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Beyond full Asean coverage, GWM aims for localised manufacturing

The Chinese EV brand is launching assembly plants in Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia to mitigate protectionism risks

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Zhao Yifan

Zhao Yifan

Published Mon, Jun 24, 2024 · 05:00 AM
    • Cheng Jinkui, president of GWM, Asean, says the group’s development focus in the next few years remains on Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines given the size of their domestic markets.
    • Cheng Jinkui, president of GWM, Asean, says the group’s development focus in the next few years remains on Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines given the size of their domestic markets. PHOTO: GWM

    GREAT Wall Motor (GWM) prides itself as one of the earliest entrants in South-east Asia and one of the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) brands with the widest outreach in the region, amid strong competition from rivals making vast inroads into Asean.

    Cheng Jinkui, president of GWM’s Asean operations, told The Business Times in an interview that the group only achieved full coverage in the region in 2023. The company sees itself as still in the early stages of investing in Asean, with more developments expected.

    Speaking in Chinese, he added that the group now operates a completely built factory in Thailand, with new facilities in Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam expected to be launched this year or next.

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