XPeng has rolled off the first locally assembled G6 SUV at EP Manufacturing Berhad’s (EPMB) plant in Melaka, Malaysia, marking the Chinese EV maker’s first overseas manufacturing milestone. The CKD (completely knocked down) assembly began on June 5, 2026, several months after EPMB’s original March 31 target date revealed in a Bursa Malaysia filing last December.
The move gives XPeng a local production foothold in one of Southeast Asia’s most active EV markets, where import duties on CBU (completely built up) vehicles can significantly inflate retail prices. Local assembly allows the G6 to qualify for Malaysia’s EV incentives and positions XPeng to compete more aggressively on price against both legacy automakers and fellow Chinese brands.
Production Details and Timeline
EPMB’s Melaka facility will handle G6 assembly using semi-knocked-down kits shipped from XPeng’s Guangzhou plant. The collaboration was formalized through a manufacturing agreement announced in late 2025, with EPMB investing in production line modifications to accommodate the G6’s 800-volt electrical architecture and large battery pack assembly requirements.
Per CnEVPost reporting, the delay from the original March 31 target was attributed to facility preparation and regulatory approvals rather than any technical issues with the vehicle itself. XPeng confirmed that production-spec units are now rolling off the line and customer deliveries of Malaysia-assembled G6 units will begin within weeks.
The G6 is XPeng’s mid-size SUV featuring the XNGP advanced driver assistance system and an 800V platform enabling fast charging from 10% to 80% in approximately 20 minutes. Malaysian pricing for the locally assembled version has not yet been officially announced, but industry observers expect it to come in below the current CBU import price.
Southeast Asian EV Race
XPeng’s Malaysian assembly launch adds another dimension to the intensifying competition among Chinese EV brands in Southeast Asia. Just days earlier, Stellantis commenced local assembly of Leapmotor vehicles at its Gurun plant in Kedah state, starting with the C10 SUV. BYD has been assembling the Atto 3 in Thailand since 2024, while GAC Aion has outlined plans for Indonesian production.
Malaysia’s EV market is growing rapidly, supported by government incentives including import and excise duty exemptions for locally assembled EVs through 2027. The country registered over 30,000 EVs in 2025, nearly double the 2024 figure, with Chinese brands capturing a growing share.
XPeng’s decision to partner with a local manufacturer rather than build its own plant reflects a capital-efficient expansion strategy that several Chinese brands are adopting — leveraging existing industrial capacity and local regulatory knowledge while maintaining quality control through kit specifications and assembly oversight.
Related: XPeng GX deliveries | Leapmotor C10 Malaysia assembly
Sources
- CnEVPost, Xpeng rolls off first locally assembled G6 SUV in Malaysia
- Paultan.org, XPeng G6 CKD first unit rolls out of EPMB Melaka
- BYDToday, XPeng GX delivery report
