EP Manufacturing forms venture for RM100 million fuel tank facility
The Selangor project will supply Proton, with annual capacity of 200,000 units and deliveries scheduled to begin in March 2027.
A joint venture between EP Manufacturing Bhd and Hebei Shichang Auto Parts Co Ltd will invest RM100 million to manufacture fuel tanks in Selangor for Proton Holdings Bhd, according to EP Manufacturing’s bourse filing.
Production of plastic fuel tanks is planned for the project’s first phase at the Batang Kali manufacturing hub owned by EP Manufacturing. The facility will be able to produce 200,000 units annually. Supplies to Proton’s facility in Tanjung Malim are scheduled to start in March 2027.
The agreement was signed by Fundwin Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned EP Manufacturing subsidiary, and Beijing-listed Hebei Shichang. Their venture will be named EP Shichang Automotive Systems Sdn Bhd, with stakes of 51% for EP Manufacturing and 49% for Hebei Shichang.
Local responsibilities assigned to Fundwin include arranging financing, managing operations, maintaining government and industry relations, and meeting Malaysian legal and regulatory requirements. Hebei Shichang’s contribution will cover production expertise and processes, testing, quality control, operational assistance and training of technical staff.
EP Manufacturing said the partnership aims to support Proton’s expansion and greater localisation of the Malaysian automotive supply chain. The partners will also examine opportunities to develop and localise other components, including thermal coolant tanks used in new energy vehicles.
The agreement has a 30-year term, which the partners can extend by mutual agreement. Fundwin can name three directors and Hebei Shichang two to a board of up to five members. The board will be chaired by Fundwin’s executive chairman.
