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The new Mini Cooper C offers a modern twist on the brand’s iconic go-kart driving experience, powered by an efficient three-cylinder petrol engine. Featuring a sleek design, compact proportions, and a striking front grille, the car effortlessly blends tradition with innovation. Inside, the Minimalist interior design focuses on clean lines, enhanced space, and a state-of-the-art OLED central instrument.

A standout feature of the Mini Cooper C is its in-car gaming capability, thanks to a partnership with Mattel, Inc. and AirConsole. Passengers can enjoy games like UNO Car Party!, connecting their personal devices to the car’s infotainment system, creating an exciting entertainment option while the car is stationary.

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Car manufacturers benefiting from the Thai government’s electric vehicle (EV) promotion measures will be required to invest in the domestic production of key EV components by 2026, according to the Bangkok Post. The three essential components—electric motors, reducers, and inverters—must be assembled locally. These parts are critical to an EV’s function, with electric motors converting electrical energy into kinetic energy, reducers acting like gearboxes, and inverters converting battery DC power into AC for the motor.

Mr. Ekniti highlighted that since the introduction of the government’s EV promotion initiatives—Phase 3.0 and 3.5—auto manufacturers have begun establishing production bases in Thailand, leading to a total investment of over 80 billion baht. The measures stipulate that participating companies must manufacture EVs domestically to match 100% of their first-year sales. If the local manufacturing requirement is not met in the second year, companies must produce 1.5 times the sales volume.

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Geely Auto is making significant moves to expand its presence in Southeast Asia by establishing a vehicle assembly plant in Vietnam. This new plant will have the capacity to produce 75,000 cars annually and is part of a joint venture with Vietnam’s Tasco Joint Stock Company.

The total investment for this project is projected to be around US$168 million, with Geely contributing 36% of the funding, while Tasco will cover the remainder.

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Jaecoo, Malaysia’s rising challenger in the SUV segment, is gearing up for the highly anticipated debut of its latest model, the Omoda C9, in December. The C9 is expected to make a significant impact in the D-segment SUV market, offering a blend of powerful engine performance, advanced safety features, and luxury comforts—all at a competitive price.

Emily Lek, Vice President of Jaecoo Malaysia, elaborated on the brand’s vision, highlighting that the C9 represents the next phase of Jaecoo’s commitment to innovation and quality. “We started with the J7, and the response from the Malaysian market has been outstanding. Now, with the C9, the first premium off-road SUV coupe in Southeast Asia, we’re taking things to the next level. Available in both 2WD and AWD variants, the C9 embodies our core values of luxury and refined urban appeal.”

The Omoda C9 boasts a striking exterior, featuring a unique diamond matrix grille, sigma-inspired daytime running lights, and adaptive LED headlights. Its sleek profile is enhanced by keyless entry with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, walkaway locking, and flush door handles for a seamless finish. Measuring 1,671mm in height, 1,920mm in width, and 4,775mm in length, the C9 offers a commanding driving position with a 2,800mm wheelbase and 165mm ground clearance, allowing it to navigate water depths of up to 450mm.

Riding on R20 multi-blade alloy wheels and high-performance Michelin tires, the C9’s adaptive suspension system, featuring MacPherson struts at the front and a multilink setup at the rear, ensures smooth handling across diverse driving conditions.

Under the hood, the C9 is powered by a 2.0 TGDI inline four-cylinder petrol engine, delivering an impressive 257hp and 400Nm of torque. The C9 comes in two variants: the 2WD, with three drive modes, and the AWD, featuring seven drive modes tailored for both urban and off-road adventures. With a spacious boot offering between 660 to 1,783 liters of storage, the C9 is ideal for those with active lifestyles, whether in the city or exploring off-road terrains.

Safety is at the forefront of the C9’s design, with Continuous Damping Control (CDC) providing real-time adjustments based on road conditions to ensure a comfortable ride. The SUV is also equipped with level 2.5 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Lane Departure Prevention (LDP), and Emergency Lane Keep Assist (ELKA).

Built with 85% high-strength steel and equipped with eight airbags, the C9 offers top-notch protection. It also includes a built-in 540-degree around-view monitor and digital video recorder (DVR) for enhanced visibility of obstacles and blind spots.

Inside, the C9 exudes luxury, with features like active ambient lighting, a 24.6-inch HD display, and a spacious center console equipped with wireless mobile charging and air vents. The cabin is enhanced with premium soft-touch leather finishes, three-zone air conditioning with an air quality system, and a fragrance dispenser for added comfort.

For the driver, the C9 offers paddle shifters, a heads-up display, and an eight-way adjustable electric seat with memory function for added convenience. The AWD variant also includes 14 surround-sound speakers and personalized speakers in the driver’s seat, offering an immersive audio experience.

Jaecoo has opened registration of interest for the Omoda C9, with the 2WD variant priced at around RM185,000 and the AWD variant estimated at RM195,000. The C9 is set to debut at upcoming roadshows in late October, ahead of its official launch in December.

