English Archives

Mercedes-Benz Rolls Out Enhanced Drive Pilot System for SAE Level 3 Autonomous Driving

Mercedes-Benz has achieved a significant milestone in autonomous driving with the latest update to its Drive Pilot system, now certified by Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority. This upgrade positions Drive Pilot as the fastest conditionally automated driving system (SAE Level 3) available in standard production vehicles. The feature is set to hit the market in early 2025, offered on the S-Class and EQS luxury saloons at a starting price of €5,950 (around RM27,620).

Existing vehicles equipped with Drive Pilot can receive the software update for free, either over-the-air or at authorized service centres, with no need for hardware modifications.

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Volkswagen Avoids Immediate Layoffs Amid Historic Union Deal

In the culmination of Volkswagen’s longest-ever union negotiations, the German automaker reached a critical agreement to delay plant closures and sweeping layoffs, while workers stepped back from further strikes. The resolution, finalized after a gruelling 70 hours of discussions, ensures all 10 of Volkswagen’s German plants will remain operational, with involuntary layoffs postponed until 2030.

The agreement marks a temporary win for the automaker’s 120,000 German workers. However, it does not fully resolve Volkswagen’s broader struggles in the European market. The company has committed to a restructuring plan that includes shedding over 35,000 positions, primarily through early retirement packages and buyouts, as production scales down by approximately 734,000 vehicles.

Key Concessions on Both Sides

Volkswagen withdrew its initial proposal of a 10% wage cut, while the union compromised on its demand for a 7% pay increase. These negotiations followed months of unrest, including a major strike earlier this month involving 100,000 metalworkers, with another strike planned for January.

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Tesla Announces Free Lifetime Supercharging for Cybertruck Foundation Series Orders

Tesla has unveiled a tempting perk for latecomers to its Cybertruck Foundation Series: free lifetime Supercharging for all orders placed on or after December 27, 2024. This exclusive benefit adds to the allure of owning one of Tesla’s highly anticipated electric trucks, which debuted earlier this year.

The Foundation Series, akin to a collector’s edition, includes the first Cybertrucks to roll off the assembly line, starting in October 2024. Early adopters who shelled out an extra $20,000 (around RM89,641) for the privilege received not only priority delivery but also access to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving suite, a Powershare mobile connector, and various customisation options.

Terms and Conditions of Lifetime Supercharging

While free lifetime Supercharging is an attractive feature, it comes with limitations. The benefit is linked exclusively to the original owner’s Tesla account and cannot be transferred to subsequent owners or other Tesla vehicles. This means that if you decide to sell your Cybertruck, the new owner won’t inherit the lifetime Supercharging perk, and you won’t be able to transfer it to any future Tesla purchase.

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Beijing Greenlights Autonomous Driving, Paves Way for Driverless Taxis and Buses

China’s capital, Beijing, has passed new regulations to bolster autonomous driving technology, positioning the city as a leader in intelligent transportation. The regulations, set to take effect on April 1, 2025, aim to facilitate the adoption of driverless public buses, taxis, and private autonomous vehicles.

According to the Beijing Daily, autonomous vehicles that successfully pass road testing and safety evaluations will be eligible for road trials. The move reflects Beijing’s broader ambition to integrate autonomous technology into urban transit systems, including private cars, urban buses, trams, and taxis. To support this, the city plans to accelerate the construction of intelligent road infrastructure tailored to autonomous vehicles.

Expanding Autonomous Vehicle Trials Across China

Beijing’s announcement comes amid a nationwide push to promote self-driving technology. Wuhan, another major Chinese city, recently approved its own regulations to support the development of intelligent connected vehicles. Across China, at least 19 cities are actively conducting trials for robotaxis and robobuses, signalling rapid progress in this sector.

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BYD Has Nearly One Million Employees and 110,000 Engineers

BYD, a leading name in new energy vehicles (NEVs), continues to set new benchmarks in the automotive industry. At the China Innovation and Technology Festival on December 29, Wang Chuanfu, Founder and Chairman of BYD, announced remarkable milestones, underscoring the company’s dominance in research and development (R&D) and its rapid workforce expansion.

Industry-Leading Workforce and R&D Investment

BYD now boasts nearly one million employees, supported by 11 major research institutes and 110,000 engineers. This makes it the global leader in automotive R&D personnel. The company files an impressive 32 patents daily, reflecting its commitment to innovation.

Since 2011, BYD has grown its engineering team from 20,000 to nearly 110,000. The company significantly ramped up hiring in recent years, doubling its workforce from 280,000 in 2021 to approximately 570,000 in 2022, and nearly a million employees in 2024. Notably, a large portion of this expansion is in production and R&D roles, with over 50,000 fresh graduates recruited in the past three years. Nearly 70% of this year’s recruits hold Master’s or Doctoral degrees, with 80% joining R&D teams.

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Volkswagen Data Leak Exposes Over 800,000 Customers’ Personal Information

Data breaches have become an unfortunate norm but the latest incident involving Volkswagen underscores just how vulnerable sensitive information can be. A German news outlet revealed that personal data and vehicle location information for more than 800,000 customers, including high-profile German figures, was freely accessible since mid-2024 due to poor security practices.

The breach originated from VW’s car app, developed by its subsidiary Cariad, which stored customer charging data on Amazon Web Services (AWS). A lack of encryption and inadequate security protocols left sensitive data—including email addresses, home addresses, and phone numbers—exposed. Shockingly, one file even contained login credentials to VW’s Amazon cloud account, granting potential access to a treasure trove of customer information.

