Sabah-based timber firm Maxland Bhd (formerly known as Priceworth International Bhd), through its subsidiary Maxland Auto Sdn Bhd, is planning to invest RM100 million to establish Sabah’s first electric vehicle (EV) plant, at the Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC) Sandakan, The Star reported yesterday. The project is expected to generate up to 500 jobs by its third phase.
According to the English daily, Maxland Auto secured its federal manufacturing licence from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) last year. The Edge reported in March 2024 that the company had been appointed to distribute and assemble Higer (China’s second-largest bus manufacturer) vehicles in Sabah and Sarawak on a three-year contract.
The same report stated that Maxland Auto is partnering with GoAuto Group, which has also secured distribution rights for energy efficient vehicle (EEV) and EV commercial vehicles under the Higer brand. Under the agreement, Higer and GoAuto will contribute in technology transfer and technical expertise for the manufacturing facilities, while Maxland Auto will focus on the distribution and sales to identified markets.
“Our immediate and initial objective is to reduce Sabah’s carbon footprint and increase carbon credit value by providing EV buses and vans for replacement of existing ageing fossil-fuelled public transport fleet operating in major cities of Sabah. Subsequently, our plan is to expand our market to other parts of Borneo, serving both government and private entities alike,” (then) Priceworth said.
The Star reported last month that Maxland Bhd intended to diversify into the automotive, utility infrastructures and services business to provide additional income and reduce its reliance on existing business segments.
In November 2024, The Edge reported that Maxland issued new shares representing 20% of its current share base to two companies, including the private vehicle of its non-executive chairman Datuk Abd Aziz Sheikh Fadzir (also a substantial shareholder and non-executive chairman of aviation and defence engineering solutions provider Destini Bhd), to raise funds for its new ventures into bus assembly and the development of district cooling systems for industrial buildings.
According to the same report, RM8 million of the proceeds would be earmarked to fund opportunities in bus assembly, and the company acquired System Enhancement Resources & Technologies Sdn Bhd (SERT) – a company under Destini Bhd – in June 2024 for RM1.
Subsequently, SERT, together with other automobile companies, had accepted a contract from a ‘state-owned company’ to supply diesel buses for RM176.82 million, and provide maintenance support and spare parts for said buses for 13 months. The project is estimated to cost RM150 million, which it expects to fund via proceeds from the share placement and bank borrowings, the report said.
While no mention has been made of the specific Higer EV models that will be assembled, Go Auto Van’s website lists four electric transit bus models ranging from 8.5 to 12 metres long, with passenger capacities up to 51 and juiced by CATL LiFePO4 batteries ranging from 175 to 385 kWh in capacity. There’s also a Sprinter-like H7V electric microbus in 18- and 20-seater versions, carrying a 105.3 kWh CATL battery.
The post Maxland Auto to assemble Higer EV buses, vans in Sabah’s first EV plant; distribute Higer in East Malaysia appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.
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