Zeekr Malaysia said it would start local assembly in Malaysia, a move it billed as the brand’s first CKD operation outside China, as it mapped out a wider expansion push in the region.
At a recent media event, Zeekr Malaysia general manager Eddy Lu said the company planned to assemble its vehicles locally, with the Zeekr 7X set to become the first model. No production timing was disclosed.
The CKD effort is widely linked to Automotive Hi-Tech Valley (AHTV) in Tanjong Malim, Perak, which is anchored by Proton and sits within Geely’s broader Malaysia investment story.
Zeekr, a premium EV brand under Geely’s umbrella, aims to tap into the group’s expanded manufacturing capacity in Malaysia through the AHTV project to support its regional growth.
Geely had announced plans in 2023 to invest US$10 billion (around RM40 billion) in the AHTV project, partnering with DRB-HICOM to develop it into Southeast Asia’s largest auto city focused on EVs and next-gen vehicles.
With the CBU EV tax-free window having closed and policy pressure building around higher prices for imported EVs, local assembly became the lever for brands that wanted to stay price-competitive and scale volumes.
Separately, Zeekr Malaysia also flagged three model introductions in 2026. The line-up would likely include a flagship 9X plug-in hybrid, plus refreshed versions of the 009 MPV and X compact SUV, with details to follow nearer each launch.
