Malaysia is anticipated to have its first electric vehicle (EV) smart Manufacturing plant soon. A feasibility study has been initiated for a plant to be set up on a 162-hectare site at the Enstek Industrial Park in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan. The park is located within 30 minutes from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). The study will assess the suitability of the project for the market and its location, and would normally take about a year to be completed. According to a Negeri Sembilan executive councilor the project will involve collaboration between the state and national governments.
The plant requires investment of MYR 5 billion (USD 1.2 billion), with local and foreign investors expected to partake in the project which is likely to be launched in October. Elenvi Otomotif Sdn Bhd, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) and an unnamed strategic technology partner, have asked the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) to conduct the feasibility study as well as prepare a business, investment and financial plan to be presented to the Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad for his consideration.
The plant is expected to design and manufacture vehicles for local and foreign markets. Operating using Industry 4.0 technologies, with robotics and AI integrated into the entire supply chain, from design to sales and marketing phases. The facility will be powered by PV solar modules which will be installed on an 8 million square feet-wide roof. It was rumored that the plant will be part of the much discussed Third National Car project, which has been denied by MIER.
(Sources: Malay Mail; FMT News; PaulTan.org)
