DRB-Hicom, together with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, has announced the signing of MoUs with Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and Malaysia Automotive Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) to collaborate on developing the Automotive Hi-Tech Valley (AHTV) in Tanjong Malim, Perak, into a global automotive hub focusing on the development of next-generation vehicles (NxGV) and energy efficient vehicles (EEV).
The MoU signed with MIDA aims to explore potential areas of co-operation and collaboration with global automotive supply chain players to establish a complete eco-system within AHTV and enhance capabilities of local suppliers to enable them to participate in the localisation of key components.
Meanwhile, the MoU inked with MARii will see both parties cooperating to build shared research and development (R&D) and testing facilities focusing on vehicle R&D, manufacturing, supply chain and NxGV testing capabilities recognised across the ASEAN region.
The latter will involve the establishment of the National Testing and Homologation Centre at AHTV with the intention of making it the country’s designated testing and certification centre for autonomous driving and EEV testing and homologation.
In addition, the parties have also agreed to develop local design capabilities and expertise in critical components such as the electric motor, battery management system and power distribution units. This will be carried out with assistance from Geely Holding.
The cooperation with MARii will also include the development of an automotive talent training programme focusing on NxGV and smart manufacturing, in collaboration with institutions from China and Malaysia.
This includes establishing national standards for automotive TVET and SKM certification, deploying an automotive apprenticeship programme, creating modules for high schools up to universities, and conducting certification programmes for digitalisation and Industry 4.0 proficiency in the manufacturing and supply chains.
The post DRB-Hicom, Geely to collaborate with MIDA, MARii to grow AHTV into next-gen vehicle development hub appeared first on Paul Tan’s Automotive News.
