MALAYSIA CAR OF THE YEAR 2025 SIGNALS INDUSTRY TRANSITION WITH EV OVERALL WIN

The Malaysia Car of the Year Awards 2025 (MCOTY) once again highlighted the evolving landscape of the nation’s automotive industry, bringing together carmakers, industry leaders, and policymakers to recognise excellence in innovation, performance, and sustainability amid a period of rapid technological and market transition.

The Overall Malaysia Car of the Year 2025 award was presented to the Zeekr 009 Ultra Luxury. The model distinguished itself through its advanced electric powertrain technology, high levels of refinement, comprehensive safety features, and luxury-oriented execution, reflecting how electric vehicles (EVs) have progressed beyond early adoption and are now setting benchmarks across multiple vehicle segments.

Separately, MCOTY 2025 marked the second consecutive year that an electric vehicle (EV) has received the awards’ highest recognition. This milestone reflects the steady expansion of electrified vehicles within Malaysia’s automotive market, as well as their growing acceptance across higher-value and premium segments.

The Automotive Person of the Year (APOY) award was handed to Dato’ Seri Zainal Abidin Ahmad, President and Chief Executive Officer of Perodua. Widely regarded as a pivotal figure in Malaysia’s automotive ecosystem, Dato’ Seri Zainal Abidin has played a crucial role in strengthening the national carmaker’s market leadership while driving operational excellence, localisation, and accessibility for Malaysian consumers.

Under his leadership, Perodua has consistently delivered strong sales performance, contributed significantly to Malaysia’s Total Industry Volume (TIV), and maintained a sharp focus on efficiency, quality, and value. His stewardship has supported the broader industry through vendor development, workforce upskilling, and alignment with national automotive and sustainability policies, reinforcing Perodua’s role as a cornerstone of Malaysia’s automotive sector, including the first locally developed electric vehicle from Malaysia, the Perodua QV-E.

A defining feature of MCOTY 2025 was the composition of its winners, with a significant portion of award recipients being electrified vehicles, particularly full electric models. At the same time, the results also reflected how hybrid powertrains and modern turbocharged internal combustion engines have become the new normal among top-performing vehicles, highlighting a market that is transitioning pragmatically rather than through abrupt technological shifts.

Reflecting strong consumer sentiment, the People’s Choice Award 2025 was presented to the Proton X50 1.5TD Flagship, resonating most strongly with Malaysian buyers. The award highlights how consumer expectations around technology, efficiency, safety, and value are increasingly aligned with the industry’s broader transition towards more advanced and sustainable mobility solutions.

MCOTY 2025 also placed dedicated emphasis on the automotive supply chain and vendor ecosystem, in line with MARii’s role in supporting the development of a resilient and competitive automotive industry. The awards recognised the critical contribution of industry partners in vehicle development, manufacturing quality, and long-term industry capability building. This year’s vendor-related awards were presented to Asian Automotive Steels Sdn Bhd and Delloyd Electronics Sdn Bhd, acknowledging their sustained contributions through engineering expertise, localisation efforts, and support for OEM and Tier-1 operations within Malaysia’s automotive ecosystem.

“The Malaysia Car of the Year Awards reflect how far the nation’s automotive industry has progressed, not only in terms of scale but also in innovation and sustainability. The growing presence of electric vehicles among top award winners demonstrates Malaysia’s readiness to embrace cleaner and smarter mobility solutions”, said Deputy Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah Haji Yusof

He also explained how this is in line with national and regional aspirations, while the government’s continued focus on energy transition presents opportunities for industry players to invest in green technologies, strengthen local capabilities, and develop future-ready mobility solutions.

Winners at MCOTY 2025 were determined through a rigorous and transparent judging process conducted by a panel of experienced automotive journalists and industry professionals. Vehicles were evaluated across eight key criteria: Appearance, Safety, Ergonomics, Value for Money, Practicality, Performance, Energy Efficiency, and Warranty. This comprehensive framework ensures that the awards reflect real-world relevance and recognise vehicles that deliver balanced excellence rather than singular strengths.

“Platforms such as MCOTY play an important role in reflecting the direction of Malaysia’s industrial and trade agenda, particularly as the automotive sector transitions towards higher value-added, technology-driven, and sustainable manufacturing. The continued collaboration between government, OEMs, suppliers, and technology providers will be critical in strengthening Malaysia’s competitiveness, supporting local industry players, and positioning the country as a key automotive and mobility hub in the region”, said YB Tuan Sim Tze Tzin. Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).

