MALAYSIA's automotive industry is unique, to say the least in the sense that we have two national brands in a fairly open market and we hardly export any vehicles, which limits companies that ahve invested in the country.

Admittedly other Southeast Asian markets suh as Thailand and Indonesia are also insisting on local investments in theri automotive industry but these two economies have the advantage of market size when compared to Malaysia.

Thailand, for one has had a clear policy for their automotive industry and is continuing with their push for exports and rewarding local factories in that direction.

As they shift towards the electric vehicle market, Thailand continues to encourage investments that focus on export. To be fair, we do not know if carmakers will respond well to this new rounds of inccentives but in the past it has made them the global export hub for light duty pick-up trucks.