Despite selling some 25% fewer electric vehicles (EV) in 2024 than in 2023, BMW Group Malaysia is not discarding its EV push and is in discussions with the Malaysian government on future EV local assembly (CKD) plans.
“We definitely will focus on EVs and continue, but we go with our technology openness, so what the customer demands, that’s what we will supply, and we will also bring new EVs to the country for sure,” BMW Group Malaysia MD Benjamin Nagel told paultan.org.
He added that the group underwent a lot of transition last year, with the MINI family welcoming a new generation and many new BMW entrants including the iX2 and a new iX1 variant only fully coming on steam from mid-year.
There’s “still very good demand” for the i7 luxo-barge, “stabilising” compared to its peak when it first launched, although combustion-engined (ICE) cars remain the bread and butter, Nagel said. Indeed, ICE took up about 80% of the group’s Malaysian sales last year.
Given the group’s intention to keep its foot on the EV throttle, it’s impossible to ignore the expected expiry of fully-imported (CBU) EVs’ tax-free status come end-year, unless the government announces further extensions, of course. Does BMW Group Malaysia have any CKD EV plans to future-guard its zero-emissions line-up?
“We, of course, are in close exchange with the government. We think it’s important as we are long-term investors into this country and our investment also needs to pay off, so we are also looking into what the directions of the government are and having a fruitful discussion,” said Nagel.
“Whenever we are clear what the direction is not only for next year but over the long term – because an investment into local manufacturing needs to be a long-term one – we will also look at these opportunities to see what is possible there. We will probably not have every model locally-manufactured in all our drivetrains; where we believe is the biggest market for which drivetrain, we will go for that,” he added.
BMW Group Malaysia’s event last week saw the facelifted i4 launch and 530i M Sport previewed. It also took the opportunity to talk about its 2024 sales performance. Here’s the latest 2025 price list, and find out which models have been discontinued in Malaysia here.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
sales drop because your cars are overpriced and the warranty is rubbish
Yeah, I mean 320k+ for the 330i is just insane.
This car not for ordinary people just like you, kindly drive your Seal and stay away from this brand.
BMW cars are increasingly looking like boars and hogs. They no longer convey the aura of accomplishment and sophistication. These days when you see a BMW on the road, even the current-gen Civic looks more matured and sophisticated than the juvenile designs of BMWs.
Just how long they think they can lure more people into buying their products. I mean byd seal is a much better EV than i4 and objectively more valuable than i5. They will go down the drain along with Mercedes and then they both will meet audi on the bottom of the ocean
Kindly use your Bonia BYD seal, Fendi above brand is out of your wallet’s league, don’t complain so much, Seal got 4 wheels as well, it shall fullfill your need to travel destination Point A to Point B.
Your car is good already. Please look more into the after sales areas especially Auto Bavaria. Although your service guy is polite and full of smiles, we need more than that especially in the car maintenance speed, comoetent and also the service guy updating customer status and availability to contact.
yeap. u have to push / dump it here since Europe over run by Chinese cheaper EV & EV losing momentum there while NA, with trump back….more tariff for EU import & Trump preference to conventional energy source..ie Oil & Gas since Merican’s companies are O&G..MAGA moves!…look like Asia is the only place where ppl are still looking at EV
Probably once the neue klasse bmw ev platform launch,it should be more competitive and hopefully much2 better than the current ev on ice platform..Agree that the current ev from bmw leave a lot to be desired,other than driving dynamic byd/hyundai/geely/tesla is far ahead..
I own a Tesla MYP and the iX40. The iX40 is a much better car. It is also much more expensive but it just works