SUBANG JAYA, 8th JULY 2009 – It was a proud night for the automotive industry. Graced and officiated by Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, Dato’ Mukhriz bin Tun Dr. Mahathir and Dato’ Kamaruddin Ismail, Deputy Secretary General (Industry) for Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), the awards night was attended by more than 250 representatives from 33 car companies vying for the 25 awards up for grabs.
The annual awards, which started last year is the biggest automotive industry awards in Malaysia. Unlike any other motoring awards ceremony, the Asian Auto – VCA Auto Industry Awards focus on real value propositions of each vehicle category and the true intrinsic value of each vehicle judged.
Welcoming the guests and media, Editor of Asian Auto, Daniel Fernandez said, “Malaysia is the biggest passenger car market in this region and yet almost 99% of the time we receive the latest models months after our neighbours get them and sometimes we never even get some of these new vehicles introduced here.”
Fernandez continued, “We have wonderful impressive highways and yet our city streets are much worse than some third world countries with endless potholes, wrongly placed speed bumps and sunken manholes. However, this is a big money earner for the replacement tyre, rim and suspension industry.”
“Our car market is one of the most expensive in the world and yet we see so many new cars being bought by middle class Malaysians without even thinking twice,” Fernandez added.
Fernandez said that the automotive market in Malaysia is set for an interesting time come 1 January 2010 as the playing field in ASEAN levels with the Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) duties maintained at 5% for intra-ASEAN imported vehicles. “Malaysians can expect to see more car models being offered, giving motorists more variety and options,” Fernandez added.
Continuing its support for the Asian Auto Awards, VCA again is the title sponsor of the coveted event. VCA (http://www.vca.gov.uk/) is the designated UK Vehicle Type Approval authority. With more than 30 years experience, VCA supports the automotive industry by providing internationally recognized testing and certification for vehicles, their systems and components. Its Malaysian office in Kelana Jaya supports many key industry players in both vehicle type approval and management system certification.
Sharing the highlight as main sponsor of the event is oil and gas industry giant, ExxonMobil through its Mobil 1 brand. ExxonMobil is the largest US investor and an active participant in Malaysia’s business sector and, through its divisions and affiliates, is engaged in exploration for, and production of, crude oil and natural gas, manufacture of petroleum products and transportation and sale of crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products.
As with last year, a total of 25 awards were given away this year. Some notable mentions for this year’s winners are Best People’s Car which went to the compact, affordable and fuel efficient Hyundai i10; Ford which won the Best Comeback Brand and Audi Q5 which was the Editor’s Garage Choice 2009.
Besides the quality of the car, great service and experience given to customers were also rewarded. For this, Honda Malaysia walked home with the award for Best Showroom Experience while Edaran Tan Chong Motors grabbed the Best After Sales Experience award.
Other sponsors for this prestigious event are venue sponsor Saujana Subang, media sponsor Malaysian Reserve and co-sponsors Lab Series and Origins.
To find out more about the Asian Auto Car of the Year Awards 2009 and the listing of categories and winners is posted below, log on to www.asianauto.com for more information.
Editors Garage Choice 2009 – Audi Q5
Best External Public Relations – Isuzu Malaysia
Best Internal Public Relations – UMW Toyota
Best Test Car Experience – Lexus Malaysia
Best Showroom Experience – Honda Malaysia
Best After Sales Experience – Edaran Tan Chong Motors
Best Come Back Brand – Ford
Best Performance Luxury Super Sedan – Maserati Quattroporte GT S
Best Performance Luxury SUV – Range Rover TD V6
Best Performance Luxury Sports Car – Porsche Cayman S
Best Performance Luxury Sedan – BMW M3 DCT
Best Local Assembly Compact Car – Peugeot 308 VTi
Best Local Assembly MPV – Proton Exora
Best Local Assembly Sports Car – Proton Satria Neo CPS
Best Local Assembly Luxury Sedan – Mercedes S500 L
Best Local Assembly Executive Sedan – Mercedes C230 Avantgarde
Best Local Assembly Family Sedan – Honda City
Best Value For Money Pickup Truck – Nissan Navara
Best Value For Money SUV – Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
Best Value For Money MPV –Kia Rondo
Best Value For Money Sports Car – Renault Clio RS
Best Value For Money Luxury Sedan – Alfa 159
Best Value For Money Executive Sedan – Mazda3 Sport
Best Value For Money Family Sedan – Suzuki SX4 Sedan
Best People’s Car – Hyundai i10
