CYBERJAYA, 06 FEBRUARY 2025 – The Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), in collaboration with Perodua and the Society of Automotive Engineers Malaysia (SAEM), successfully hosted the NxGV Challenge 2025 Bootcamp on 3-4 February at the MARii Auditorium, setting the stage for Malaysia’s next wave of electric vehicle (EV) innovators.
This pioneering initiative is a gateway for young visionaries to design, build, and race small, open-wheel formula-style electric race cars, while honing critical engineering, business, and teamwork skills in a real-world setting. Participants will also submit journal publications under SAEM, contributing to the growth of Malaysia’s EV research and development landscape.
The two-day bootcamp was an intensive masterclass in EV engineering, where the top 10 teams, selected through a rigorous pitching process, received specialized training in compliance with UNR/SAE standards, safety protocols, and industry best practices. This hands-on experience ensures they are fully prepared to take on the upcoming competition challenges.
Among the top institutions participating in the NxGV Challenge are Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Institut Latihan Perindustrian (ILP) Jitra, ILP Kuala Lumpur, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Politeknik Port Dickson, Politeknik Kota Bahru, Politeknik Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, Taylor’s University, Politeknik Sultan Azlan Shah, and Universiti Malaya.
The NxGV Challenge, which launched in December 2024, spans seven months and will culminate in an electrifying finale at the Malaysia Autoshow 2025, from 9-15 May at MAEPS. The competition features two key components: Static Events, where teams present their engineering designs, cost analysis, and business strategies, and Dynamic Events, where participants test their vehicles in acceleration, endurance, efficiency, and autocross trials.
Azrul Reza Aziz, CEO of MARii, emphasized the significance of the NxGV Challenge in advancing Malaysia’s automotive industry, “The NxGV Challenge aligns with the National Automotive Policy 2020’s (NAP2020) vision to position Malaysia as a leader in Next-Generation Vehicles (NxGV), Mobility as a Service (MaaS), and Industry 4.0. By 2030, NAP2020 aims to develop 29,000 EV experts. This program is a key driver in that mission producing 20 EV research papers, training 100 participants in global EV standards, and creating 15 job opportunities at Perodua with competitive salaries. It also strengthens collaboration across government, industry, and academia, ensuring Malaysia remains competitive in the global automotive sector.”.
Ts. Zulhaidi Jawi, Chairperson of SAE Malaysia, said, “This challenge can be considered a rejuvenation of SAE Malaysia’s past core activity, which is competition to boost applied knowledge among the automotive community and young talents. The society is delighted to have this opportunity alongside local powerhouses such as MARii and our main sponsor, Perodua. Other than that, we are delighted to also be playing a role in promoting Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the country through this activity.”
The NxGV Challenge is backed by a strong network of industry and academic partners dedicated to shaping the future of Malaysia’s EV sector. Expert mentors from MARii, Perodua, SAE Malaysia, Focus Applied Technologies Sdn. Bhd., and SIB MILI Sdn. Bhd., alongside institutions such as Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Politeknik Muadzam Shah, IKTBN Temerloh, and Taylor’s University, will provide guidance and hands-on experience to participants, ensuring they gain invaluable industry insights and practical skills.
As the countdown to the grand finale begins, the NxGV Challenge 2025 is a launchpad for the future leaders of Malaysia’s EV industry. Stay tuned as these young innovators push the boundaries of technology and engineering to drive Malaysia toward a sustainable automotive future.