In its 18th year running, the Malaysian Car of the Year (COTY) program – now known as Malaysia Cars of Year Awards – saw Proton receiving the top award of Overall Car of the Year for the first time. The award was for the Proton X70 SUV, a model which has helped to not only bring people back to the brand’s showrooms but also restored pride and confidence in what is still seen as a national marque.
Proton’s CEO, Dr. Li Chunrong (above), was also voted the Automotive Man of the Year in recognition of his leadership in turning the company around and putting it on a forward and upward trajectory. His strategy of upgrading showrooms to enhance the customer experience and boost quality in products and services has paid off with Proton doing much better during 2019.
The other category winners were as follow:
Passenger Cars Entry Level – Proton Saga 1.3 (Facelift) Compact Car – Toyota Yaris Family Sedan/Hatchback – Mazda3 2.0 SKYACTIV Premium Compact Executive – Mercedes-Benz A250 Large Family Sedan – Kia Optima GT Premium Executive – BMW 330i M Sport Large Premium Executive Sedan – BMW 530e M Sport (PHEV)
C suite – BMW 740L
SUV & Crossovers People-Mover – Perodua Aruz 1.5 Compact Crossover & SUVs – Honda HR-V 1.5 Hybrid Midsize Crossover & SUVs (5 Seaters) – Proton X70 Midsize Crossover & SUVs (7 Seaters) – Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 Diesel Premium Midsize SUVs – Porsche Macan Premium Luxury SUVs – Mercedes-Benz GLC 63
Premium Compact SUV – Volvo XC40 T5
Others Pick-Up Truck – Ford Ranger 2.0 XLT MPV – Kia Grand Carnival 2.2D (facelift) Hot Hatch – Renault Megane R.S. 280 Cup
Coupe – BMW M2 Competition
These two models spearhead the dawn of the EV age in Malaysia.
Honorable Mentions – Electric Vehicles
BMW i3 and Nissan LEAF
Past Overall Award Winners 2018 – Peugeot 3008 2017 – Honda Jazz Hybrid 2016 – Honda Civic 1.5 TC 2015 – Mazda2 2014 – Honda City 2013 – Volkswagen Golf GTI 2012 – Ford Ranger 2.2 XLT 2011 – Peugeot RCZ 2010 – Volkswagen Passat 2009 – Peugeot 308 Turbo 2008 – Mazda6 2007 – Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0GT 2006 – Honda Civic 2005 – Mercedes-Benz CLS 2004 – BMW 530d 2003 – Volvo XC90
2002 – Perodua Kelisa
Many different models have won the overall award over the years, with Honda having won the most times.
Previous Recipients – AUTOMOTIVE MAN OF THE YEAR 2018 – Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad (Automotive Lifetime Achievement Award) 2017 – Datuk Dr. Zahari Husin, MD, Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd 2016 – Yoichiro Ueno, CEO and MD, Honda Malaysia 2015 – Roland Folger, President & CEO, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia 2014 – Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh, President & CEO, Perodua 2013 – Datuk Ben Yeoh, Managing Director, Bermaz Motor 2012 – Datuk Samson Anand George, Chief Operating Officer, Nasim Sdn Bhd 2011 – Datuk JP Chin, Principal, JPM Motorsports 2010 – SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, Joint Group Executive Chairman, NAZA Group of Companies 2009 – Datuk Syed Abdull Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar (Perodua) and Datuk Dr Ang Bon Beng (Edaran Tan Chong Motor) 2008 – Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Tahir, (Proton) 2007 – Datuk Saw Choo Boon (Shell Malaysia) 2006 – Tan Sri Nasimuddin SM Amin (Naza) 2005 – Datuk Frank Steinleitner, (DaimlerChrysler Malaysia) 2004 – Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Ariff (Proton) 2003 – Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Omar (Perodua)
2002 – Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin SM Amin (Naza)
Keyword: Two top awards for Proton in 18th Malaysia Cars of the Year Awards (COTY 2019)