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Proton Gears Up for Sepang 1000KM with New S70 R3 Race Car and Star Drivers

Proton has unveiled its new S70 R3 race car for the upcoming 2024 Sepang 1000KM (S1K) endurance race, hosted at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit. This addition to Proton’s racing portfolio will compete with two cars, each driven by a pair of seasoned and promising drivers.

Driver Line-up

Car #81: Piloted by Syafiq Ali, a three-time S1K winner, and Fahrizal Hasan, known for his multiple victories in the Sepang 12 Hours endurance race.
Car #82: Driven by two emerging talents, Ariff Azmi, an 18-year-old karting and touring car champion, and Alister Yoong, a 21-year-old Formula 4 racer and son of former F1 driver Alex Yoong.

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ECRL Achieves Milestone with Early Completion of Gombak Tunnel Penetration

The East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) project has reached a pivotal milestone with the successful early penetration of the Gombak Tunnel, completed a month ahead of schedule. According to Berita Harian, the breakthrough of this 959-meter tunnel was achieved with a final blast that removed the remaining 38-meter barrier from the entrance, marking significant progress in one of Malaysia’s largest infrastructure projects.

With a combined effort of 5.8 million man-hours, the ECRL team used advanced drilling and blasting techniques to tackle the tunnel’s challenging weathered granite. Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak, Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Rail Link (MRL), expressed pride in the accomplishment, attributing it to both the advanced methods and the relentless dedication of the team. He noted that the Gombak Tunnel’s completion is critical to achieving the targeted December 2026 completion date for the full ECRL route from Kota Bharu to the Gombak Integrated Terminal.

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BMW Blends Art, Tech, and Community with BAYC-Themed 2 Series Gran Coupé

The new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé made a stunning debut in an exclusive, technology-forward setting at ApeFest 2024 in Lisbon, where BMW showcased its latest model alongside an innovative in-car gaming experience. Held annually by the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), ApeFest is a prominent gathering for holders of the BAYC NFT collection by Yuga Labs, renowned for its 10,000 unique digital ape characters. The event draws a Web3-savvy audience passionate about digital innovation, a fitting match for BMW’s forward-looking brand.

BMW brought an interactive edge to this year’s ApeFest by introducing a customised, BAYC-inspired BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé designed through an art contest. Rida, a 3D artist from Dubai, created the winning design, known as the “ApeCar.” This one-off model features a sleek exterior with golden accents and a mosaic of ape silhouettes symbolising community spirit. BMW also enhanced the vehicle with exclusive BMW M Performance Parts to accentuate its sporty appeal. BAYC members had the opportunity to register their interest in purchasing this exclusive model, which BMW will customize according to the buyer’s market and equip with unique digital features.

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The First-Ever Malaysia Mini Day Brings Miniacs Together Through The Spirit Of Adventure

The inaugural Malaysia Mini Day 2024 gathered Mini enthusiasts, known as Miniacs, for an unforgettable weekend at Resorts World Awana, Genting Highlands, marking it as Malaysia’s largest-ever Mini gathering. Organised by the Mini Pattern Group, a passionate club of Mini owners, the event set a national record with 543 Minis by the end, celebrating the unity and excitement within the Mini community.

The festivities commenced on October 26 with a dinner marking the 10th anniversary of the Mini Pattern Group. The next day, the open car park transformed into a Mini-themed festival, featuring a special test drive experience. In collaboration with Millennium Welt, participants test-drove the latest Mini Electric models, including the Mini Cooper 3-Door, Mini Countryman, and the new Mini Aceman, embracing the brand’s iconic go-kart feel and agility.

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Jaecoo Helps Drivers Make Informed Decisions With PHEV, HEV Education

Jaecoo recently introduced its latest premium off-road SUV, the J7 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), in Malaysia through a pop-up experience store that attracted over 3,000 visitors in just five days. This PHEV preview allowed Jaecoo to highlight the advantages of PHEV technology, focusing on efficiency and flexibility, as the company aims to support drivers in making well-informed decisions about hybrid and electric vehicle options.

Leo Chen, Executive Vice President of Chery Corporate Malaysia, emphasised Jaecoo’s dedication to pioneering efficient automotive solutions, positioning PHEVs as central to a sustainable future. Emily Lek, Vice President of Jaecoo Malaysia, echoed this by underscoring the brand’s commitment to educating drivers on electric and hybrid technologies.

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Stellantis Reinforces Commitment to Malaysia with New Regional Parts Hub, to be Operational in 2025

Stellantis, the world’s fourth-largest automaker, has announced the launch of a new Regional Parts Hub in Malaysia as part of its strategic plan to enhance its footprint in the India & Asia Pacific region. This new hub is set to strengthen Stellantis’ supply chain, supporting over 20 countries, including Malaysia, and will begin operations by the first quarter of 2025.

Daniel Gonzalez, Stellantis ASEAN’s Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the hub’s role in solidifying Malaysia as a key player in the regional automotive sector. “This investment underpins Stellantis’ long-term commitment to strengthening our footprint and growth in the region,” Gonzalez stated, highlighting Stellantis’ aim to improve customer service and operational efficiency for the India & Asia Pacific region.

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Toll Exemptions for All Highways on Tuesday and Wednesday

The government has announced toll exemptions for all highways on Tuesday and Wednesday in conjunction with the Deepavali celebrations. This initiative, which will cover personal vehicles only, is expected to cost the government approximately RM38 million.

