Running from August 26 to 28 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur, the Global Automotive and Technology Expo (GATE) 2026 saw 15 key commercial agreements, MOUs, and partnerships being concluded, boasting an estimated value of RM373.5 million.
Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) CEO, Azrul Reza Aziz, highlighted that these deals target technology advancements, workforce upskilling, localization, supply-chain enhancement, and sustainable transport.
He emphasized that the true impact goes beyond the financial totals, laying in talent empowerment, knowledge sharing, and commercial avenues for homegrown enterprises as the sector transitions toward electric vehicles, connected systems, automated driving, AI, and software-defined architectures. He affirmed that MARii will maintain its role in aligning state policies with market demands to equip local businesses and workers for this transition.
Dato’ Mastura Ahmad Mustafa, Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, underscored that automotive manufacturing remains a cornerstone of the nation’s economy, underpinning over 700 local suppliers and driving approximately 5% of national GDP.
She reaffirmed the ministry’s strategy to transform Malaysia into a high-value manufacturing and technology hub backed by strong domestic capabilities, a skilled labour force, and a robust commercial ecosystem. To achieve this, the ministry will continue fostering integrations between multinational OEMs and domestic firms through updated incentive schemes focused on local content, R&D, workforce training, and technology adoption.
The exhibition and its co-located activities centred on next-generation mobility, EV ecosystem design, battery and charging networks, automotive aftermarket solutions, digital systems, and supply-chain resilience. A broad array of industry bodies — spanning parts manufacturers, vehicle recyclers, energy service providers, and EV advocacy groups — actively supported the event.
Also present was Mobility Media, which manages the Malaysia Car of the Year (MCOTY) event that has been ongoing for over 20 years. At its stand was the 2025 Malaysia Car of the Year overall winner, the Zeekr 009 Ultra Luxury MPV.
Visitors to GATE 2026 were able to get insights into the annual MCOTY event. The winners each year provide a historical overview of how the automotive market has evolved since the early 2000s. With the Zeeker MPV being the second fully electric model to win MCOTY, it is an indication of the transitioning of the Malaysian market towards electrification.