XPENG teams up with EPMB for local EV assembly in Melaka, here’s what’s coming

KUALA LUMPUR: EP Manufacturing Berhad (EPMB) and Chinese EV maker XPENG have announced a partnership that will see “intelligent” electric vehicles produced locally in Melaka, a move that signals XPENG is getting more serious about Malaysia and the wider ASEAN region.

Also Read: 2025 XPENG G6 EV SUV launched in Malaysia – Faster charging, new AWD, redesigned Interior, from RM179k

The companies say the idea is simple, build closer to the market so the product and the business can move faster. XPENG will tap EPMB’s manufacturing experience, existing production capability, and local market understanding to assemble EVs “tailored to Malaysian and ASEAN consumer needs”, while positioning the project as aligned with Malaysia’s push for a greener economy and higher-value manufacturing, including local job creation.

“We are thrilled to partner with XPENG, a global leader in smart EV technology,” said Hamidon bin Abdullah, Founder and Executive Chairman of EPMB. “This strategic alliance combines EPMB's over four decades of automotive manufacturing excellence and local insights with XPENG's cutting-edge intelligence and electrification innovations. Together, we are committed to delivering high-quality, intelligent EVs to Malaysian consumers and supporting the nation's sustainable industrial ambitions.”

XPENG, listed on the NYSE and HKEX, pointed to its overseas momentum as part of the context for setting up localised production here. From January to November 2025, the company says overseas deliveries reached 39,773 units, up 95% year-on-year, with its sales and service presence now covering 52 countries and regions through 321 overseas outlets. The Malaysia plant is expected to plug into XPENG’s broader operations across Europe and other Asia-Pacific markets, with the company talking up an ecosystem approach that links local production with sales, charging services, and ongoing user operations.

“Establishing local production in Malaysia is a significant milestone in XPENG's global strategy and underscores our long-term commitment to the ASEAN region,” said James Wu, Vice President XPENG. “EPMB's proven capabilities and shared vision make them an ideal partner. This initiative allows us to be closer to our customers, accelerate market responsiveness, and systematically introduce our intelligent technologies, driving forward our mission of 'Democratizing Technology' on a global scale.”

EPMB and XPENG say the Melaka operation will support local assembly of XPENG’s key models for the region, led by the G6 electric SUV and the X9 MPV. The same project also covers the X9 in Extended Range form, which is where the X9 PowerX fits into the plan.

For anyone unfamiliar, the X9 PowerX is the X9 reworked into a range-extended EV, meaning it runs on electric drive but carries a small petrol engine that works as a generator to recharge the battery when needed.

XPENG is quoting up to 452 km of EV-only range and up to 1,602 km total range on China’s CLTC cycle, based on a 63.3 kWh LFP battery and a 60-litre fuel tank, it’s aimed at buyers who want EV smoothness but prefer the safety net of petrol back-up for longer trips or patchy charging areas.

Also Read: Charge+ and XPENG team up to build Southeast Asia’s first ultra-fast EV Supercharging Network