Zeekr wins Overall Malaysia Car of the Year 2025 with the Zeekr 009 Ultra Luxury
The Malaysia Car of the Year Awards 2025 (MCOTY) has once again highlighted the evolving landscape of the nation’s automotive industry. The event brought together carmakers, industry leaders, and policymakers to recognize excellence in innovation, performance, and sustainability during a significant period of technological transition.
The night’s most prestigious title, the Overall Malaysia Car of the Year 2025, was awarded to the Zeekr 009 Ultra Luxury. The model stood out for its advanced electric powertrain, refined execution, and comprehensive safety features, marking the second consecutive year an electric vehicle (EV) has taken the top prize.
Dato’ Seri Zainal Abidin Ahmad, President and Chief Executive Officer of Perodua, was honored with the Automotive Person of the Year (APOY) award. Under his leadership, Perodua has maintained its market dominance while driving localization and workforce upskilling. His tenure has been notably marked by the development of Malaysia’s first local electric vehicle, the Perodua QV-E.
While the Zeekr 009 dominated the premium segment, the Proton X50 1.5TD Flagship secured the People’s Choice Award 2025, reflecting strong consumer alignment with modern technology and value.
The overall results of MCOTY 2025 showcased a pragmatic market transition, with a significant number of winners featuring electrified powertrains, including full electric models and hybrid systems, alongside modern turbocharged internal combustion engines.
In line with the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute’s (MARii) mission, the awards also placed a heavy emphasis on the supply chain. Asian Automotive Steels Sdn Bhd and Delloyd Electronics Sdn Bhd received vendor-related awards for their sustained contributions to engineering expertise and localization efforts within the Malaysian ecosystem.
The event featured key perspectives on the future of the nation’s mobility. “The Malaysia Car of the Year Awards reflect how far the nation’s automotive industry has progressed, not only in terms of scale but also in innovation and sustainability. The growing presence of electric vehicles among top award winners demonstrates Malaysia’s readiness to embrace cleaner and smarter mobility solutions,” said Deputy Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah Haji Yusof.
YB Tuan Sim Tze Tzin, Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), added: “Platforms such as MCOTY play an important role in reflecting the direction of Malaysia’s industrial and trade agenda, particularly as the automotive sector transitions towards higher value-added, technology-driven, and sustainable manufacturing. The continued collaboration between government, OEMs, suppliers, and technology providers will be critical in strengthening Malaysia’s competitiveness, supporting local industry players, and positioning the country as a key automotive and mobility hub in the region.”
Azrul Reza Aziz, Chief Executive Officer of MARii, noted: “MCOTY 2025 reflects the changes taking place across Malaysia’s automotive industry. Beyond recognising individual vehicles, the awards also acknowledge the wider ecosystem, including suppliers, vendors, and supporting partners, whose contributions are essential to product development, manufacturing quality, and long-term industry sustainability aligned with our National Automotive Policy (NAP2020).”
Winners were determined through a transparent process where a panel of automotive journalists and professionals evaluated vehicles across eight criteria: Appearance, Safety, Ergonomics, Value for Money, Practicality, Performance, Energy Efficiency, and Warranty.
Organized by Mobility Media and co-organized by MARii, MCOTY 2025 continues to serve as a vital benchmark for an industry moving in step with global mobility trends.
