This is part of our Malaysian Auto Race article series:
If you read the news headlines in 2025, you might think the EV revolution is all about Perodua’s upcoming concept or Tesla’s sales figures.
But if you listen to what Malaysian car buyers are actually saying, the conversation is very different.
We compared Media Coverage (GNews) vs. Consumer Buzz (Reddit) for the “Electric Vehicle” topic in 2025. The data reveals a massive disconnect between what the industry wants to sell and what the rakyat is actually waiting for.
The “Tesla Silence”
The biggest shock in our 2025 dataset is the near-total silence around Tesla.
- Consumer Mentions (Reddit): Only 34 mentions related to EVs.*
- Ranking: 9th Place (Behind Mazda and BMW).
- Sentiment: Negative (-0.011).
* Data Source: Reddit Malaysia, specific to the “Electric Vehicle” topic cluster only. Overall brand sentiment remains neutral at +0.004.
In 2024, Tesla was the main character. In 2025, they have become a background actor. The conversation has shifted from “status symbol” to “service concerns” and “pricing fatigue.”
The Real Leader: Proton (and Honda?)
While the media (GNews) is writing 3x more articles about Perodua (62 articles) than Proton (21 articles), the consumer conversation tells the opposite story.
Proton is the #1 most-discussed brand in the EV/Hybrid context on Reddit (195 mentions).
- Why? The anticipation for the Proton e.MAS sub-brand is driving intense debate. Malaysians are dissecting specs, pricing rumors, and rebadging strategies (Geely Galaxy E5). It is the “People’s EV” that everyone has an opinion on.
The “Hybrid” Surprise: Honda (#2) Quietly sitting at #2 is Honda (185 mentions).
- While not a pure EV player, Honda’s e:HEV hybrid technology is dominating the “practical electrification” discussion. Malaysians are debating City Hatchback RS vs. Chinese EVs. For many, Honda represents the “safe bridge” to the future.
BYD: The “Steady” Incumbent
BYD sits at #4 (167 mentions). They have successfully transitioned from “New Kid on the Block” to a standard option. The hype has cooled, but they are now part of the default consideration set alongside Toyota and Honda.
Conclusion: The “Wait-and-See” Economy
The 2025 EV market in Malaysia isn’t defined by sales; it’s defined by Anticipation.
Buyers are holding onto their wallets. They aren’t rushing to buy a Tesla Model Y anymore. They are waiting to see if Proton can deliver a sub-RM100k EV that actually works, or if Perodua’s concept becomes reality.
For marketers, the message is clear: The “Early Adopter” phase is over. The “Mass Market” phase has begun, and they demand value, not just tech.
🏁 See the Full Race Results
This insight is just one lap of the race.
From the EV Hype Index to the Luxury Service War, we analyzed 1,800+ consumer conversations to map the entire 2025 Malaysian Automotive landscape.
Don’t rely on guesswork. Get the complete data story.