MALAYSIA’S automotive sector has climbed to the second spot in Southeast Asia and 23rd globally, recording a total industry volume (TIV) of close to 817,000 units in 2024, said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
He credited the rise to the strategic frameworks under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030) and National Automotive Policy 2020 (NAP 2020), which have also laid the groundwork for the steady growth of electric vehicles (EVs) in the country.
“Firstly, the MARiiCAS E-bike Programme has seen an encouraging uptake — from 2024 to the first quarter of 2025, 8,658 applications have been approved, with total rebates amounting to RM20.8 million,” he said during the launch of the Malaysia Autoshow (MAS) 2025 in Serdang.
He noted significant improvements in EV infrastructure, with 4,161 charging stations installed nationwide as of March 31, 2025 — comprising 2,857 AC chargers and 1,304 DC fast chargers. The government is still aiming to meet its national target of 10,000 charging stations by the end of the year, supported by energy industry players such as Petronas’ Gentari.
“Malaysia now has a fleet of 43,572 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) on the road — a total of 9,880 electric and hybrid vehicles were sold in the first quarter of 2025 alone,” he added.
Tengku Zafrul also announced that national carmaker Perodua had completed development of its first EV model, with road tests commencing on April 24, 2025, and plans for commercial production by year-end.
“In fact, several Malaysian car enthusiasts have apparently spotted Perodua’s first eMO (Electric Motion Online) being tested on Malaysian roads a couple of days ago, just five months after the eMO-II concept was shown at another motor show,” he said. “Images of the hatchback have surfaced all over social media, camouflaged in a black-and-white doodly design.”
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Tengku Zafrul said MITI will continue pushing for high-value investment and a sustainable, innovation-driven automotive ecosystem.
Now in its third year, the Malaysia Autoshow 2025 featured 200 exhibitors and more than 500 vehicles on display. - May 8, 2025
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