BMW has announced its plans to launch its first-ever series production Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) in 2028, adding a new zero-emission powertrain option to its lineup. The company has teamed up with Toyota Motor Corporation, extending their collaboration to accelerate the development of next-generation hydrogen fuel cell technology. Both companies are committed to advancing the hydrogen economy by providing sustainable mobility solutions for the future.
Key Highlights:
Partnership with Toyota:
BMW and Toyota are pooling their resources and technological capabilities to create a new generation of fuel cell powertrains.
This collaboration aims to develop FCEV systems for both commercial and passenger vehicles, providing customers with new hydrogen-powered options while maintaining the distinct brand identities of BMW and Toyota.
Renault has teamed up with French designer Ora Ïto to bring back the spirit of the classic Renault 17 with a modern electric restomod, the Renault R17. Revealed recently, the R17 takes the iconic design from the 1970s and infuses it with contemporary aesthetics and technology, blending nostalgia with cutting-edge innovation.
Exterior Design
The Renault R17 retains the essence of the original Renault 17 hatchback (sold between 1971 and 1979) while modernizing its appearance with a carbon fibre body and sleek proportions. Key features include:
Rectangular LED headlights integrated into the front fascia.
A minimalist, full-width LED taillight bar that complements the car’s simple, elegant lines.
Flared fenders for a sportier stance than the original, giving the car a more aggressive look.
Subtle louvers that add a touch of flair and homage to its vintage roots.
Peugeot Malaysia announced a special 5-year free service maintenance promo, effective from 1 September 2024. This limited-time offer is available across all Peugeot models and variants, including the all-new 408, 2008, 3008, 5008, and Landtrek.
Details of the Promo
Customers who register their Peugeot vehicles from 1 September 2024 onwards will be eligible for this 5-year free service maintenance, which covers the cost of parts for up to 10 services over five years. The maintenance is scheduled every 10,000 kilometres or every six months, whichever comes first. While parts costs are covered, customers are responsible for the labour costs associated with each service.
Proton has achieved another significant milestone in 2024, with year-to-date (YTD) sales surpassing the 100,000-unit mark for the sixth consecutive year. As of August, the company sold 101,489 units, solidifying its second-place position in the national automotive sales rankings with an estimated 19% market share. August saw 12,690 units sold, including both domestic and export sales, reflecting the brand’s continued strength.
The Proton X50 remained a key driver of growth, with 2,440 units sold in August, marking the third time in 2024 that sales have surpassed 2,000 units in a month. Year-to-date, the X50 has sold 15,229 units, making it the most popular SUV in Proton’s lineup. The strong performance reflects the success of the 2024 model, which was launched in June and has continued to outshine its B-segment SUV rivals.
Meanwhile, the Proton Saga maintained its robust sales momentum following a record-breaking 7,855 deliveries in July. In August, 6,211 units were sold, bringing its YTD total to 48,904 units—an increase of 6.7% compared to 2023.
In a significant step towards empowering women and promoting gender equality in the workforce, Volvo Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Volvo Trucks) has introduced its global Volvo Iron Women initiative to Malaysia. The programme, which aims to develop skilled heavy-duty truck drivers, was launched in collaboration with the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.
At the inaugural Volvo Iron Women graduation ceremony, five women celebrated their certification as fully qualified heavy-duty truck drivers, marking the programme’s successful debut in Southeast Asia.
“Volvo Iron Women has seen global success, and we’re excited about the opportunities it will unlock in Malaysia as a pioneer of the programme in this region,” said Johan Selvén, Vice President of Volvo Trucks International. He added that this initiative would significantly contribute to the nation’s social and economic development by creating skilled employment opportunities for women.
Johan Selvén, Vice President of Volvo Trucks International
Anthony O’Connell, Managing Director of Volvo Malaysia, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of the initiative in advancing women’s participation in the logistics industry. “The Volvo Iron Women programme is a testament to our commitment to empowering women. We are deeply encouraged by the support from the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry in partnering with us for the long term,” O’Connell stated.
Anthony O’Connell, Managing Director of Volvo Malaysia
Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Dato’ Seri Hajah Nancy Shukri, who officiated the event, praised the collaboration between Volvo Trucks and her ministry. “This initiative is a shining example of an impactful public-private partnership that addresses gender disparities in the workforce,” she said. She also congratulated the first batch of graduates and recognised their families for their support during the rigorous training programme.
Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Dato’ Seri Hajah Nancy Shukri
The Ministry has pledged its ongoing assistance to the Volvo Iron Women programme, offering resources to help graduates navigate the traditionally male-dominated industry. This includes counselling and training on gender bias harassment, along with a dedicated hotline for women drivers in need of support. The Ministry also plans to identify and recommend viable candidates for future cohorts.
The first group of graduates will be employed by Taipanco Sdn Bhd, one of the few logistics companies that recognises the value of women in the heavy-duty trucking industry. Dato’ Nazari Akhbar, Executive Director of Taipanco, expressed his excitement at welcoming the new drivers to his company. “We see great potential in empowering women to address the industry’s growing demand for skilled truck drivers,” he remarked.
Dato’ Nazari Akhbar, Executive Director of Taipanco
The Volvo Iron Women programme in Malaysia covers comprehensive training, from securing a Class E license for heavy vehicles to gaining a Goods Driving License (GDL). Graduates complete a detailed three-module course that includes practical training in defensive driving, trailer coupling, and fatigue management. This hands-on approach ensures that all participants are fully equipped to succeed in their new roles.
