Kuala Lumpur, 16 January 2025 – The Malaysia Car of the Year Awards 2024 (MCOTY) celebrated the best of the automotive industry today, bringing together carmakers, industry professionals, and policymakers in recognizing outstanding achievements in innovation, sustainability, and excellence. The event at Menara MITI highlighted the significant strides Malaysia’s automotive sector has made. The event organized by Mobility Media and co-organized by the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics, and IoT Institute (MARii), showcasing vehicles and individuals that set new benchmarks for the industry.
This year’s top honour, the Overall Car of the Year, was awarded to the BYD Seal Premium (Extended Range), marking a historic moment as the first time an electric vehicle (EV) has won this prestigious accolade. The BYD Seal stood out for its cutting-edge design, exceptional performance, and sustainable engineering, representing a shift towards greener mobility in Malaysia.
Another key moment of the event was the presentation of the Automotive Person of the Year award to Mohamad Reza Bin Abdul Mutalib, a transformative figure in redefining sustainable transportation. Reza has played a pivotal role in bringing four EV-focused car marques to Malaysia, significantly advancing the industry’s ecological outlook. During his tenure as General Manager of TC Euro Cars, he established First Energy Network in 2014, laying the groundwork for the nation’s EV infrastructure. Although the initiative was ahead of its time, Reza’s work set the stage for the burgeoning EV market in Malaysia. His innovative approach, blending financial acumen with a passion for motoring, has solidified his reputation as a key figure in the sector.
The winners were selected through a rigorous and transparent judging process conducted by a panel of experienced automotive journalists and industry professionals. The judging criteria included eight key factors: Appearance, Safety, Ergonomics, Value for Money, Practicality, Performance, Energy Efficiency, and Warranty. This comprehensive evaluation ensured that only the most deserving vehicles and individuals were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the automotive sector.
The past year has been transformative for Malaysia’s automotive industry, with record-breaking Total Industry Volume (TIV) expected to exceed 800,000 units. This growth reflects the sector’s resilience and adaptability in embracing new technologies such as electric and autonomous vehicles. Significant strides have also been made in sustainability, with a growing number of energy-efficient vehicles (EEVs), especially electric vehicles entering the market. These developments underscore Malaysia’s position as a regional leader in automotive innovation and green mobility.
“The Malaysia Car of the Year Awards epitomises this commitment to excellence. It represents not just recognition but inspiration, pushing the boundaries of innovation and setting new standards for the industry. Beyond the accolades, MCOTY embodies the hard work, dedication, and vision that continue to propel Malaysia’s automotive sector forward. It celebrates those who are not only meeting today’s demands but also designing the transportation solutions of tomorrow.”, said Deputy Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah Haji Yusof.
The Deputy Prime Minister also said that as the ASEAN Chair in 2025, Malaysia is set to take the lead in advancing renewable energy transitions as a key regional priority. For the automotive sector, this presents a tremendous opportunity to align with broader sustainability goals. He also urged OEMs to adopt eco-friendly practices, invest in green technologies, and integrate renewable energy into their operations, thereby driving innovation in sustainable mobility.
CEO of MARii, Azrul Reza Aziz added, ‘Our mission is to position Malaysia as a regional hub for Next-Generation Vehicles (NxGV), in line with the National Automotive Policy (NAP 2020). This year, the expanded MCOTY Awards reflect our holistic approach by recognizing contributions across the entire automotive value chain, from development to end-of-life. The awards highlight sustainability, safety, and mobility innovations, reaffirming our commitment to building a competitive, eco-friendly, and globally recognized automotive industry.”
“I would also like to acknowledge the 12 members of the Malaysia Car of the Year Judging Panel, who have made the process of adjudicating the various models nominated for Malaysia Car of the Year, by doing so, have fulfilled a great mission, and it’s been a joy working with these illustrious individuals. I would also like to thank MARii for their invaluable partnership and for being a cornerstone in this incredible journey of advancing Malaysia’s automotive excellence,”, said Yamin Vong, founder of MCOTY.
Car of the Year 2024 Winners by Category
Overall Car of the Year:
- BYD Seal Premium (Extended Range) EV
Crossovers
- RM200K & below: Smart #3 Pro
- RM200K – RM 500K: BMW iX1 eDrive20 M Sport
Hatchback
- Volkswagen Golf R
MPV
- Toyota Alphard AH40 2.4 Turbo
SUVs
- RM200K & below: Honda CR-V 1.5 V Turbo
- RM200K – RM 500K: Volkswagen Touareg R-Line 3.0 V6 TSI
- Above RM500K: Lotus Eletre
Sedans
- RM200K & below: BYD Seal Premium (Extended Range) EV
- RM200K & Above: BYD Seal Performance AWD EV
Truck
- Ford Ranger Platinum 2.0L Bi-Turbo diesel
xEV
- Below RM150K: Chery Omoda 5e EV
- RM150K – RM 300K: BYD Seal Premium (Extended Range) EV
- RM300 & Above: Lotus Eletre
Best Value for Money Car: Proton S70 1.5 Flagship
Best Selling Car Brand in Malaysia: Perodua
Most Energy Efficient Vehicle: Perodua Bezza
People’s Choice: Ford Ranger Platinum 2.0L Bi-Turbo diesel
Automotive Person of the Year: Mohamad Reza Bin Abdul Mutalib
Outstanding Dealer – 4S Award: Ngu Chung Beng & Sons Corporation Sdn Bhd (PERODUA 4S Dealer)
Best EV Friendly Property Development Company: SP Setia
Best Local Automotive Supplier: Multi-Code Electronic Sdn Bhd
Automotive Supplier of the Year: Aptiv Malaysia Sdn
Excellence in Automotive Sustainability Management Best Practices: Northport
Special Mention Contributing to Government Effort in Increasing EV Motorcycle Adoption: BlueShark
For Media Enquiries:
Irzal Kamal, COTY Media Co-ordinator: 012-2342390 (media@malaysiacaroftheyear.com)