BYD Cars Malaysia took home the top prize at the Malaysia Car of the Year (MCOTY) 2024 awards.

The BYD Seal Premium (Extended Range) was crowned the Overall Car of the Year, making it the first time in the award's history that an electric vehicle (EV) has won the top accolade.

Key elements that made the model a stand out were its cutting-edge design, exceptional performance, and sustainable engineering which represents the shift towards greener mobility in Malaysia. 

Green mobility itself was a huge theme for 2024 as the year saw a growing number of energy-efficient vehicles (EEVs), especially EVs entering the market.

This was in line with the decision to honour Mohamad Reza Bin Abdul Mutalib with the Automotive Person of the Year award for his role in bringing four EV-focused car marques to Malaysia while significantly advancing the industry’s ecological outlook. 

He established the First Energy Network in 2014 during his tenure as General Manager of TC Euro Cars - a move that laid the groundwork for the nation’s EV infrastructure. 

Reza’s work was ahead of its time and set the stage for the burgeoning EV market in Malaysia. His innovative approach, blending financial acumen with a passion for motoring, has solidified his reputation as a key figure in the sector. 

Winners of the MCOTY 2024, which KeyAuto was part of the judging panel, were selected based on eight key factors: appearance, safety, ergonomics, value for money, practicality, performance, energy efficiency, and warranty. 

Car of the Year 2024 Winners by Category

Overall Car of the Year: 
BYD Seal Premium (Extended Range) EV

Crossovers
RM200K & below: Smart #3 Pro
RM200K - RM 500K: BMW iX1 eDrive20 M Sport

Hatchback
Volkswagen Golf R

MPV
Toyota Alphard AH40 2.4 Turbo

SUVs
RM200K & below: Honda CR-V 1.5 V Turbo
RM200K - RM 500K: Volkswagen Touareg R-Line 3.0 V6 TSI
Above RM500K: Lotus Eletre

Sedans
RM200K & below: BYD Seal Premium (Extended Range) EV
RM200K & Above: BYD Seal Performance AWD EV

Truck
Ford Ranger Platinum 2.0L Bi-Turbo diesel

xEV
Below RM150K: Chery Omoda 5e EV
RM150K - RM 300K: BYD Seal Premium (Extended Range) EV
RM300 & Above: Lotus Eletre

Best Value for Money Car: Proton S70 1.5 Flagship

Best Selling Car Brand in Malaysia: Perodua

Most Energy Efficient Vehicle: Perodua Bezza

People’s Choice: Ford Ranger Platinum 2.0L Bi-Turbo diesel

Automotive Person of the Year: Mohamad Reza Bin Abdul Mutalib

Outstanding Dealer - 4S Award: Ngu Chung Beng & Sons Corporation Sdn Bhd (PERODUA 4S Dealer)

Best EV Friendly Property Development Company: SP Setia

Best Local Automotive Supplier: Multi-Code Electronic SdnBhd

Automotive Supplier of the Year: Aptiv Malaysia Sdn

Excellence in Automotive Sustainability Management Best Practices: Northport

Special Mention Contributing to Government Effort in Increasing EV Motorcycle Adoption: BlueShark

MCOTY which is organised by Mobility Media and co-organized by the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics, and IoT Institute (MARii) aims to showcase vehicles and individuals that set new benchmarks for the industry. 

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Sri Haji Fadillah Haji Yusof said the awards celebrate those who are not only meeting today’s demands but also designing the transportation solutions of tomorrow.

The Deputy Prime Minister also said that Malaysia is set to take the lead in advancing renewable energy transitions as a key regional priority as the ASEAN Chair in 2025. This he says presents a tremendous opportunity for the automotive sector to align with broader sustainability goals.

He also urged OEMs to adopt eco-friendly practices, invest in green technologies, and integrate renewable energy into their operations, thereby driving innovation in sustainable mobility.

"The MCOTY Awards epitomises this commitment to excellence. It represents not just recognition but inspiration, pushing the boundaries of innovation and setting new standards for the industry. Beyond the accolades, MCOTY embodies the hard work, dedication, and vision that continue to propel Malaysia’s automotive sector forward," he added.

MARii chief executive officer Azrul Reza Aziz further expanded on the matter to position Malaysia as a regional hub for Next-Generation Vehicles (NxGV) which is in line with the National Automotive Policy (NAP 2020). 

"The expanded MCOTY Awards this year reflect our holistic approach by recognizing contributions across the entire automotive value chain, from development to end-of-life. The awards highlight sustainability, safety, and mobility innovations, reaffirming our commitment to building a competitive, eco-friendly, and globally recognized automotive industry,” he added.