A Proton Saga Premium purchase turned into a double celebration for Mohamed Affandy Bin Zainal Ariffin when he was announced as the grand prize winner of the Proton Q3 Test Drive & Win contest. The Teluk Intan resident, who bought his car in July from Han 333 Otomobil Sdn Bhd in Perak, drove away with a brand-new Proton Saga Executive as his prize.
The contest attracted 12,992 entries from customers who booked and registered their vehicles during the campaign period. Affandy received his prize during a ceremony held at Proton’s Centre of Excellence headquarters, with the event streamed live on Proton’s social media channels. The keys were presented to him by Roslan Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer of Proton Edar.
Adding to the excitement, the October winner of Proton’s Test Drive and Win Big campaign was also announced. Abdul Taib Bin Ahmad from Sarawak, who purchased a Proton Persona from Ngu’s Motor Service Sdn Bhd, was revealed as the grand prize winner for October. He will soon be driving home a new Proton S70.
Sime Darby Motors, the official distributor of BYD cars in Malaysia, has launched the BYD Sealion 7, a flagship electric SUV that redefines performance, style, and utility in the Malaysian EV market. The Sealion 7, featuring innovative technology and a premium design, is available in two variants: Premium and Performance.
Performance and Specifications
The BYD Sealion 7 boasts impressive performance across its two variants. The Premium variant delivers 308hp of power and 380Nm of torque, accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds with a range of 567km. The Performance variant offers a staggering 522hp of power and 690Nm of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds with a range of 542km. Both variants are powered by BYD’s renowned Blade Battery, ensuring safety, durability, and efficient charging with support for AC and DC fast charging.
Safety and Technology
The Sealion 7 places safety at its core with nine airbags, ISOFIX child seat anchorage points, a 360° camera, and advanced driver-assistance features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, and Blind Spot Detection. Inside, the SUV offers a luxurious experience with genuine leather seats, a panoramic glass roof, and a 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen integrated with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Passengers will also enjoy immersive audio through a DYNAUDIO 12-speaker system.
Pricing, Launch Promotions and Availability
The Premium is priced at RM183,800 while the Performance is priced at RM199,800!
To celebrate the launch, BYD is offering exclusive early bird promotions for bookings made by November 17, 2024. Customers will receive a complimentary home charger and RM800 in charging credits, provided they register their vehicle by December 31, 2024. The Sealion 7 is available in Cosmos Black, Aurora White, Atlantis Grey, and Shark Grey, with prices reflecting its premium features.
The all-new Sealion 7 will debut at Level Upper Ground, The Exchange 106 in Kuala Lumpur, from November 15 to 17, where visitors can experience the vehicle firsthand and participate in test drives.
This launch also marks BYD Malaysia’s second anniversary and its milestone as the leading EV brand in Malaysia, with over 11,000 loyal customers. A special trade-up program for existing BYD owners further highlights the company’s appreciation for customer loyalty.
With its unmatched blend of performance, technology, and safety, the BYD Sealion 7 is poised to lead the charge in Malaysia’s premium electric SUV market.
smart Malaysia has kicked off its smart Tour Roadshow at Aeon Tebrau, offering the public a chance to experience the brand’s innovative electric vehicles (EVs). Running from November 13 to 17, the event celebrates smart’s anniversary and showcases the latest EV models, the smart #1 and smart #3, alongside exclusive promotions.
The roadshow, hosted at the Center Court of Aeon Tebrau, operates daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Visitors can explore the advanced features of smart’s vehicles and engage with the Hello smart app, a digital tool designed to enhance EV ownership by locating charging stations and managing vehicle functions.
Malaysian carmaker Proton has taken a significant step toward international expansion with the inauguration of a new completely knocked-down (CKD) plant to assemble the Proton Saga in Cairo, Egypt. The ceremony was officiated by YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Bin Ibrahim, Malaysia’s Prime Minister, during his official visit to the country.
Prominent figures present at the event included H.E. Lieutenant General Kamel Al-Wazir, Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister, YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, and YB Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan, Malaysia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. Egyptian and Malaysian officials, including H.E. Mr Ragai Tawfik Said Nasr, Ambassador of Egypt to Malaysia, also participated alongside business leaders from both nations.
Strategic Investment in Al Oula Industrial Park
The new CKD facility is located in the Al Oula Industrial Park, Giza, and is operated by Ezz Elarab Elsewedy Automotive Factories (ESAF)—a joint venture between Ezz Elarab and Elsewedy Capital Holding. The plant represents an investment of USD35 million and has a production capacity of 20,000 units per shift. Once fully operational, it is expected to employ up to 400 people.
The Malaysian government has set an ambitious target for electric vehicles (EVs) to account for 20% of annual new vehicle sales by 2030, encompassing both passenger and commercial categories. As of September 2024, EV sales have reached 5.11% of the total annual volume, a notable increase from 4.12% recorded for the entirety of 2023.
