The third-gen Mazda CX-5 has just made its Malaysian debut yesterday, arriving as a fully imported (CBU) model from Japan, but local Mazda brand distributor Bermaz Auto (BAuto) previously confirmed that this third-gen model will eventually be locally assembled (CKD) at the Inokom Plant in Kulim, Kedah.
During a press conference after yesterday’s launch event, BAuto has confirmed that the local assembly works for the KM-gen CX-5 are about to commence later in the middle of 2027, with the company now preparing its local supply chain to be ready for the production.
Up to 60% Local Content, Ready for Regional Export
According to BAuto executive chairman Tan Sri Ben Yeoh, among the preparations being done for the new CX-5 CKD rollout is the local supply chain readiness, which also explains why this third-gen model was not launched in its CKD version from the start.
Tan Sri Yeoh was asked regarding the new CX-5 having a local content of up to 60% when the CKD operations start, which was a figure set up by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) last month.
According to the chairman, the 60% local content requirement was actually referring to the cost content of producing the car. He also added that while the 60% requirement was set up by MIDA, the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement only set a minimum of 40% cost content to enable the company to export within the ASEAN market.
Following up on this, Tan Sri Yeoh was also asked about whether local vendors and suppliers are able to support a further increase in the local content ratio for CKD production.
“I don’t think that it is difficult for our local supply chain to keep up with the next-generation technologies. It’s a question whether it is viable and whether the principal manufacturers are prepared to commit in terms of their investments into our local vendors.
“If we don’t do a lot of localisation, we might as well stop the auto industry and import vehicles in CBU form, and the government would be happy that their revenue source will increase in terms of import tax and excise duty, but is that what we want?” Yeoh continued.
No Changan-Based Mazda EVs for Malaysia, for Now
Tan Sri Yeoh was also asked regarding the possibility of the Changan-based Mazda EVs coming to the Malaysian market, considering that these models have debuted in key right-hand-drive (RHD) markets like Thailand and Australia.
The chairman did not give a straight-up ‘no’ as an answer but instead explained how the uncertainties regarding the government’s policies on EVs and renewable energy, plus strong competition from other Chinese EV brands, affected the company’s plan to introduce these EVs here.
The Changan-based Mazda EVs in question are the Mazda 6e midsize sedan (also known as Mazda EZ-6 in China) and its SUV twin, the Mazda CX-6e—both of which already debuted in Australia and Thailand earlier this year.
