PEKAN, Pahang: Mercedes-Benz AG has hit a new milestone in Malaysia with the rollout of its first locally-produced electric vehicle (EV) here today.
The EQS 500 4Matic large sedan was assembled at Mercedes-Benz's production plant in Pekan, Pahang.
Delivery of the CKD (completely knocked down) EQS 500 4Matic, which sits at the top of the EQ range, would begin from mid-March, according to Mercedes-Benz Malaysia chief executive officer and president Sagree Sardien.
There would be more EQ models making their way to the Pekan facility in the future but Sagree said the company had yet decided on the next CKD plans.
She said the CKD move supported Mercedes-Benz's global business strategy to offer its customers a comprehensive EQ range.
This would also contribute to a higher EV adoption in Malaysia, Sagree said at the rollout of the EQS 500 4Matic by International Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz here.
"We as a company are committed to our sustainability vision and 'Lead in Electric' by evolving our fleet of new passenger cars to be CO2-neutral over the entire life cycle by 2039, to support our introduction of all-electric vehicles by end of the decade, wherever market conditions allow.
"We continue to create a holistic ecosystem of electric mobility on that promise, not just via our products, but alongside our services, technologies and innovations, to ensure our customers can enter the electric future," she added.
Sagree said the EQS 500 4Matic would effectively replaced the fully-imported EQS 450+ AMG Line locally, which was initially used as a bridge for the company to link the products as local production of the 500 got underway.
Available as a sole variant, the new luxury flagship sedan boasts a 330 kW rated output thanks to the new dual electric motor and comes with an extensive range of up to 695 kilometres.
It is capable of accelerating from 0-100kph in just 4.8 seconds, features a new Electric Art line exterior and 20-inch 5-spoke light-alloy wheels.
Direct current (DC) charging (200 kW) at rapid charging stations allows it to reach from 10 to 80 per cent in approximately 31 minutes while alternating current charging (11 kW) at public charging stations or the Mercedes-Benz Wallbox allows it to reach from 10 to 100 per cent in approximately 10 hours.
It comes with a recommended retail price with zero per cent sales tax of RM648,888 (on-the-road without insurance), which is RM50,000 cheaper than the fully-imported EQS 450+ AMG Line.