The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) reported that the adoption of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has grown significantly in recent years. Total BEV sales stood at 15,876 units in 2024 and 13,513 units in 2023, a sharp rise compared to 3,146 units sold in 2020.
Efforts to Build a Strong EV Ecosystem
MITI credited the improved numbers to the collaborative efforts between government ministries, agencies, and industry players. Before 2018, the EV market in Malaysia was minimal, with limited adoption and infrastructure.
To support the sector’s growth, the government has rolled out a series of initiatives, including:
Tax exemptions for imported completely built-up (CBU) EVs until the end of 2025.
Full exemptions on import duty, excise, and sales tax for locally assembled EVs until December 2027.
A commitment to establish 10,000 EV charging stations nationwide by 2025.
The Ministry of Transport has announced key updates on the East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) project, a major infrastructure development connecting the Klang Valley to Malaysia’s East Coast.
Completion Timeline
Phase One (Kota Bharu to Gombak Integrated Transport Terminal): Scheduled for completion by 31 December 2026.
Phase Two (Gombak to Port Klang): Targeted for completion by 31 December 2027.
Long-Term Feasibility Study
The ministry confirmed the completion of a feasibility study assessing the types of goods anticipated to be transported via the ECRL over its 30-year service life. Key findings include:
Significant increases in the delivery of commodities such as automotive products, coal, petrochemicals, palm oil, and others.
Projections for cargo transportation will be supported by specialised wagons, including flat wagons, open-top wagons, and box wagons.
Custom station designs ensuring durability and safety to accommodate these cargo types.
Delivery platform Lalamove has officially expanded its offerings with the launch of Lalamove Ride, a ride-hailing service integrated into its existing app. This move positions the company as a challenger to established industry players like Grab and other e-hailing competitors.
Announced through its blog and social media channels, Lalamove Ride allows users to switch seamlessly between its delivery and ride-hailing services. Customers can now book rides directly through the app by selecting the “Ride” tab, entering their destination, and choosing their pick-up time.
The new service, currently exclusive to Klang Valley, aims to offer a familiar, reliable experience to Lalamove’s existing customer base. “If you’re familiar with Lalamove’s faster and cost-effective delivery service, it’s time to explore our latest offering,” the company shared in its announcement.
Neta, an electric vehicle (EV) brand under Hozon Auto, appears to be facing mounting challenges, as reported by Chinese media and Electrive. These difficulties span from declining sales to halted production, financial instability, and reduced social media activity by the company’s leadership.
Key Issues Highlighted:
Declining Sales Figures:
October deliveries are estimated at only 4,500 vehicles, marking a 40% drop compared to September.
Cumulative deliveries from January to September totalled 53,853 vehicles, making it improbable for Neta to achieve its ambitious 200,000-unit annual target.
Production Halts and Workforce Issues:
Production at Neta’s Tongxiang factory in Zhejiang, which mainly manufactures the Neta L electric SUV, has reportedly been suspended for weeks.
Employee salaries have been cut or delayed, raising concerns about workforce morale and stability.
Suppliers are allegedly owed payments, further straining operational continuity.
A sinkhole has developed on the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) following heavy rainfall this morning, causing significant disruption.
Plus Malaysia Bhd reported on its official Facebook page that the sinkhole appeared at KM18.6 southbound, between the Kota Damansara and Damansara exits.
To ensure the safety of road users, the left lane and emergency lane have been closed. Motorists are advised to exercise caution and anticipate potential delays in the area. Authorities are likely to conduct further inspections and repairs to address the issue.
Stay tuned for updates from Plus Malaysia Bhd on traffic conditions and lane re-openings.
The tragic crash of a Tesla Model Y in Toronto in October has raised serious concerns about the accessibility and usability of the car’s electronic door handles during emergencies. The fiery accident claimed the lives of four individuals: Neelraj Gohil (25), his sister Ketaba Gohil (29), Jay Sisodiya, and Digvijay Patel, leaving a sole survivor, a woman in her 20s.
The woman’s escape was made possible by Rick Harper, a Canada Post employee, who heroically smashed the car’s window with a metal pole. Harper described the survivor as “desperate to get out,” but unable to open the car’s doors from inside. Tesla vehicles rely on an electronic button to open doors rather than traditional handles, and if the car’s power system fails in a crash, the doors may become inoperable.
Concerns About Tesla’s Safety Design
While Tesla promotes a “safety-first design” and manual override mechanisms for emergencies, these features are not widely known or intuitive. The manual override involves removing a door panel and pulling a hidden cable — a process that could be difficult or impossible in the chaos and panic of a serious accident.
Safety experts and crash investigators have raised concerns that victims may not be aware of the override feature or may lack the presence of mind to locate and use it under duress.
