Launching in Malaysia soon, CKD Mercedes-Benz EQS has entered production in Pekan
Hans · Jan 4, 2023 11:39 AM
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Production of EQS at Factory 56 in Sindelfingen, Germany
CKD variant to be a higher range, all-wheel drive EQS 500 4Matic
Higher power output – 449 PS vs 333 PS
But 107.8 kWh battery is retained, so driving range for more powerful AWD variant will be shorter
Barely six months after launching the imported (CBU) Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+, we can now confirm that Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has started local assembly (CKD) of the EQS at its Pekan plant in Pahang.
According to the latest production data compiled by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), there were 27 units EQS 500 4Matic produced at Pekan in November 2022. Yes, the CKD model will be the higher range, all-wheel drive EQS 500 4Matic variant.
This comes after Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s confirmation in December 2022 that it will be launching a CKD Mercedes-Benz EQ model very soon.
“We are certainly working on localizing the EQ models. In 2023, we will announce our first EQ model that will be localized, so I ask you to stay tuned for that,” said Sagree Sardien, CEO & President of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, at the sidelines of the launch of the Mercedes-Benz EQE on 13-December.
Compared to the rear-wheel drive EQS 450+ that’s currently imported from Sindelfingen, Germany, the locally assembled (CKD) EQS 500 4Matic makes 116 PS more power and 263 Nm more torque, but since both variants are powered by the same 107.8 kWh battery, the additional power comes at the cost of shorter driving range, between 53 to 87 km less.
While the rear-wheel drive EQS 450+ makes 333 PS / 565 Nm, the all-wheel drive EQS 500 4Matic makes 449 PS / 828 Nm. The additional power slashes the car's 0-100 km/h acceleration time from 6.2 seconds to 4.8 seconds.
Driving range however, is reduced from 782 km to 696 km (maximum, under WLTP test cycle).
Hong Kong model shown
Charging capacity remains the same – 200 kW for DC fast charging and 11 kW for regular AC charging.
The current CBU EQS 450+ variant was launched in July 2022, at the price of RM 698,888. Since this price is already inclusive of import, excise, and road tax exemptions, the CKD EQS 500 4Matic model won’t be any cheaper. In fact, it could be priced higher as it is a higher range model.
Malaysia's tax exemptions for battery EV models will expire on 31-December 2023. CKD models however, enjoy an additional 2-year exemption until 31-December 2025.
While Budget 2023 did proposed for a 1 year extension, it was never passed as our Parliament was dissolved for the 15th General Election just days after. The newly elected government will be retabling Budget 2023 again on 24-February.
When it is launched, the CKD EQS will compete against the soon-to-be-launched BMW i7.
Malaysia is the third country outside of Germany to produce the EQS, after India and Thailand.
Over 15 years of experience in automotive, from product planning, to market research, to print and digital media. Garages a 6-cylinder manual RWD but buses to work.
