NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE POLICY 2014
Personally, I am disappointed with the recent launching of the National Automotive Policy. The possibility of a cheaper car is as good (or as bad) as the possibility of abolishing the open AP. The copy of the NAP 2014 is available at HERE.
1. The
NAP 2014 is encouraging the re-badging of national cars instead of building our
own with its recognition of PERODUA as a national car. The Intellectual Property Rights for all PERODUA models are not with Malaysian for PERODUA to be called a National Car.
2. The National Automotive Policy did not provide a clearer
framework and a roadmap on the direction the government wants to drive the
National Car in term of producing own design, chassis and engine.
3. In the past, the government drove PROTON to
invest in technology capable of building its own engine, its own car and to
move away from re-badging. For years, the dealers had to sell these vehicles
with a very thin margin and the public had to pay more for PROTON cars due to a
higher cost of production.
4. Unlike previous NAP, that omitted Perodua
as a national car, NAP 2014 expressly stated Perodua as a national car although Perodua
is majority foreign-own and only produce re-badging of already established
vehicles.
5. There is no clear guideline to what constitute a
National Car and non-national and without it, incentives can be abused. At the
moment, the term national car status is subjective, interpreted and
understood differently by various parties even by different authorities.
6. Incentives should only be given to a national car
to keep price competitive for the public while investments can be made for a truly
born Malaysia made vehicles. If that is still the drive.
7. NAP 2 has failed (a) to increase bumiputra
participation in the dealership network as well as (b) preserving specific segment
for PROTON market share, which was part of its objectives. (see: NAP2)
