Bermaz Changan, a newly established subsidiary 85% owned by Bermaz Auto (BAuto), has been awarded the distributorship rights for Deepal brand electric vehicles (EVs) in Malaysia.

The company will also be responsible for the sale of spare parts and the provision of aftersales services.

According to a recent filing with Bursa Malaysia, the distributorship rights were granted by Mobitech, a wholly owned subsidiary of Changan Automobile, which oversees brands such as Deepal, Changan Auto, Avatr, and Kaicene.

The first models to be introduced in Malaysia are confirmed to be the S05 and S07 SUVs, as stated by Shen Xing Hua, President of Changan Auto Southeast Asia. These models are expected to be launched in mid-2025, likely as fully imported (CBU) units from Thailand.

Changan Automobile is currently constructing its first overseas production facility in Rayong, Thailand, with an investment of approximately MYR 1.1 billion (US$ 247.1 million).

The facility is expected to be operational by early 2025, with phase one of the project including painting, assembly, engine assembly, and battery assembly lines. The plant will have an annual production capacity of up to 100,000 vehicles.

For phase two, Changan plans to invest up to MYR 2.6 billion to establish a new energy vehicle (NEV) production facility, with an annual production capacity of up to 200,000 vehicles.

This facility will cater to markets in the ASEAN region and the right-hand drive global market. The Deepal range available in Thailand currently includes the L07, S07, and E07, alongside the Avatr 11 and Changan Lumin.

It is noteworthy that Changan has a joint venture in China with Mazda, another brand in the BAuto portfolio, alongside Kia and Xpeng.

One product emerging from this collaboration is the Mazda EZ-6, an electrified successor to the Mazda 6 in China, which shares the same EPA electric hybrid platform as the Deepal L07 (formerly SL03).

Given that the EZ-6 is confirmed to be a global model, there is potential for its introduction to the Malaysian market in the future.

Datuk Francis Lee Kok Chuan, Group CEO of BAuto, expressed, "BAuto, via Bermaz Changan, is pleased to be awarded the Deepal distributorship for Malaysia. Deepal brand EVs feature trend-setting vehicle designs, advanced digital technology, innovative features, and strong performance. Deepal aims to establish itself as a world-class electric vehicle brand and provide more compelling green mobility experiences. This aligns with BAuto Group's sustainability initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint by introducing greener, energy-efficient vehicles to the market."

Shen Xing Hua, President of Changan Automobile, commented, "Changan Automobile plans to invest significantly in advanced research and innovative technologies. This commitment has led to the formation of a global R&D organisation. Building cars that delight our customers is the driving force behind Changan Automobile. Our Changan brand vehicles are not new to Malaysia and have always been well received in the market. Changan continues to strive to meet the ever-changing needs of its customers."