RAWANG: Malaysia’s homegrown automaker Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) is setting its sights firmly on the future as it accelerates efforts to strengthen Malaysia’s automotive ecosystem.
President and CEO Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Ahmad said the automaker is fully committed to investing in the local automotive industry to ensure it remains resilient and competitive amid global shifts toward sustainability.
“We are deeply grateful for the continued support and guidance from the government, especially the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry.
“Their partnership has been instrumental in making our vision for the next phase of mobility a reality.
“As we move forward, Perodua is ready to face the challenges of the future – not just as a carmaker, but as an enabler of Malaysia’s transition to cleaner, smarter mobility,” he said in conjunction with the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to Perodua and the launch of Perodua’s 5.5 millionth car today.
Zainal Abidin confirmed that Perodua’s first electric vehicle (EV) will be unveiled soon, marking a major milestone in the company’s transformation journey.
“With the mandate given to us by the MoF and the Miti, we are proud to announce that our EV will be launching soon. We are ready to share the necessary information and insights to support the development of Malaysia’s EV ecosystem.”
In building this ecosystem, Perodua is collaborating with key national partners, including Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) and Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas).
“These partnerships reflect our collective commitment to introducing the EV world – a new and exciting frontier for Malaysia.
“We believe the future of the automotive industry is no longer just about vehicles but about the entire ecosystem that supports them – from energy and connectivity to sustainability and innovation,” Zainal Abidin said.
From 2014 until now, Perodua has invested RM1.8 billion in the Perodua Global Manufacturing Sdn Bhd plant, launched in 2014. For 2025, Perodua has allocated RM1.56 billion in capital expenditure for the entire Perodua Group.
Zainal Abidin said, “This is to ensure that our operations remain competitive within the industry, particularly in terms of production, sales, and after-sales services. We will also continue to invest in research and development (R&D) to ensure the long-term sustainability of our operations. Our commitment lies in investing in the future of both Perodua and Malaysia.
“It is our hope that the prime minister and the government will continue to extend their unwavering support to Perodua so that we may continue to deliver the very best – not only to our customers, but also to this beloved nation,“ Zainal Abidin said.
At the event, Anwar said Perodua is set to unveil its first-ever fully electric model at the end of this month, marking a major milestone for both the company and the nation’s automotive industry. The upcoming launch forms part of Malaysia’s national agenda to elevate the local automotive sector to greater heights.
Anwar emphasised that Perodua’s EV launch represents more than the introduction of a new model – it also serves as a catalyst for job creation, innovation and R&D, and generates economic benefits for people and the nation.
The prime minister said he would act as Perodua’s top salesman when travelling overseas, pledging to promote the national carmaker as part of Malaysia’s push to bring its automotive industry onto the world stage.
He praised the company’s vehicles, which were designed and built largely by Malaysians – many of them Bumiputera – and reflected his administration’s Madani values of sustainability, affordability and good governance.
“I have been waiting for the launch of a car that’s sustainable, environmentally friendly, locally produced and built with the latest state-of-the-art technology. This car represents all of it and is affordable – that’s what Madani means,” Anwar said.
Recently, Perodua said it is reassessing its business direction in Indonesia, where its popular Myvi model is sold under the Daihatsu Sirion badge, as it navigates a changing automotive landscape in the region.
The national automaker is also formulating mitigation measures to soften the potential impact of shorter car loan tenures, which could influence vehicle affordability and overall ownership costs for consumers.
Zainal Abidin acknowledged that the Indonesian market presents both challenges and opportunities.
While recent performance in Indonesia has moderated, Zainal Abidin said, Perodua is optimistic that new product offerings and refreshed strategies will strengthen its position and drive renewed growth in the market.
The review comes as Indonesia moves ahead with plans to develop and produce its own national car within the next three years, a development that could reshape the competitive dynamics in the region’s automotive sector.
