Comments on: Thoughts on the National Automotive Policy

By: Audi CBU Cars New Pricelist

Audi CBU Cars New Pricelist — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 21:48:36 +0000

[...] These are the new post-NAP prices for Audi cars in Malaysia sold by Euromobil Sdn Bhd, last updated on the 8th of August 2006. The prices have gone up across the model range except for the flagship Audi A8 models, but this is expected since the NAP tax rates disfavour CBU cars coming in from non-ASEAN countries. [...]

By: Philippines joins Thailand and Indonesia in opposing Malaysian Non-Tariff Barriers

Sat, 19 Aug 2006 12:15:07 +0000

[...] I have blogged before on Thailand’s refusal to lower duties for incoming Malaysian vehicles down to Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) tax rates of 5%. As the region’s largest CBU vehicle producer, Thailand stands to lose out because of Malaysia’s new National Automotive Policy which imposes Non-Tariff Barriers to cars coming into the country, such as those from Thailand. [...]

By: Nissan invests in Southeast Asian market

Nissan invests in Southeast Asian market — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 17:50:07 +0000

[...] This is quite a major investment! Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore. Geographically, Malaysia is in the middle of all three countries. But so far our National Automotive Policy has not been able to attract any major investment from Nissan here. Sigh! [...]

By: Proton and Chery discussing two-way partnership »

Proton and Chery discussing two-way partnership » — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 20:08:14 +0000

[...] The outcome of this would likely be Proton CKD kits assembled at Chery facilities for the Chinese market, and Chery CKD kits assembled at Proton’s facilities for the Malaysian market. But I wonder what of the NAP ruling regarding selling assembling capacity to 3rd party manufacturers. [...]

By: Government not happy with minimal price reduction »

Government not happy with minimal price reduction » — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 08:39:19 +0000

[...] We’ve seen some effects of the new National Automotive Policy only 3 days after it was announced. Most manufacturers have announced that their CKD vehicles would cost less. Proton says it would cut prices between 2-5% although no official figures have been announced. Other companies which have announced price reductions are Toyota, Perodua, and Mercedes Benz. [...]

By: Customs CBU Vehicle Gazetted Price List »

Customs CBU Vehicle Gazetted Price List » — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 20:55:51 +0000

[...] As I’ve said before, I do not see how this method will work out in the end as the way cars are sold in the foreign market are not so rigid. There are many many trim levels for 1 car model. And they all have different price tags on them. How will the Custom keep track of all the different variants, and will this price list be updated as often as needed? If it is this way, it would not be fair for someone bringing in a car with a higher trim level and someone bringing in the same model but having barebones trim (perhaps no leather seats and a lower end entertainment system) to pay the same import duty and excise tax. You’ll start seeing everyone bringing in the highest trim level for a car possible to take advantage of this little loophole. [...]

By: Agent001

Agent001 — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 13:13:21 +0000

Hey Paul, you should check out and confirm and see what “personal imports are still allowed” really means…it would be a big blow to some people like me who might be thinking of importing 2nd hand cars a few years down the road….

By: theyein

theyein — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 07:46:05 +0000

NAP? It’s the usual rubbish if you ask me. Yes, I know most other car companies in other countries receive some sort of protection from their govts but in our case, its simply too much. Sometimes I wonder, are they protecting our own national cars, or on a larger scale are they protecting their own pride (and side income!)??
The basis of nature: Competition improves the breed, period. If it means that Proton is no longer a Malaysian company, so what? Thailand doesn’t have it’s own car company, but their manufacturing and trade is so much better than ours thanks to the sheer volume of automotive supply and manufacturing. What’s the big deal if we Malaysians have the R&D facilities to develop their own car, when in reality the people who are actually behind the machines don’t have the experience or real-world capability to do so? The problem is the usual malaysian national pride. Malaysia Boleh, Malaysia Boleh. Am I the only person that perceives the whole Malaysia Boleh slogan as a joke, as an excuse by Malaysians for failing or for a false sense of determination to cover their procrastination?!??
Certainly I welcome the NAP, but as has been proven so many times in the history of our country, a policy is one thing, administering it efficiently and effectively is quite another.

By: E-Nabill

E-Nabill — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 02:40:25 +0000

overhaul of the entire auto industry doesnt take a day or two , i know we r all desprate for it to be implemented asap to get cheaper cars….bt the reality its gonna take a long time to materialize…my opinion is very simple , since the last 20yrs , wen wil we eva had a time wer car prices actually went down??lets not fool ourselves..im nt takling about rm200 ir 500 discounts…sting more substantial…if it didnt hapen thn,thn definalty its not gona hapen now with prices of oil and steel at record highs….so we r all wishing,bt at the back of our minds we r disapointed bcos we know nt much wil change…jus my 1.5cents opinion….

By: pycazu

pycazu — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 01:29:40 +0000

woh Paul, u posted this as early as 5.26am? I think u suffered little insomnia on new NAP, pity…
but anyway, many loop holes we could foresee and it’s never favourable for M’sia to become so called “car hub for ASEAN market”, i really doubt it.

By: rexis

rexis — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 01:20:33 +0000

Mmmm, i really dont mind driving an avanza with a p2 batch…

By: Initial D

Initial D — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 01:04:11 +0000

good oso, 2010, we all buy hybrid vehicles.

By: public

public — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 00:40:39 +0000

“Approved Permits will be phased out in stages and completely abolished in 2010″

by 2010, we are not the petroleum exporter anymore.. but need to import from outside… so don’t be so happy with this statement.

By: aksMs

aksMs — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 00:23:03 +0000

Something just doesn’t make sense. There are so many loop holes that certain people can take advantage of it. All in all, I don’t see much changes can be seen except for a minimal decrease in certain car prices. *Sigh*

(P.s: Paul, I’ve been dreaming of the IS200 too! =)