MEDINI, Johor: As the Premier Mobility Partner of the recent Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) reaffirmed its commitment to "Mobility for All".
The forum had convened over 500 political, business, and policy leaders to explore innovation, cross-border collaboration, and sustainable economic growth across Asia.
Co-organised by Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB) and Nikkei Inc, this first-ever Nikkei Forum in Johor underscored the state’s growing role in Asean connectivity and innovation leadership.
The event was graced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi and Shikata Noriyuki, ambassador of Japan to Malaysia.
A focal point of Toyota’s participation was the strategic showcase of the Toyota Mirai, a flagship hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), prominently displayed at the forum entrance.
The zero-emission vehicle attracted significant interest from stakeholders, serving as a conversation catalyst on the role of hydrogen in decarbonising cross-border fleets, enabling zero-emission freight corridors, and supporting clean logistics in smart cities and future Special Economic Zones.
As Malaysia and Singapore advance their Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) agenda, Toyota’s hydrogen mobility solutions present a scalable, future-ready pathway to meet joint climate goals and infrastructure aspirations across the Causeway.
From left: UMW Toyota Motor strategic branding & communications Shalin Nallathamby, general manager - strategic branding Nicky Lim, executive director Mohd Shamsor Mohd Zain, Toyota Motor Asia executive vice president Pras Ganesh, UMW Toyota Motor president Datuk Ravindran K., marketing director Sean Leng, and head of government affairs Mohd Hafezi Mohamad.
Toyota Motor Asia executive vice president, people & business transformation, and chief information security officer Pras Ganesh, represented the brand in a high-level panel discussion titled “Bridging Sustainability: Finance, Infrastructure, Industry and Innovation Across Borders.”
His participation reflected Toyota’s proactive stance in regional sustainability discourse, advocating for a multi-pathway decarbonisation strategy encompassing energy efficient internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEs) including those compatible with biofuel, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) tailored to Asean’s diverse infrastructure and economic realities.
The discussion emphasised the need for ecosystem building and cross-sector collaboration, reinforcing Toyota’s belief that sustainability must be both practical and inclusive to succeed.
As Premier Mobility Partner, UMWT deployed a fleet of 20 chauffeur-driven vehicles — Toyota Alphard, Vellfire HEV, Camry HEV, and Lexus RZ BEV and Lexus RX HEV to provide seamless mobility for dignitaries and forum delegates.
UMWT’s participation comes at a timely juncture as Malaysia and Singapore deepen bilateral economic integration through the JS-SEZ.
Toyota’s diversified portfolio of electrified solutions and its commitment to hydrogen innovation place it in a strong position to support transport transformation in logistics, government fleets, and industrial corridors.
“Toyota’s participation goes beyond visibility—it is about shaping mobility’s future at the intersection of policy, innovation, and sustainability,” said UMW Toyota Motor president Datuk Ravindran K.
“As the JS-SEZ takes shape, we see significant opportunities for Toyota to contribute meaningfully from fleet decarbonisation strategies to hydrogen infrastructure pilots that serve regional growth.”
As Malaysia advances its energy transition, UMWT remains focused on delivering solutions that are scalable, relevant and accessible.
By addressing key challenges such as charging access, affordability and energy efficiency, UMWT is committed to ensuring that no community is left behind in the journey towards a cleaner, more inclusive mobility future.
UMWT’s involvement in the Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025 reflects its broader mission to lead in sustainable mobility while supporting national aspirations.
Through real-world action, future-ready technologies and strategic partnerships, UMWT continues to champion mobility that moves Malaysia forward.
