UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) reaffirmed its commitment to Mobility for All as the Premier Mobility Partner of the inaugural Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025. The forum 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 and Nikkei Inc., this first-ever Nikkei Forum in Johor underscored the state’s growing role in ASEAN connectivity and innovation leadership.
Hydrogen innovation at the forefront
A focal point of Toyota’s participation was the strategic showcase of the Toyota Mirai, a flagship hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV). The zero-emission vehicle, now in its second generation, attracted significant interest from stakeholders, serving as a conversation catalyst on the role of hydrogen.
The discussions covers topics such as 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.
Present at the event was Toyota Motor Asia’s Executive Vice-President, People & Business Transformation, and Chief Information Security Officer, Pras Ganesh (pictured below). He represented the band in a high-level panel discussion titled ‘Bridging Sustainability: Finance, Infrastructure, Industry and Innovation Across Borders’ 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.
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 (ICE), 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.
As Premier Mobility Partner, UMWT provided a fleet of 20 chauffeur-driven vehicles comprising the Toyota Alphard, Vellfire HEV, Camry HEV, and Lexus RZ BEV and RX HEV to provide mobility for dignitaries and forum delegates.
Toyota’s Role in the JS-SEZ Era
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 Datuk Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor. “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.”
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. Through real-world action, future-ready technologies and strategic partnerships, UMWT continues to champion mobility that moves Malaysia forward.
