BYD Malaysia Appoints Jacob Ma as New Managing Director; Eagle Zhao Flies to Indonesia
Big changes are underway at BYD Malaysia. The Chinese EV giant has announced a significant leadership shuffle, with Eagle Zhao stepping down as Managing Director to take on the role of President Director at PT BYD Motor Indonesia.
Taking the wheel in Malaysia is Jacob Ma, who has been appointed as the new Managing Director. He will be responsible for steering the ship for both the BYD and premium DENZA brands in the country.
Eagle Zhao’s Legacy: 30,000 Units and Counting
Eagle’s tenure in Malaysia has been nothing short of impactful. During his time leading the local division, he was instrumental in transforming BYD from a newcomer to one of the fastest-growing EV brands in the nation.
Key achievements under his watch include:
- Delivering over 30,000 BYD and DENZA vehicles to Malaysian customers.
- Significant expansion of the nationwide dealer network.
- Strengthening aftersales capabilities to support the growing fleet.
“Malaysia has been an incredibly important chapter in my journey with BYD,” said Eagle Zhao. “Together with our dedicated partners and team, we have built a strong foundation for both BYD and DENZA. I am confident that the momentum we have created will continue to propel the brands forward.”
Enter Jacob Ma: A Focus on Training and Operations
Jacob Ma isn’t new to the BYD ecosystem. He arrives with extensive global experience, hailing directly from BYD’s headquarters in Shenzhen.
Prior to this appointment, Jacob served as the Head of Training at BYD HQ for five years and later as the Vice President of BYD Indonesia for two years. His background suggests a strong focus on human capital and operational standards—having developed international market readiness programmes and retail excellence standards across multiple regions.
Interestingly, Jacob also brings cross-industry experience from the aviation sector, where he worked on technology transfer initiatives. This background positions him to handle complex operational transformations as BYD Malaysia scales up.
What’s Next for BYD and DENZA?
As Managing Director, Jacob’s mandate is clear: reinforce operational excellence and elevate the customer experience. With the DENZA brand gaining traction, differentiating the two marques while ensuring seamless service will be a priority.
“I am honoured to take on this responsibility at such an exciting time for BYD Malaysia,” said Jacob Ma. “Malaysia remains a strategic market for the Group, and we are committed to delivering innovative products and comprehensive ownership experiences to our customers.”
Jacob will oversee overall business strategy, sales, marketing, network development, and aftersales operations. His leadership aims to strengthen dealer partnerships and expand the product portfolio to drive long-term competitiveness.
With this transition, BYD Malaysia signals its intent to continue leading the charge in the country’s green mobility ambitions, ensuring the ecosystem is ready for the next wave of EV adoption.