According to Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi, the exemptions will be in effect from 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday. However, tolls at the country’s border checkpoints—the Sultan Iskandar Building and Tanjung Kupang toll plazas in Johor—are excluded from this exemption.

Nanta emphasised that the initiative aligns with the unity government’s goal to ease the cost of living while fostering cultural unity across Malaysia’s diverse society. He also urged road users to plan their journeys in advance and to follow the travel advisories provided by highway authorities.

Porsche Targets Flexibility in China with Dealership and Cost Adjustments

Porsche is restructuring its strategy in China, reducing its dealership network to counter declining demand and a sluggish EV market transition in the country. This move is part of broader cost-cutting efforts, aiming for billions in savings by 2030, as shared by CFO Lutz Meschke. The company is recalibrating to a global sales outlook of around 250,000 vehicles annually, down from previous years where it exceeded 300,000. This shift reflects not only Porsche’s concerns but also aligns with similar challenges faced by BMW and Mercedes-Benz, which have also been forced to trim costs due to weakening demand in China.

Porsche’s third-quarter results underscore these difficulties, with operating profit down by 41% to €974 million—significantly missing analysts’ expectations. Revenue also slipped to €9.1 billion, resulting in an operating margin of 10.7%, well below Porsche’s medium-term target of 17%-19%. The weak demand in China, exacerbated by an economic downturn impacting luxury spending, has prompted Porsche to adjust its product lineup, budgets, and expenses to bolster flexibility and resilience.

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Proton Collaborates With Grab Malaysia To Enhance E-Hailing Vehicle Access

Proton has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Grab Malaysia to support the e-hailing industry by providing exclusive benefits for drivers who choose the Proton Saga. This partnership is aimed at making vehicle ownership more attractive for Grab driver-partners, with perks that include cash rebates and a 5% service discount, valid for two years or up to 40,000 km. The MoA was signed by Roslan Abdullah, Deputy CEO of Proton, and Rashid Shukor, Director of Country Operations and Mobility at Grab Malaysia.

Through this agreement, Proton strengthens its role in the e-hailing sector by offering the Proton Saga, a car that appeals to drivers due to its affordability and reliability. The Proton Saga, Malaysia’s best-selling car with over 2 million units sold, has long been valued for its durability and safety features like ABS, electronic brake distribution, parking sensors, traction control, and a touch screen infotainment system.

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Proton e.MAS 7 Order Book Officially Opens

At the Auto Car Expo (ACE) 2024, PRO-NET, a subsidiary of Proton, is excited to unveil the interior of the Proton e.MAS 7 and open bookings for Malaysia’s first national electric vehicle. This significant reveal takes place at the Setia City Convention Centre. This follows the successful first-half of the ongoing e.MAS 7 tour which has clocked well over 3,200km up till today.

Early Bird Offer and e.MAS App Launch

As part of the launch, PRO-NET introduces the Proton e.MAS 7 at an inviting estimated price of RM 120,000, making advanced electric vehicle technology accessible to a wider audience. To further entice early adopters, an early bird offer is available, featuring the Pioneer Privilege Deal that comes with a RM 500 rebate and the Pioneer Gift Pack worth RM 1,000 which will provide exceptional value to first buyers. This offer is valid from the 26th of October all the way up to the grand launch.

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English

Proton Gears Up for Sepang 1000KM with New S70 R3 Race Car and Star Drivers

Driver Line-up

ECRL Achieves Milestone with Early Completion of Gombak Tunnel Penetration

BMW Blends Art, Tech, and Community with BAYC-Themed 2 Series Gran Coupé

The First-Ever Malaysia Mini Day Brings Miniacs Together Through The Spirit Of Adventure

Jaecoo Helps Drivers Make Informed Decisions With PHEV, HEV Education

Stellantis Reinforces Commitment to Malaysia with New Regional Parts Hub, to be Operational in 2025

Toll Exemptions for All Highways on Tuesday and Wednesday

Porsche Targets Flexibility in China with Dealership and Cost Adjustments

Proton Collaborates With Grab Malaysia To Enhance E-Hailing Vehicle Access

Proton e.MAS 7 Order Book Officially Opens

Proton Gears Up for Sepang 1000KM with New S70 R3 Race Car and Star Drivers

ECRL Achieves Milestone with Early Completion of Gombak Tunnel Penetration

BMW Blends Art, Tech, and Community with BAYC-Themed 2 Series Gran Coupé

The First-Ever Malaysia Mini Day Brings Miniacs Together Through The Spirit Of Adventure

Jaecoo Helps Drivers Make Informed Decisions With PHEV, HEV Education

Stellantis Reinforces Commitment to Malaysia with New Regional Parts Hub, to be Operational in 2025

Toll Exemptions for All Highways on Tuesday and Wednesday

Porsche Targets Flexibility in China with Dealership and Cost Adjustments

Proton Collaborates With Grab Malaysia To Enhance E-Hailing Vehicle Access

Proton e.MAS 7 Order Book Officially Opens

Archive

Hyundai, Kia and Samsung Join Forces to Develop Next-Gen Infotainment System

VW Commits to Sustainable Interiors, Phases Out Cheap Plastics for Premium Materials

Audi Expands in China: New SAIC Partnership to Launch Premium AUDI EV Models

Sony and Honda Join Forces: AI to Power Autonomous Driving in Afeela EV by 2026

Proton Collaborates With Grab Malaysia To Enhance E-Hailing Vehicle Access

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