Malaysia rides on Japanese technology to roll out next national car

Local firm DreamEDGE will collaborate with Japan’s Daihatsu to develop a third national car

The venture, which has got the backing of Prime Minister Mahathir, will roll out the first model by 2021

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Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad with his wife during the launch of Proton’s new SUV in 2018. Photo: AP

Published: 8:50pm, 9 Aug 2019Updated: 8:53pm, 9 Aug 2019

Just two years after Malaysia sold China a 49.9 per cent stake in its national car, Proton, the government on Friday announced a third national car project, with observers raising questions about the benefits of the new plan.

International Trade and Industry Minister Darell Leiking told the media that the first model of the new vehicle would be launched by March 2021.

The project, led by local anchor firm DreamEDGE, will be developed with advanced technology support from Japanese motor company Daihatsu.

“From the government’s standpoint, the national car project is the nation’s industrialisation catalyst, to spur the meaningful participation of Malaysians in advanced technology adoption. This will create new opportunities for local vendors and talent to be part of the high technology value chain,” said the International Trade and Industry Ministry in a statement.

However, the government would not be funding the yet-to-be-named venture, raising questions from critics as to what constitutes a “national” car.

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