English Archives

Neta Facing Financial Instability

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.

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Sinkhole Developed On NKVE Following Heavy Rainfall

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.

Tesla’s Safety Design Questioned Following Toronto Crash That Killed Four

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.

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Bentley Crossover SUV EV to Debut in 2026

Bentley is accelerating toward its electric future, building on a path that began with the introduction of the Bentayga Hybrid in 2018. With plug-in hybrid versions of the Continental GT and Flying Spur now available, the luxury automaker has officially announced plans for its first fully electric vehicle (EV), set to debut in 2026.

This new EV will be a luxury urban crossover SUV, described by Bentley’s new CEO, Frank-Steffen Walliser, as “compact” — a term that is relative in Bentley’s world. Measuring under 5003mm in length, it is expected to be similar in size to the Porsche Cayenne or Audi Q7 and will likely share its platform with the forthcoming Porsche Cayenne EV.

While Bentley has withheld technical details, Walliser emphasised that the upcoming model will prioritise usable range and charging speed to meet the demands of modern luxury car buyers. Addressing concerns about the transition to electric power, he assured, “We don’t want to make just any electric car; we want to make a Bentley.” The brand remains committed to preserving the unique qualities that define a Bentley, even without the traditional engine sound. Bentley board member Matthias Rabe hinted at innovative solutions to replicate the emotional experience of a combustion engine without merely copying conventional engine notes.

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Penang to Launch Six-Month Trial of Dedicated Bus Lanes

The city of Penang is set to launch a six-month trial of dedicated bus lanes on November 19, targeting rush-hour traffic in the city centre. These lanes, located along Komtar, Chowrasta stretches of Penang Road, and Jalan Ria, will operate from 6:30 am to 9:00 am and from 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm daily.

During these hours, only public buses, tour buses, taxis, and emergency vehicles will be permitted to use the lanes.

State executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari stated that the trial aims to assess the feasibility of bus lanes in reducing travel time, particularly during peak hours. The success of similar lanes in Kuala Lumpur, which reduced travel times by up to 15 minutes, suggests promising potential for Penang.

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Chery Malaysia Celebrates First Locally Assembled Electric Vehicle, the Omoda E5

Chery Auto Malaysia has marked a milestone with the successful roll-off of its first Completely Knocked Down (CKD) unit of the Omoda E5 at the Inokom Plant. This achievement underscores Chery’s dedication to supporting local manufacturing, advancing Malaysia’s industrial growth, and contributing to a sustainable automotive future.

The Omoda E5, celebrated for its cutting-edge design and advanced technology, reinforces Chery’s commitment to delivering high-quality vehicles tailored for Malaysian consumers. Leo Chen, President of Chery Auto Malaysia, emphasised the significance of the CKD milestone, stating, “By assembling our cars locally, we not only offer competitive pricing but also demonstrate Chery’s long-term commitment in Malaysia, fostering local job creation and skill development.”

Leo Chen added that this initiative aligns with Malaysia’s localization policies and will support the nation’s ambitions to become a regional hub for electric vehicles (EVs). Dato’ Jeffri Salim Davidson, CEO of Sime Darby Berhad, highlighted the partnership with Chery, underscoring Sime Darby’s commitment to sustainable mobility solutions and automotive assembly growth.

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SAIC Motor Malaysia Celebrates First Wave of MG5 Sedan Deliveries

SAIC Motor Malaysia recently celebrated a major milestone for the MG5 sedan at the MG5 Car Delivery Event at MG Motor Glenmarie (Mega Galeri Sdn Bhd), where over 20 new owners gathered to receive their cars. The event, attended by SAIC Motor Malaysia’s management, fostered a strong community atmosphere, uniting MG fans and showcasing the brand’s commitment to its customers.

The success of the MG5 is largely due to efficient coordination among 18 strategically placed MG Motor Authorized Dealerships, allowing prompt vehicle deliveries across Malaysia. This dealer network is key to SAIC Motor Malaysia’s mission to meet the demands of Malaysia’s style-conscious market.

