Perodua Partners UTM To Drive Malaysian EV Innovation
In a move that could see a significant shift in Malaysia’s automotive landscape, Perodua has announced a strategic partnership with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) to spearhead the development of next-generation electric vehicles (xEV). The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the 2 parties outlines a comprehensive framework for collaboration that goes beyond basic technology transfer, focusing instead on cultivating homegrown EV expertise and innovation.
Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad, President and Chief Executive Officer of Perodua, emphasised the company’s evolving role, stating, “With this MoU, Perodua is taking a step further from our original mandate from being a vehicle for technological transfer to becoming an entity that drives technological development.” This marks a departure from Perodua’s initial focus of adapting and localising technologies from its technical partner, Daihatsu, towards a more proactive role in creating innovative xEV solutions that are suited to the Malaysian market.
The collaboration is designed to be multifaceted, with a strong emphasis on education and talent development. Perodua and UTM will jointly redesign UTM’s undergraduate curriculum, to incorporate the latest xEV technologies, for its engineering programme as well as other related ones. This strategic move ensures that future Malaysian engineers will graduate with the specialised skills necessary to contribute to the national xEV agenda. Furthermore, the establishment of a dedicated satellite laboratory at UTM’s Skudai campus will provide a hands-on environment for research and development, fostering a culture of innovation and experimentation.
Beyond academic enhancement, the MoU also outlines plans for Perodua and UTM to actively exchange knowledge on the current and emerging technologies in the xEV landscape. This mutual learning process will benefit both the company and university, allowing them to keep pace with the rapid technological advancements in the field. By exposing both academics and engineers to the intricacies of xEV development, the collaboration aims to close the existing skills gap and accelerate the pace of innovation.
“This collaboration underscores the importance of bridging the gap between academia and industry that can empower graduates with the skills and knowledge,” stated Prof. Dr. Rosli Md Illias, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) of UTM. He highlighted the critical role of such partnerships in driving sustainable mobility in Malaysia. This partnership model ensures that the research conducted is relevant to real-world challenges, and that the graduates are ready for the demands of the industry, ensuring Malaysia remains competitive in the global automotive sector.
The implications of this partnership are potentially far-reaching. By actively investing in local research and development capabilities, Perodua can create its own path of xEV technology. It also suggests a greater degree of autonomy and potentially lower technology cost in the long run due to the creation of in-house solutions. This collaboration between a national automotive company and a leading technical university should not only strengthen the Malaysian electrified vehicle ecosystem but would position the nation as a key player in the global shift towards sustainable mobility. The move could very well accelerate the adoption of new energy vehicles in Malaysia while simultaneously supporting the growth of local talent in this sector.
