Malaysia seeks new direction for automotive industry
Malaysia is setting a greener and stronger course for its automotive industry as the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) conducts a mid-term review of the National Automotive Policy 2020 (NAP 2020), Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz told Parliament on Monday.
The headquarters of the Malaysian Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry. Photo courtesy of Businesstoday.
Launched in 2020, NAP 2020 aims to transform Malaysia into a regional automotive hub through technology, innovation and domestic value-added. Its key focus areas include energy-efficient vehicles (EEVs), electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous driving technology and Industry 4.0 applications.
To ensure the policy keeps pace with global market demands and technological advances, MITI and the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) are leading the review, engaging industry players, policymakers and stakeholders.
Malaysia’s automotive market achieved a milestone in 2024, with total new vehicle sales reaching 816,747 units – the first time exceeding 800,000 – ranking second in ASEAN for passenger car markets.
Sales of EEVs, including battery EVs (BEVs) and hybrids, climbed to 46,403 units, up from 35,723 in 2023, driven by the expansion of charging infrastructure nationwide.
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