BMW launched its first locally assembled battery electric vehicle (BEV) model in Malaysia, with the German automaker joining a growing number of brands targeting the local BEV market.
BMW Group Malaysia, the company’s local subsidiary, launched the i5 eDrive40 M Sport Pro at an event held in Kuala Lumpur, alongside the iX1 eDrive20L M Sport, which is scheduled to hit the market later this year, underscoring the company’s commitment to local vehicle production.
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The Malaysian government has suspended taxes on locally assembled BEVs until the end of 2027. National car companies Proton and Perodua have both launched locally made BEV models in the last year, while a growing number of Chinese and European brands have also established local operations.
At the launch event, BMW Group Malaysia’s managing director, Benjamin Nagel, said: “The local assembly of the all-new BMW i5 signifies how far we have come, from introducing electric mobility to now building it right here on Malaysian soil.”
The BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport Pro is priced at MYR 368,800, featuring the company’s latest generation of electric drive technology. It has a range of up to 582 km on a single charge and its batteries can be charged from 10% to 80% in 30 minutes.
The i5 eDrive40 M is assembled at BMW Group Malaysia’s assembly plant in Kulim, Kedah, alongside a wide range of ICE-powered sedans and SUVs. The company sold 10,800 vehicles in Malaysia in 2025, with local production estimated at around 7,000 units.
