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June 04,2026, Malaysia–WTC Automotif (M) Sdn Bhd (WTCA), the official distributor and assembler of GAC vehicles in Malaysia, has successfully rolled off its first export shipment of locally assembled left-hand drive (LHD) GAC GS3 EMZOOM units to Vietnam.
The historic milestone was witnessed by Xia Xianqing- President of GAC Group, marking the first export of a locally assembled left-hand drive GAC model from Malaysia. The achievement underscores GAC’s localisation strategy in Malaysia while reinforcing the country’s growing role in advancing ASEAN automotive integration and intra-regional trade cooperation.
Strengthening Malaysia’s Position as an ASEAN Automotive Hub
The roll-off ceremony represents a significant milestone in WTCA and GAC International’s shared vision of positioning Malaysia as a strategic manufacturing and export hub for the ASEAN region.
The export initiative reflects WTCA’s commitment to supporting Malaysia’s National Automotive Policy while strengthening regional industrial collaboration, supply chain connectivity, and cross-border economic integration within ASEAN. It also highlights the increasing importance of Malaysia’s automotive manufacturing capabilities in serving regional markets and contributing to greater economic cooperation among ASEAN member countries.
The successful export of the GAC GS3 EMZOOM to Vietnam demonstrates the growing competitiveness of Malaysia’s automotive industry and its ability to support regional demand through locally assembled vehicles tailored for international markets.
“The export of the locally assembled left-hand drive GAC GS3 EMZOOM to Vietnam is a proud achievement for WTCA and it underscores the strength of our automotive group’s collaboration with GAC International Ltd. Co,” said James Tan- CEO of Warisan TC Holdings Bhd. “It demonstrates the proven experience of Tan Chong Group’s local assembly capabilities as a full CKD plant which includes painting facilities to produce the highest quality of Malaysian-made vehicles. This milestone also highlights our readiness to support GAC’s regional growth strategy.”
He added, “We are grateful and deeply appreciative of the ongoing support and guidance from GAC International, as well as the strategic backing from key government agencies such as MITI, MIDA and MARii. Their collaboration has been instrumental in making this export programme a reality. This achievement reflected the success of Malaysia’s National Automotive Policy in strengthening local manufacturing, vendor localization programs and further solidifying Malaysia’s position as a key automotive hub in ASEAN,” he said.
The GS3 EMZOOM units exported to Vietnam are assembled at the Segambut plant, which has been upgraded to meet export requirements. Specific body jigs were enhanced to accommodate left-hand drive production, ensuring full compliance with GAC International standards. Tan Chong Group’s Segambut plant meets GAC Motor’s stringent Global Production & Quality Standards, and practices rigorous benchmarks for precision engineering, safety, and quality control.
This export programme also involves close collaboration with Malaysian vendors under WTCA’s localisation initiative, further strengthening the domestic automotive supply chain ecosystem. The programme is expected to generate additional employment opportunities, accelerate skills development, support local engineering expertise, and encourage broader participation of Malaysian vendors in regional automotive exports.
Powered by a 1.5-litre Gasoline Direct Injection turbocharged engine producing 177PS and 270Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed Wet Dual Clutch Transmission, the locally assembled left-hand drive GAC GS3 EMZOOM continues to deliver strong acceleration, agile handling, and confident driving dynamics for both everyday driving and spirited driving situations. Beyond its sporty performance character, the GS3 EMZOOM is packed with features such as a dual-screen digital cockpit, panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera system, Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), and Full Automatic Parking Assist (FAPA), which offers both the safety and convenience to Vietnam customers in their daily drives.
Regular Export Programme to Vietnam
The first shipment of the GS3 EMZOOM CKD units are planned beginning June 2026, marking the start of a structured and sustainable export operation to Vietnam. This programme forms a core pillar of WTCA’s regional expansion strategy and is expected to strengthen the GAC brand presence in the Vietnamese market. The programme also reflects growing momentum towards deeper intra-ASEAN trade collaboration, leveraging Malaysia’s manufacturing capabilities to serve neighbouring markets more efficiently while enhancing regional economic connectivity.
WTCA and GAC International are also actively working on New Energy Vehicle (NEV) CKD models for both the domestic market plus expanding exports to other ASEAN markets aligned with the Malaysian Government’s vision.
