A minor news item was published earlier this week, pitching nonplussed Malaysia's vast natural resources and low-cost labour that could accelerate adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) as part of the government's big push for sustainability and green measures.
So far, so mundane. But hang on: there's a simmering backstory that could prove to be a blockbuster shaping up for another titanic VHS versus Betamax-like battle, 21st century style, this time between EVs and hydrogen-powered cars.
Snugly lodging itself between this battle is Malaysia, at the behest of two automotive behemoths.
On the west corner, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group's humongous bet on constructing an eye-popping RM46 billion global EV manufacturing plant in Tanjung Malim to produce EVs as cheap as RM35,000 a unit while forecasting usage to reach 38 per cent by 2040.
Meanwhile, on the east corner, Toyota has begun pushing its hydrogen-powered Mirai, first for official Sarawak government use. But as competition heats up, a budget version is sure to make its presence felt. And the winner will be Malaysia, primed to take regional, even global centrestage in high technology transfer and technically skilled labour, when these auto titans go all out, perhaps later this year, to promote either technology for industry supremacy.
Unlike the VHS-Betamax battle to the death for consumer confidence to record their favourite television videos, the EV vs hydrogen-powered car war need not be a zero-sum game but somewhere down the line, there will be an aggressive market leader.
It's providence that the two global titans would anchor their investments in Malaysia, one in the west and the other in the east.
Naturally, car buyers will demand the obvious: which car technology is better? Here's the tale of the tape: EVs guarantee zero emissions, lower operating costs due to fewer moving parts and lower energy costs, quieter operation and widespread charging infrastructure.
Hydrogen-powered cars also promise zero emissions but speedy refuelling, longer driving range and a lighter weight due to smaller battery packs. We won't rule out the disadvantages: EVs take longer to charge and driving range is limited while their heavy batteries could affect performance. Hydrogen-powered cars face limited refuelling infrastructure, higher costs due to expensive fuel cell technology and, for now, limited availability.
So, there we have it, the tale of the tape in the battle between EVs and hydrogen-powered cars. If we know the two titans behind these cars, the marketing will be glitzy, over-the-top and sensitive to buyers' needs.
It will be a buyers' market once local production and assembly get underway. Malaysia is in a well-entrenched and privileged position to absorb another round of the great auto wars.
Now, all the government has to do is formulate favourable and sensible dealership programmes and downstream markets to yield efficient aftersales service and practical accessories for its bit players.