KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 21): The National Automotive Policy 2020 (NAP 2020) is a move in the right direction and is in line with other regional plans to address global trends in the automotive industry.

“It is in line with global trends, you can see with Asean countries they are focusing on the same future trends. They are looking at the next-generation vehicle, electric vehicles and all that,” Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) president Datuk Aishah Ahmad told reporters after the policy's launch today.

However, she added that the government should also focus on the current market conditions affecting the local auto industry as well.

Some of the issues facing the local industry include lower car sales due to a lack of disposable income and access to credit, as well as a disruption in car parts supply caused by the Covid-19 outbreak that has affected Chinese automakers, she said.

For more stories on the NAP 2020, click here.