Peter Lyon
January 2, 2025
Get ready folks. In mid-2025, the Chinese brand Deepal is expected to make its local debut in Malaysia. Deepal just happens to be a subsidiary of Changan Automobile, which is one of China’s largest state-owned carmakers.
The newly established Bermaz Changan Sdn Bhd (BCSB), a subsidiary of Bermaz Auto (BAuto), which owns 85% of the business, will act as Deepal’s local representative. All facets of Deepal’s business operations in Malaysia, including distribution, sales, spare parts, and after-sales services, would fall under BCSB.
Shen Xing Hua, President of Changan Auto Southeast Asia, announced in the press release that the Deepal S05 and S07 will be the first models introduced into Malaysia. Changan Automobile is now building its first foreign production facility in Rayong, Thailand, where the two SUVs are expected to be imported (CBU). The new plant should start producing in early 2025.
Rayong Plant To Build EREV, PHEV and BEV
The Rayong plant, which will serve as Changan Automobile’s right-hand drive centre, has the potential to produce up to 100,000 vehicles annually during “Phase 1” of the project. For brands it owns, it will manufacture extended-range EVs (EREV), plug-in hybrids (PHEV), and battery electric vehicles (BEV) for sale in Thailand and other export markets, such as Malaysia.
The Deepal S05 and S07 can be purchased as an EREV or a BEV. The S07, when in BEV mode, has a 66.8 kWh battery pack with a 485 km NEDC-rated range.
With its 18.99 kWh, 31.73 kWh, or 39.05 kWh battery pack and 1.5-liter normally aspirated engine, the Deepal S07 can only recharge its battery for a range of 1,045 km, 1,130 km, or 1,200 km respectively while it is in EREV configuration.
The S05, which is currently only available in China, has a 56.12 kWh battery pack with a 510 km CLTC-rated range while it generates 238 horsepower and 320 Nm from its rear-mounted electric motor.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
It is unclear if Deepal would introduce the S05 and S07 in both BEV and EREV configurations when they launch in mid-2025 in order to compete with the increasing number of Chinese hybrid electric models, like the GWM Haval H6 HEV and the soon-to-be-launched Jaecoo J7 PHEV.
