KUALA LUMPUR, 20 MARCH 2025 – The Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), with support from the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) and Tourism Malaysia, proudly officiates the ASEAN Unity Drive 2025 (AUD 2025) Flag-Off Ceremony, marking the beginning of an extraordinary 9,000km journey across 9 ASEAN countries in promoting sustainability in mobility.
This milestone initiative serves as a testament to Malaysia’s commitment to regional connectivity, sustainable mobility, and automotive innovation, particularly in the ASEAN region. The journey leads to the Malaysia Autoshow 2025 (MAS 2025) at
MAEPS, Serdang, ASEAN’s premier automotive showcase, to be held from 9th to 15th May 2025.
The flag off took place at Menara MITI, and was officiated by Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz. “As a trading bloc, ASEAN is deeply interconnected not only within the region but also with global markets through trade, foreign direct investments (FDIs) and supply chains. This initiative showcases ASEAN’s ability to work together to drive sustainable mobility, strengthening economic integration and environmental responsibility. Malaysia is proud to take a leading role in shaping ASEAN’s mobility agenda and ASEAN Unity Drive 2025 is a crucial step in this direction,” said YB Senator Tengku Zafrul.
As Malaysia holds the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, AUD 2025 reinforces the country’s role in leading the region’s transition towards green and smart mobility. The convoy, featuring the Proton e.MAS 7 as the official vehicle, highlights advancements in electric mobility, supporting Malaysia’s national EV agenda and ASEAN’s broader sustainability goals.
The ASEAN Unity Drive 2025 will feature a convoy of 6 Proton e.MAS 7 and 4 X Series vehicles, sponsored by PROTON & PRO-NET, and will cover a total of 9,000km across two routes. The North Route will start in Hanoi, Vietnam, passing through Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and arriving in Malaysia. The South Route will begin in Manila, Philippines, traveling through Sabah, Brunei, Sarawak, Indonesia, Singapore, and finally reaching Malaysia. Both convoys will converge at MAS 2025 during the officiation ceremony of the event, as a symbol of ASEAN’s commitment to cross border connectivity, eco friendly transport solutions, and regional economic collaboration.
“The ASEAN Unity Drive 2025 is more than just a road trip, it also reflects ASEAN’s shared commitment to working together by promoting sustainable mobility and shaping the future of the automotive industry, “said Azrul Reza Aziz, CEO of MARii.
MAS 2025 is the ultimate platform for new car launches, immersive test drive experiences, cutting-edge technology showcases, and industry networking opportunities, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and automotive
enthusiasts from across ASEAN. The event has grown significantly over the years, with over 230,000 visitors in the previous edition, and is expected to attract an even larger audience in 2025.
With eight exhibition halls, MAS 2025 will feature the latest in electric vehicles (EVs), ICE vehicles (including cars, motorcycles and trucks), smart automotive technologies, and aftermarket solutions. It will also be a key venue for business networking, investment opportunities, and policy discussions, strengthening ASEAN’s automotive ecosystem on a global stage.
Visitors can experience an improved test drive track featuring long and tight corners, uphill and downhill slopes, and interactive zones to test ADAS, reverse cameras, and automatic parking systems. The event will also feature a dedicated test ride track for motorcycles, allowing riders to experience various performance and safety features firsthand. Additionally, off-road enthusiasts can explore the 4×4 Hill, designed to showcase the capabilities of off-road vehicles in challenging terrains.
Additionally, MAS 2025 will feature a dedicated Women’s Day, recognizing the growing role of women in the automotive industry and encouraging greater participation in mobility innovation and leadership, celebrating women in the automotive industry, as well as an Automotive Career & Education Day, which includes a career fair and the ASEAN Automotive Debate, where top universities will discuss key industry topics.