Sime Motors launches EV NEXT as dedicated used EV dealership

Just three years ago, fully electric vehicles (EVs) were a rarity in Malaysia. There were a few on sale but not in any significant numbers (single digits). Then the government announced that duties would be exempted on EV models (but not hybrids) as a move to encourage people to switch. It’s part of the commitment to reduce carbon emissions and prevent climate change from reaching the tipping point.

Upward trend
Since then, the car market has seen many new brands entering with EVs and though the 28,000+ EVs sold in 2024 accounted for only 3.3% of new vehicle sales, it is an indication of an upward trend. As with any new business, the EV market is undergoing evolution as it grows and it is happening quite rapidly.

And now, three years later, some owners are already disposing of their EVs – switching to newer models with more advanced technologies or going back to combustion engines. There is thus a used EV market in the making and that’s part of the evolutionary process. Used cars have been an important part of the car market all along and now EVs are also entering that part of the ‘ecosystem’.

Seeing this new development, Sime Motors has started a unit called EV NEXT to focus on used EVs. Sime already has various subsidiaries involved in the distribution and sale of EVs from brands such as BMW, BYD, Hyundai, Jaguar, MINI, Porsche and Volvo, so it already has experience with such vehicles.

EV NEXT could be considered a pioneer as it is the first dedicated used EV dealership in Malaysia. But it is not just buying and selling used EVs as it is also set up as a comprehensive one-stop dealership that will provide assistance to those interested in EVs and more importantly, aftersales support.

Of course, at this time, many of the used EVs still have warranty coverage so they are covered by their respective brands. Nevertheless, EV NEXT is using this initial period to further develop its expertise and familiarity with more brands besides those handled by Sime Motors’ subsidiaries mentioned earlier. Even now, in the selection of models we saw at the launch today, there were some models from Mercedes-Benz, Maxus and smart.

As a pioneer specialising in EVs, EV NEXT would also help to stabilise prices of used EVs in time to come. Right now, as EVs are still fairly new in the market, values are hard to determine and with the professional approach that EV NEXT will take, its pricing may become benchmarks that are referred to.

Aftersales support too
The aftersales side will be supported by DRIVECARE, another Sime Motors unit which was launched in June last year. DRIVECARE is a one-stop service centre concept that caters to different brands and offers high-quality services for vehicles that no longer have warranty coverage. The service centres are well-maintained facilities with the tools and diagnostic equipment to provide professional maintenance services.

DRIVECARE’s expertise and personnel are also supporting EV NEXT and have all the necessary diagnostic equipment and tools specifically to look after EVs. They will carry out thorough inspection of all EVs taken in and ensure that the condition (especially the battery) is tip-top and to the high standards the company sets. Service charges are also said to be competitive and even lower than the franchise service centres.

Close contact with franchise holders
One advantage that EV NEXT has is that it has close contact with the technical departments of those brands handled by Sime Motors. Should there be some difficult issue with, say, a Porsche Taycan, the technician can consult the technical team at Sime Darby Auto Performance which handles the German sportscar brand. This type of connection would not be available to a typical used car dealership.

“We see a demand in good conditioned EVs in the market and are confident of delivering high-quality products to our customers,” said Jeffrey Gan, MD of Sime Motors’ Southeast Asia region. “Backed by our extensive expertise in the auto industry, EV NEXT is a one-stop centre for all used EVs – from vehicle retail to trade-ins and aftersales support. Our comprehensive end-to-end service ensures peace of mind throughout their EV ownership experience. By doing so, we aim to build trust, reliability and confidence at every stage of the EV ownership experience.”

Starting off with 3 outlets
EV NEXT is starting off with three locations in the Klang Valley – at Glenmarie in Shah Alam, and Jalan Chan Sow Lin and TREC along Jalan Tun Razak in Kuala Lumpur. Currently, aftersales support is available only at the Glenmarie outlet which also has Auto Selection, another Sime Motor’s unit handling pre-owned vehicles. More locations will be opened in future in Penang and Johor (Tebrau and Johor Bahru).

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