The overall 2025 Malaysia Car of the Year award has been presented to the luxurious MPV model, Zeekr 009 Ultra Luxury.
This marks the second consecutive year that electric vehicles have received the highest recognition, reflecting the ongoing development of EVs in the Malaysian automotive market.
The Zeekr 009 Ultra Luxury was chosen for setting a new benchmark in terms of advanced electric powertrain technology, high refinement levels, comprehensive safety features, and modern luxury amenities that come as standard.
The Proton X50 1.5TD Flagship was awarded the “People’s Choice Award” for 2025, reflecting consumer sentiment regarding technology, energy efficiency, safety, and value.
Meanwhile, the “Automotive Person of the Year (APOY)” award was given to Dato’ Seri Zainal Abidin Ahmad, President and CEO of Perodua.
Under his leadership, Perodua has consistently recorded strong sales performance, significantly contributing to Malaysia’s Total Industry Volume (TIV).
He has also supported broader industry development through vendor development, workforce skill enhancement, and alignment with national automotive policies and sustainability, thereby reinforcing Perodua’s role as a pillar of Malaysia’s automotive sector.
Notably, the MCOTY 2025 awards saw a substantial number of recipients consisting of electrified vehicles, particularly fully electric models.
At the same time, this outcome reflects how hybrid powertrains and modern turbocharged internal combustion engines have become the new norm among high-performance vehicles.
“The Malaysia Car of the Year award reflects the extent of progress in our automotive industry, not only in scale but also in innovation and sustainability.
“The significant presence of electric vehicles among the main award winners demonstrates Malaysia’s readiness to embrace cleaner and smarter mobility solutions,” said Deputy Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah Haji Yusof.
He explained that this aligns with national and regional aspirations, as the government’s ongoing focus on energy transition opens opportunities for industry players to invest in green technology, strengthen local capabilities, and develop future mobility solutions.
The winners of 2025 MCOTY were selected through a transparent and comprehensive judging process, conducted by a panel of automotive journalists and experienced industry professionals.
Vehicles were assessed based on eight key criteria: Design, Safety, Ergonomics, Value, Practicality, Performance, Energy Efficiency, and Warranty. This comprehensive evaluation framework ensures that awards are granted to vehicles that are genuinely relevant in the real world and offer balanced excellence.
