- Careplus Group Berhad NEV Manufacturing Hub receives fresh funding.
- Future assembly plans remain uncertain despite facility expansion.
Careplus Group Berhad will allocate up to MYR 27.3 million from the proceeds of its proposed MYR 42 million sale of the Careplus Mall property to partially finance Phase 1A of its New Energy Vehicle (NEV) Manufacturing Hub in Chembong, Negeri Sembilan. According to the company, around 43% of the allocated amount will support construction activities, while the remaining 57% will be used to purchase production equipment required for the facility.
Phase 1A Nears Completion at Chembong Facility
The NEV Manufacturing Hub is being developed on a 73.34-acre site in Malaysia through multiple construction phases with a total estimated development cost of MYR 150.0 million. Phase 1A alone carries an estimated investment of MYR 60.0 million and was approximately 93% complete at the time of the announcement. The company expects the assembly-line building to be completed during July 2026, marking an important milestone in the overall project timeline.
Expansion Plans for Manufacturing Operations
Following the completion of Phase 1A, Careplus intends to expand or relocate its existing truck and bus assembly operations from Senawang to the new manufacturing hub. This move is expected to consolidate production activities at the Chembong site while supporting future manufacturing capabilities for commercial vehicle assembly. The company has not indicated any changes to the overall investment estimate for the project beyond the announced funding allocation.
Future Development Phases
Phase 2 of the project is scheduled to begin construction in 2027 with an estimated cost of MYR 60.0 million. This phase will include the development of an administrative block together with body and paint production facilities. Phase 3 remains at the conceptual stage and will only proceed based on future market demand for hybrid and electric passenger as well as commercial vehicles.
NEV Manufacturing Hub Development Timeline
| Project Stage | Estimated Cost | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1A | MYR 60.0 million | About 93% complete |
| Phase 2 | MYR 60.0 million | Construction planned for 2027 |
| Phase 3 | Not disclosed | Concept stage |
Future Vehicle Assembly Remains Undecided
The company has not publicly identified the future vehicle manufacturers or production models that will operate from the facility. The site had previously been associated with Neta EV assembly, although those plans became uncertain as Neta Auto reduced its market presence. During 2024, Central Auto Distributors Bhd, a subsidiary of PEKEMA, signed an agreement with Careplus for the potential assembly of Dongfeng Box EVs. However, subsequent changes to Dongfeng's local business arrangements have left the future production program unresolved. Separately, Volt Auto has announced plans to begin local Dongfeng assembly in Malaysia during 2026 without identifying its manufacturing partner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will Careplus use the MYR 27.3 million investment?
Careplus Group Berhad plans to use up to MYR 27.3 million from the proposed sale of Careplus Mall to partially fund Phase 1A of its NEV Manufacturing Hub. Around 43% of the allocation will support construction activities, while 57% will be directed toward equipment purchases. The investment is intended to help complete the assembly-line building and prepare the facility for future manufacturing operations.
What is the current status of the Careplus NEV Manufacturing Hub?
Phase 1A of the manufacturing hub was approximately 93% complete, with the assembly-line building expected to be finished in July 2026. The overall project spans multiple phases on a 73.34-acre site and carries a total estimated construction cost of MYR 150.0 million. Later development stages will be implemented according to planned schedules and future demand for hybrid and electric vehicles.
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