Local News Archives

The New Mercedes-Benz E-Class W214 Launched from RM355,888

For over 75 years, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has set the standard for mid-range luxury sedans. In 2024, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia redefines that benchmark with the launch of the new locally assembled E-Class, featuring a groundbreaking electronic architecture that delivers an intuitive and futuristic digital user experience.

The latest iteration of this iconic sedan is available in two distinct variants: the Mercedes-Benz E 200 AVANTGARDE priced at RM355,888 and the Mercedes-Benz E 350 e AMG Line priced at RM418,888, offering customers a choice between a powerful electrified internal combustion engine and an advanced plug-in hybrid powertrain.

The 2024 E-Class retains its classic “cab-backward” design, with a long bonnet, sleek passenger compartment, and short front overhang that seamlessly transitions into a well-proportioned rear. A nearly three-centimetre increase in wheelbase (2,961 mm) enhances passenger space, giving the sedan an even more striking profile.

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Mechanic and Staff Injured After BMW Owner Drives Off Without Paying RM38,000 Bill

A mechanic and two of his staff were injured after a BMW owner drove off with his car, which had been fitted with upgraded accessories, without settling the RM38,000 bill at a workshop in Taman Setia Tropika yesterday.

Johor Baru North police chief, Assistant Commissioner Balveer Singh, reported that the 29-year-old mechanic, who owns the workshop, lodged a police report regarding the incident. According to the mechanic, the 40-year-old BMW owner had initially left his car at the workshop on Saturday, September 7, for upgrades, including new tyres, sports rims, and other accessories, with an agreed-upon total cost of RM38,000.

According to NST, the customer returned to the workshop the following day with another individual, requesting a test drive of the upgraded vehicle. Concerned that the customer might leave without paying, the mechanic instructed his 23-year-old employee to accompany them on the test drive in Taman Bukit Kempas.

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Selangor Accelerates Pothole Repairs with New RM1 Million Jetpatcher

Pothole repairs in Selangor are set to be significantly expedited following the state’s acquisition of a high-tech Jetpatcher machine from the United Kingdom. It is expected to be valued at RM1 million, according to reports from Selangor Journal. The Jetpatcher, which was introduced during the launch of the Mega Road Resurfacing 2024 project, promises to cut repair time and improve the overall quality of road patches.

State executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture, Izham Hashim, explained that the new machine requires only 15 minutes to patch a pothole, a stark improvement over the traditional method, which takes more than an hour.

“This machine is highly efficient and can be used even during light rain, unlike conventional methods which can be delayed for days due to wet weather,” Izham said. He also highlighted that the Jetpatcher requires minimal manpower, with just four workers needed per site—two to operate the machine and two to manage traffic. In comparison, the conventional method typically requires a team of 15 people.

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Putrajaya to See Rollout of Autonomous Electric Bus Service Trial

Putrajaya is set to see the rollout of an autonomous electric bus service trial later this year, marking Malaysia’s second such initiative. As reported by NST, this trial, which leverages 5G technology, is part of a collaboration between Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB), Ericsson, and local autonomous vehicle developer eMooVit Technology Sdn Bhd.

The partnership stems from a memorandum of understanding signed in May 2024, focusing on testing 5G-enabled technologies in autonomous buses. The trials included in-vehicle 5G public Wi-Fi, real-time remote monitoring, and journey data collection without passengers.

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Proton Announces The Start Of CKD Operations For Saga In Egypt

Proton has expanded its international presence by announcing the launch of CKD (Completely Knocked Down) operations in Egypt. This milestone was marked at Proton’s Centre of Excellence headquarters with a ceremony to flag off 120 units of LHD Proton Saga CKD packs for export to Egypt.

The event saw notable attendees such as H.E. Ragai Tawfik Said Nasr, the Egyptian Ambassador to Malaysia, and Datuk Hanafi Sakri, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry, alongside Proton’s senior leadership, including Chairman Tan Sri Syed Faisal Albar and Deputy CEO Roslan Abdullah.

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Touch ‘n Go is Back with the Third Edition Hot Wheels Series Card

Touch ‘n Go Sdn Bhd is back with the third edition of its popular Hot Wheels Series card, an exciting offering for both car enthusiasts and collectors. This limited-edition card boasts a dual-tone design that captures the high-speed thrill associated with Hot Wheels, making it a standout collectable.

With only 2,000 units available, this special edition card offers exclusivity for fans. Beyond its collectable appeal, the card is fully functional, offering cashless payment options for daily commutes, tolls, and parking at over 1,500 locations. Its stylish look adds excitement to every transaction.

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First Jaecoo 3S Dealership Opens Its Doors in Kota Kinabalu

Jaecoo has significantly expanded its service network by launching its first dealership in East Malaysia, located in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. This move aligns with the premium off-road SUV brand’s commitment to ensuring network readiness following a successful month of J7 deliveries.

Leo Chen, Executive Vice President of Chery Corporate Malaysia, emphasised the importance of East Malaysia to the brand, noting that the Jaecoo J7 is well-suited to meet the strong demand for SUVs in Sabah. The dealership launch represents the brand’s continued effort to offer a premium ownership experience consistent with the “From Classic, Beyond Classic” brand ethos.

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JPJePlate Launch: Setting a National Standard for EV Plates in Malaysia

The Ministry of Transport (MOT) and the Road Transport Department (JPJ) have officially initiated the pilot phase of the new standardised number plates, known as JPJePlate. This new system is mandatory for all new battery-powered and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (excluding motorcycles) delivered from today onwards. The objective of JPJePlate is to introduce a national standard for vehicle plates, beginning with electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen-powered cars.