“MCOTY 2025 reflects the changes taking place across Malaysia’s automotive industry. Beyond recognising individual vehicles, the awards also acknowledge the wider ecosystem, including suppliers, vendors, and supporting partners, whose contributions are essential to product development, manufacturing quality, and long-term industry sustainability aligned with our National Automotive Policy (NAP2020),” said Azrul Reza Aziz, Chief Executive Officer of MARii.

In line with the industry’s expanding scope, MCOTY 2025 featured an expanded set of award categories recognising excellence beyond vehicle performance alone, including automotive suppliers, sustainability and ESG practices, energy efficiency, and industry enablers. Organised by Mobility Media and co-organised by the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), the awards celebrated vehicles and individuals shaping the future of mobility in Malaysia.

The Malaysia Car of the Year Awards continue to serve as a key industry benchmark, celebrating achievements that go beyond commercial success to reflect progress in technology, sustainability, and consumer relevance. MCOTY 2025 reinforces the message that Malaysia’s automotive industry is not only growing but evolving in step with global mobility trends.

About Malaysia Car of the Year (MCOTY)

Inaugurated in 2002, the Malaysia Car of the Year (MCOTY) awards is the country’s longest-running and most prestigious automotive awards programme. Organized by Mobility Media in collaboration with the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics & IoT Institute (MARii) under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), MCOTY serves as a definitive guide for car buyers while recognizing excellence in the automotive industry.

The awards are judged by a diverse panel of seasoned automotive journalists and subject matter experts who evaluate vehicles based on design, innovation, performance, safety, and value for money. With a growing focus on sustainability and electrification, MCOTY continues to set the benchmark for excellence in Malaysia’s evolving mobility landscape.

Malaysia Car of the Year (MCOTY) Awards 2025 – List of Winners

AWARDS BY CATEGORY

1. SUV of the Year: Price Below RM 200K
   JAECOO J8 AWD

2. SUV of the Year: Price RM 200K – RM 500K
   Zeekr 7X AWD Performance

3. SUV of the Year: Price Above RM 500K
   Porsche Macan Turbo EV

4. Crossover ICE of the Year: Below RM 120K
   PROTON X50 1.5TD Flagship

5. Crossover ICE of the Year: Above RM 120K
   JAECOO J8 2WD

6. Crossover xEV of the Year: Below RM 120K
   CHERY TIGGO CROSS 1.5 Hybrid CSH

7. Crossover xEV of the Year: Above RM 120K
   JAECOO J7 PHEV

8. Sedan of the Year: Below RM 150K
   PROTON Saga 1.5 Premium

9. Sedan of the Year: RM 150K – RM 500K
   Toyota Camry XV80

10. Sedan of the Year: Above RM 500K
    BMW M2

11. MPV xEV of the Year
    Zeekr 009 Ultra Luxury

12. MPV ICE of the Year
    Hyundai Staria 2.2 CRDi Prestige 7-seater

13. Pickup Truck of the Year
    Ford Wildtrak 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel

14. Hatchback of the Year
    MINI Aceman SE

15. Performance Car of the Year
    MG Cyberster
16. Best xEV of the Year
    Zeekr 009 Ultra Luxury

17. Best ICE Car of the Year
    PROTON Saga 1.5 Premium CVT

18. Best Entry Level xEV of the Year
    PROTON e.Mas 5 Premium

SPECIAL MENTION AWARDS

19. Overall MCOTY 2025 (Car of the Year)
    Zeekr 009 Ultra Luxury

20. Innovative Transition towards Zero Emission Mobility
    Nissan KICKS e-POWER

21. Introducing Low Carbon Mobility to Malaysia Premium Airport
    Grab with BYD M6

22. Best EV Friendly Property Development Company
    Sime Darby Properties

23. Excellence in Automotive Sustainability Management Best Practices
    Perodua

24. Best Selling Car Brand
    Perodua

AUTOMOTIVE PERSON OF THE YEAR

25. Automotive Person of the Year
    Perodua President and CEO, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS

26. Peoples’ Choice Award
    PROTON X50 1.5TD Flagship

AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLY CHAIN & AFTER SALES AWARDS

27. Special Mention – Contribution to Government Effort in EV
    Perodua

28. Best Local Automotive Supplier of the Year
    Asian Automotive Steels Sdn Bhd

NEW AWARDS CATEGORIES

29. Automotive Supplier of the Year
    Delloyd Electronics Sdn Bhd

30. Most Energy Efficient Vehicle
    CHERY TIGGO 8 PHEV 1.5 -FWD

31. Rakyat’s Choice Roadshow – MPV Category Winner
    XPENG

32. CARSOME Best Resale Value Brand 2025
    Perodua

33. Excellence in EV Infrastructure & Connectivity
    TNB Electron