Third National Car Project to Use Japanese Technology Exclusively, Says Minister

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia – Malaysia’s third national car project, an initiative envisioned by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, will exclusively adopt Japanese technology for now, said Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof.

Speaking at a press conference after launching the One-Stop Entrepreneur Centre and MyPerintis Bizrev at SME Corp headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today, Redzuan confirmed that despite earlier speculation involving potential collaboration with China, the government has opted to rely solely on Japan.

“Our policy has always emphasized the ‘Look East’ approach, and when we say Look East, we mean Japan. We are not currently looking at China, but specifically Japan,” he stated.

When asked if Malaysia had finalized cooperation with Japanese automotive giants like Toyota or Nissan, Redzuan said that decision ultimately rests with the Prime Minister. However, he noted that his ministry plays a critical role in ensuring the success of the project.

“This is a Malaysian-made national car aimed at the Asian and global markets. Our objective is to have this vehicle developed with the contributions and capabilities of local entrepreneurs,” he explained.

“Our role in the ministry is clear—we are here to facilitate collaboration with the private sector, act as a coordinator among various government agencies, and ensure that the public understands this is Malaysia’s car, built for Asia and the world using the latest technology,” he added.

Commenting on the launch of the One-Stop Entrepreneur Centre, Redzuan said the initiative, spearheaded by SME Corp, aims to directly engage with small and medium-sized entrepreneurs to gather feedback and support the growth of their businesses.

He said the centre will function as a centralized reference and facilitation hub for entrepreneurs and the public who are involved in or support entrepreneurial development in Malaysia.
In addition to the SME Hub in the capital, four more physical centres will be established in Kedah, Kelantan, Sabah, and Sarawak to extend outreach nationwide.

–Source