PEKEMA urges members to venture into electric vehicle distribution

KUCHING: Pertubuhan Pengimport dan Peniaga Kenderaan Melayu Malaysia (PEKEMA) is encouraging its members to venture into electric vehicle (EV) distribution as the automotive industry faces increasing competition and a shift in consumer preference from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

PEKEMA Malaysia’s President, Datuk Mohamed Nazari Noordin, said the industry is expected to face greater challenges in 2027, particularly with the arrival of more new automotive brands from China and the growing shift towards EVs.

“PEKEMA represents around 400 members involved in the importation and automotive reconditioning business.

“We see the challenges in 2027 becoming more demanding with the arrival of new brands from China, as well as the shift in consumer preference from ICE vehicles to EVs,” he told reporters when met after flagging off the PEKEMA EVFY Run 2026 at the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) foyer here today (Sept. 20).

Nazari said PEKEMA welcomed its members’ participation in EV distribution alongside their existing businesses to remain responsive to changes in the automotive market.

On vehicle sales, Nazari said vehicles imported by PEKEMA members continued to record annual sales of between 45,000 and 47,000 units, with import volumes remaining within a similar range.

He said the key changes in the market are increased competition from both existing and new brands, as well as the shift towards EV adoption.

“Looking at Malaysia’s total industry volume (TIV), we are still the second highest after Thailand, with around 800,000 vehicles sold,” he said, adding that demand for vehicle purchases remained strong.

Meanwhile, PEKEMA Sarawak’s President, Datuk Ismail Abang Saufi said the association continued to see demand for imported vehicles in Sarawak, with imports ranging between 4,000 and 4,500 units while sales stood at more than 3,000 units.

He said the remaining vehicles are also sold in other parts of Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah.

On EV adoption in Sarawak, Ismail said demand remained lower than in Peninsular Malaysia, partly due to concerns over charging infrastructure.

“Many buyers are still less confident because of the limited infrastructure. However, I believe that with the government’s efforts and cooperation with several agencies, more infrastructure, including charging stations, is being developed,” he said.

Ismail said charging facilities are increasingly available at shopping malls, but more charging stations are still needed along intercity routes.

He said the lack of charging facilities at rest and service areas remained a concern for users travelling to other parts of Sarawak, as such facilities are not yet as widely available as those in Peninsular Malaysia.

He believed EV sales in Sarawak would increase once the necessary infrastructure is further developed over the next few years.

Earlier, the PEKEMA EVFY Run 2026 was flagged off by MBKS Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng and  featured two categories, namely 3km and 7km, attracting  more than 2,000 participants.

Nazari said the turnout exceeded the initial target of 1,200 participants set for the Sarawak event, compared with PEKEMA’s previous runs in Kuala Lumpur which typically attracted between 700 and 1,000 participants.

“I am very happy with today’s event. The people of Sarawak have shown strong support for activities that promote a healthy lifestyle,” he said.

Nazari said the run could potentially be held annually, with PEKEMA Sarawak also having the opportunity to bring the event to other cities in the state in the future.