The government has received 14 proposals regarding new national car project

By ahmadzulizwan, 17 October 2018
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The Dewan Rakyat was told that the government has received 14 proposals from the private sector regarding participation in a possible New National Car Project (NNCP). Reiterating what we’ve already learned from the MIGHT briefing, the backbone of the project – including investment – would be the private sector, with government providing assistance to select companies based on the latter’s capabilities.

Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister, Dr. Ong Kian Ming also said that a clear direction must first be established before things proceed.

“I believe the suggestion to conduct an economic impact study for the project is acceptable and fair, but we need to get a clear direction first as we have yet to study the proposals given by the private companies and individuals on the project.”

“At the moment, we have not evaluated all the proposals for the new car project,” he said.

Apparently, MITI had invited interested parties to submit their proposals on the project in September, with a deadline that was set on 15 October.

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Ong also brought up the National Automotive Policy and its inevitable impact to the NNCP, the first time this policy has been mentioned in the same breath with the new car project in greater detail by a government representative. “In order to carry out the economic impact report, we have to get clarity first on the National Automotive Policy.

“Currently, the government is in the midst of reviewing the NAP to include elements which are in line with the advancements in mobility technology and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) to ensure that the local automotive industry is parallel with current developments globally,” said Ong.

He added that the review would take into account factors related to the development of the local automotive industry, such as the development of local companies, research and development (R&D), increasing exports as well as the new national car project.

Ong said the project would be carried out in line with the local automotive industry’s direction and strategy for the future by taking into account elements such as the Next Generation Vehicles (NXGV), mobility, Industry 4.0 and artificial intelligence

“The project focuses on the holistic development of manufacturing capabilities by involving the entire value chain and the automotive industry’s ecosystem,” he said.

Ong said that the project should also emphasise on R&D, trends and the latest technology in the industry which would drive the growth of the automotive industry and related sectors, as well as collaborations with other ASEAN countries.

Source: Bernama