The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) announced earlier today that Malaysians will see the first model by the 3rd national car project by March 2021. The project will be a wholly privately-funded endeavour, with Cyberjaya-based company DreamEDGE as its anchor company.
At the moment, the specifics on the model aren’t available, but MITI says that the project’s first model will be a “completely new model with advanced technology”. In addition to that, International Trade and Industry Minister Darell Leiking reportedly that the first model will likely be a C-segment sedan—potentially being powered by a hybrid engine.
“The new national car prototype is slated to be revealed in March 2020… the new model will be launched a year later.”
– International Trade and Industry Minister Darell Leiking
In addition to that, Daihatsu will also be providing its expertise to help develop the powertrain and platform. DreamEDGE was earlier part of Tun Mahathir’s ‘Look East’ policy, and is part of the effort to produce next-gen eco-friendly shuttles for the Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2020.
The company was founded in founded in 2007, and has a manufacturing and prototyping centre in Cyberjaya, an innovation lab in Bukit Jalil within SIRIM, a design centre in Taiping, as well as an R&D office in Tokyo, Japan. Unfortunately, their website isn’t loading right now, so we’ll have more information on that soon.
The new project has the aim of spurring meaningful participation of Malaysians. “The objective of new national car is to adopt science, technology and engineering. It is a fully fledged vehicle developed in Malaysia,” International Trade and Industry Minister Darell Leiking said.
In answer to those that are worried that a 3rd national car project would take up more government funds, Leiking explained that the DreamEDGE would be privately funding the project, and the project will not involve the federal funds.
“The government will consider giving a tax incentive for the new national car project and participants (in the project) can apply for it.”
[ VIA ]