Key Details of the JPJePlate:

Pilot Phase: Initially applicable to new electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles delivered during this phase.
Existing EV Owners: Existing EV owners can begin ordering JPJePlate starting November 9, 2024, although registration of interest is available now.

Pricing and Package Information:

Cost: Each JPJePlate set is priced at RM98.
Availability: Currently, JPJePlates can only be ordered by car manufacturers and dealers via the official JPJePlate website.
Package Contents:
- 1x Front vehicle plate
- 1x Rear vehicle plate
- 1x RFID windshield sticker
- 1x Set of anti-theft one-way screws
Delivery: The RM98 cost includes delivery to an authorised installation partner, but plates will be sent directly to dealerships at this stage.

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Volvo Car Malaysia Unveils Exciting Volvo EX30 Experience Event

Volvo Car Malaysia is set to offer a unique opportunity for customers to experience the new Volvo EX30 at an exciting event, The Volvo EX30 Experience, happening from 26 to 29 September at KL Base, Sungai Besi. This first-of-its-kind showcase follows the official unveiling of the fully electric SUV, scheduled for 25 September.

What to Expect at The Volvo EX30 Experience

Attendees will be among the first to interact with the Volvo EX30, a car packed with advanced technology and designed to have the smallest carbon footprint of any Volvo vehicle to date. The EX30 features:

Automatic parking
Google Built-in integration
Upgraded Pilot Assist
360° environmental awareness through cameras, sensors, and radars
Dynamic handling and fast acceleration, making it Volvo’s fastest car yet

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BYD SEAL Dynamic RWD Variant Launched in Malaysia – Priced at RM163,800

After the successful debut of the BYD Seal earlier this year, with over 2,200 units registered by the end of August 2024, Sime Darby Motors, the official distributor of BYD in Malaysia, has introduced the new BYD Seal Dynamic RWD variant. This addition completes the lineup alongside the existing Premium and Performance models, offering more options for Malaysian consumers seeking electric sedans with a blend of style, technology, and performance.

BYD Seal Dynamic RWD: Features and Pricing

The BYD Seal Dynamic RWD is available in two sleek colour options: Cosmos Black and Aurora White. While pricing starts from a competitive RM163,800, the first 100 bookings come with a complimentary Wall Box Home Charger, adding extra value for early customers.

The new Dynamic RWD variant is backed by an extensive warranty package, including a 6-year or 150,000 km vehicle warranty, an 8-year or 160,000 km high-voltage battery warranty, and an 8-year or 150,000 km drive unit warranty, offering customers peace of mind.

For those seeking an affordable yet advanced electric sedan, the BYD Seal Dynamic RWD provides cutting-edge technology with a stylish design. The Seal lineup also includes the RWD Premium variant, starting at RM179,800, offering a balance between performance and range, and the AWD Performance variant, tailored for driving enthusiasts, starting at RM199,800.

Design and Technology Highlights

The BYD Seal Dynamic RWD showcases an aerodynamic coupe-like silhouette that’s both eye-catching and efficient. Its Ocean Aesthetics design has won accolades, including the iF Design Award, and it was named a Top 3 finalist in the 2024 World Car of the Year Awards. Additionally, it has been recognised locally, winning Electric Performance Sedan of the Year at the VOTY 2024 awards.

While the entire Seal range shares a similar design language, the Dynamic RWD variant stands out with a new rim design. Inside, the car boasts a 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen that integrates the BYD App and voice command features. A premium 12-speaker Dynaudio sound system and an advanced PM2.5 filtration system further enhance the cabin experience.

The BYD Seal Dynamic RWD prioritizes safety with a five-star ANCAP safety rating, the innovative Blade Battery technology, and nine airbags. All variants come equipped with BYD’s ADAS suite and a 360-degree camera system, ensuring optimal safety and driver confidence.

Performance and Range

Powered by a 61.44 kWh LFP Blade battery, the Dynamic RWD delivers 201 horsepower and 310 Nm of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.5 seconds. The Dynamic RWD variant offers an impressive range of 510 km (NEDC cycle), making it suitable for both daily commutes and longer journeys. By comparison, the Premium variant offers a range of 650 km, and the Performance variant provides 580 km.

The Dynamic variant supports DC fast charging up to 110 kW and features Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, increasing its versatility. With 450 litres of cargo space, including a 50-litre front trunk, the Seal Dynamic combines practicality with advanced electric mobility.

Customer Service and Expansion

BYD is committed to delivering exceptional customer service, with 25 showrooms and service centers already operational across Malaysia and plans to expand to over 30 by the end of 2024. The BYD App also provides convenient digital solutions, allowing customers to access service center locations and even unlock their vehicles remotely.

In addition to launching the BYD Seal Dynamic RWD, BYD has upgraded the BYD Atto 3 with a 60.48 kWh battery, extending its range to 480 km and improving its acceleration to 7.3 seconds from 0-100 km/h. The first 300 buyers of the new Atto 3 will receive a Wallbox Home Charger, a 3-Year Service Package, and 4 Years of Free Road Tax.

Exclusive Promotions

From September 6 to 8, 2024, car enthusiasts can experience the BYD Seal Dynamic and the new BYD Atto 3 at Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Carpark B. Special promotions include RM800 charging credits for BYD Seal and Dolphin bookings and a chance to win a BMW CE 02 Motorrad with bookings during the event.

This latest launch from BYD underscores their commitment to delivering cutting-edge electric vehicles and exceptional customer experiences in Malaysia.