BYD Seal EV becomes the first EV to win the “Overall Car of the Year” award in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian electric vehicle market has been growing at a faster pace with 21,789 EVs registered throughout 2024, marking a year-on-year growth of 63.81%. The brand which dominates the Malaysian EV segment is none other than BYD, holding approximately 39.33% market share which means 4 out of 10 EVs sold in Malaysia are BYDs. 

On that note, here’s one more feather added to BYD Malaysia’s cap. The BYD SEAL Premium (Extended Range) grabbed the prestigious Overall Car of the Year (COTY) at the Malaysia Car of the Year Awards 2024 (MCOTY). It marks a historic moment as the first time an electric vehicle has achieved this prestigious accolade. 

In addition to the top honour, BYD Sime Motors, the official distributor of BYD cars in Malaysia, emerged as the biggest winner of the night, clinching a total of four awards.

BYD SEAL Premium (Extended Range)	Overall Car of the Year 2024
BYD SEAL (Premium Extended Range)	Sedan of the Year - Below RM 200,000
BYD SEAL (Premium Extended Range)	xEV of the Year - RM 150,000 to RM 300,000
BYD SEAL (Performance AWD)	Sedan of the Year - RM 200,000 to RM 500,000

Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director of Southeast Asia, Sime Motors, expressed his gratitude for the award, emphasising that the recognition reflects the continued leadership of Sime Motors in the EV market. "As the official distributor of BYD cars in Malaysia, we are honoured to receive this industry recognition with these four prestigious awards. The BYD SEAL is a hallmark of superior style, performance, and technology, which sets new standards in the EV experience as more Malaysians embrace EV. These accolades reflect the trust in BYD’s offerings, supported by Sime Motors’ extensive network, exceptional service centres, and outstanding after-sales service across the nation.” 

BYD Seal: What makes it desirable?

So, what gives the BYD Seal the edge to grab such prestigious awards?

The BYD Seal stands out with its sleek aerodynamic profile, a luxurious tech-focussed interior, and an electric drivetrain with extended range capabilities. Adding to that is the EV's competitive price point, making premium EV ownership more accessible in the Malaysian market.

Launched in February 2024, the BYD Seal comes in three variants - Dynamic, Premium, and Performance, with prices ranging from RM 163,800 to RM 203,300. 

The base-spec Dynamic comes with a 61.4 kWh LFP battery pack, offering a driving range of up to 460 km of range (on the WLTP cycle). The Premium and Performance trims, on the other hand, are powered by a larger 82.5 kWh unit, offering a range of 570 km and 520 km, respectively.

Malaysia Car of the Year Awards (MCOTY) 2024

The Malaysia Car of the Year Awards 2024 celebrated the best of the automotive industry, recognizing outstanding achievements in innovation, sustainability, and excellence. It brought together carmakers, industry professionals, and policymakers.

Held at Menara MITI, the event was organized by Mobility Media and co-organized by the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics, and IoT Institute (MARii).

The judging criteria for the awards include various factors such as design, safety, performance, energy efficiency, and value for money. Ensuring a transparent and comprehensive evaluation process is a distinguished judging panel comprising automotive industry professionals, experts, and media representatives.

Also read: BYD owners get better support with Sime Motors' expanded aftersales network