Putrajaya has announced that DreamEDGE Sdn Bhd, a bumiputera-owned engineering firm, will be the anchor company responsible for developing the third national car.
At a press conference in Cyberjaya today, International Trade and Industry Minister Darell Leiking said the first model of the third national car will take 18 months to manufacture and will be launched in March 2021.
He also announced that Daihatsu Motor Co. Ltd will provide support for manufacturing the car, and noted that the Japanese automobile manufacturer will not acquire any stake in the project.
He also reiterated that the government will not allocate any funds for the development of the third national car.
Established in March 2007, the Cyberjaya-based DreamEDGE provides engineering services related to the automobile, rail, naval, energy, aeronautics and manufacturing industries.
DreamEDGE founder and chief executive officer Khairil Adri Adnan said the company will develop a C-segment sedan as its first car.
However, he said the company was undecided on the car's engine type.
"It will be either advanced ICE (internal combustion engine) or hybrid," he said.
Although the press conference was expected to reveal details about the new national car, many aspects of the project appeared not to have been decided upon yet.
This included the financing structure of the project, while further questions regarding details of the new car were also left unanswered.
When pressed further about whether they had a formal contract with Daihatsu, Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI) CEO Madani Sahari said an understanding had been reached with the Japanese company.
Sahari, who was present at the press conference, said they will sign a memorandum in future.
[More to follow] - Mkini
3rd. National Car Project....huh
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