- BYD announced at the launch of the updated Seal in Malaysia that it will build a CKD assembly plant there.
- The updated Seal starts at 171,800 Malaysian Ringgit ($40,640) in Malaysia, cheaper than its predecessor.
BYD (HKG: 1211, OTCMKTS: BYDDY) will build an assembly plant in Malaysia to further expand its footprint in Southeast Asia.
The Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) maker announced at the launch event for the updated Seal in Malaysia on August 22 that it will build a CKD assembly plant in the Southeast Asian country, with production expected to begin in 2026.
CKD stands for Completely Knocked Down, a trade-specific term referring to a production method where components are imported in kit form from the manufacturing country and assembled locally.
Localization efforts through component assembly typically include CKD and SKD (Semi Knocked Down).
«Malaysia has always been one of BYD’s most important markets in Southeast Asia, and today’s dual announcement of CKD and the New BYD SEAL marks a new chapter in our journey here,» said Liu Xue Liang, general manager of BYD’s Asia-Pacific auto sales division.
In Southeast Asia, BYD’s Thailand factory began production in July 2024. The company also plans to build a factory in Cambodia.
The Seal was launched in Malaysia in February 2024. The updated Seal is available in Malaysia with Premium and Performance options, starting at 171,800 Malaysian Ringgit ($40,640) and 191,800 Malaysian Ringgit, respectively, a reduction of 8,000 Malaysian Ringgit from the previous model.
The launch builds on the success of the BYD Seal, which was the best-selling electric sedan in Malaysia in 2024, said Jeffrey Gan, Southeast Asia managing director of Sime Motors, BYD’s dealer partner.
BYD opened a new store in Malaysia on August 22, bringing the total number of local stores to 43.
($1 = 4.2275 Malaysian Ringgit)
