Quick look
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A century-old colonial building in Penang has been transformed into a BYD 3S centre, blending historic architecture into the EV age.
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The new BYD Mansion Macalister is another outlet in the growing network being established across Malaysia by Sime Darby Beyond Auto.
If you’re a regular visitor to Penang island, you would probably have passed a century-old building that was named after Colonel Norman Macalister, a former British Governor of Penang. That heritage property is now the site of the newly opened BYD Mansion Macalister, Malaysia’s first heritage-concept showroom for the EV brand.
Adaptive reuse
Adopting a process of adaptive reuse, the restoration process focused on maintaining the building’s original architectural character while integrating a contemporary retail environment. The project represents a synthesis of colonial-era design and modern automotive infrastructure. Rather than a standard dealership layout, the space has been reimagined as a boutique destination, blending the building’s history into the EV age.
The property sits on a 26,994 sq. ft. plot of land, of which approximately 9,000 sq. ft. is built-up space. Inside, the showroom floor is designed with a gallery-like ambience, with space for up to models. This minimalist approach deviates from high-volume showrooms, opting instead for lounge-style consultation areas and a private room dedicated to vehicle hand-overs.
Includes service centre
Beyond the front-end retail space, BYD Mansion Macalister functions as a fully integrated ownership hub. The on-site service centre has 5 work bays, an alignment bay, and 3 service reception bays. By housing both sales and after-sales operations within a single compound, the location aims to provide convenient, comprehensive support for owners in the northern region.
With BYD being a leading EV brand in Malaysia and the world, it’s only natural that it will contribute to the infrastructure needs of the growing EV segment in Penang. On the site is a 60 kW DC fast- charger and 7 AC chargers for public use.
According to Andrew Basham, Managing Director of Sime Motors, the project is an evolution of the automotive retail experience. He noted that transforming a historic property into a mobility destination allows for the preservation of Penang’s architectural heritage while creating a functional space for users.
“This reflects Sime Motors’ long-term commitment to supporting the growth of electric vehicles and expanding our presence across Malaysia,” he added.
Part of a growing BYD network
BYD Mansion Macalister marks a continuation of the partnership between Sime Darby Beyond Auto and BYD since December 2022. With the new location in Penang joining the growing network, the BYD presence continues to broaden in the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia.
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BYD’s sales and service network continues to expand nationwide
