UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive and sustainable transportation as the Premier Mobility Partner of the inaugural Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025, held from 18 to 19 June. Hosted in the rapidly growing smart city of Medini, the landmark forum brought together over 500 leaders across political, business, and policy domains to discuss innovation, cross-border collaboration, and sustainable economic growth in Asia.
Co-organised by Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB) and Nikkei Inc., this was the first Nikkei Forum held in Johor, further highlighting the state’s emergence as a key player in ASEAN’s connectivity and innovation landscape. The event saw attendance from top dignitaries including Malaysian Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Johor Menteri Besar YAB Dato’ Onn Hafiz Ghazi, and Japan’s Ambassador to Malaysia, H.E. Shikata Noriyuki.
At the heart of Toyota’s presence was a strong emphasis on hydrogen innovation. The Toyota Mirai, the brand’s flagship hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), took centre stage at the forum entrance, sparking engaging discussions around its potential in decarbonising transportation. As Malaysia and Singapore push forward with the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), Toyota’s hydrogen solutions were presented as scalable tools to power zero-emission freight corridors, clean logistics, and smart urban mobility.
The Mirai’s showcase underscored Toyota’s belief that hydrogen plays a vital role in the region’s journey toward decarbonisation—particularly for cross-border commercial fleets and future industrial zones along the JS-SEZ corridor.
Toyota Motor Asia’s Executive Vice President, Pras Ganesh, participated in a key panel titled “Bridging Sustainability: Finance, Infrastructure, Industry and Innovation Across Borders.” There, he advocated for a multi-pathway decarbonisation strategy that includes:
- Energy-efficient Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles (ICEs), including biofuel-compatible variants
- Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)
- Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)
- Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
- Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs)
This technology-neutral strategy, tailored to ASEAN’s diverse infrastructure readiness and economic diversity, reflects Toyota’s ethos of inclusivity and practicality in the energy transition.
UMWT also demonstrated its real-world application of clean mobility by deploying a premium fleet of 20 chauffeur-driven vehicles, including the Toyota Alphard, Vellfire HEV, Camry HEV, Lexus RZ BEV, and Lexus RX HEV. This not only supported the transport needs of high-level attendees but also showcased Toyota’s full spectrum of electrified options in action—reinforcing the brand’s commitment to sustainability without compromising on luxury or reliability.
UMWT’s presence at the Nikkei Forum comes at a pivotal moment, as Malaysia and Singapore advance the JS-SEZ. Toyota’s extensive electrified portfolio and its proactive push into hydrogen technology make it a natural partner in transforming transportation systems for governments, businesses, and logistics hubs operating across the border.
“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 to support regional growth through fleet decarbonisation and hydrogen infrastructure.”
As Malaysia intensifies its national energy transition, UMWT remains focused on making clean mobility accessible, scalable, and relevant. From addressing gaps in EV charging infrastructure to promoting affordability and energy efficiency, UMWT aims to ensure that no community is left behind.
The company’s involvement in the Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025 reflects its broader mission to be a catalyst for sustainable mobility—not just through innovation and advanced technology, but through purposeful collaboration and action. Toyota, through UMWT, continues to lead the charge in moving Malaysia toward a cleaner, smarter, and more connected mobility future. 
