KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 8): The electric vehicle (EV) momentum is sustained despite tax headwinds as front-loaded EV inventories and open market value (OMV) revision deferral are expected to cushion total industry volume in the first half of 2026, said CIMB Securities. The research firm said in a note on Thursday that this would keep EV prices stable post-completely built-up (CBU) tax expiry while aiding non-national demand. “We believe this reflects front-loaded EV inventories that entered Malaysia before Dec 28, 2025, ahead of the tax holiday deadline. It said EVs accounted for 5.6% of total sales, or 8,890 units, with the e.MAS 7 contributing 8,018 units and emerging as Malaysia’s bestselling EV model. CIMB Securities expects Proton to sustain healthy sales momentum in 2026, underpinned by two new model launches, Proton Saga MC3 and Proton e.MAS 5, with bookings exceeding 30,000 units and 14,600 units respectively.

Source: The Edge Markets January 08, 2026 05:26 UTC