Volkswagen has been manufacturing Polo models in Pamplona, Spain, since 1984, producing over 8.4 million units. As one of Europe’s best-selling cars, the Polo remains a popular choice, with more than 90,100 units sold through August 2024, making it the 8th top-selling small car in Europe.

However, the Pamplona plant is set to shift gears as Volkswagen prepares to introduce a lineup of smaller, more affordable electric vehicles (EVs). Beginning in 2026, the facility will begin producing two small electric SUVs, marking a significant transition towards electrification for Volkswagen’s iconic production site.

2021 Volkswagen Polo

These new SUVs will be built on a modified version of Volkswagen’s MEB platform, the same architecture that powers the brand’s current ID series, including the popular ID.4. The upcoming models are expected to sit below the ID.3 in terms of size and affordability, with prices starting at under 25,000 euros (RM116,753).

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Europe’s electric vehicle (EV) market is facing significant challenges, despite the environmental and technological benefits of EVs. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), representing 15 major European brands such as BMW, Ferrari, and Volkswagen, has raised concerns over a steep decline in EV sales, with unit sales down 8.4% this year. Hybrid sales have fallen even further, down nearly 14%. This downward trend, exacerbated by several compounding factors, poses a risk to Europe’s automotive future and its climate targets.

Factors Behind the Decline:

  • Insufficient Charging Infrastructure: EV adoption is hindered by the lack of readily available charging points, leaving consumers anxious about the feasibility of long trips or quick recharges.
  • Green Energy Production Gaps: While EVs rely on electricity, not all of it is generated sustainably, creating a disconnect between the promise of green vehicles and the actual energy supply.

  • Uncompetitive Manufacturing Regulations: European carmakers must comply with strict environmental rules, while competitors from countries with looser regulations, particularly China, gain a price advantage in the EV market.

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Amalgam is back at it again! If you do not remember, Amalgam is renowned for its impeccable scale models and unveiled a meticulously detailed replica of the iconic 1974 Lamborghini Countach LP400 in 1:8 scale.

For Amalgam’s new creation, they have introduced the stunning Ferrari 12Cilindri in a breathtaking 1:8 scale, a detailed replica that mirrors its life-size counterpart in both aesthetics and craftsmanship. Priced at $18,220 (RM76,735), it’s a fraction of the real car’s price, which hovers around $500,000 (RM2,105,798).

Amalgam has dedicated over 3000 hours to design this remarkable model, working closely with Ferrari to ensure every detail is precise. After creating thousands of individual parts, a team of assemblers spends an additional 300 hours meticulously building each car.

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At the IAA Transportation 2024 event in Hanover, Germany, BYD unveiled its latest innovation, the BYD E-Vali, a pure-electric light commercial vehicle (LCV) designed specifically for the European market. This 3.5-ton/4.25-ton electric LCV is aimed at the last-mile and package delivery sector, offering commercial fleets a sustainable and practical solution.

The BYD E-Vali is powered by the renowned Blade Battery, which boasts excellent safety, durability, and energy efficiency. It offers a range of 220-250 km (WTLP) on a single charge, and the battery can be fast-charged from 10% to 80% in just 30 minutes. The vehicle is available in two versions: the 3.5-ton model, and the 4.25-ton model, which is larger. The cargo volume reaches up to 17.9 cubic meters, and the 4.25-ton model can handle a payload of up to 1450kg.

Inside the cabin, the E-Vali integrates advanced features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Detection, and Hill Hold Control through its suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). The cabin also includes over-the-air (OTA) support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and voice control functionality, enhancing the driver’s comfort and convenience.

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Malaysia is cautiously navigating global trade tensions, particularly as it seeks to maintain competitiveness in its growing electric vehicle (EV) industry, according to Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz. In an exclusive interview, Zafrul highlighted the potential global impact of rising US-China tensions, especially regarding the tech supply chain, while underscoring Malaysia’s commitment to an open, balanced engagement with both superpowers.

As businesses around the world seek to diversify supply chains due to geopolitical uncertainties, Malaysia has become an attractive destination for investments from tech companies and automakers. Yet, the country faces hurdles. Malaysia’s solar industry risks tariffs because of Washington’s anti-China policies, and the EV sector must strike a balance between fostering domestic growth and managing the influx of Chinese imports.

Chinese EV manufacturers are expected to expand their presence in Southeast Asia, particularly after facing restrictions in the US and Europe. While some countries have imposed tariffs to limit Chinese imports, Malaysia has so far avoided such measures. Zafrul emphasised the importance of fostering competition among local automakers like Perodua and Proton, while maintaining an open economic policy.

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“What do you think of Haval? The cars are quite cheap, and I am thinking of buying my mother one,” said the Managing Director of one of the companies I used to work for over a decade ago.

“It has everything she needs in a car, and it is quite well priced, it makes more sense than a Proton,” he continued.

This conversation took place back in the early 2010s, a time when barely anyone was talking about cars from China. And the companies that did import them only did so half-heartedly, with little in the form of aftersales support.

Fast forward a little more than a decade and the global automotive landscape is an entirely different one. (more…)

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