Auto Shanghai 2025: GWM Wey 80 PHEV confirmed for local assembly in Malaysia, export to Thailand

Great Wall Motor (GWM) is set to expand its lineup in Malaysia with the introduction of the WEY brand, beginning with the Wey 80—a luxurious MPV that aims to rival the Toyota Alphard. Not only that, but it’s set to arrive on our shores as a dual-motor PHEV but one that’s locally assembled as well.

Though this was already widely suspected to be the case when the Wey 80 was showcased at 2024 Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show (KLIMS) last December, this most recent confirmation - alongside the Thailand market export reveal - was made by the GWM Chairman himself during the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show, cementing the news.

“We are currently planning to produce the MPV in a manufacturing facility of GWM together with a third party in Malaysia and it will be exported to markets like Thailand,” said Jack Wey.

Also known as the Wey Gaoshan in China, the variant we’ll most likely be getting features a 1.5-litre turbocharged plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system, supported by a sizeable 37.96 kWh ternary lithium battery pack and dual electric motors that drive the front and rear axles for a combined output of 487PS and 762Nm of torque.

The version recently shown here at Auto Shanghai in China, though, gets updated infotainment and a more refined drivetrain, though it remains to be seen if these updates will be given to the variant due to be launched in right-hand drive markets such as ours.

However, all that said, the term "CKD" is applied loosely here, as the Wey 80 will be a semi-knocked down (SKD) kit with limited local parts, in line with Malaysia’s automotive classification.

GWM has appointed EP Manufacturing as its contract assembler, the same entity they’re currently  partnered with to produce the Haval H6 Hybrid at its Melaka facility, which will also be used to assemble the Wey 80, which will be their second locally assembled model.

The Wey 80 is expected to be offered in both standard and long wheelbase variants, although local specifications and launch timelines have yet to be confirmed. Malaysia will also serve as GWM's regional hub for Southeast Asia, with these expansion plans to kick off with the export of the Wey 80 to Thailand.