BYD Mansion Macalister: Penang’s New Heritage-Inspired EV Showroom

Sime Darby Beyond Auto has officially opened BYD Mansion Macalister, a brand-new BYD showroom along Penang’s historic Jalan Macalister—well-known to locals as part of George Town’s UNESCO World Heritage Site area with rich Straits Eclectic architectural roots. This unique showroom is housed in a restored century-old building, making it Malaysia’s first BYD heritage-concept EV (electric vehicle) showroom.

The restored heritage building keeps its original distinctive architecture while boasting a modern interior. Inside, there’s a gallery-style display area for up to four BYD EVs, comfortable lounge consultation spaces, and a private delivery room for customers. For aftersales support, an on-site service centre with five work bays, one alignment bay and three service reception bays is available, plus a charging hub with 1 x 60 kW DC fast charger and 7 AC chargers—perfect for Penangites looking to charge their EVs conveniently.

BYD has been gaining momentum in Malaysia, with its 2025 sales jumping 77.0% amid the country’s booming EV market—Malaysia’s pure electric vehicle sales doubled last year, hitting over 30,000 units. This new showroom strengthens Sime Darby and BYD’s commitment to making EVs more accessible to locals, blending heritage with modern mobility.

Andrew Basham, Managing Director of Sime Motors, said: “BYD Mansion Macalister is a key milestone for automotive retail in Penang. By repurposing a historic local landmark into a modern EV hub, we’re preserving Penang’s heritage while letting customers experience the future of driving.”

Jacob Ma, Deputy General Manager of BYD Malaysia, added: “This showroom is more than just a place to view cars—it brings together premium service, innovation and local culture. It’s our way of connecting closer with Malaysian communities and showing our commitment to the market’s growth.”