According to VKTR’ s press release, the facility is equipped with testing facilities that allow VKTR to evaluate its vehicles according to“ international standards,” using tests using road, climb, rain, and flood tests.
Malaysia
Malaysia is a frontrunner in the region as a major producer of EVs. The country has two home-grown brands, Proton and Perodua, that manufacture both ICE and electric vehicles. Interestingly, Malaysia has a dedicated location for automotive-related operations called the Automotive Hi-Tech Valley( AHTV) located in Tanjong Malim, Perak.
Built in 2022, the AHTV is known as an“ Integrated Automotive City” that spans 4,000 acres. The valley supports high-tech automotive industries such as:
• Automotive microchips
• Critical components for NEVs and NxGV
• NEV and NxGV manufacturing
• Advanced vehicle connectivity
• AI
• Autonomous technology
• Automotive cybersecurity
Currently, 19 companies occupy the park with a combined workforce of 8,000 people. When investing in the AHTV, companies can enjoy 70 – 100 per cent tax exemptions with full income tax invention in 5 to 15 years. The government also plans to build a railway for easier access to the area. The AHTV is expected to generate an estimate of 160,000 jobs.
One of the local companies that have set up shop in the AHTV is Proton. Proton, in partnership with major shareholder Geely, began building its first EV factory in the valley in February 2025 then launched the facility in September in the same year. Proton’ s total investment for the plant is estimated at MYR 82 million( AUD $ 29.6 million). The plant is measured at 5.57 acres or around 22,500 square metres.
The facility boasts an annual production capacity of 20,000 completely knocked down( CKD) units of the e. MAS 5 and 7 models for its first phase. Once the plant begins its second phase or is at full capacity, it is expected to produce 45,000 units per year.
As early as August 2025, reports circulated about BYD’ s plans to construct its own plant in the Kuala Lumpur Kepong( LKL) Tech Park in Tanjung Malim. It was reported that production would begin in 2026, but the Chinese EV maker hit a few snags in April this year.
In an interest to protect the local auto industry, Malaysia’ s Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry( MITI) revised its on-the-road( OTR) policy. MITI increased the OTR floor price on imported vehicles from MYR 100,000( AUD $ 35,859) to MYR 250,000( AUD $ 89,658). Furthermore, the following changes were proposed:
• 80 % of output designated for export
• 20 % of vehicles priced at least MYR 200,000( AUD $ 71,716.78) for the domestic market
Reports claimed that BYD and MITI are at a standstill, with the former unable to agree with the latter’ s policy changes.
Vietnam
VinFast is Vietnam’ s answer to the US’ Tesla and China’ s BYD. The homegrown brand was founded in 2017 by private conglomerate VinGroup. VinFast’ s main products are EVs, including electric two-wheelers.
Its first plant, which spans 3,350,000 square meters, was built on Cat Hai Island near Hai Phong. Built in 21 months, it houses a paint shop, press shop, assembly shop and engine shop. The Hai Phong plant can produce 950,000 vehicles per year.
During its first phase of production, the plant produced passenger EVs, electric buses, and electric motorcycles. Its initial investment was valued at USD $ 1.5 billion( AUD $ 2.1 billion).
26 ISSUE 58 APRIL 2026 / WWW. AFMA. ORG. AU