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In October 2023, Stellantis and Leapmotor announced a strategic joint venture, a groundbreaking partnership aimed at reshaping the global automotive industry with a focus on electrification and sustainability. This collaboration has led to the creation of Leapmotor International, with Stellantis holding a 51% stake and Leapmotor 49%. The venture is set to accelerate Leapmotor’s expansion beyond China, leveraging Stellantis’ global reach and expertise. By July 2024, Leapmotor had already achieved impressive growth, with 400,000 units sold, positioning it as one of China’s top three electric vehicle (EV) startups.

Driven by the increasing demand for New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) in China, Leapmotor is now eyeing global markets. The brand has established itself as a leader in innovation, developing and patenting over 443 technologies. These technologies are integrated across its vehicle lineup, which includes models such as the mid-sized C01 sedan, C11 SUV, flagship C16, compact T03, and the soon-to-be-released C10 SUV.

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Proton has partnered with the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (MECD) and two government agencies to facilitate the “Market Access, Technology Transfer & Vendor Enhancement Program” in China. This initiative, conducted in early July, aimed to foster innovation, enhance commercialisation, and support Malaysia’s transition towards sustainable mobility. Organized by MECD and led by the Malaysia Automotive Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) and Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Bhd (MIDF), the program focused on accelerating the development of next-generation and electric vehicles (EVs) through strategic partnerships and technology exchanges.

Participants, including suppliers from MBSB Bank, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, PLUS Expressways Bhd, UEM Edgenta Bhd, and Telekom Malaysia, along with 22 Malaysian vendors, visited various EV component plants in China. Stops included Geely subsidiaries Zeekr and VREMT in Hangzhou Bay, offering key insights into EV manufacturing, facilities, and services.

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Toyota has officially announced its entry into the Supercars Championship for the 2026 season, marking a historic move for the Japanese automaker as it becomes the first non-US manufacturer to compete in the top-tier Australian touring car series since Nissan’s departure in 2019. This venture will see Toyota partnering with Walkinshaw Andretti United (WAU), a team with deep ties to Australian motorsport, previously known as the Holden Racing Team.

Toyota will develop the GR Supra for Supercars’ Gen3 regulations, replacing the road car’s 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder engine with a race-tuned version of the brand’s 5.0-litre V8 from the Lexus F performance models and the Lexus LC500. This entry positions Toyota against rivals Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, which have dominated the series since the closure of the Holden brand in 2020.

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Goodyear Malaysia, a leader in tyre technology, has once again demonstrated its commitment to public safety by donating 60 units of Goodyear Cargo Marathon 2 tyres to St. John Ambulance Malaysia. Valued at over RM25,000, this contribution is part of a collaboration that has spanned nearly two decades, underscoring Goodyear’s mission to support community safety initiatives.

Since 2006, Goodyear has played an essential role in equipping St. John Ambulance’s fleet of emergency vehicles with high-performance tyres. These tyres are critical for ensuring the reliability and safety of ambulances, which need to perform under extreme conditions during urgent medical responses. This latest donation reinforces Goodyear’s dedication to aiding those who protect public health.

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Ford has officially revealed the highly anticipated 2025 Mustang GTD, marking the most advanced and powerful Mustang ever engineered. With a jaw-dropping 815hp and 900Nm of torque, the Mustang GTD is set to redefine performance in the world of street-legal sports cars. Its top speed of 325km/h makes it the fastest Mustang ever to hit the road, pushing the boundaries of what the iconic brand can achieve.

At the core of the Mustang GTD’s astonishing capabilities is its supercharged 5.2-litre V8 engine, which boasts more horsepower per litre than the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. According to Greg Goodall, Mustang GTD’s Chief Program Engineer, “We’ve been laser-focused since day one to make the Mustang GTD the first-ever supercar with world-class performance and the soul of a Mustang.”

Engineering Excellence and Track-Ready Performance

One of the key highlights of the Mustang GTD is its cutting-edge active aerodynamics, which includes a Drag Reduction System (DRS). This system adjusts the angle of the rear wing and activates flaps beneath the front of the car to optimize airflow for high-speed performance or downforce, depending on the driving conditions. This technology allows the Mustang GTD to deliver maximum stability and grip at top speeds.

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In an ambitious step forward, Lotus has revealed its latest concept car, the Theory 1, which showcases the company’s vision for the future of intelligent performance vehicles. At the heart of this innovation is Lotus’ new design philosophy, The Lotus Theory, encapsulated by three core principles: Digital, Natural, and Analogue (DNA). These guiding principles aim to shape the future of Lotus cars, blending cutting-edge technology with a refined driving experience.

The “Digital” aspect of the Theory focuses on creating an immersive, intelligent, and intuitive driving experience. “Natural” reflects the emotional, human-centred design that enhances the connection between the driver and vehicle. “Analogue” highlights Lotus’ ongoing commitment to advanced performance engineering, ensuring that every model is built for a thrilling ride. With Theory 1, Lotus has masterfully combined these elements to deliver a vehicle that not only adapts to the driver but enhances the entire driving experience.

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Some of us are a superstitious bunch. Whether you are a non-believer or a hardcore believer, there are some belief’s that we hold on to. Perhaps it is something that has been passed down through the generations.

Or perhaps it is because Malaysia is a wonderful melting pot of cultures and traditions which, over hundreds of years, have resulted in our believes being passed on from one culture to another.

I am not sure about you, but I still turn my rear-view mirror the other way if I am driving down a dark road all by myself at night. But that is partly due to the iconic Malay horror movie – “jangan pandang belakang (don’t look back).

And then there is the occasional night drives on Karak highway where I still tend to look out for that rare yellow beetle. But that is folklore, I know. (more…)

The 2025 Mini Cooper JCW E has been revealed through a leak by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology ahead of its anticipated debut later this year. This all-electric performance hatchback, previewed by the John Cooper Works E prototype at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, promises significant upgrades in both design and performance.

The JCW E sports a bold and aggressive design, highlighted by a large blacked-out grille that mimics a massive air intake, though a closer inspection reveals a more functional two-bar horizontal opening in the lower bumper. Vertical intakes along the sides are thought to vent the front wheel arches, contributing to both aerodynamics and cooling. To improve stability at high speeds, the car features new side skirts and specially designed 18-inch aerodynamic alloy wheels.

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Nissan might be preparing to give its iconic Z sports car an off-road twist, with a recent trademark filing for the “Z Warrior” nameplate in Australia. This suggests a rugged, off-road-focused version of the Nissan Z could be on the horizon, potentially following the path of high-end off-road sports cars like the Porsche 911 Dakar and Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato.

Nissan Safari Rally Z

The concept of an off-road Z isn’t entirely new. Last year, Nissan hinted at this possibility with the Safari Rally Z Tribute, a custom build inspired by the Datsun 240Z’s victory in the 1971 East African Safari Rally. Built by Tommy Pike Customs, the Safari Rally Z featured a two-inch lift, 17-inch prototype Nismo Safari wheels, and Yokohama Geolander off-road tyres, along with extra lighting and rugged exterior modifications. Its twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 was tuned to deliver over 400hp.

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For decades, Volvo had led the way when it comes to technology related to passenger and vehicular safety. The company took safety so seriously that it released the patent for the seat belt which its engineer invented back in 1959, an act that ultimately saved countless lives all over the world.

Volvo is as iconic as some of the most well-known brands, and it does it all in a typical Scandinavian way – understated and un-obnoxious. Those who drove a Volvo rarely drive anything else. And even if they do, they often return to Volvo at one point or another. (more…)

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