Porsche Expands Malaysian Assembly Facility, Boosts Local Production and Export with the new Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid Coupé PHEV model.
Many Malaysians were surprised when Porsche picked Malaysia as their first CKD operation outside of Europe with Sime Darby’s Inokom plant serving as their base of operations. They started off by assembling the 3rd-generation Porsche Cayenne for the local market and then updated the line with the facelift model. Today, the partnership with Sime Darby takes its next logical step as they’ve introduced a new assembly line specifically for the Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid Coupé.
The introduction of this new model is significant for a number of reasons. Not only is this a new bodystyle but it’s also a new plug-in hybrid powertrain for the Inokom plant to put together. Best of all, these will be the first Malaysia-assembled Porsches to be exported to Thailand.
Dato’ Jeffri Salim Davidson, Sime Darby’s Group Chief Executive Officer, highlighted the significance of this development: “This milestone affirms the capabilities of our highly skilled local talents. We remain committed to delivering product consistency that meets the exacting standards of Porsche customers, now expanding beyond our domestic market to Thailand.”
The expansion not only boosts Malaysia’s high-value assembly capabilities but also creates new job opportunities and facilitates knowledge transfer to the local workforce. Since its inception, the facility has produced more than 2,000 units of Porsche’s iconic sports SUV across two generations.
Albrecht Reimold, Member of the Executive Board for Production at Porsche AG, expressed confidence in the Malaysian operation: “Today, we prepare for the future by considerably enhancing our site in Kulim, ensuring that this first regionally exported Cayenne fulfills our customers’ demands and expectations.”
The locally assembled Cayenne S E-Hybrid Coupé for Thailand features enhanced standard equipment, including HD Matrix LED headlights, 20-inch Cayenne Design wheels, and a luxurious interior with a GT Sports steering wheel and BOSE® Surround Sound System. This model combines a powerful 3.0-litre V6 turbo engine with an electric motor, delivering a system output of 519 PS and an electric-only range of up to 90 km.
Sustainability is at the forefront of the expanded facility’s design. Solar panels with smart monitoring systems provide power for operations, contributing to reduced electricity consumption. The plant also utilizes rainwater harvesting technologies, demonstrating Porsche’s commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices.
