While the automotive market in East Malaysia is only just beginning its transition toward electric vehicles, forward-thinking companies recognize that establishing an aftersales infrastructure must be done pro-actively to ensure that as the vehicle numbers rise, owners will have support readily available.
Ensuring proper technical support and service capacity from the start is critical as electrified mobility spreads beyond major peninsular centres.
Preparing for the future
BYD Sime Motors is already preparing for the future with the opening of its 3S Centre in Miri, Sarawak. The new 12,228 sq.ft. facility is the largest BYD 3S centre in the state to date, integrating sales, service, and spare parts in one location for customer convenience.
The layout includes a showroom with space to display 5 vehicles, and an adjacent service centre with 6 service bays capable of handling up to 35 EVs daily. Dedicated delivery bays, a discussion room, customer lounge, bar counter, and EV charging facilities provide convenience and comfort for customers and new owners.
Operationally, the Miri facility is managed by Kah Progression Auto Sdn. Bhd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oriental Holdings Berhad.
Closer to customers
“The opening of the Miri 3S Centre marks another important step in strengthening BYD’s presence in East Malaysia. As EV adoption grows beyond major cities, we want to be closer to our customers and make our products and aftersales support more accessible,” said Jacob Ma, Managing Director of BYD Malaysia.
“Together with our dealer partner, Kah Progression Auto, we look forward to building greater EV awareness and bringing our vehicles and battery technology closer to the local community,” Mr. Ma said.
Network expansion must parallel customer adoption to secure a reliable ownership experience, added Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director of Sime Motors, Southeast Asia. “The opening of the Miri 3S Centre marks a milestone for BYD in Sarawak. As more customers embrace electric mobility, we want to ensure that our network grows alongside them, with convenient access not only to our vehicles, but also to the service and aftersales care that underpin a positive ownership experience,” he said.
This latest development builds on BYD Sime Motors’ prior regional milestones, which included the opening of East Malaysia’s first BYD 3S centre in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, in December 2024. With its partner, BYD Sime Motors, BYD is laying down the technical foundations required to support long-term EV adoption in East Malaysia.
BYD’s new 3S centre blends historic architecture with EV age