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Hyundai Acknowledges Touchscreen Woes, Brings Back Physical Controls

Hyundai’s recent acknowledgement of the challenges with touchscreens in vehicles highlights a growing trend that some are calling the “Tesla Effect.” Following in Tesla’s footsteps, many automakers have phased out traditional physical controls for digital interfaces on touchscreens, aiming to create sleek, tech-centric cabins. However, Hyundai has found that American buyers aren’t entirely on board with the touchscreen-only setup.

According to HDNA Vice President Ha Hak-soo, Hyundai’s experience with touchscreen-based controls revealed that drivers often feel frustrated when trying to quickly adjust settings on the go, especially when physical dials or buttons could have made adjustments more straightforward. Hyundai’s internal testing with focus groups found that drivers found it stressful to control certain functions on a touchscreen when needing immediate responsiveness.

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Nissan Sells A Significant Portion Of Its Shares To Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi announced plans to repurchase a substantial portion of its shares from Nissan, with an order placed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange to buy up to 149,028,300 shares at approximately $3.01 per share. This buyback will reduce Nissan’s current stake in Mitsubishi from 34.07% to 24.05%, effectively altering Nissan’s influence in the company. Despite the sale, Mitsubishi emphasised that both brands will continue their alliance and collaboration on vehicle projects.

Although specific collaborative projects were not detailed, Mitsubishi and Nissan are both part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, which includes joint efforts in various global markets. In the U.S., for instance, the Nissan Rogue serves as the base for Mitsubishi’s Outlander. Looking forward, the alliance is expected to introduce multiple jointly developed models, including a mid-size pickup aimed at the U.S. market.

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RON95 Fuel Subsidy Targeting: Economists Favor MyKad Quota Over Cash Assistance

Economists are backing a proposal for Malaysia’s RON95 petrol subsidy targeting system, suggesting it could be implemented effectively through a MyKad-based monthly quota system. According to FMT, economist Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff from Putra Business School noted that this approach, compared to direct cash subsidies, would limit abuse and prevent inflated prices for other goods. He explained that by setting a monthly MyKad quota, users would receive subsidised RON95 fuel up to a certain amount, after which they’d pay the full market rate, thus minimising the misuse of subsidies.

The MyKad system, he said, is reliable due to its security features and can authenticate the user’s identity, with options for biometric verification at petrol stations, reducing the need for a new subsidy system. Ahmed added that cash-based subsidies risk raising food prices, as traders may take advantage of increased consumer spending power.

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English

Neta Facing Financial Instability

Key Issues Highlighted:

Sinkhole Developed On NKVE Following Heavy Rainfall

Tesla’s Safety Design Questioned Following Toronto Crash That Killed Four

Concerns About Tesla’s Safety Design

Bentley Crossover SUV EV to Debut in 2026

Penang to Launch Six-Month Trial of Dedicated Bus Lanes

Chery Malaysia Celebrates First Locally Assembled Electric Vehicle, the Omoda E5

SAIC Motor Malaysia Celebrates First Wave of MG5 Sedan Deliveries

Hyundai Acknowledges Touchscreen Woes, Brings Back Physical Controls

Nissan Sells A Significant Portion Of Its Shares To Mitsubishi

RON95 Fuel Subsidy Targeting: Economists Favor MyKad Quota Over Cash Assistance

Neta Facing Financial Instability

Sinkhole Developed On NKVE Following Heavy Rainfall

Tesla’s Safety Design Questioned Following Toronto Crash That Killed Four

Bentley Crossover SUV EV to Debut in 2026

Penang to Launch Six-Month Trial of Dedicated Bus Lanes

Chery Malaysia Celebrates First Locally Assembled Electric Vehicle, the Omoda E5

SAIC Motor Malaysia Celebrates First Wave of MG5 Sedan Deliveries

Hyundai Acknowledges Touchscreen Woes, Brings Back Physical Controls

Nissan Sells A Significant Portion Of Its Shares To Mitsubishi

RON95 Fuel Subsidy Targeting: Economists Favor MyKad Quota Over Cash Assistance

Archive

Jaecoo Omoda C9 SUV Coupe Launched in Malaysia From RM168K

Perodua Unveils the eMO-II Prototype: Most Affordable EV to be Introduced by 2025

Proton X50 Sport Edition Debuts at KLIMS 2024

Penang to Launch Six-Month Trial of Dedicated Bus Lanes

Proton’s SUV Success Drives September Sales Amid Slower Market

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