In its latest audited filing of Careplus highlighted by The Edge, the firm has again put a spotlight on its diversification into the automotive and EV space.
The group reaffirmed that its new-energy manufacturing hub in Negeri Sembilan is slated for completion by Dec 2025, positioning the company to move into CKD assembly.
However, industry players note that despite repeated mentions of the facility, visibility on its actual progress remains limited. To date, there have been no public construction updates, commissioning milestones, or confirmed OEM assembly progress.
This has kept the wider automotive sector guessing on the real readiness of the site and the concrete timeline for local EV assembly activity.
Careplus entered the EV retail business through Neta Malaysia under the GoAuto partnership, before signalling a pivot toward deeper manufacturing ambitions. Retail restructuring followed, including the closure of the Glenmarie showroom and consolidation toward a direct-to-consumer approach.
Neta remains part of the portfolio, but Careplus is increasingly framing its future around broader multi-OEM assembly and EV ecosystem play rather than a single brand dependency.
The audited note also confirms the group is exploring fresh capital injection and potential OEM collaborations. This suggests Careplus is seeking to strengthen its balance sheet to support the manufacturing push while opening its NEV hub to more than one partner, a strategy that would reduce exposure to the market uncertainties surrounding any single EV brand.
With the CKD target now set toward end-2025, the next stage hinges on clearer communication and demonstrable development progress. Market confidence will depend on whether Careplus can translate statements into visible movement, from site updates and equipment readiness, to confirmed OEM programmes and investor commitments.
For now, the company is signalling long-term intent in EV manufacturing.
