KUALA LUMPUR: THE Malaysia Automotive Institute aims to boost the production of energy efficient vehicles (EEV) to 85 per cent by 2020.
Its chief executive officer Datuk Madani Sahari said the EEV was expected to change the local automotive landscape towards becoming a regional hub in Asean.
“The target was definitely achievable as we are most likely able to achieve 40 per cent target by year-end alone, therefore getting much closer to the 2020 target.
“There will be EEV production and testing centre set up in Glenmarie that would be carried out by a local company with joint ventures with other foreign companies.
“Malaysia will be the first country in the region to produce such vehicles that were underlined under the NAP (National Automotive Policy) 2014 strategy,” said Madani after the launch of the Malaysia Autoshow 2016 yesterday.
The Malaysia Autoshow 2016 would be held from November 10 to 13 at the Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre (MIECC) and was poised to become the biggest composite annual local automotive show with manufacturers and distributors of cars, bikes, trucks as well as after-market dealers exhibiting their products.
The autoshow has also been an enabler of car sales, matching car buyers with brands and their models that cover a broad spectrum of budgets, and where visitors also get to view all the newly launched cars for the year under one roof.
MAI will set up a booth to share its vision as well as create awareness to help turn the country into a regional base for EEV production.
Influenced by the Asean theme, the show will host many regional exhibitors as well as local distributors and manufacturers, and is expected to attract 100,000 visitors.
Madani said the first EEV vehicle prototype would also be unveiled during the motorshow.
Asked on the EEV battery prices, he said with investments under way for the production of the batteries locally, the public can expect cheaper prices for it.
“Not only the batteries will be produced in Malaysia by a local firm the material for the batteries will also be produced locally, which would enable cheaper prices for the batteries.
“A local company will be heading the production alongside partnerships with other companies to produce the batteries and market it for the EEV market.”
He added the newly-crafted National Automotive Roadmap 2050 will be presented to the government soon that includes the future of autonomous driving.
“The current NAP roadmap is only for up to 2030, and we came up with a new roadmap that would be inclusive for the automotive sector until 2050.
“Although the technologies are fast evolving for the automotive industry, our regulations and enforcement have yet to follow suit and this would also be contained in the new framework,” Madani added.