BYD Malaysia has announced a leadership change with the appointment of Jacob Ma as the new Managing Director of BYD Malaysia, overseeing both the BYD and DENZA brands. Mr. Ma takes over from Eagle Zhao who will assume full focus on his role as President Director of PT BYD Motor Indonesia (which he already had while managing Malaysian operations).
During his tenure in Malaysia, Mr. Zhao played a pivotal role in establishing BYD’s strong market presence, successfully leading the brand to deliver over 30,000 BYD and DENZA vehicles nationwide from late 2022 when the BYD brand entered the market. Under his leadership, BYD Malaysia – in partnership with BYD Sime Motors – expanded its nationwide dealer network, strengthened aftersales capabilities, and accelerated the adoption of new energy vehicles, solidifying its position as one of the fastest-growing top EV brands in the country.
“Malaysia has been an incredibly important chapter in my journey with BYD,” he said. “Together with our dedicated partners and team, we have built a strong foundation for both BYD and DENZA. I am confident that the momentum we have created will continue to propel the brands forward.”
Taking over the helm, Mr. Ma brings extensive global experience from BYD headquarters in China. Prior to this appointment, he was Head of Training at BYD HQ and later served as Vice-President of BYD Indonesia for 2 years.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Ma also worked as a consultant and gained experience in the aviation industry, where he was involved in technology transfer initiatives, providing him with a strong foundation in cross-industry collaboration and operational transformation.
“I am honoured to take on this responsibility at such an exciting time for BYD Malaysia,” said Mr. Ma. “Malaysia remains a strategic market for the Group, and we are committed to delivering innovative products and comprehensive ownership experiences to our customers. Our focus will be on reinforcing operational excellence, elevating customer experience, and ensuring sustainable growth for both BYD and DENZA.”
This development indicates the fast pace at which BYD has been growing that there is now a need for a more focussed and involved role for Indonesia and Malaysia. Prior to this, when BYD entered the region, Mr. Zhao looked after the two markets but with BYD’s volumes having grown significantly and with local production also planned for Malaysia, the management roles need to be separated.
BYD’s sales and service network continues to expand nationwide
