The Tan Chong Group is certainly picking up speed in the transition towards EVs. Apart from its partnership with SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW) which has seen the creation of the TQ WULING brand to sell EVs (which it is assembling locally), it has also been contracted by Perodua to provide painting services at its own plant for the Perodua EV model.
Recently, the Tan Chong Motor Group extended their partnership with SGMW with a cooperation agreement to localise EV battery production, initially for the locally-assembled Bingo EV.
Global 5 Strategy
The agreement is one of the initiatives that represents one of the first major projects under SGMW’s newly announced Global 5 Strategy. The collaboration centres on building a localized automotive supply chain ecosystem, beginning with the local assembly of EV battery packs.
In addition to meeting domestic assembly requirements, the initiative supports SGMW’s broader industrial expansion and component supply integration across the ASEAN region. For Malaysia, localizing key EV components strengthens domestic participation in the regional New Energy Vehicle value chain.
Moving forward, the Tan Chong Motor Motor Group and SGMW will continue exploring opportunities to expand local component sourcing and expand Malaysia’s role within SGMW’s ASEAN assembly network.
Experience in electrification
While having just started in EVs, the Tan Chong Motor Group also has long experience electrified powertrains. In 2013, it launched the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid which had a mild hybrid electric powertrain that enhanced the performance of the MPV.
More recently, it has introduced the Nissan e-POWER system in the KICKS and Serena, an electrified powertrain which has only the electric motor powering the front wheels at all times. It has a small petrol engine which is only to recharge the battery when necessary, eliminating the need for manual recharging like EVs.
Perodua to use Tan Chong assembly plant’s paintshop for QV-E