It looks like old buildings from the colonial days may have a new life in them because Sime Darby Beyond Auto has just unveiled BYD Mansion Macalister as a full-fledged 3S centre. Located along the historic Jalan Macalister in Penang, this century-old building previously housed various local businesses and offices before undergoing a meticulous restoration.
Now, it stands as Malaysia’s first BYD heritage-concept showroom. This isn’t your average showroom; set on a 26,994 sq ft parcel with 9,000 sq ft of built-up space, the property has been reimagined as a boutique “automotive destination” with its old architectural details preserved.
Inside, you’ll find four curated vehicles displayed like art pieces in a gallery-like setting. To keep the “mansion” vibe alive, there are lounge-style consultation areas and a private delivery room for those who want their vehicle handover to feel a bit more personalised.
This boutique experience extends beyond the showroom, as the property serves as a fully integrated ownership destination. The site houses an on-site service centre featuring five work bays, one alignment bay, and three service reception bays, allowing customers to handle all their after-sales care within a single historic compound.
The original architects likely never envisioned this, but the mansion now boasts an urban charging hub, complete with one 60kW DC fast charger and seven AC chargers, supporting Penang’s growing EV ecosystem.
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Sime Motors Managing Director, Andrew Basham, noted that the project represents a milestone in evolving the automotive retail experience by turning a historic property into a modern mobility destination.
“We are not only preserving an important part of Penang’s architectural heritage, but also creating a meaningful space where customers can experience the future of mobility. This reflects Sime Motors’ long-term commitment to supporting the growth of electric vehicles and expanding our presence across Malaysia,” Basham added.
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