Volvo Malaysia’s investment in the Iron Women initiative is part of a broader strategy to contribute to the country’s economic growth while empowering women to reinvest in their families and communities.
By 2025, Volvo Malaysia aims to train and certify around 100 women as heavy-duty truck drivers, with intake now open for the 2025 cohorts. Depending on experience, training can last from three days to eight weeks. The programme, which began globally in 2016, has already graduated over 820 women worldwide, and Malaysia’s logistics industry has embraced the initiative with enthusiasm, as the demand for skilled drivers continues to rise.
The Volvo Iron Women programme is expected to have a long-lasting impact on Malaysia’s haulage and logistics sector, empowering women to break barriers and lead the way in a traditionally male-dominated field.
Dato’ Nazari Akhbar, Executive Director of Taipanco
The iconic Volvo XC90 is back with significant updates for the 2025 model year, raising the bar on luxury, safety, and electrification. As Volvo’s flagship SUV, the XC90 continues to set standards with its blend of Scandinavian design, cutting-edge technology, and sustainability efforts.
Now featuring a plug-in hybrid powertrain, the 2025 XC90 can travel over 70km on electric power alone, reducing emissions for daily commutes. This makes it possible for many drivers to go about their day with zero tailpipe emissions. For longer trips, the petrol engine kicks in, extending the total range to more than 800km. The XC90’s hybrid versatility ensures power when you need it, whether for city driving or off-road adventures.
The XC90’s refreshed exterior design showcases Volvo’s evolving look, inspired by their latest fully electric models. The SUV’s confident stance and sleek lines reinforce its premium positioning, while inside, the cabin receives a modern update with Scandinavian-inspired materials and design elements.
The interior boasts a larger 11.2-inch central touchscreen with higher resolution, offering enhanced usability and new digital features. This improved display is part of Volvo’s strategy to keep the XC90 at the forefront of in-car technology, with regular over-the-air software updates ensuring the system remains up-to-date.
True to its reputation, the XC90 offers a luxurious driving experience, with enhanced seating comfort and adaptive suspension for a smoother ride. For those seeking the ultimate in ride quality, an optional air suspension adjusts the vehicle’s height based on driving conditions, providing maximum comfort and performance both on and off the road.
Volvo’s commitment to safety remains paramount. The XC90 is equipped with a comprehensive suite of active safety features, including systems that can detect and prevent collisions with vehicles, pedestrians, and large animals. Its advanced safety cage and radar technology further enhance the vehicle’s crash avoidance and occupant protection.
As part of Volvo’s broader strategy, the XC90 remains crucial to the company’s transition to a fully electric future. While the automaker is expanding its fully electric lineup, the plug-in hybrid XC90 T8 is a key player in their global product portfolio, offering an ideal balance of power, sustainability, and practicality.
The 2025 Volvo XC90 production is starting in late 2024.
For the 2025 model year, Hyundai has pushed its Ioniq 5 closer to that rally heritage with the introduction of the XRT trim, engineered for dirt roads and light trails. Along with its off-road capabilities, the new model year brings significant updates, including larger batteries and a new production facility.
The XRT is the highlight of the lineup, featuring dual-motor all-wheel drive and a suspension lift of 0.9 inches. This boost improves not only ground clearance but also approach (19.8 degrees) and departure angles (30 degrees). While it’s not built for extreme off-roading, the XRT’s 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tyres enhance its ability on dirt roads. Aesthetic changes include black plastic bumpers with a pixelated camouflage pattern, black trim and badging, and bright red recovery hooks. The interior follows suit with an all-black colour scheme, leatherette seats, and rubber floor mats designed to hide scuffs and scrapes from rough terrain.
smart Malaysia is thrilled to announce the arrival of the smart Tour Brand Roadshow in Penang, continuing its nationwide showcase of the innovative smart #1 and #3 electric vehicles. This roadshow offers electric vehicle enthusiasts the chance to explore these groundbreaking models up close, with live demonstrations highlighting key features such as Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capabilities and the Hello smart app.
Volkswagen Group is reportedly contemplating significant cost-cutting measures, including the potential closure of two factories in Germany, marking a historic move since the company’s founding in 1937. According to reports, the facilities under review are located in Dresden and Osnabruck.
The Osnabruck plant currently produces the Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman, both of which are set to be phased out soon. However, the facility also manufactures the Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet, Europe’s most popular convertible. The Dresden factory, much smaller in scale and opened in 2002, initially produced the Phaeton model and now assembles the VW ID.3 EV.
In addition to the factory closures, Volkswagen’s work safety program, which has prevented layoffs since its implementation in 1994, is also being reviewed. CEO Thomas Schäfer described the situation as “extremely tense” and acknowledged that simple cost-cutting strategies would not suffice to resolve the issues.
Novitec, renowned for its automotive refinement expertise, has introduced the striking N-LARGO widebody version of the Ferrari 296 GTB. Designed by Vittorio Strosek, this exclusive model, limited to just 15 units, stands out with its bold styling, aerodynamic enhancements, and exceptional performance.
The N-LARGO features a high-strength carbon body, extending the front by 6 cm and the rear by an impressive 12 cm, bringing the car’s width to 208 cm. Complementing the widebody design, Novitec collaborated with Vossen to create custom 21-inch front and 22-inch rear wheels that accentuate the car’s wedge shape. These wheels are paired with high-performance tyres (255/30 ZR 21 at the front and 335/25 ZR 22 at the rear).
