Go Automobile Manufacturing (Go Auto), the local assemblers of Haval (formerly Great Wall) vehicles, has announced that it has signed a technical agreement with Fukuta Electric & Machinery Company of Taiwan. The deal will see both parties developing an ecosystem for electric vehicles (EV), in line with the country’s aim to become a hub for manufacturers and EV components in the ASEAN region.
The signing ceremony was officiated by Go Auto’s executive director Datuk SM Azli Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin Kamil and Fukuta MD Gordon Chang. Fukuta began producing components for electric sports car on a large scale in 2007, and its customers include Tesla Motors, Luxgen and Alta Motors.
Among the objectives of the cooperation between the two companies is the development of R&D facilities for EV system components, with the creation of a high-efficiency power motor and transmission system on the cards.
Azli said the facilities to be built under the EV development programme will have an initial production capacity of 10,000 units per year. The partnership will also venture into the development of bus, taxi and food truck EV prototypes.
Go Auto also announced that it will be developing other components such as EV batteries and communication controlling systems (telematics) with partners under the vendor development programme (VDP) organised by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI).
Aside from the agreement with Fukuta, Go Auto said it had established a cooperative agreement with Higer, a manufacturer of electric buses, to begin marketing its products in Malaysia by the end of next year.
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Sure this is not takata 2.0?
Now that’s going forward. Hopefully more manufacturers join in and Malaysia can become an EV powerhouse.
Good job GoAuto, keep up the good work.
Unlike car assembly, parts assembly is far more profitable in Malaysia. Most parts can be readily exported to other ASEAN markets. This will help increase economies of scale and bring prices down. In fact, Malaysian parts exports have grown considerably in the last few years, even though our car exports actually declined.
If we want our automotive industry to grow and compete in the Hybrid/PHEV/EV market, then the local manufacturing of battery pack modules is a must. The battery pack is akin to an ICE (engine), it is the heart of every EV.
EV Haval M4 soon ?