WapCar News

Malaysians have been anticipating the unveiling of the updated version of the Proton X70 ever since camouflaged units were spotted on our roads. While the most telling change underneath the cloak is a new front grille, Proton has confirmed that the updated SUV will gain new safety features. At a media briefing on Proton’s quality control performance in Tanjung Malim yesterday, the Malaysian Tiger confirmed that the refreshed Proton X70 will be unveiled this year. Aside from that, P1 has also sta

CY Foong

May 3, 2024

Porsche Malaysia has announced that its order books for the all-new 2024 (972) Porsche Panamera are now open. Boasting an updated design, improved powertrains and added digitisation, prices of the 3rd-generation Panamera model start at RM 1.3 million inclusive of additional standard equipment compared to its predecessor. For reference, the 2nd-generation model (971) Porsche Panamera was introduced in Malaysia in 2017 with a starting price of RM 890k and RM1.1 million for the base Panamera and th

Arvind

May 3, 2024

BMW Malaysia unveiled an entry addition to the U11 BMW iX1 battery electric vehicle (BEV), the BMW iX1 eDrive20 M Sport. The electric SUV is fully imported (CBU) from Regensburg, Germany and is priced from RM 249,800. That is around RM 30,000 less than the iX1 xDrive30 M Sport that was launched here a year ago. The entry iX1 variant has a more distinct look in front with an enclosed kidney grille design but everything else is similar to its more powerful sister. Inside, the base iX1 is equipped

CY Foong

May 3, 2024

The first Tesla V4 Superchargers in South East Asia are now in Malaysia, installed at IOI City Mall Putrajaya and IOI Mall Puchong, totalling 8 V4 Superchargers and 2 Destination Chargers. One key difference between these and the V3 chargers – apart from the design – is the longer cable on the new units, allowing greater flexibility when parking to charge. Otherwise the major points are the same: peak charging rates of up to 250 kW per vehicle, and it costs RM 1.25 / kWh to charge here, with an

Sanjay

May 3, 2024

Mercedes-Benz has officially revealed the new (W223) Mercedes-Benz S-Class facelift which incorporates new tech updates as well as new safety features to further enhance its flagship model. In terms of aesthetics, the changes are minimal, introducing two new exterior paint options—Verde Silver Metallic and Velvet Brown Metallic. On the inside the S-Class facelift adds newly designed front head restraints featuring additional cushioning, ensuring greater comfort over long journeys. Also read: Rev

Arvind

May 2, 2024

Xiaomi’s CEO and founder Lei Jun has placed an order for Li Auto’s latest model, the Li L6, at the ongoing Beijing International Auto Show. A superstar in China’s business circle, Lei Jun is seen as the combination of Steve Jobs and Elon Musk. Like Musk, Lei Jun is active on X, for the benefit of his followers outside of China, where his Weibo account takes precedence. “Placed my order - I'll be an owner of a Li L6 in this stunning green! It's interesting to note the Li Auto sales team's prefere

Hans

May 2, 2024

Honda Malaysia Racing Team (HMRT) is revving up excitement as they prepare their new Honda City sedan and Hatchback race cars for their much-anticipated return to this year's Sepang 1000km (S1K) endurance race. Typically held in November, the S1K will test the mettle and endurance of both cars over the 9-hour long (~172 lap) race. These 2 race cars, according to HMRT sources, are equipped with the same standard 121 PS/145 Nm 1.5-litre DOHC 4-cylinder engine as a standard car in Honda showrooms,

Arvind

May 2, 2024

BYD has yet to trouble the top-tier Japanese brands like Toyota or Honda in Malaysia’s overall car sales, but it will soon surpass second tier brands like Ford and Nissan. It has already propelled past VW. According to data compiled by RHB Investment Bank, Sime Darby Beyond Auto, the distributor of BYD cars in Malaysia, sold 1,919 units in the first quarter of 2024. RHB says BYD now controls 71% of Malaysia’s battery EV (BEV) segment. That puts BYD ahead of VW’s 412 units and Volvo’s 560 units,

Hans

May 2, 2024

Three years on since the model first made its debut, Kia has teased the imminent arrival of the 2024 Kia EV6 facelift. Kia's unveiling of the updated battery electric vehicle (BEV) shows off a sharp new face that's very similar to the look on the marque's newest models – especially the Kia EV5. Round the rear things look familiar with its overarching lightbar, though further changes aren't quite visible. Expect the changes to also extend to redesigned bumpers and new wheels too; par for the cour

Sanjay

May 2, 2024

Mazda ended its financial year ending March 2024 (April 2023 to March 2024, FY2024) with an 11.8 percent increase in global sales, totaling 1,204,668 units. The growth is attributed to strong demand for Mazda cars in USA (up 24.6%), China (up 14.7%), Europe (up 12.5%). Sales in its domestic market Japan, however, dropped 2.8%. The Mazda CX-5 is the company’s best seller, contributing nearly a third of Mazda’s global sales. Sales of the CX-5 in FY2024 totaled 350,339 units (up 1.5%), followed by

