BYD Seal Premium is the first EV to win overall Malaysia Car of the Year Award
BYD Seal Premium (Extended Range) is the overall winner of the Malaysia Car of the Year 2024.
The top honour marked a historical moment as this was the first time an electric vehicle (EV) has won the accolade. The BYD Seal stood out for its design, performance and sustainable engineering.
The winners were selected through a rigorous and transparent judging process conducted by a panel of experienced automotive journalists and industry professionals. The judging criteria included eight key factors: Appearance, Safety, Ergonomics, Value for Money, Practicality, Performance, Energy Efficiency, and Warranty. This comprehensive evaluation ensured that only the most deserving vehicles and individuals were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the automotive sector.
Automotive Personality of the Year 2024
The Automotive Person of the Year award went to Mohamad Reza Bin Abdul Mutalib who has transformed and redefined sustainable transportation. Reza played a pivotal role in bringing four EV-focused car marques to Malaysia, significantly advancing the industry’s ecological outlook. As General Manager of TC Euro Cars, he established First Energy Network in 2014. This laid the groundwork for the nation’s EV infrastructure. Although the initiative was ahead of its time, Reza’s work set the stage for the burgeoning EV market in Malaysia. His innovative approach, blending financial acumen with a passion for motoring, has solidified his reputation as a key figure in the sector.
The past year has been transformative for Malaysia’s automotive industry, with record-breaking Total Industry Volume (TIV) expected to exceed 800,000 units. This growth reflects the sector’s resilience and adaptability in embracing new technologies such as electric and autonomous vehicles. Significant strides have also been made in sustainability, with a growing number of energy-efficient vehicles (EEVs), especially electric vehicles entering the market. These developments underscore Malaysia’s position as a regional leader in automotive innovation and green mobility.
“The Malaysia Car of the Year Awards epitomises this commitment to excellence. It represents not just recognition but inspiration, pushing the boundaries of innovation and setting new standards for the industry. Beyond the accolades, MCOTY embodies the hard work, dedication, and vision that continue to propel Malaysia’s automotive sector forward. It celebrates those who are not only meeting today’s demands but also designing the transportation solutions of tomorrow.”, said Deputy Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah Haji Yusof.
The Deputy Prime Minister also said that as the ASEAN Chair in 2025, Malaysia is set to take the lead in advancing renewable energy transitions as a key regional priority. For the automotive sector, this presents a tremendous opportunity to align with broader sustainability goals. He also urged OEMs to adopt eco-friendly practices, invest in green technologies, and integrate renewable energy into their operations, thereby driving innovation in sustainable mobility.
CEO of MARii, Azrul Reza Aziz added, ‘Our mission is to position Malaysia as a regional hub for Next-Generation Vehicles (NxGV), in line with the National Automotive Policy (NAP 2020). This year, the expanded MCOTY Awards reflect our holistic approach by recognizing contributions across the entire automotive value chain, from development to end-of-life. The awards highlight sustainability, safety, and mobility innovations, reaffirming our commitment to building a competitive, eco-friendly, and globally recognized automotive industry.”
“I would also like to acknowledge the 12 members of the Malaysia Car of the Year Judging Panel, who have made the process of adjudicating the various models nominated for Malaysia Car of the Year, by doing so, have fulfilled a great mission, and it’s been a joy working with these illustrious individuals. I would also like to thank MARii for their invaluable partnership and for being a cornerstone in this incredible journey of advancing Malaysia’s automotive excellence,”, said Yamin Vong, founder of MCOTY.
The Malaysia Car of the Year 2024 Awards were held at Menara MITI. The event was organised by Mobility Media and co-organised by the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics, and IoT Institute (MARii), showcasing vehicles and individuals that set new benchmarks for the industry.
Car of the Year 2024 Winners by Category
Overall Car of the Year: BYD Seal Premium (Extended Range) EV
Crossovers
RM200K & below: Smart #3 Pro
RM200K – RM 500K: BMW iX1 eDrive20 M Sport
Hatchback
Volkswagen Golf R
MPV
Toyota Alphard AH40 2.4 Turbo
SUVs
RM200K & below: Honda CR-V 1.5 V Turbo
RM200K – RM 500K: Volkswagen Touareg R-Line 3.0 V6 TSI
Above RM500K: Lotus Eletre
Sedans
RM200K & below: BYD Seal Premium (Extended Range) EV
RM200K & Above: BYD Seal Performance AWD EV
Truck: Ford Ranger Platinum 2.0L Bi-Turbo diesel
xEV
Below RM150K: Chery Omoda 5e EV
RM150K – RM 300K: BYD Seal Premium (Extended Range) EV
RM300 & Above: Lotus Eletre
Best Value for Money Car: Proton S70 1.5 Flagship
Best Selling Car Brand in Malaysia: Perodua
Most Energy Efficient Vehicle: Perodua Bezza
People’s Choice: Ford Ranger Platinum 2.0L Bi-Turbo diesel
Automotive Person of the Year: Mohamad Reza Bin Abdul Mutalib
Outstanding Dealer – 4S Award: Ngu Chung Beng & Sons Corporation Sdn Bhd (PERODUA 4S Dealer)
Best EV Friendly Property Development Company: SP Setia
Best Local Automotive Supplier: Multi-Code Electronic Sdn Bhd
Automotive Supplier of the Year: Aptiv Malaysia Sdn
Excellence in Automotive Sustainability Management Best Practices: Northport
Special Mention Contributing to Government Effort in Increasing EV Motorcycle Adoption: BlueShark
