Toyota To Produce Hybrid Electric Vehicles In Malaysia For Malaysia

UMW Toyota is injecting more funds into their manufacturing in Malaysia with an eye on producing mass hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) locally.

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has just announced that it will be investing RM270 million into expanding its assembly plant to facilitate the mass manufacturing of locally assembled hybrid electric vehicles.

With 52 years of local production of Toyota vehicles in Malaysia, this investment matches the exciting plans for the future of the automotive industry in the country, as it wants to champion carbon neutrality and pave the way for the mass production of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) in Malaysia.

This carbon neutrality initiative is driven by Toyota Motor Corporation's (TMC) global commitment to deliver 'mobility for all' and produce 'happiness for all' through its commitment towards a 'Clean, Safe and Secure Society'. 

To realise this, TMC has committed to carbon neutrality by 2050, in a practical and sustainable manner, and we are glad to see that Malaysia is taking part.

"This is indeed an exciting time for the Malaysian automotive industry, and UMW Toyota Motor is fully charged and ready to champion this Malaysian dream. In order to achieve this, the most realistic, practical and immediate solution is Toyota Hybrid Electric technology and vehicles," he added. "The mass production and growing acceptance of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) will lead to the entire automotive eco-system evolving to embrace a more conscious and concerted effort in reducing Malaysia's carbon footprint," said UMW Toyota Motor Deputy Chairman, Akio Takeyama.

For Malaysian car buyers, the local manufacturing of Toyota Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) would mean that they will be given access to the latest and most innovative technologies at a price point that is practical and accessible to the greater masses.

With its sights firmly set on championing carbon neutrality in Malaysia, it is no surprise then that UMW Toyota Motor has decided to invest more into its local vehicle production factory, on top of an earlier RM2 billion that went into the construction and commissioning of its new plant in Bukit Raja. 

As one of the most modern, most advanced, and most efficient Toyota plants in Asia, the Bukit Raja facility is already well-positioned at the forefront of Malaysia's aspiration to become a regional automotive hub in Energy Efficient Vehicles (EEV).

This initiative and investment made by TMC and UMWT only mean good news for Malaysian motorists as we can probably expect to see more affordable EEVs on the road soon. 

It's a bit early to say whether this commitment by UMWT will have a knock-on effect on other vehicle manufacturers who locally assemble in Malaysia, especially when it has been suggested that Malaysia will heavily concentrate on fully electric vehicles.

About a month ago, MARii (Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute), CEO Datuk Madani Sahari said Malaysia is ready to offer a "handsome amount" of tax incentives to accelerate the country's electric vehicle (EV) plan. He said that the stimulus would cover carmakers and EV component manufacturers.

The Bernama report also saw Madani saying that EV buyers would generally enjoy direct incentives such as lower road tax, the benefit of a green parking scheme, toll rebates, and rebates on the installation of home chargers.

PHEVs, let alone HEVs were barely mentioned with the consideration by the government that EV incentives are a necessary transition towards BEVs (battery electric vehicles) down the road.

Malaysia's EV policy was supposed to be brought to the cabinet for approval in June and announced to the public in July. We await updates. 


 

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