Perodua president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Ahmad.
KUALA LUMPUR: National car maker Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) is set to establish its third manufacturing facility dedicated to electric vehicles (EVs) and the company is targeting an initial production of 500 units per month for its upcoming EV model.
Perodua currently operates two plants in Rawang that are under Perodua Manufacturing Sdn Bhd (PMSB) and Perodua Global Manufacturing Sdn Bhd (PGMSB). Both are located adjacent to each other.
Perodua president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Ahmad said the company anticipates significant demand for its EV model.
“Based on our surveys, the interest shown in our model is actually very high, with numbers exceeding 9,000 to 10,000 units per month.
“However, since this is a new venture for us, we will begin with a smaller production scale of maximum 500 units per month initially,” he told the press following the concept unveiling of the eMO-II EV at the Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show 2024 or KLIMS 2024 yesterday.
“We’re going to have to start on a small scale of production before we move to the next level.”
Zainal added Perodua had secured a new manufacturing licence for the facility.
“It will be a simple EV plant that we plan to develop. It will not be a contract assembly. It will be our own practice,” he said.
Zainal said the new facility will not rely on Perodua’s existing Daihatsu-based technical standards.
Instead, he said, it will adopt Perodua’s proprietary standards.
“This factory will have our own Perodua standards.
“Unlike PMSB or PGMSB, where mostly we follow Daihatsu’s technical standards, this will be fully developed by us,” he said.
Perodua’s upcoming EV aims to be affordable, with the price targeted at between RM50,000 and RM90,000.
“We hope to remain under RM90,000,” Zainal said, adding the company aspires to offer the cheapest EV in Malaysia.
“Based on our study, beyond 2025, other EV companies would not be able to sell at lower prices (than us), since it might compromise other things.
“So for us, we still hope we can sell the cheapest EV around (in Malaysia),” he added.
Perodua’s new EV promised to feature a range of over 400km and a zero-to-100km/h acceleration time of between six and seven seconds.
Charging times are expected to be around 30 minutes using direct current fast charging and eight hours with alternating current chargers.
To support its EV ambitions, Zainal said Perodua is working closely with suppliers to localise production components.
“Initially, the battery and motor will still be imported, but we are committed to localising it. We are in discussions with suppliers to secure their commitment for local assembly,” Zainal said.
Zainal said Perodua EV batteries will use lithium iron phosphate or LFP technology supplied by China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd or CATL.
He also highlighted the need to expand charging infrastructure to alleviate range anxiety.
“Based on our study, Malaysia requires a charging station every 40km to 50km. We are working with our partners to standardise charging rates and make them affordable for the average Malaysian,” he said.
Beyond the new model, Zainal said Perodua envisions its venture into the EV space as a stepping stone towards developing its own automotive platform.
“This journey has been a learning curve for our research and development team. Developing a product involves many challenges, from creating our own parts to setting production standards and systems.
“However, this experience will equip us with the knowledge to explore broader opportunities,” Zainal added.
He reiterated Perodua’s commitment to innovation as a national carmaker, noting: “It has always been our aspiration to develop and own this kind of technology.”
Meanwhile, Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) president Mohd Shamsor Mohd Zain said KLIMS 2024 is marking its return after a six-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Shamsor highlighted the automotive industry’s importance to Malaysia’s economy, noting its annual contribution of 4% to the national gross domestic product and its employment of over 700,000 people.
“The automotive industry is one of the key engines of growth for our country’s economy,” he said.
“The total industry volume, or TIV, for the automotive industry has grown by leaps and bounds over the last three decades, from 200,000 units in 1994 to an all-time high of 799,731 units in 2023.
“And we are expecting this year to achieve another record of above 800,000 units.”
Looking ahead, Shamsor acknowledged the challenges posed by industry transformation, including stricter environmental regulations, electrification and digitisation.
“The MAA council and I will continue to lead the industry and be the conduit between the government and the industry to ensure that a balance will be struck, and the industry and economy can continue to move forward sustainably,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, on the other hand, said Malaysia has the potential to become a regional hub for EV production and innovation.
He said the growth of the mobility industry presents immense opportunities for local manufacturers and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to integrate into the global supply chain.
Fadillah, who is also the energy transition and water transformation minister, said Malaysia’s National Investment Aspirations aim to position the country as a global supply chain hub by attracting high-quality investments and enhancing the capabilities of local industries.
“This strategic initiative focuses on integrating local manufacturers and SMEs into the global supply chain, thereby boosting economic growth and competitiveness,” he said in his speech at the KLIMS 2024 opening ceremony.
“As we look to the future, I am confident that Malaysia has the potential to become a regional hub for electric vehicle production and innovation. Events like KLIMS are crucial in accelerating this vision, bringing together stakeholders from around the world to collaborate and create solutions that benefit everyone,” he added.
The KLIMS 2024, themed “Beyond Mobility”, is organised by the MAA, and managed by Qube Integrated Malaysia Sdn Bhd.
