Inaugural NxGV Challenge 2025 winners announced

The winning teams of the inaugural NxGV Challenge 2025, co-organised by MARii (Malaysia Automotive Robotics & IoT Institute) and SAE Malaysia, and supported by Perodua, were announced today at a prize-giving ceremony held at the Malaysia Auto Show 2025.

The overall winner was Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, with Politeknik Kota Bharu and Politeknik Sultan Azlan Shah as 1st and 2nd runners-up, respectively. Other award recipients  were Politeknik Sultan Azlan Shah (Best Safety Award); Politeknik Port Dickson (Best Design – Styling); Institut Latihan Perindustrian Kuala Lumpur (Best Commitment); and Daing Nafiz, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (Best Paper Award).

10 institutions of higher learning
The event began in December 2024 with an invitation sent to 15 local institutions of higher learning ranging from universities, polytechnics and private colleges. A total of 10 best entries were chosen to participate in the challenge. The participants consisted of students and faculty members.

The competition, intended to inspire youth-led breakthroughs in EV design and development, included dynamic events in which project vehicles were required to demonstrate acceleration, endurance, and efficiency at the APD track in MAEPS Serdang, where the Malaysia Auto Show is currently ongoing.

Findings to be used for reference
It also required teams to submit technical papers under SAE Malaysia’s research platform, boosting local R&D capabilities. The institutions’ findings will then be used as reference material for the government to craft the country’s EV policy.

Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad, said the involvement of the institutions does not only apply to intellectual findings but also in bridging the gap between academia and industry. “Perodua’s role has always been and always will be to develop the Malaysian automotive ecosystem, and this includes preparing the next generation to embrace EV technology as this is the way forward,” he said.