Malaysia relaxes auto sector curbs to woo foreign carmakers

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia announced Monday it would allow foreign automakers to build smaller passenger cars in the country, a liberalising move aimed at repositioning the country as a leader in energy-efficient vehicles.

The changes, effective immediately, will for the first time allow foreign automakers to build cars with engines of 1.8 litres or less if those cars qualify as energy-efficient.