Hans

May 2, 2024

Following the recent viral video of a Chery Omoda 5 allegedly experiencing a rear axle (specifically, a lower control arm) failure, Chery Malaysia confirmed today that it will inspect a further 600 cars to check and if necessary, replace the affected parts. Chery says the issue is traced back to a "facility upgrade exercise." Presumably, this refers to the company's contract manufacturer Inokom's plant in Kulim. The Chery Omoda 5 is locally assembled (CKD) in Kulim. The 600 affected cars are tra

Sanjay

Apr 30, 2024

If you were asked to name a two-door coupe that has a perfectly balanced 50:50 front:rear weight distribution, sporty looking frameless doors, with greater torsional rigidity than a Porsche 718, and suspension that allows it to chase a BMW 4 Series through a slalom course, what would be your answer? Hozon Auto is not a name many are familiar with. The manufacturer of Neta branded cars want to change that, fast. Yes, Neta is not a name that Malaysians would want to mention alongside Tesla or BYD,

Hans

Apr 30, 2024

Smartphone maker, Xiaomi, has pulled off what Apple gave up on, it launched its first-ever car, the Xiaomi SU7 battery electric vehicle (BEV). Launched last month, the SU7 – pronounced “Soo-7” (I see a Cristiano Ronaldo connection there), is one of the biggest draws at Auto China 2024 with long queues snaking outside its booth. As announced by Xiaomi in its Weibo profile earlier this month, 88,888 ‘firm orders’ of the SU7 have been made across the country, essentially selling out all 2024 units.

CY Foong

Apr 30, 2024

Governments in the US and the Europe Union claim that China is subsidizing the production of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) to the point that there is no production excess capacity, leading to ‘dumping’ of Chinese BEVs in export markets. There is some truth in that claim, but like many complex subjects, a bit more nuances is required to give an honest answer. Despite accusations of dumping cheap BEVs overseas, world No.1 BEV and PHEV manufacturer BYD is selling its cars in export markets at fa

Hans

Apr 30, 2024

The 2024 Mitsubishi Triton has maintained its position as the second most popular pickup truck in Malaysia for the second consecutive year. With sales totaling 8,636 units during the Financial Year 2023 (April 2023 – March 2024), the Triton continues to hold its ground against stiff competition from newer models such as the Ford Ranger. The strong performance of the Triton, combined with the success of the Mitsubishi Xpander which sold 11,384 units, contributed to Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM

Arvind

Apr 30, 2024

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) has announced that the Mitsubishi Xpander has continued its reign as the top non-national MPV in Malaysia. The Xpander achieved impressive sales with 11,384 units sold in the Financial Year 2023, spanning from April 2023 to March 2024. Speaking about the Xpander results, Shinya Ikeda, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia, added "We are thrilled to witness the Xpander’s continued dominance in Malaysia. This achievement is a testament to our commitment to delivering h

Arvind

Apr 30, 2024

In a strategic move to enhance its research and development capabilities, Proton has officially opened a new R&D centre in China. Situated within the Geely Automobile Research Institute (GRI) at Hangzhou Bay, this facility marks a significant step in Proton's collaboration with its partner, Zhejiang Geely Holding Ltd (Geely). The inauguration event, which coincided with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia, was attended by prominent figures including Tan Sri Sy

Arvind

Apr 30, 2024

With Honda announcing its aim to offer only battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in China by 2035, the Big H introduced the Ye Series of BEVs which are exclusive to the world’s largest consumer of cars for now. Named after the Chinese character “烨” which means “shine brilliantly”, Honda displayed three of its upcoming models at the ongoing Auto China 2024 in Beijing. The three models consist of two SUVs and a sedan with the former two expected for launch at the end of 2024. The Ye P7 and Ye S7 are t

CY Foong

Apr 30, 2024

Elon Musk has snubbed India, postponing his earlier scheduled visit to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, before flying to China to meet Premier Li Qiang. Musk was originally scheduled to meet Modi from 21 to 22 April 2024. When Musk posted on X “Looking forward to meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India!” it elicited a same-day response from China’s state-owned propaganda mouthpiece Global Times, which poured cold water on India’s ability to attract investments from Tesla. Global Times sa

Hans

Apr 30, 2024

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has launched the facelifted (V167) 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4MATIC boasting updated design details, improved connectivity as well as minor changes to its powertrain as well. First things first, the new model is now priced at RM 528,888—a slight increase from the pre-facelift model’s RM 515,888. As before, the 2024 GLE 450 is locally-assembled (CKD) in Pekan, Pahang. The premium 7-seater SUV retains its 48V EQ Boost mild hybrid technology and 3.0-litre inline 6-cylinder M

