PETALING JAYA: The Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), China Automotive Technology and Research Centre (CATARC), DRB-Hicom and Proton have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to cooperate on the development of next-generation vehicle (NxGV) hub within Malaysia and the region.
The collaboration will focus on the development of an NxGV testing facility in Malaysia, the first in the region.
In a press statement, MARii said it had entered an MoU with CATARC to focus on knowledge and expertise transfer, standardisation of technical standards and the construction of facilities within the test centre, to enhance domestic capabilities in the development and testing of NxGVs within the Asean region.
MARii CEO Datuk Madani Sahari said the MoU with CATARC is an important milestone for Malaysia in its progress to be a NxGV hub in the Asean region.
“As testing and homologation is a logistically sensitive item in the development of any vehicle, we are working to offer full-fledged testing solutions according to latest NxGV technology developments, in line with safety regulations, policies and standards.”
CATARC general manager Zhou Hua opined that the collaboration will also unlock access to the Asean market.
“The expertise of our business, especially in terms of testing and certification, could be shared to the Malaysian and Asean automotive industries in the foreseeable future.”
On the other hand, MARii and DRB-Hicom entered into an MoU to stablish academic and relevant human capital development programmes, in order to enhance Malaysia’s automotive workforce.
MARii elaborated that the two parties will collaborate to establish new programmes in line with industry demands, including value chain development and market expansion to create a critical pool of highly skilled talent in the areas of future mobility.
“The technology modules in these academic programs will enable our workforce to be equipped with a more sophisticated set of skills, allowing them to render their talent in various multi-disciplinary areas of the automotive ecosystem,” said Madani.
Meanwhile, the MoU between Proton and CATARC will enable the Malaysian car company to leverage on the research center’s facilities, especially in the areas of testing related activities.
Combined with Proton’s own research and development activities, the collaboration could boost its product line-up and accelerate the incorporation of new technologies in line with Malaysia’s NxGV aspirations.
