In an environment where electric vehicles are taking over, every car brand wants a piece of the pie. It is much easier for wealthy companies like Tesla and BYD to take risks and develop vehicles that might not bring guaranteed profit. This time, it is Malaysia’s most prominent manufacturer, Perodua, that is set to debut the QV-E electric SUV with a scheduled launch in December 2025.
Perodua to debut the QV-E: What went into the Malaysian company’s decision?
When a company that is not usually associated with electric vehicles finally enters the space, it is often seen as a good thing, considering that the company will then manufacture fewer fossil-fuel-producing vehicles. Perodua’s main vehicles are the Axia and Myvi, which are small petrol cars. When Malaysia needed a strong representation in the EV market, the most prominent manufacturers stepped up, producing the QV-E. According to multiple reports, Perodua’s cars yield 44% of Malaysia’s total annual sales, making it the ideal corporation to pursue an ambitious project. Ultimately, the QV-E came about because the Malaysian powerhouse corporation wanted to create an electric vehicle that would justify its national car status as the leading brand. Only time will tell whether Perodua will stand to gain from being peer pressured into entering the EV market.
The QV-E electric SUV: Assessing the strategy behind the launch of the car
Perodua can be delighted with the groundbreaking vehicle that it has produced. No matter what happens, the launch of the car will be studied in Malaysia as the blueprint that sets things off for other corporations if they eventually decide to enter the EV market.
The new SUV is labelled a homegrown electric vehicle, signalling its national significance. It is the first locally manufactured EV. However, as recently seen through Renault’s and Ford’s collaboration, Perodua did get some assistance in the production of the car. Austrian-based company Magna Steyr advised the Malaysian powerhouse on how to create a vehicle that fulfils the interests of the general global population.
Unpacking the specific features of Perodua’s QV-E electric SUV
Perodua is fully aware of the knock-on effect that the new SUV might have on not just the Malaysian automotive industry but on the entire country as a whole. Thus, a lot of time and attention to detail were dedicated during the manufacturing of the vehicle. The new SUV has an electric motor that produces approximately 201 horsepower (150 Kw) and 285 Nm of torque. These technical specifications mean that the car has high acceleration and can travel from 0-100km/h within a space of 7.5 seconds. It also has a 52.5 kWh LFP battery that produces a 445 km range on the NEDC cycle. This makes Perodua’s SUV a good option that guarantees customers good value for their money considering the imminent slowdown in the EV industry. Additionally, the electric car has up to 60 Kw DC fast charging, meaning the battery goes from 30% to 80% within half an hour.
A historic feat projected to transform the automotive industry in Malaysia
Malaysian manufacturers now have an in-depth blueprint on how to create a masterpiece EV vehicle, and most importantly, they are aware of the time and investment it takes. Perodua dedicated an estimated amount of 266,000 person-hours to develop the new SUV. This is a representation of Perodua’s commitment to create an EV that most of the population, not just high-income people, can access.
Perodua is a company that has seemingly conquered the department of ICE vehicle production and is well-positioned to explore ambitious EV projects. Although the corporation would desire to generate significant profits from the vehicle, it has also expressed an even bigger objective, which is to start a local EV industry. Given the competitive nature of the EV sector, starting a local EV company could be an ideal plan.
