IM LS8 Spotted In Shah Alam, Brand Was Supposed To Launch In Malaysia Last Month

SAIC’s all-electric IM LS8 was spotted in a Shah Alam parking basement. The brand has missed its target launch of Q3 2026.

A few months back at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2026, SAIC Motor Malaysia Sdn. Bhd showed a number of MG models along with one model from their premium NEV sub-brand ‘IM‘. This was the IM6, a 4-door electric sedan with pop out door handles and a curvaceous design language. The IM brand targeting a Q3 launch in Malaysia, but they’ve now completely missed that window, but whether it’s just a delay or a cancellation of plans remains to be seen. In any case, today we spotted an IM LS8 in a parking basement in Shah Alam, we wonder if this was part of the brand’s initial product plan or just something for the boss to be driven around in.

The sighting in Shah Alam strongly suggests that despite missing the initial launch timeline, SAIC Motor has not abandoned its local introduction of the IM marque. Instead, local road homologation, software evaluation, and local component assessments may be underway behind closed doors.

What is the IM LS8?

While the IM6 previewed at the motor show targeted the executive electric sedan bracket against rivals like the BYD Seal and Tesla Model 3, the IM LS8 sits on a completely different branch of the brand’s luxury portfolio:

• Full-Size Luxury SUV Footprint: Measuring over 5,080 mm in length, two metres in width, and riding on a commanding 3,060 mm wheelbase, the LS8 is a full-size luxury flagship designed to compete with high-end three-row family haulers.
• Range-Extended and Pure EV Capabilities: Built on SAIC’s flexible modular architecture, the LS8 in its domestic market relies heavily on a cutting-edge series-hybrid Range-Extended Electric Vehicle (EREV) platform alongside native high-voltage battery-electric configurations.
• Flagship Digital Chassis: The model incorporates IM’s advanced digital chassis system, combining active four-wheel steering, adaptive air suspension, and electronic dynamic damping to maneuver a five-metre-plus SUV with the turning radius of a compact vehicle.

Strategic Pivot: Sedan Caution or Market Realignment?

The presence of an LS8 on Malaysian soil raises interesting questions regarding SAIC Motor Malaysia’s product rollout.

Throughout ASEAN, high-riding crossovers and multi-seat executive SUVs consistently command stronger margins and customer demand than traditional low-slung electric sedans. While the IM6 offered a sleek silhouette, luxury buyers in the premium RM250,000 to RM350,000 category often gravitate toward commanding SUVs that balance executive comfort with family utility.

Furthermore, introducing an extended-range hybrid or a long-range high-voltage SUV like the LS8 could serve as a more practical proposition for interstate Malaysian travel. The dual-energy powertrain eliminates range anxiety for East Coast or cross-border Singapore-to-Thailand journeys while delivering the instant torque and refined quietness of a pure electric drive unit.

What Lies Ahead for the IM Brand in Malaysia

Backed by the heavyweight joint venture between SAIC Motor, Alibaba Group, and Zhangjiang Hi-Tech, IM Motors represents the technological pinnacle of SAIC’s passenger vehicle engineering.

With pre-production or evaluation mules now roaming local roads around Selangor, SAIC Motor Malaysia appears to be fine-tuning its local product mix. Whether the brand chooses to lead with the original IM6 sedan or pivot to the imposing LS8 flagship, an official announcement from the distributor cannot be far behind.