End-of-life vehicles research development in Malaysia: a comprehensive review with the integrated conceptual model of innovative sustainable manufacturing elements

The end-of-life vehicles (ELV) issue has become an essential topic in the fast-growing automotive industry. This study utilizes comprehensive content analysis to critically review the recent ELV research developments and underpinning issues in Malaysia. Fifty relevant ELV studies in Malaysia from the year 2006 to 2021 are selected and categorized based on three innovative sub-elements (product, process, system) of sustainable manufacturing. The literature review findings show that sustainable product recovery and recyclability issues in ELV treatments are still a major concern. Current studies overlook specific research on sustainable and integrated processes for ELV treatment. There is still lack of detailed ELV implementation framework equipped with the documented procedures and appropriate industrial practices in the ELV ecosystem to optimize the ELV supply chain. ELV policy is yet to be enacted in Malaysia, and public awareness of ELV is still low. There is inadequate alignment in ELV research developments with the current National Automotive Policy 2020 in Malaysia. The proposed integrated conceptual model will provide an extensive overview for scholars, policy-makers, and ELV stakeholders to implement appropriate actions to improve present ELV businesses in line with the public readiness to enact the potential ELV directives or legislation in Malaysia.