Reported on July 5, 2026, Malaysia implemented stricter import requirements for completely built-up (CBU) electric vehicles (EVs) on July 1, which could limit imports of lower-priced models and affect strategies of Chinese EV brands in the market.
Under the new rules introduced by the Ministry of Investment, Trade an

Reported on June 30, 2026, Malaysia’s Ministry of Finance has postponed the implementation of the revised open market value (OMV) excise duty rules for locally assembled (CKD) vehicles until December 31, 2026, following the previous deferment to July 2026.
The ministry notified the Malaysian Automotive Association (M

Announced on June 10, 2026, the Mazda Malaysia Vendors’ Association (MMVA) has expressed support for the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry’s (MITI) policy direction on electric vehicle (EV) localization, saying the framework could strengthen Malaysia’s automotive ecosystem through greater local participation

Reported on May 19, 2026, the Ministry of Transport Malaysia, together with the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) and Futurise, a subsidiary of Cyberview, has opened a public consultation process for Malaysia’s upcoming autonomous vehicle roadmap.
According to MIROS, the initiative is part of the go

Reported on May 15, 2026, BYD reaffirmed its commitment to the Malaysian market following recent government policy changes aimed at encouraging NEV makers to localize operations and work with domestic suppliers. The company said it will continue working with Malaysian authorities, distributors, and dealers to support

Reported on May 11, 2026, Malaysia sets a goal of reaching Level 3 autonomous driving capability by 2030, with industry players urged to begin preparations immediately or risk falling behind global developments. The Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) is expected to lay the groundwork for the init

Reported on May 6, 2026, Malaysia introduced its first Design and Installation Guidelines for Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Systems during the Public Works Department’s senior officers’ conference in Seremban.
The framework, launched by the Deputy Works Minister, aims at providing a unified reference for EV charger

Announced on May 6, 2026, Malaysia’s imports of fully assembled electric vehicles (CBU EVs) under the Franchise AP scheme will be subject to 2 main conditions from July 1, including a minimum Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) value of MYR 200,000 and a revised motor output threshold of 180 kW, down from 200 kW.
The M

Reported on April 25, 2026, the Malaysian government is reviewing a possible reduction in road tax for diesel vehicles as a way to offset higher fuel costs, according to the Prime Minister. The Transport Ministry has been tasked with developing implementation details and assessing policy options.
The proposal comes a

Reported on April 17, 2026, Malaysia’s prime minister said concerns over tight regulatory conditions for EV investors will be reviewed with the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). The issue follows calls from a Perak state official for a policy review, warning that overly restrictive requirements could

Reported on April 3, 2026, Malaysia’s automotive industry players expressed support for the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry’s (MITI) clarification on CKD-related policies following the BYD CKD issue, reaffirming a development-oriented approach to investment, localization and long-term industry sustainabili

Reported on March 31, 2026, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) has issued a statement clarifying its policies on foreign automotive investment and BYD’s CKD assembly plans in Malaysia.
Earlier reports suggested that MITI had imposed restrictive conditions on BYD’s Tanjung Malim plant, including a r

Announced on January 29, 2026, the Malaysian government has rolled out Matching Grant Programme for the vehicle replacement aimed at phasing out cars aged 20 years and older while encouraging the shift toward newer, safer, and more environmentally friendly vehicles.
Consistent with the government’s objective, Proton

Reported on December 26, 2025, Malaysia’s Finance Ministry revealed that the scheduled January 2026 implementation of the open market value (OMV) excise duty revision (PU(A) 402/2019, which sets excise values for locally produced goods) has been postponed again.
The new start date is now June 30, 2026, according to a

Reported on November 14, 2025, Malaysia’s government plans to launch the essential list and localization incentives aimed at boosting both the local automotive supply chain and export potential, according to the Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI).
To grow the EV sector, the current fully-imported (CBU

Reported on November 13, 2025, CIMB Securities Sdn Bhd noted that HI Mobility Bhd stands to gain from Malaysia’s electric bus program, which is backed by the Finance Ministry’s MYR 1.9 billion allocation for EV and diesel bus enhancements.
The company is expanding into commercial vehicle assembly and distribution thr

Reported on November 7, 2025, Malaysia’s authorities are actively engaging with automotive industry stakeholders to evaluate the potential effects of the updated excise tax on locally-assembled (CKD) vehicles. The deputy finance minister confirmed that the government is gathering relevant data and exploring measures

U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Japan on October 27, the second stop on his Asia tour that will culminate a few days later with a high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Gyeongju, South Korea.
Trump visited with Japan's Emperor N

Reported on October 13, 2025, the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) highlighted the absence of an extension for import and excise duty exemptions on fully imported (CBU) electric vehicles (EVs) in Budget 2026. While supporting the government’s focus on locally assembled (CKD) EVs, MAA urged continued incentives

Reported on October 13, 2025, the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) expressed support for the government’s announcement on the amendment of the Consumer Protection Act 1999 to include a lemon law.
The move follows a six-month feasibility study in 2024, which highlighted the need for a dedicated legal framework t