exchanges and cooperation between China and Malaysia in the fields of economy, trade, science and technology, and culture through this cooperation, as well as injecting new impetus into the formulation of a comprehensive strategic partnership between both countries,” he added.
Previously, Skywell partnered with NexV Auto Alliance, a subsidiary of glove maker Careplus Group, to launch the Skywell brand in Malaysia by Q3 this year (2024). There were also plans to locally assemble the Chinese brand’s vehicles at NexV’s plant in Chembong, Negeri Sembilan by early 2025.
However, with Berjaya being Skywell’s new partner now, it seems like the previous deal will be no more. Also, it is not clear if the Skyworth brand will be used for the Chinese carmaker’s NEVs in Malaysia, considering Berjaya’s plans to market the Skywell brand instead. If you recall, NexV Manufacturing and Neta Auto also signed an agreement, to locally assemble (CKD) Neta vehicles in its Chembong plant starting in 2025.
Founded in 2017, Skyworth Auto’s vehicle lineup currently consists of the EV6 BEV and HTi PHEV SUVs. These models are sold under the Skywell brand outside of China.
Skywell’s products are also sold in right-hand drive (RHD) markets such as the UK and Thailand. The EV6 is marketed as the BE11 in the former, and the Fregata Ariel 8 in the latter. As for Malaysia, no details on which of Skywell’s models will be brought in just yet.
