Malaysia

On April 24, 2025, Audi officially began production of the Q7 SUV in Malaysia, marking it as the first premium luxury Audi model to be assembled in Southeast Asia.

This 7-seater mild hybrid (MHEV) is also the first Audi vehicle produced at the Volkswagen Group Malaysia assembly plant in Pekan, Pahang. The Audi Q7 has been open for booking in Malaysia since early April.

The Pekan facility, operated in partnership with DRB-HICOM Bhd, is Audi’s sole production site in the Southeast Asian region. In addition to assembling Volkswagen models for the Malaysian market, the plant is set to expand Audi’s local production capacity, with plans to produce up to 5,000 units annually.

Audi has invested over MYR 12 million in this initiative, reinforcing its commitment to strengthening its presence in Malaysia’s premium automotive segment.

(From an article of New Straits Times on April 24, 2025)

Announced on April 23, 2025, MCE Holdings Berhad (MCE) has secured a series of new contracts through its subsidiaries, with a combined value of approximately MYR 120.67 million. These wins further strengthen MCE’s position as a trusted supplier of automotive electronics and mechatronic components to leading automakers both domestically and internationally.

Multi-Code Electronics Industries (M) Berhad has been awarded projects by JVIS USA LLC (JVIS) and Perodua, while MCE Hengtuo Sdn Bhd secured a contract from Proton.

The largest of these is a MYR 69.59 million supply contract with JVIS, a Michigan-based automotive component supplier serving global carmakers. This 60-month contract, which builds upon a prior engagement, will see MCE deliver mechatronic components for a vehicle model in the U.S. market. Production is set to commence in Q1 of the financial year ending July 31, 2027.

Domestically, MCE has secured multiple projects from Perodua, collectively valued at approximately MYR 41.33 million. These cover 2 upcoming models—an EV and an ICE vehicle. MCE will provide a range of electronic and mechatronic components, with the EV project spanning 36 months starting in Q2 FY2026 and the ICE model running for 72 months beginning in Q1 FY2027.

Additionally, MCE has signed a MYR 9.75 million, 60-month supply contract with Proton for mechanical and mechatronic parts for a new vehicle model. Production is scheduled to commence in Q1 of the financial year ending July 31, 2026.

(From Bursa Malaysia announcement dated April 23, 2025)

Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) announced that new car sales of 72,704 units in March increased by 2.1% over the same month in 2024. PV (passenger vehicles) sales were increased 5.1% to 68,174 units. CV (commercial vehicles) sales were decreased 28.8% to 4,530 units.

New car sales for the first three months of 2025 decreased 7.4% from the same period in 2024 to 188,122 units.

The number of Malaysian car production for March decreased 13.4% over the previous year to 58,063 units. New car production for the first three months of 2025 decreased 15.6% from the same period in 2024 to 177,603 units.

MAA attributes the increase to the Hari Raya festive celebration as well as attractive promos from auto companies.

(Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA)'s press release and multiples sources on April 22)