About
About Malaysia Car of the Year
Since 2002, Malaysia's automotive journalists have chosen the best cars on the market — a trusted guide for car buyers and a mark of recognition for the manufacturers who build them.
Our Story
Two decades of honouring Malaysian motoring
The Car of the Year awards began in 2002, started by a group of automotive journalists, mostly from the editorial team of the Cars, Bikes & Trucks section of the New Sunday Times. The event was sponsored by Aideah Communication Sdn Bhd, which at the time provided the editorial and marketing services of that section to the New Straits Times.
The idea was to select the best cars available on the market according to the opinion of automotive journalists, and to publish a guide for readers. The awards became an annual event, pausing only from 2020 to 2022 when the Covid-19 pandemic intervened.
When founder Yamin Vong resumed the event in 2023, sponsored by Cars Bikes Trucks Media Sdn Bhd, the panel of judges included the first lady automotive journalist. Over the years the event had also attracted some copies, so for 2023 it was re-branded Malaysia Car of the Year.
The 2024 edition, marking the 20th anniversary, split the automotive market into a minimum of 18 categories.
Our Objective
To provide a guide to car buyers, and to recognise the car manufacturers for their achievements in making a car that people want.
Roll of Honour
Past winners
Every overall Car of the Year and Automotive Person of the Year since 2002. No awards were held from 2020 to 2022.
Overall Car of the Year
2025 · Zeekr 009 Ultra Luxury
2024 · BYD SEAL PREMIUM (Extended Range)
2023 · Honda Civic e:HEV RS Hybrid
2019 · Proton X70
2018 · Peugeot 3008
2017 · Honda Jazz Hybrid
2016 · Honda Civic 1.5 TC
2015 · Mazda 2
2014 · Honda City
2013 · Volkswagen Golf GTI
2012 · Ford Ranger 2.2 XLT
2011 · Peugeot RCZ
2010 · Volkswagen Passat
2009 · Peugeot 308 Turbo
2008 · Mazda 6
2007 · Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0GT
2006 · Honda Civic
2005 · Mercedes-Benz CLS
2004 · BMW 530d
2003 · Volvo XC90
2002 · Perodua Kelisa
Automotive Person of the Year
2025 · Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad
2024 · Mohamad Reza Bin Abdul Mutalib
2023 · Ir Ahmad Hadri Haris
2019 · Dr Li Chunrong, CEO, Proton
2018 · Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad, Automotive Lifetime Achievement Award
2017 · Datuk Dr Zahari Husin, MD, Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd
2016 · Yoichiro Ueno, CEO and MD, Honda Malaysia
2015 · Roland Folger, President and CEO, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia
2014 · Datuk Aminar Rashid, President and CEO, Perodua
2013 · Datuk Ben Yeoh, Managing Director, Bermaz Motor
2012 · Datuk Samson Anand George, COO, Nasim Sdn Bhd
2011 · Datuk JP Chin, Principal, JPM Motorsports
2010 · SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, Joint Group Executive Chairman, NAZA Group of Companies
2009 · Datuk Syed Abdull Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar (Perodua) and Datuk Dr Ang Bon Beng (Edaran Tan Chong)
2008 · Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Tahir, Proton
2007 · Datuk Saw Choo Boon, Shell Malaysia
2006 · Tan Sri Nasimuddin SM Amin, Naza
2005 · Datuk Frank Steinleitner, DaimlerChrysler Malaysia
2004 · Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Ariff, Proton
2003 · Tan Sri Ab. Rahman Omar, Perodua
2002 · Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin SM Amin, Naza
In Partnership With
