KUALA LUMPUR: The proposed new Malaysian Vehicle Project will be implemented under the National Automotive Policy 2020 (NAP2020).
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the project will emphasise research and development (R&D); and the incorporation of the latest technologies in local industries in order to be competitive in both domestic and global markets.
“New technology clusters as well as a new expert workforce, especially in the field of automotive engineering, will be developed consequently.
“The new Malaysian Vehicle Project is expected to contribute significantly to the nation’s economic development through its support for both upstream and downstream industries – creating the demand of other related materials, such as high-grade steel, plastics, rubber and petrochemical products, which will stimulate further growth of these sub-sectors.
“Besides the new Malaysian Vehicle Project, the government is also committed to ensuring that Malaysia continues to prosper and its wealth and prosperity are shared in an equitable manner among all,” he said in a keynote speech at the launch of NAP2020 here, today.
To achieve this aspiration, he said a number of key policies have been introduced, including the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030, the Industry4WRD and the National Transport Policy to accelerate Malaysia’s economic growth and development.
Therefore, he said the NAP2020 should be viewed by everyone as a balanced and comprehensive policy document that considers the interests of all stakeholders in the domestic automotive sector.
“NAP2020 will set the pace for improvements and prepare our automotive industry to move towards the next phase of connected mobility,” he said.
The NAP2020 was formulated to enhance the NAP2014 and to continuously develop the domestic automotive sector and its whole ecosystem in order to realise the National Automotive Vision.
When met after the launch, Malaysia Automotive Robotics and Iot (Internet of Things) Institute (MARii) chief executive officer Datuk Madani Sahari said the project, involving the new national car, will be focusing on advanced technology in its features.
They include the powertrain, connectivity, driver management system and IoT, he said.
The project, he said, is separate from the two national cars, namely, Proton and Perodua, as well as the national motorcycle, Modenas.
“The third national car, we call it the new vehicle project. So, there are (currently) only four (including the third national car),” he said.
The prototype of the new national car was also on display at the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) Tower where the event was held.
Present was International Trade and Industry Minister Darell Leiking.