During a press conference following the singing of a memorandum of understanding between Proton and the Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI), Madani Sahari, who is the CEO of MAI, touched upon the topic of the new national car project (NNCP).
Responding to a question on the feasibility of the project’s planned timeline prior to a 2020 debut as revealed by MIGHT (Malaysian industry-government group for high technology) last week, Madani said, “as you know, MITI (ministry of international trade and industry) has made an announcement for proposals for the new national car project by October 15.”
“[The] submission to MITI [ends] by October 15, so that is in another few days’ time. We are aware of several proposals [that are] now actually being finalised prior to the submission [date].”
“We think we need to look at the proposals. You see, this national car is a vision of the PM (prime minister) and obviously it is being discussed in the Cabinet. And now that ministries are supporting [it], there’s a role for every ministry to play in order to make this project a success,” he added.
Madani also pointed out that only when the proposals have been reviewed and meet the expectations of the government would there be any talk about incentives and other aspects of the project.
He noted that the timeline mentioned during the briefing last week was MIGHT’s estimate but could change depending on the winning proposal, which will cover details prototype development and start of production.
It’s also suggested that plans for a national car project may have been put into motion prior to the government’s announcement. “Bear in mind, some of the proposals may have been worked [out] even before the announcement of the government about creating a new national car,” said Madani.
“So, really, if these proposals have been developed [in the] last two years without knowing that there’s an opportunity for such a submission, then now [that] there’s an opportunity, probably there are some proposals that are ready,” he continued.
“[The] bottom line is, this will be a private funded project so it is only fair to really see what is being highlighted in the proposals and it’s just a few days’ time from now for us to really understand and take it from there,” he ended his reply.
When asked about on the sidelines later, Madani revealed that two submissions have been officially received so far, although he didn’t reveal names nor when they were submitted.
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Thumbs up Mr Madani, the Right man for Might.
China citizens runs our national car company, and reports to a company in China. DRB should have close-down Proton than bastardized it
Sweedish has no problem with Volvo. Sweedish pride wholy own by Chinese company
2 proposals? One from Berjaya & the other from YTL?
DRB Hicom & Sime Darby
MAI should be closed down and they are nothing but a YES MAN. In the previous government, MAI never did anything to abolish the AP nonsense and asking the Government to honour their promise to reduce car prices by 30%. All the time, they gave goreng about how good the AP system was and how good high car prices were
Now, with new Government, MAI again trying to kiss and bodek the Government. We all know 3rd car project is not good for Malaysia but yet, MAI is again kissing the Government and ampu bodek the PM
MAI being a neutral body for the development of the automotive sector should act neutral and fair.
Seriously MAI, time to close shop
Might has said 3rd car project will be semi autonomous. Even Tesla, with their huge team of brilliant Harvard and Standford engineers also cannot get autonomous driving correct, Malaysia wants to to semi autonomous cars.
The evolutionary process of a car manufacturer is from NA engines to progress to turbo, then to Hybrid, PHEV and then finally EV then only autonomous.
Even 10 year old Hybrid technology also Malaysia don’t have. We want to terus lompat from NA engines straight into autonomous cars.
Look at logo. They actually want to create supercar rivalling 918, La Ferrari, P1. Haha. F joke.
There are car startup straight to EV. Ur still thinking old way of doing business. Semi autonomous is like feature of a car eg AEB, adaptive auto cruising, Lane daparture warning, etc. Not that self driving car + those feature I mention before ..that autonomous car
Can i apply for yur job Mydarling bro
Not easy job bro
Really not a easy job, want to kiss someone ass
MIGHT Electric (New) Model 3 – Mentega (M3)
Continuation from P1 & P2
Why one day so.many photo of tis guy?? Tired la
private funded you said? then there is no business for government to get involve.
Estimate timeline only, don’t be so happy yet. Like some of the manifesto, they were for reference only.
By 2020 Toyota will be back and reclaim the crown after the new assembly plant starts operation.