KUALA LUMPUR: Bermaz Auto Bhd has been awarded the distributorship, sale of spare parts and provision of after-sales services of Deepal electric vehicles (EVs) in Malaysia by Chongqing Changan Automobile Co Ltd.
According to Kenanga Research, the models to be introduced (most likely by 1Q2025) will be the Deepal S05 (compact SUV with estimated prices at RM100,000 to RM150,000) and Deepal S07 (mid-size SUV with estimated prices at RM150,000 to RM200,000) which should be competitively priced against BYD Dolphin and BYD Atto 3.
Deepal will take over the vacated Peugeot showroom in Glenmarie, Shah Alam.
Kenanga Research noted that Changan Automobile is one of the four major Chinese automobile groups in China, with 40 years of car manufacturing experience, and has 13 manufacturing bases and 34 vehicle and new powertrain plants worldwide.
Changan sold 250,832 vehicles to mainland China customers as of October 2024, of which 85,272 units are new energy vehicles (NEV).
The sales were also boosted by the newly launched Deepal S05 SUV, selling over 10,000 units within the first 10 days of its release in late October.
The company has a number of self-owned brands, including Changan, Nevo, Deepal, and Avatr, as well as joint venture brands with Ford and Mazda.
Deepal S05
In China, the Deepal S05 is fitted with a 175kW electric motor that produces 320Nm of torque, and a 56kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack, and the SUV can deliver a 510km driving range (China light-duty vehicle test cycle or CLTC).
The pure EV S05 is powered by a 175kW/320Nm rear electric motor driving the rear wheels and supported by a 56kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, for a 510km (CLTC) range.
The Deepal S05 is also offered in Extended Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs) variants, fitted with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine producing 72kW that generates power to the rear wheels via a 160kW electric motor producing 320Nm of torque.
The Deepal S05 EREV variant has a 27kWh battery pack, and is rated for an all-electric 200km range, and a 1,234km range (CLTC) with a full petrol tank and fully charged battery.
Deepal S07
Meanwhile, in Thailand, the rear-wheel drive Deepal S07 comes in two variants - a base 67kWh Ternary Lithium (NMC) battery pack that's good for 485km (NEDC) priced at THB1.4 million (RM180,000) and a longer range 80kWh Ternary Lithium (NMC) battery pack that's good for 560km (NEDC) priced at THB1.5 million (RM193,000).
Kenanga Research also pointed out that Changan Automobile is currently constructing its first overseas production facility (costing about THB8.8 billion) in Rayong, Thailand under Phase 1, with completion expected by early 2025 and will consist of painting, assembly, engine assembly, and battery assembly lines with a yearly production capacity of up to 100,000 vehicles.
For Phase 2, Changan Automobile plans to invest up to THB20 billion for the establishment of a new energy vehicle production facility with a yearly production capacity of up to 200,000 vehicles, to cater for the ASEAN market region as well as for the right-hand drive global market.
Aside from Malaysia, the Chinese carmaker also plans to sell right-hand-drive (RHD) vehicles to customers in Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK.
Photos: Deepal S05
