Many promises have been made for a low priced EV for Malaysians. Only promises!
Fact, as we continue to have a national car program selling petrol powered cars in the country for the mass population, there will NOT be a low priced electric vehicle, from China or even India that will be priced below RM100,000.
In recent months there has been a flurry of interest in electric vehicles among some Malaysians as the government did a great move to remove all import duties and also road tax fees on full electric vehicles.
At the time, and even now, there are only luxury car manufacturers selling electric vehicles in Malaysia in high numbers. The Nissan Leaf, the worlds best selling electric car has less sales over the Porsche Taycan in Malaysia and the Hyundai Kona EV managed a couple of dozen orders only.
The Mini electric sold better than the Hyundai Kona EV. The BMW iX3 has more bookings, with a possible waiting time of almost 2 years, whereas the Renault Zoe, Europe’s best selling electric car took two years plus to clear their small stock of cars.
All, this points to just one thing. Only rich Malaysians can afford electric vehicles and they are enjoying tax free ownership and FREE road tax, whilst the average Malaysian continues to pay high import duties for new cars and incur heavy yearly road tax fees.
So, then, what about the non-stop news from click bait articles claiming Chinese EV car manufacturers with prices as low as RM45,000 are on the way to Malaysian showrooms. Just fiction for just much needed traffic from the average Malaysian reader?
Take the already spotted and making its rounds ORA Good Cat compact electric car. This cute little well appointed Great Wall Motors product was launched in Thailand and it is selling reasonably well.
Its initial indicated selling price was RM95,000 or so. Then in a recent online news article, the selling price rose to RM149,000 or so. Why? There is no import tax!
Well, simple. If low priced electric cars come into Malaysia, like low priced petrol powered cars, then how will our ‘national car’ brands survive?
Right now both brands dominate the total industry volume and with long waiting lists to keep dealers very happy and parts manufacturers bank balances healthy.
Honda and Nissan who have invested in large factories in Malaysia cannot bring in their compact cars to challenge the ‘national car’ brands and this is why lower priced electric cars will also not be allowed to be sold to challenge the sales numbers of the national car brands.
Its all about politics of the automotive industry and former leaders who have vested interest in our automotive manufacturing business.
