KUALA LUMPUR, 22 JANUARY 2026 – 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.