Global Trends and Malaysia's Automotive Sector: Ambitions versus Reality

This paper examines the development of the Malaysian automotive sector in the midst of rapid global changes in technology, consumer preferences and sustainability concerns. The sector represents a case of infant industry "protection-plus" as it includes among its objectives, the state's aspiration to nurture Bumiputra entrepreneurs as national champions for this sector. Despite close to three decades of protection, the two national cars continue to depend on foreign partners for technology support. The National Automotive Policies (NAPs) strive to push the sector towards the technology frontier with foreign and domestic investments while seeking to be a regional hub and groom national Bumiputra champions, including an impending third national car. The inherent conflicts in these objectives create disincentives for investments while the domestic market is held captive to the national car producers. Although policies continue to espouse grand visions, the reality is that Malaysia's carmakers continue to be inward looking while exports remain insignificant.