THE launch of Proton and Perodua electric vehicles priced below RM100,000 marks more than just two new models – it’s the birth of Malaysia’s electric vehicle industry.
In an op-ed by Shamsul Yunos in New Strait Times, it is suggested that if done right, 2025 becomes the pivotal year when the country transitions not just into electric vehicles but, more importantly, into renewable energy sovereignty and advanced manufacturing.
China is broadcasting to the world that long-term industrial success lies in mastering the supply chain ecosystem, especially for core EV components. The path forward for Malaysia is clear: Proton and Perodua must collaborate to create a globally competitive local component industry through cross-company standardization.
Commonisation isn’t new to the automotive industry. The Detroit Big Three achieved dominance in the 1950s and 60s on this very premise, derogatorily called “badge engineering.”
General Motors, once the world’s largest and most valuable company, was the most prolific practitioner.
The Japanese and Germans followed suit, with successful platform-sharing within corporate groups like VAG, Toyota Group and Hyundai-Kia.
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