Malaysia opens its protected auto market
The Malaysian government announced on January 20 it will allow foreign automakers to build smaller passenger cars in the country, a liberalising move aimed at repositioning the country as a leader in energy-efficient vehicles. The changes, effective immediately, will for the first time allow foreign automakers to build cars with engines of 1.8 litres or less if those cars qualify as energy-efficient.
Such projects will not need domestic investment partners and will enjoy incentives such as tax breaks, Trade Minister Mustapa Mohamed said.
“The policies used to be there to protect [the national car brand] Proton. But we have opened up the market,” he said. “We believe these policies will enable Malaysia to regain our position as one of the most dynamic hubs for Southeast Asia.”
Malaysia, the region’s third-largest economy after Thailand and Indonesia, was once Southeast Asia’s automotive hub. But it has fallen behind its two rivals through decades of industry policies that coddled Proton, which was launched in 1983. Malaysia now produces far fewer vehicles than Thailand or Indonesia.
The government had previously shielded Proton via excise and import duties of up to 150 per cent on foreign vehicles, and other restrictions. The policies have been blamed for contributing to sub-standard Proton models. The firm, which was state-owned until 2012, has recorded losses in recent years as its market share sank. Consumers have also complained the policies made better-built foreign cars too expensive for many Malaysian buyers.
Malaysia already allows foreign car makers to manufacture larger vehicles in the country, after lifting foreign-equity caps on such ventures in 2010. The reforms could be attractive to some foreign manufacturers looking for a regional production base.
In 2012, Thailand and Indonesia produced 2.4 million and 1.1 million cars under foreign nameplates, respectively, up 67 per cent and 27 per cent from the year earlier, according to the International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers. Neither country has a national car project.
Malaysian factories produced 570,000 cars in 2012, up nearly seven per cent. About three-quarters of Malaysian production were vehicles with 1.8-litre engines or smaller.
[caption id="attachment_19841" align="alignleft" width="300"] Malaysia's homegrown brand Proton has been protected from competitive imports[/caption] The Malaysian government announced on January 20 it will allow foreign automakers to build smaller passenger cars in the country, a liberalising move aimed at repositioning the country as a leader in energy-efficient vehicles. The changes, effective immediately, will for the first time allow foreign automakers to build cars with engines of 1.8 litres or less if those cars qualify as energy-efficient. Such projects will not need domestic investment partners and will enjoy incentives such as tax breaks, Trade Minister Mustapa Mohamed said. "The policies used...
The Malaysian government announced on January 20 it will allow foreign automakers to build smaller passenger cars in the country, a liberalising move aimed at repositioning the country as a leader in energy-efficient vehicles. The changes, effective immediately, will for the first time allow foreign automakers to build cars with engines of 1.8 litres or less if those cars qualify as energy-efficient.
Such projects will not need domestic investment partners and will enjoy incentives such as tax breaks, Trade Minister Mustapa Mohamed said.
“The policies used to be there to protect [the national car brand] Proton. But we have opened up the market,” he said. “We believe these policies will enable Malaysia to regain our position as one of the most dynamic hubs for Southeast Asia.”
Malaysia, the region’s third-largest economy after Thailand and Indonesia, was once Southeast Asia’s automotive hub. But it has fallen behind its two rivals through decades of industry policies that coddled Proton, which was launched in 1983. Malaysia now produces far fewer vehicles than Thailand or Indonesia.
The government had previously shielded Proton via excise and import duties of up to 150 per cent on foreign vehicles, and other restrictions. The policies have been blamed for contributing to sub-standard Proton models. The firm, which was state-owned until 2012, has recorded losses in recent years as its market share sank. Consumers have also complained the policies made better-built foreign cars too expensive for many Malaysian buyers.
Malaysia already allows foreign car makers to manufacture larger vehicles in the country, after lifting foreign-equity caps on such ventures in 2010. The reforms could be attractive to some foreign manufacturers looking for a regional production base.
In 2012, Thailand and Indonesia produced 2.4 million and 1.1 million cars under foreign nameplates, respectively, up 67 per cent and 27 per cent from the year earlier, according to the International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers. Neither country has a national car project.
Malaysian factories produced 570,000 cars in 2012, up nearly seven per cent. About three-quarters of Malaysian production were vehicles with 1.8-litre engines or smaller.
