NETR BOOSTS DOMESTIC DEMAND FOR ELECTRIC BUSES, ENHANCING MALAYSIA’S COMPETITIVENESS

By Mohamad Syazwan Mustafa

JOHOR BAHRU, Dec 1 (Bernama) -- The National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), which aims to increase the use of electric buses significantly, is seen as opening up new growth opportunities for local manufacturers, including Johor-based Gemilang Coachwork Sdn Bhd.

The company’s executive director, Pang Jun Jie, said the government’s focus on energy transition and green mobility not only stimulates domestic demand but also enhances Malaysia’s competitiveness as a regional hub for electric bus manufacturing.

“As part of this national agenda, the adoption of electric buses plays an important role in reducing transport-related emissions and accelerating the shift towards cleaner mobility solutions.

“Johor is at the forefront of this transformation, supported by a strong industrial ecosystem, modern infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and strategic connectivity that makes it an ideal base for the manufacturing and export of electric buses,” he told Bernama.

Pang said GML focuses on developing lightweight aluminium bus bodies and modular designs that can be integrated with various international original equipment manufacturer (OEM) chassis such as Volvo, Scania, MAN, CRRC and BYD.

These innovations, he said, are aligned with NETR’s direction, which emphasises more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles, thereby creating opportunities for local players to expand production capacity and market green-technology-based products.

With capacity for up to 500 completely built-up (CBU) buses and 1,000 completely knocked-down (CKD) body kits a year, GML is confident that NETR-driven demand will strengthen Malaysia’s position as a regional electric bus manufacturer and an important contributor to the country’s green economy.

GML, which has operated from its manufacturing facility in Senai for over 30 years, has supplied buses to major operators such as Rapid KL, Rapid Penang and Rapid Kuantan, making the company one of the leaders in the electrification of Malaysia’s public transport.

Beyond the domestic market, GML continues to strengthen its export achievements, having penetrated more than 15 countries, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

Among the company’s key achievements are securing its largest export order of 190 CKD bus body kits to Uzbekistan and delivering CBU electric school buses to the US, demonstrating the capability of local technology to meet global standards.

Pang said the company is currently supplying 76 double-decker buses to Dubai through a collaboration with FAMCO and Volvo, a project that contributes to high-value export growth for Malaysia’s manufacturing sector.

He noted that Johor’s industrial ecosystem — comprising a skilled workforce, strong supplier networks and logistics facilities through the Port of Tanjung Pelepas, Johor Port and the Port of Singapore — offers local manufacturers a competitive edge in meeting international demand.

-- BERNAMA