PETALING JAYA: Momentum in electrification is seen to be building up for the automotive sector, with the collaboration between EP Manufacturing Bhd (EPMB) and the Malaysia Automotive Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) for electric vehicle (EV) localisation.
The tie-up, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday, came hot on the heels of Budget 2022’s EV incentive announcement.
According to MIDF Research, electrification is a long-term term trend for the automotive industry.
The brokerage maintained its “positive” stance on automotive, noting the immediate-term recovery of the sector would be boosted by the extension of the sales tax holiday till June 2022; a low-interest rate environment; and generous cash releases to consumers under the various stimulus programmes.
On electrification, MIDF said the potential immediate-term opportunity in the EV segment is brand and model expansion, especially key EV brands and models that are underrepresented in Malaysia.
The brokerage noted in its report the potential of EPMB tapping on brands from China.
“It is still uncertain as to whom the prospective principals will be for the project as no further details were provided. However, we note that EPMB had in late-October, set up a satellite office in China to source and identify opportunities for collaboration with EV players in China,” MIDF said.
“The group had also appointed two new directors to its board, namely, Derek Cheng (senior adviser to Blackstone Group (HK) Ltd) and Mac Ho (managing director of Asean for HKFAEx Group Ltd),” it added.
MIDF said many China EV brands had yet to establish their presence in Malaysia, thereby creating opportunities for new or existing local players to expand their brand portfolio to capitalise on Budget 2022’s EV incentives.
“We see the expansion of brands and EV model offerings as the sector’s immediate-term focus in reaction to the government’s Budget 2022 EV incentives, in order to kickstart EV development in the country,” it said.
Beyond the EPMB-MARii deal, MIDF said several local players that have strong EV pipeline backing from existing principals, were also likely to benefit from the government’s EV incentives.
These would include Bermaz Auto Bhd (BAuto), which distributes the Mazda, Kia and Peugeot brands; Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd, which distributes the Nissan and Renault brands; Sime Darby Bhd, with multiple brands including BMW, MINI, Porsche, Jaguar, Land Rover and Hyundai; MBM Resources Bhd, with the Volvo and VW brands; and UMW Holdings Bhd, with Toyota and Lexus.
MIDF’s top sector picks were BAuto, with a target price of RM2.35; MBM Resources, with a target price of RM4.30; and UMW, with a target price of RM4.35.
“BAuto is a play into brand expansion from the acquisition of Kia and Peugeot franchise, leading to structural expansion in market share and above-industry growth,” it explained.
“MBM Resources and UMW are both key proxies to the sector recovery, given exposure to Perodua (and Toyota for UMW) – effectively controlling the largest share of the industry,” it added.
