He said 3,117 units of BEVs were sold in H1 2023.
“So, I think we should be on track to meet our target of having 20% of our total industry volume (TIV) comprising EVs by 2030.
“This remarkable growth not only signals our consumers’ growing interest but also demonstrates Malaysians’ general buy-in to contribute to the national and global environmental agendas,” he told reporters after the launch of Stellantis x Leapmotor C10 SUV today.
Regarding charging stations, Tengku Zafrul said that as of Sept 30, 2024, more than 3,171 charging stations have been installed nationwide, including 813 DC fast chargers.
“We hope to reach our goal of 10,000 charging stations by end-2025,” he added.
He said the automotive industry remains a vital pillar of Malaysia’s economic growth, contributing an impressive 4% to 5% to the national gross domestic product (GDP) annually, and supporting over 700,000 jobs.
In 2023, Malaysia’s automotive sector recorded a total import value of RM62.14 billion, with RM37.15 billion attributed to the import of automotive parts and components.
On the export side, the sector recorded a total value of RM18.01 billion, with RM13.26 billion from automotive parts exports.
“The significant disparity between imports and exports has led to a trade deficit for the sector,” he noted.
He said that as the world’s fourth-largest automaker and a leading mobility solutions provider, Stellantis’ choice of Malaysia as the first market in Southeast Asia for Leapmotor reflects the confidence that global players have in the country’s growing role as a hub for new energy vehicles.
“I was thrilled when Stellantis announced its decision to establish Malaysia as a regional manufacturing hub as part of its ‘Built in Asean for Asean’ strategy, alongside a regional headquarters for Asia-Pacific.
“I am optimistic that this decision will significantly boost our automotive industry, facilitate advanced technology transfer and enhance our exports,” he said.
Stellantis unveiled its new all-electric SUV, the C10, marking its first major entry into the Southeast Asian market with its launch in Malaysia.
The C10 is part of Leapmotor International, a 51:49 joint venture between Stellantis and Leapmotor.