Arvind

Apr 30, 2024

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has confirmed it is seeking clarification from German authorities regarding the recent seizures of 4 Bugatti Veyrons, which are reportedly linked to the 1MDB scandal. Bernama reports, that the latest seizures further add to 50 other luxury vehicles seized in 2018 by Swiss authorities, which are also part of MACC’s sprawling multinational investigation into 1MDB. The first 50 vehicles seized are valued at around RM 200 million. These 50 vehicles are

Arvind

Apr 29, 2024

At its launch in 2022, the Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 Pure Electric was the first CKD-assembled BEV in the Malaysian market. Stylish, well-built and very powerful, the XC40 P8 enjoyed a superb reception at the outset. However, with many newer models both from direct rivals such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW, as well as newer competitors like Tesla in the premium segment, the XC40 P8 has faded into the background. In addition, at RM 278k currently, it is also undercut by quite a few rivals. But how does a

Arvind

Apr 29, 2024

At the ongoing Auto China 2024 held in Beijing, Honda launched its second set of Honda e:N Series battery electric vehicles (BEV) for the Chinese market. The Honda e:NP2 produced by GAC Honda goes on sale with a CNY 159,800 (~RM 105k) price tag. Meanwhile, its twin produced by Dongfeng Honda, the Honda e:NS2 will begin sales in June. Honda has two joint ventures in China with both brands offering twin models of each other like the Honda CR-V/Breeze and the Honda Civic/Integra. The Big H is targe

CY Foong

Apr 29, 2024

Chery Malaysia has released an official statement following the past weekend's viral social media post which apparently saw a Chery Omoda 5's had its rear lower arm snapped. It was alleged by the poster that the rear axle of the Omoda 5 had broken whilst being driven on a smooth road, without being involved in an accident. Read the statement in full below: "Chery Auto Malaysia is committed to providing safe and reliable transportation solutions, and we are dedicated to ensuring that all our vehi

Sanjay

Apr 29, 2024

Adding one more model to its expanding list, China's Neta Auto have unveiled the Neta L at the ongoing Beijing International Auto Show. Two powertrains are planned for it – it's launched as a range-extender electric vehicle (REEV), battery-electric (BEV) variants to come later – and it has its own generative AI software. The REEV variant promises a range of up to 1,070 km, combining a 1.5-litre engine with a 30.06 kWh battery, good for a combined power output of 231 PS and 310 Nm. Neta says it b

Sanjay

Apr 29, 2024

The Peugeot 408 is Stellantis Malaysia's first new model launch in the country since taking over distribution duties of the French Lion from Bermaz Auto. Locally assembled (CKD) at Stellantis Group's assembly plant in Gurun, Kedah, the Peugeot 408 is available in three variants: 408 Allure - RM 146,055 408 Premium - RM 166,055 408 GT - RM 196,055 All 3 variants are powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged PureTech 4-cylinder engine with an output of 218 PS and 300 Nm. Power is sent to the front wheel

CY Foong

Apr 29, 2024

Chery Malaysia is set to expand its production capacity with a new local assembly plant (CKD) in Shah Alam Selangor. Scheduled to open in Q3 of 2024, Executive VP of Chery International, Chen Chun Qing, confirmed this development to local media during the 2024 Chery International Business Conference at the brand’s headquarters in Wuhu, China. Currently, Chery’s local assembly operations, including models such as the Omoda 5 and Tiggo 8 Pro, take place at the Inokom facility in Kulim, which it sh

Arvind

Apr 29, 2024

Much has been said about the longevity of batteries in battery electric vehicles (BEVs), understandably causing concern among potential buyers about future replacement costs. However, the GWM Ora 07 offers reassurance in this regard. To begin with, the Ora 07 is covered by a 6-year/150,000 km warranty for the vehicle, extending to 8-year/180,000 km solely for the battery and motor, whichever comes first. There’s also a one-to-one battery replacement is available should the battery's health dip b

Shaun

Apr 29, 2024

This is the Chery Omoda 7 that has just made its global debut. It sits right on top of the Omoda 5 in the family tree. Right off the bat, it’s quite a departure from the Omoda 5, but no less eye-catching design wise. Its front and rear fascia get an X motif, while the protruding Darth Vader style grille is reminiscent of the Lexus RX. The full-width light bar at the rear gets lightning bolt style graphics and round to the side, it wears a rather large set of 20-inch wheels, while the darkened D-

Shaun

Apr 29, 2024

Neta Auto, Qualcomm, and AutoLink have unveiled the Snapdragon Ride Flex (SA8775P) cockpit-to-drive fusion platform globally, ahead of the carmaker's plans to produce vehicles with the platform within the second quarter (Q2) of 2025. Compared to existing cockpit fusion systems, the Snapdragon Ride Flex uniquely supports both digital cockpits and intelligent driving functions through a single system-on-a-chip (SoC). Meaning ADAS and autonomous driving can exist on a single chip; theoratically thi

Sanjay

Apr 29, 2024