KUALA LUMPUR: There should be more infrastructure provided by the government in order to bring in more electric cars to the Malaysian market, says Volkswagen Group Malaysia Sdn Bhd managing director Christoph Aringer.
He said car manufacturers have to prepare thorough proposals and submit to their companies, taking into account the existing facilities and infrastructure already available in the country.
“Electric cars benefit the people amid the softening economic situation in the Asean region and electric cars are the best solution.
“However, we (car manufacturers) need to take into account everything including the facilities and infrastructure.We cannot only sell our products but we need to think of our buyers of e-vehicles and future users,” he told Bernama.
Aringer said it was impossible for Volkswagen Malaysia to manufacture electric vehicles in Malaysia for the time being.
Meanwhile, BMW Group Malaysia recently reported that it would not manufacture electric vehicles in Malaysia any longer, owing it to poor demand for such vehicles in the country.
The German car manufacturer said due to the small demand and insufficient infrastructure, it cannot produce its ‘i’ models at present.
BMW Group Malaysia also sought clarification on what tax advantage companies like BMW would get for introducing energy-efficient vehicles in Malaysia.
It also urged the government to offer tax incentives for players selling electric vehicles, irrespective of whether they are locally-assembled. — Bernama