▍Malaysia: About 25% of consumers are interested in purchasing electric vehicles, and Chinese brands face brand recognition challenges

According to the EY Global Consumer Mobile Index Report, approximately 25% of Malaysian consumers are interested in purchasing electric vehicles due to fuel costs and environmental concerns. For early adopters of electric vehicles, the main reasons for purchasing are environmental impact (53%), rising fuel costs (33%), and wanting to "look cool" (27%). However, nearly 40% of consumers prefer to purchase gasoline and hybrid vehicles.

The Malaysian government has set a target for electric vehicles to account for 15% of total vehicle sales by 2030 and has introduced incentive measures to promote the development of the electric vehicle market. However, Malaysian consumers remain cautious. They believe that weighing the resale value of electric vehicles (57%), the opportunity to use renewable energy to charge electric vehicles (51%), and ongoing battery maintenance costs (41%) are the main reasons for "rejecting" electric vehicles.

Mark Bennett, EY's Asia-Pacific Head of Customer Experience for Energy, said that electric vehicles are the future of mobility, but the research results show that there is still a long way to go in addressing infrastructure, range, and battery replacement costs.

Additionally, Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers have made significant progress in Malaysia in recent years, providing consumers with more choices. As of the end of August, two Chinese brands have ranked among the top ten most popular new vehicle registrations (Chery, BYD). However, Bennett said that Chinese brands face challenges in brand recognition, as consumers' choices of automotive products are influenced not only by price but also by brand, service, quality, and resale value.

▍Vietnam: Hybrid vehicle sales exceeded 1,000 units in September, showing robust growth

The hybrid vehicle market in Vietnam is experiencing robust growth. According to data from the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers' Association (VAMA), hybrid vehicle sales exceeded 1,000 units for the first time in September, and by the end of September, 5,652 hybrid vehicles had been sold this year, averaging about 628 units per month. The top two best-selling models were the Toyota Innova Cross HEV with 1,304 units sold (23.07% market share) and the Honda CR-V e:HEV with 1,141 units sold (20.19% market share). Currently, there are 25 hybrid models available in the Vietnamese domestic market, indicating a promising outlook for this segment.

According to Reuters, Vietnam currently has over 150,000 charging stations, most of which are owned and operated by VinFast. HSBC estimates that Vietnam will need an investment of approximately $12.3 billion (about 87.8 billion Chinese yuan) by 2040 to establish a sufficient number of charging stations.

In Vietnam, many automakers are adopting a gradual approach by beginning to add hybrid and electric vehicles to their primarily gasoline-powered portfolios until charging stations are fully developed. Nakano Keita, President of Toyota Vietnam, revealed that Toyota is expected to become the first company to achieve cumulative vehicle sales of 1 million units in Vietnam by 2025.

▍Indonesia: Chery vehicles produced in Indonesia exported to Vietnam

On November 1, 120 Chery OMODA 5 vehicles produced by PT Chery Mobil Indonesia were exported to Vietnam, according to foreign media reports. PT Chery Mobil Indonesia is a joint venture between Chery and its Indonesian partner PT Gaya Motor, serving as Chery's official distributor in Indonesia.

This first export to Vietnam marks PT Chery Mobil Indonesia's commitment to strengthening Chery's brand position on the international stage and demonstrates consumers' trust in the quality and innovative design of Chery products. Chen Chunqing, Executive Vice President of Chery International, said, "We are optimistic that the Chery OMODA 5 will be warmly received in both the Vietnamese and Indonesian markets. Chery Indonesia will become the fastest-growing automaker in terms of exports."

The export of Chery OMODA 5 to Vietnam is the first step in PT Chery Mobil Indonesia's plan to expand into the global market. In addition to conducting complete knock-down (CKD) activities in Indonesia, the company is also committed to exporting its best products to various countries worldwide. Since its establishment in 2022, PT Chery Mobil Indonesia has established 67 dealer networks in Indonesia.

▍Philippines: The 9th International Motor Show concludes with 17 automotive brands participating

The 9th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS), hosted by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI), concluded successfully at the World Trade Center on October 27. With the theme "Dare to Drive, Redefine the Future," the show featured 17 top automotive brands and attracted approximately 42,000 attendees.

BMW showcased luxury electric and hybrid models such as the ultra-luxury XM Label Red and the all-electric i5 M60 Touring. Changan Automobile unveiled the Hunter RE-EV, the world's first extended-range electric pickup truck designed specifically for outdoor adventures. Chery introduced the stylish and youthful crossover SUV, the new 2025 Tiggo 2 Pro, and the new Tiggo 5x Pro, appealing to modern drivers who value fashion. MG brought the new MG HS PHEV and launched multiple models, emphasizing a comprehensive solution for hybrid and electric mobility.

Typesetting 丨 Zheng Li

Source 丨 Nst.com.my, Gaikindo.or.id, Autopro.com.vn, Autocar.com.ph

Image Source 丨 Shotstock