Go Auto and Fukuta to develop EV ecosystem

By CARSIFU | 7 December 2016


PETALING JAYA: Go Automobile Manufacturing (Go Auto) has signed a technical agreement with Fukuta Electric & Machinery Company Ltd. Taiwan (Fukuta) recently to develop the ecosystem electric vehicles (EV).

The agreement is to make Malaysia as a hub for manufacturers and EV components in the ASEAN market.

In line with the National Automotive Policy (NAP), Malaysia has set a target of 1 million sales for total industry volume (TIV) in 2020, with 10% of EV.

Go Auto's involvement in the development of EV and high-tech components is the successful result of the STRIKE Program organized by the MIGHT Technology Nurturing.

STRIKE is a new integrated program in the implementation of the 11th Malaysia Plan which seeks to open up opportunities for local companies to develop green technology industry in the country.

STRIKE focuses on four main clusters of Renewable Energy (Solar), Green Mobility, Bio-Degradation of Materials and Smart City.

Go Auto has led the Green Mobility cluster during the STRIKE program, as Go Auto is a leading company that develops this EV ecosystem program.

Go Auto-Fukuta signing ceremony was officiated by the Executive Director of Go Auto, Datuk SM Azli Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin Kamil, together with the Fukuta Managing Director, Gordon Chang, on a working visit which began on Nov 21 to 26, 2016.

Among those present at the signing ceremony were the President of the Trade Center and Foreign Affairs of Malaysia-Taiwan, Datuk Adeline Leong; and Nurullydia Ahmad, Director of MIDA Taiwan, Jong Chin Shen, the representative of the Government and the Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Taiwan, and Professor Abu Talib Othman, the Dean of UNIKL as to lead the 'Human Capital Development in Green Technology' Datuk Ir. Hj. Mohamad Dalib, Director of Automotive Engineering, Road Transport Department (JPJ) was also present.

"Among the objectives of the cooperation between these two parties is to develop the facilities of Research and Development (R & D) for the EV system components, such as the creation of 'High Efficiency Power Motor' and the transmission system, including production facilities to meet demands for local and export markets.

"The partnership also involves the development of the EV prototypes of bus, taxi and food truck.

"Fukuta has proven to have extensive experience in the EV industry involving the development of 'High Efficiency Power Motor', original equipment manufacturing (OEM) and original design manufacturing (ODM).

"'High Efficiency Power Motor' produced by Fukuta managed to get a certificate of international recognition through the International Standards Organization (ISO) and the Certificate of Completion and Compliance China (CCC) and recognized by the CSA/C/US," said Azli.

Fukuta began producing electric sports car on a large scale in 2007. Fukuta was also the first recipient of the national industry in Taiwan. In addition, it is also responsible for developing the power motors for Tesla Motors' models.

Besides Tesla Motors, among its customers are the Luxgen and Alta Motors.

Since its first year in the industry, Fukuta has received numerous accolades in Taiwan for the company's commitment to develop and manufacture the transmission system and motor.

Among its biggest success is developing the power motors for the Tesla Motors' EV models. Fukuta factory covers an area of 5,950 sq m with a sales turnover of USD40mil (RM179mil).

To further strengthen the ecosystem in Green Technology, in addition to the components of 'High Efficiency Power Motor', Go Auto is also developing other components such as EV batteries and communication controlling systems (Telematics).

All components will be developed by the Go Auto vendors under the vendor development program (VDP) organized by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI). Through the program, Go Auto will create many new vendors to manufacture and supply the EV components, and more jobs in the Green Mobility as projected in the STRIKE program.

In the same working visit, other than Fukuta, Go Auto has also established a cooperative agreement with Higer, a manufacturer of electric buses that will begin to be marketed in Malaysia by the end of 2017.

The facilties to be built will have a production capacity estimated at the beginning of 10,000 units per year.

 

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