English Archives

Volkswagen Group Facing Potential Factory Closures Amid Cost-Cutting Efforts

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.

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Novitec Unveils Spectacular Widebody N-LARGO Ferrari 296 GTB

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).

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Isuzu D-Max Owners Display Patriotic Spirit in Merdeka Convoy

Isuzu D-Max owners proudly showcased their patriotic spirit by participating in the Isuzu Merdeka Convoy to celebrate Malaysia’s 67th Independence Day. The event gathered around 3,300 participants with 900 Isuzu D-Max vehicles at 36 Isuzu outlets nationwide, from Alor Setar to Keningau. Each convoy embarked on journeys to local points of interest, where participants took part in various activities such as durian festivals, white water rafting, glamping, treasure hunts, and picnics.

Building on the success of last year’s Merdeka Convoy 66, which featured around 600 Isuzu D-Max vehicles, this year’s event set a new record as the largest ever simultaneous parade of Isuzu D-Max trucks in Malaysia. The initiative aimed to unite D-Max owners in celebrating this significant day in the country’s history.

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BMW Malaysia Introduces New 520i M Sport – RM349,80

BMW Malaysia has introduced the New BMW 520i M Sport, expanding its range of locally assembled BMW 5 Series models. This follows the debut of the BMW 520i at the Malaysia Autoshow 2024 in May. (more…)

Peugeot Malaysia Celebrates the Opening of New Subang Jaya Dealership

Peugeot Malaysia has announced the grand opening of Peugeot Subang Jaya, operated by Allure Auto Sdn Bhd, located in the heart of Taipan USJ. This marks the first dealership launch under Stellantis Malaysia, now the official entity responsible for overseeing Peugeot’s distribution, marketing, sales, and aftersales services in Malaysia. (more…)

GWM Haval H6 HEV Now Open For Booking!

The GWM HAVAL H6 Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) is now officially available for booking. GWM Malaysia is set to launch the premium Ultra variant in the local market with an estimated on-the-road price of below RM 145,000 (excluding insurance). This new model adds to the options in the C-segment SUV category, offering another luxurious alternative for consumers. (more…)

BYD Xia MPV Revealed – 1.5-litre Turbo with a Hybrid System

BYD has officially launched its newest minivan, the BYD Xia, which will hit the Chinese market later this year with a starting price of 300,000 yuan (RM183,362). The Xia, part of BYD’s Dynasty series, is a flagship product named after China’s ancient Xia dynasty, symbolising its prestigious status within the lineup.

The BYD Xia is a large MPV, measuring 5145mm in length, 1970mm in width, and 1805mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3045mm. Its size slightly surpasses that of the Toyota Alphard, which is also popular in markets such as here in Malaysia. The minivan’s design is unique yet aligns with BYD’s signature Dragon Face design language, featuring a trapeze-shaped grille, chrome accents, elongated headlights, and a BYD logo prominently placed on the front. The vehicle also features a flat roofline, rear sliding doors, and a roof spoiler.

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BYD Expands European Presence with Acquisition of German Distributor Hedin Electric Mobility

BYD is taking significant strides in expanding its presence in Europe by planning to acquire its German distributor, Hedin Electric Mobility. This strategic move will bolster BYD’s control over its vehicle sales and operations in Germany, enhancing its position as a leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer on the continent. The acquisition is expected to be finalised by the fourth quarter of this year, pending approval.

With this purchase, BYD will take full responsibility for the sales and distribution of its vehicles and spare parts in Germany, and also manage key stores in Stuttgart and Frankfurt. This move comes as the German EV market faces declining sales in 2024, but BYD remains determined to overcome the challenge by strengthening its local operations. In 2022, BYD successfully sold over 4,000 vehicles in Germany, underscoring its growing foothold in the country.

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Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed Prototypes in the Final Stages of Testing

Mercedes-AMG is moving forward with the final development phase of its highly anticipated and exclusive PureSpeed sports car, which made its debut as a concept in May 2024 in Monaco. Currently, prototypes of the limited-production vehicle are undergoing rigorous test drives across various terrains in northern Italy, with a focus on its radical design and performance. The testing program will cover over 3,000km and eventually take the car to the high-speed Nardò test track in southern Italy.

This two-seater, completely open sports car, lacking both a roof and windscreen, is a tribute to motorsport, blending modern engineering with vintage racing inspiration. During this phase, Mercedes-AMG’s development team is focused on testing the PureSpeed’s systems under real-world conditions to ensure optimal functionality and performance. The vehicle’s intricate bodywork is also being evaluated to meet the brand’s high-quality standards, especially under dynamic and high-speed scenarios. Testing on public roads is carried out in collaboration with Pininfarina, a specialist in bespoke small-volume vehicles.

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The Zeekr 7X – An Electric SUV That Does 0-100km/h in 3.8 Seconds

The Zeekr 7X made its anticipated debut at the Chengdu Auto Show on August 30, marking the latest innovation in Zeekr’s electric vehicle (EV) lineup. Set for deliveries in China by the end of September, with international shipments within a year, the 7X is designed with a global audience in mind.

The 7X is a midsize electric SUV built on Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform, utilising advanced 800V architecture. It measures 4,825 mm in length, 1,930 mm in width, and features a wheelbase of 2,925 mm, slightly bigger than a Honda CR-V, with a curb weight ranging from 2,298 to 2,475 kg.

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English

Volkswagen Group Facing Potential Factory Closures Amid Cost-Cutting Efforts

Novitec Unveils Spectacular Widebody N-LARGO Ferrari 296 GTB

Isuzu D-Max Owners Display Patriotic Spirit in Merdeka Convoy

BMW Malaysia Introduces New 520i M Sport – RM349,80

Peugeot Malaysia Celebrates the Opening of New Subang Jaya Dealership

GWM Haval H6 HEV Now Open For Booking!

BYD Xia MPV Revealed – 1.5-litre Turbo with a Hybrid System

BYD Expands European Presence with Acquisition of German Distributor Hedin Electric Mobility

Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed Prototypes in the Final Stages of Testing

The Zeekr 7X – An Electric SUV That Does 0-100km/h in 3.8 Seconds

Volkswagen Group Facing Potential Factory Closures Amid Cost-Cutting Efforts

Novitec Unveils Spectacular Widebody N-LARGO Ferrari 296 GTB

Isuzu D-Max Owners Display Patriotic Spirit in Merdeka Convoy

BMW Malaysia Introduces New 520i M Sport – RM349,80

Peugeot Malaysia Celebrates the Opening of New Subang Jaya Dealership

GWM Haval H6 HEV Now Open For Booking!

BYD Xia MPV Revealed – 1.5-litre Turbo with a Hybrid System

BYD Expands European Presence with Acquisition of German Distributor Hedin Electric Mobility

Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed Prototypes in the Final Stages of Testing

The Zeekr 7X – An Electric SUV That Does 0-100km/h in 3.8 Seconds

Archive

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Thailand’s Car Sales Hit by Economic Slowdown and Household Debt

Why the Porsche 911 Should Embrace a More Compact Design

2025 Kia Carnival: Updated Design, Advanced Features and Hybrid Option

Volkswagen Group Facing Potential Factory Closures Amid Cost-Cutting Efforts

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