Here is why I think that Malaysia is headed to a very bleak automotive future
So recently, I, like most other Malaysian automotive media, had the privilege of attending the Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show (KLIMS) 2024. However, some old fans of the show will remember that though we have not had one of these shows in a few years due to the pandemic, it used to have a different name. This has a deeper meaning than one may assume.
See, the show used to be called the KL international MOTOR show, so why has this changed to mobility? Well, much like the disease of woke culture, it is to be more “inclusive” and signify that the Malaysian government, like most other world governments, is shifting its focus from the good old internal combustion engine (ICE) model to electric vehicles (EVs).
Moreover, with the government here pushing more incentives than ever before despite EV sales slowing down drastically in the West, one has to wonder why we Malaysians are so blind to the trends of more developed countries. Could the incentives really be worth the headache and money down the line? I don’t think so.
Now, back to my main point, while some may see the name change of KLIMS as purely innocent, I, the “conspiracy theorist” I have been labelled, will take this as an attack, an attack on tradition, on ICE engines in general and also a personal attack to anyone who considers themselves and automotive enthusiast.
Why do I say this? Well, of all the brands who displayed their cars at KLIMS, the majority of them had at least one EV, or in some cases all EVs or mostly EVs even. This is a far cry from the way car shows used to be when I was younger. I did see a few rumbling engines, don’t get me wrong, but the main focus at the show was always the EVs.
On top of that, love them or hate them, EVs are the future of mobility in Malaysia. We are a stubborn people and instead of learning from the West and rejecting EVs now, we Malaysians will have to learn the hard way as we always insist on doing so it will be a while before the majority of Malaysians see what I see and look to hybrids and ICE again instead.
So why do I think the future is bleak? Simple, with no ICE cars, we are essentially trading the future for the past when I think there is a happy medium staring us right in the face that the Government and many Malaysians are ignoring. Instead of pushing so hard for EVs which have proven problematic by nature, why not go hybrid?
Yes, the Government does incentivise hybrids too, but not to the same degree as EVs. Even Proton was showcasing its e.Mas 7 EV and Perodua showed us its EMO II concept, both of which are full EVs and I couldn’t help but feel slightly betrayed.
What’s more, here in Malaysia, we all grew up learning the phrase “kacang melupakan kulit” and in English the nearest equivalent would be “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” a quote by Spanish philosopher, George Santayana. So why are we collectively abandoning the past and ignoring warnings from more developed nations at the same time?
Of course, I am biased, so is everyone else. I don’t like the concept of an EV and my reasons are plenty. They may not resonate or even make sense to you but that’s the beautiful thing about opinions, everyone has them and everyone is entitled to them. As long as we all respect each other, I think we can voice those opinions any time.
At the end of the day, I accept that EVs are going to replace ICE, that is inevitable, however, I think we can at least give hybrids a chance first and slow down on the whole abandoning the ICE strategy, at least until we find a way to get the global infrastructure up to snuff to sustain every household owning an EV and making EV batteries less “go boom” and more safe.
Well, that is my 2 cents and whether or not you agree, I thank each and everyone of you who read this and urge you to really think about what I wrote. While EVs may be exciting now, it will soon show problems that only come with time. The West learned this the hard way, we don’t need to as well. So please, don’t forget the past by hyperfixating on the future.
