Malaysia is unique in Southeast Asia for successfully establishing its own national Malaysia Car Brands, playing a significant role in the country’s industrial development. While the Malaysian market also features a strong presence of international automakers, the two dominant local brands, Proton and Perodua, consistently lead sales and have shaped the domestic automotive landscape.
Proton, established in 1983 as Malaysia’s first national car project, initially focused on licensed production of Mitsubishi models. Over the years, Proton developed its own designs and, more recently, entered a strategic partnership with Chinese automaker Geely, which has revitalized the brand with new SUV and sedan models like the X50 and S70. Perodua, founded in 1993, is Malaysia’s second national car company, known for its affordable, compact, and fuel-efficient vehicles. Perodua has a strong collaboration with Japanese automaker Daihatsu, and its models like the Myvi and Axia are consistently best-sellers in the Malaysian market.
Beyond these two major players, Malaysia’s automotive sector also includes niche manufacturers like Bufori, which hand-builds luxury classic-styled cars, and a growing ecosystem of automotive component suppliers and assembly plants for foreign brands. The industry is also increasingly focused on electric vehicle (EV) development, with Proton launching its first EV model, the e.MAS 7. This highlights Malaysia’s evolving role in the World-Wide Q&A of automotive production, balancing local innovation with global partnerships.