EPMB Plans 200,000 Annual Fuel Tank Output for Proton

EPMB Plans Fuel Tank Manufacturing Facility for Proton Models

EP Manufacturing Bhd. (EPMB) has outlined plans for a fuel tank manufacturing venture with China-based Hebei Shichang Auto Parts, including a proposed production facility at EPMB's Batang Kali site in Selangor, Malaysia. The project is designed to produce 200,000 fuel tanks annually, with deliveries to Proton's Tanjung Malim plant expected to begin in March 2027. Reported on October 9, 2026, the development expands EPMB's participation in Proton's AMA model range and adds fuel tank production to its existing automotive component activities. Production tooling is planned to be brought in from Hebei, China, for the project, which will serve three specified Proton models: the AMA01, AMA02, and AMA05.

Batang Kali Facility Targets Annual Output of 200,000 Fuel Tanks

The planned manufacturing facility at EPMB's Batang Kali site in Selangor is designed for an annual production capacity of 200,000 fuel tanks. The project involves Hebei Shichang Auto Parts, a China-based company, and includes plans to bring production tooling from Hebei, China, to support manufacturing. The available information does not specify the facility's investment value, construction schedule, workforce requirements, or detailed production processes. Its stated capacity establishes the intended scale of the operation, while the planned March 2027 start of deliveries provides the target for supplying Proton's Tanjung Malim plant. Actual production and delivery commencement remain subject to the project's implementation.

Fuel Tank Deliveries Planned for Three Proton AMA Models

The fuel tanks produced under the project are intended for three models in Proton's AMA range: the AMA01, identified as the Saga MC3; the AMA02, identified as the Saga Cross; and the AMA05. Deliveries to Proton's Tanjung Malim plant are expected to begin in March 2027. This arrangement connects the proposed Batang Kali manufacturing operation with Proton's vehicle production activities at Tanjung Malim. The source does not provide individual tank allocation figures for the three models or indicate whether the planned annual capacity will be divided equally among them. It also does not specify production volumes for each vehicle model or a separate delivery schedule for individual variants.

Project Expands EPMB's Existing Proton Component Activities

The fuel tank venture extends EPMB's involvement in Proton's AMA model range alongside an existing joint venture with Peps Sanly. That joint venture assembles chassis components at a facility in the Automotive High Technology Valley (AHTV), Tanjung Malim. The newly described fuel tank project therefore adds another component-manufacturing activity to EPMB's existing relationship with Proton's vehicle program. The two activities involve different components and locations: the planned fuel tank facility is at Batang Kali in Selangor, while the existing chassis-component assembly operation is located in AHTV, Tanjung Malim. The announcement does not provide further details about the ownership structure or commercial terms of either venture.

Production Tooling to Be Sourced From Hebei, China

Production tooling for the fuel tank project is planned to be brought in from Hebei, China, reflecting the manufacturing collaboration between EPMB and Hebei Shichang Auto Parts. The tooling is intended to support the production operation planned for Batang Kali, while finished fuel tanks are expected to be delivered to Proton's Tanjung Malim plant from March 2027. The available announcement does not identify the tooling specifications, transportation arrangements, installation milestones, or commissioning schedule. Those details would be needed to assess the precise implementation timeline, but they are not provided in the source. The confirmed plan links overseas tooling supply with local component production for Proton's specified AMA models.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The proposed facility could strengthen EPMB's role in Malaysia's automotive component supply chain by adding planned fuel tank capacity for three Proton AMA models alongside its existing chassis-component assembly activity. A target output of 200,000 tanks annually establishes the project's intended manufacturing scale, while the March 2027 delivery target gives Proton and the participating suppliers a stated operational milestone. The venture also connects production tooling from Hebei, China, with planned manufacturing in Selangor, illustrating the cross-border inputs supporting the project. Its practical impact will depend on implementation and the start of deliveries; the source does not establish actual output, realized production volumes, or broader financial outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is EPMB planning to manufacture for Proton?
EP Manufacturing Bhd. is planning a fuel tank manufacturing facility through a venture involving China-based Hebei Shichang Auto Parts. The proposed operation will be located at EPMB's Batang Kali site in Selangor, Malaysia, and is designed for annual production of 200,000 fuel tanks. The tanks are intended for three Proton AMA models: the AMA01, AMA02, and AMA05. Deliveries to Proton's Tanjung Malim plant are expected to begin in March 2027, according to the information reported on October 9, 2026.

What is the planned annual capacity of the EPMB fuel tank facility?
The proposed EPMB fuel tank facility is designed to manufacture 200,000 fuel tanks annually at the company's Batang Kali site in Selangor. The project involves Hebei Shichang Auto Parts, with production tooling planned to be brought in from Hebei, China. The stated capacity describes the facility's intended production capability rather than confirmed actual output. The source does not specify the allocation of tanks among individual Proton models, the production ramp-up schedule, or whether the facility will operate at full capacity from the start of deliveries.

When are fuel tank deliveries expected to begin?
Deliveries of the fuel tanks to Proton's Tanjung Malim plant are expected to start in March 2027 under the planned EPMB and Hebei Shichang Auto Parts venture. The facility is intended to operate at EPMB's Batang Kali site in Selangor, with production tooling brought in from Hebei, China. March 2027 is the stated target for the beginning of deliveries, not confirmation that shipments have started. The source does not provide a detailed construction, tooling installation, commissioning, or production schedule for the facility.

Which Proton models will use the fuel tanks?
The planned fuel tank production is intended to support three Proton AMA models: the AMA01, also known as the Saga MC3; the AMA02, known as the Saga Cross; and the AMA05. The tanks are expected to be delivered to Proton's Tanjung Malim plant from March 2027. The source does not specify how the planned annual capacity of 200,000 tanks will be distributed among these models or provide individual production forecasts. The listed model codes and names identify the intended vehicle applications for the component manufacturing project.

Where will the new EPMB fuel tank manufacturing facility be located?
The planned fuel tank manufacturing facility will be established at EPMB's Batang Kali site in Selangor, Malaysia. Production tooling is expected to be brought in from Hebei, China, as part of the venture with Hebei Shichang Auto Parts. The finished fuel tanks are intended for delivery to Proton's Tanjung Malim plant, with shipments expected to begin in March 2027. The source does not provide the facility's detailed layout, construction timeline, investment amount, or workforce plans, so those aspects of the project remain unspecified in the reported information.

How does the project expand EPMB's existing relationship with Proton?
The fuel tank venture expands EPMB's involvement in Proton's AMA model range alongside an existing joint venture with Peps Sanly. That existing operation assembles chassis components at a facility in the Automotive High Technology Valley in Tanjung Malim. The planned fuel tank facility adds a separate component-manufacturing activity at Batang Kali in Selangor. Together, the activities illustrate EPMB's participation in more than one area of Proton's component supply arrangements. The source does not disclose further commercial terms, ownership details, or the financial contribution expected from the new venture.