Maxland Auto Sdn Bhd is setting up Sabah’s first electric vehicle (EV) assembly plant at the Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC) Sandakan, marking a major step in the state’s green industrialisation push.

The company, which secured its Federal Manufacturing License (FML) from MIDA last year, aims to drive clean energy transport while boosting economic growth and job creation.

Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe said the state is committed to supporting investments like Maxland Auto to ensure they thrive in Sabah.

“My ministry, along with relevant agencies, is fully committed to facilitating and supporting initiatives like Maxland Auto,” he said after visiting the site in Sandakan on Saturday.

According to Phoong, the initial investment to set up the plant will be in the tune of RM20 million and subsequently another RM100 million in the first phase of development.

He was accompanied by Datuk Thomas Logijin of MIDE, Walter Kenson of MPS, Rodolfo Blantocas of DIDR, Joseph Benjamin of MIDA, and George Wong of Invest Sabah Berhad.

Maxland Bhd, previously known as Priceworth International Bhd, entered into a head of agreement (HOA) with W&R Resources Sdn Bhd (WRSB) through its subsidiary Maxland Energy Sdn Bhd, mid last year. 

The agreement outlines Maxland Energy’s potential acquisition of up to 80% equity in Go Automobile Manufacturing Sdn Bhd (GOMSB).

The acquisition aims to expand Maxland’s business into commercial energy efficient vehicle (EEV) and electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, assembly, and distribution. – February 15, 2025