KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 21 (NNN-BERNAMA) — The National Automotive Policy (NAP) 2020 which was launched today will incorporate three new advanced technology elements namely Next Generation Vehicle, Mobility as a Service and Industrial Revolution 4.0.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said vehicle technology are critical development focus for today’s global carmakers to enhance vehicle safety as well as to make mobility more intelligent and environmentally-friendly.
Apart from aligning with current technological trends, the NAP 2020 he said, also targets to enhance current policies while introducing new measures, which would be a holistic industrial development policy, catering to different needs and expectations of various stakeholders within the value chain.
“In this regard, NAP 2020 has considered all possible elements in the areas of research and development, participation of domestic companies in the local and global supply chain, engineering activities, capability and capacity-building of local talent, enhancement of exports as well as investment incentives,” he said in his keynote speech at the launch of NAP 2020, here today.
Dr Mahathir added the automotive industry and related sectors have employed more than 600,000 people and contribute 4.0 per cent to Malaysia’s gross domestic product.
According to him, there are more than 20 manufacturing and assembly plants in the country producing passenger and commercial vehicles, as well as motorcycles and scooters.
“Moving downstream, there are about 53,000 aftermarket establishments and more than 600 automotive parts and component manufacturers that range from body panels, trim parts, powertrain parts, rubber parts and electrical and electronic parts.”