MAA supports MITI CBU EV policy update but changes should be in phases to allow carmakers to adapt

MAA supports MITI CBU EV policy update but changes should be in phases to allow carmakers to adapt

Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) president Mohd Shamsor Mohd Zain has said at today’s Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show (KLIMS) 2026 media update event that the association supports MITI’s latest CBU EV policies “to reduce trade imbalance in the automotive sector, however, these need to be properly crafted and carried out in phases to enable the industry to react and adapt.”

“Limiting the choices of EVs in the market could derail the government’s intention towards net zero emissions by 2050 and to achieve 20% [of TIV for EVs] in Malaysia by 2030. In 2025, EV sales only accounted for less than 4% of the TIV. Malaysia still lags behind countries like Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia where [EV market share] has [exceeded] 15%,” he said.

“In terms of EV adoption rates, it is also the aspiration of MAA and the industry to see that these goals are met for the betterment of our future generations, and this recent move will eventually lead to a healthy market environment that is balanced and sustainable for the EV ecosystem, one [which] encourages greater localisation through CKD assembly as well as attracts higher-value investments, opens up new job opportunities and enhances Malaysia’s position within the regional EV ecosystem,” Shamsor added.

MITI’s latest CBU EV policy, which comes into effect July 1, states that all CBU EVs will need to have a cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value of at least RM200k and a power output of at least 180 kW (245 PS). This supersedes a ruling announced less than four months prior, which mandated a RM250k floor price and a power output of at least 200 kW (272 PS).

There are new CKD EV rules too – for all new EV plants after September 2025, the vehicles must not be priced below RM100k, 80% of production must be exported, and there must be a paint shop, which is a costly element in a car factory and a sign of ‘serious work’ being done there, so to speak.

But it’s the 80% export requirement that’s the hardest to satisfy. To circumvent this, carmakers that don’t already have a local CKD partner (like BYD) will have to find one instead of setting up their own plant – if they didn’t do so by September 2025.

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Jonathan James Tan

While most dream of the future, Jonathan Tan dreams of the past, although he's never been there. Fantasises much too often about cruising down Treacher Road (Jalan Sultan Ismail) in a Triumph Stag that actually works, and hopes this stint here will snap him back to present reality.

 

Comments

  • Miti Supporter on May 20, 2026 at 1:01 pm

    Miti the best. Please don’t let cheap and unsold cars come to Malaysia.

    Thumb up 51 Thumb down 30
  • Gatarq on May 20, 2026 at 1:02 pm

    without a roadmap, does it sounds like
    It’s a flip flop roti canai attention seeking behaviour

    Thumb up 21 Thumb down 0
  • meetee brian on May 20, 2026 at 1:02 pm

    meetee requirements can be waived if BYD gives 30% shares to lokal kroni – Jakel, sahash falvador, or one of Tulsan family relatives.

    Thumb up 24 Thumb down 5
  • Fellow crony scumbag supports another, what else is new?

    Thumb up 28 Thumb down 2
  • Kea Was on May 20, 2026 at 2:17 pm

    So do tell us which 100 special EV cronies vendors gets the special green door while all the other 2000 ICEngine cronies vendors is crying wanting a share of it too.

    Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
  • Perodua Bezza on May 20, 2026 at 2:37 pm

    Malaysian should boycott foreign EV and just buy local Perodua Bezza or Axia, learn to respect Malaysian cars.

    Thumb up 39 Thumb down 70
    • I do, by pooping on the Myvi everyday, not by me of course but by the tens of burung flying around. Even the burung sure do know P1/2 are not to be taken seriously.

      Thumb up 52 Thumb down 44
  • sick&tired on May 20, 2026 at 3:04 pm

    Miti are run by bunch of monkeys who dont understand that changing policies overnight will spook investors and cause them to run to other countries! sometimes i wonder if there are thai & Indonesian’s who are secretly working in miti to screw us Malaysian’s over because the biggest benefactors are Thailand and indonsia

    Thumb up 57 Thumb down 131
    • sicktired brain on May 21, 2026 at 10:12 am

      thats insightful because many of our ministers include – bugis warrior , deputy PM from java, and previously one guy from kerala

      Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • Kamal on May 21, 2026 at 12:10 pm

      ada Spy or Secrete Agent.

      Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Sabri on May 20, 2026 at 11:15 pm

    Jaguh dato jaguh kampong

    Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Wonderwhy on May 22, 2026 at 9:20 am

    Just go and dream! WET DREAM! i assure u, after 2/5 or even 10 years, we will still be the same! and discuss the same issue, NO IMPROVEMENT! and keep on protection!

    Talk about protection, if u guys so like protection, why dun wear protection and simply make so many kids and rempit all the road!?

    Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
 

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