The leak affected multiple Volkswagen Group brands, including Audi, Seat, and Skoda. For the Volkswagen and Seat models, geolocation data was accurate within 10 centimetres, while the Audi and Skoda models were traceable within a range of 10 kilometres.

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Audi E: June 2025 Launch for the Chinese EV Market

Audi, in partnership with SAIC, is set to redefine its presence in the Chinese market with the Audi E, an electric car tailored exclusively for China. Spotted during road tests, this innovative EV is slated for a summer 2025 (June – August) launch and departs from Audi’s traditional design language, notably omitting the brand’s iconic four rings.

Acknowledging the challenges faced by its electric vehicles in China, Audi has made a strategic shift. Market acceptance for the brand’s EVs has historically been lukewarm, highlighted by a 2022 promotional campaign attempting to raise awareness of Audi’s electric offerings. To combat this, Audi has introduced a new sub-brand under the name “AUDI,” designed specifically for China. The vehicles will be developed and produced entirely within the country to cater to local tastes and preferences.

The Audi E, the first model under this initiative, debuted as a concept car in November 2024. The production-ready version, now undergoing tests, promises a blend of cutting-edge technology and sleek aesthetics to capture the attention of China’s increasingly sophisticated EV market.

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Volkswagen Polo: Celebrating 50 Years of Small Car Excellence

The Volkswagen Polo, a stalwart in the automotive world, marks its golden anniversary this year. Launched in 1975, the Polo has evolved from a compact companion into a global icon, with over 20 million units sold worldwide. As it enters its sixth generation, this small yet sophisticated car continues to prove its enduring appeal and versatility.

A Revolution in Affordable Mobility

When the Polo first rolled off production lines in 1975, it introduced a new era of compact cars. Developed from the Audi 50, it provided a fresh take on small cars with a clean design, practicality, and affordability. Positioned below the Golf in Volkswagen’s lineup, the Polo was designed to cater to a wide audience, offering individual mobility at a fair price. Whether as a first car, a sporty drive, or a family vehicle, the Polo became a reliable companion for millions.

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EV Sales Set for 30% Growth in 2025 Despite Industry Concerns

The global electric vehicle (EV) market is set to defy scepticism, with analysts forecasting a significant 30% growth in sales for 2025. According to S&P Global Mobility, battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) are projected to achieve 15.1 million units in sales, capturing 16.7% of the global car market. This marks a significant increase from the estimated 11.6 million BEVs sold in 2024, which accounted for 13.2% of the market.

While some automakers have expressed concerns about weakening demand for EVs, industry experts remain optimistic about the sector’s trajectory. The anticipated growth underscores the accelerating shift toward sustainable transportation, although the pace of adoption will vary significantly across different regions.

Regional Trends in EV Adoption

The rate of EV adoption is expected to differ widely across regions, shaped by a combination of government policies, incentives, and infrastructure development. In India, for example, EVs are predicted to make up just 7.5% of total vehicle sales in 2025. However, the country is witnessing rapid growth, with EV sales expected to rise by 117% year-on-year as it builds the foundation for electrification.

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Subaru to Launch Hybrid Variants for 2025 Forester and Crosstrek

Subaru has announced that two of its most popular models, the Forester and the Crosstrek, will be part of the brand’s new hybrid lineup in 2025. While the Crosstrek has previously featured an electrified option, this marks the debut of the Forester Hybrid in North America.

Shared Hybrid Powertrain

Though Subaru has only disclosed specific details about the Crosstrek Hybrid, it’s expected that the Forester Hybrid will share the same powertrain. This innovative setup combines a 1.1-kilowatt-hour battery with two electric motors—one for driving the wheels and another as a generator that works in tandem with the engine. The combined system produces 118hp and is integrated into a new transaxle that houses a front differential gear.

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English

Mercedes-Benz Rolls Out Enhanced Drive Pilot System for SAE Level 3 Autonomous Driving

Volkswagen Avoids Immediate Layoffs Amid Historic Union Deal

Tesla Announces Free Lifetime Supercharging for Cybertruck Foundation Series Orders

Beijing Greenlights Autonomous Driving, Paves Way for Driverless Taxis and Buses

BYD Has Nearly One Million Employees and 110,000 Engineers

Volkswagen Data Leak Exposes Over 800,000 Customers’ Personal Information

Audi E: June 2025 Launch for the Chinese EV Market

Volkswagen Polo: Celebrating 50 Years of Small Car Excellence

EV Sales Set for 30% Growth in 2025 Despite Industry Concerns

Subaru to Launch Hybrid Variants for 2025 Forester and Crosstrek

2025 Toyota GR Yaris Gets Aero Boost, Performance Upgrades, and New Tech — Japan Only for Now

UMW Toyota Motor Marks Strong March Sales, Highlights Commitment to Hybrid Mobility and Festive Raya Deals

BMW Introduces ‘Seal & Drive’ Tyre Kit — A Smart Fix for Flats

Mazda Unveils EZ-60 Electric SUV, Expands Global EV Strategy with Changan Partnership

Audi Q7 Returns to Malaysia in Locally Assembled Form with Premium Appeal and Competitive Pricing

Porsche Malaysia Celebrates 15th Anniversary with Launch of New 911 Carrera and Carrera 4 GTS

New Volvo EX90 and Updated XC90 SUVs Launched in Malaysia – Prices Start at RM418,888

Bermaz Unveils Striking Mazda3 Concept Prototype

Stellantis Faces Crisis as Tariffs Hit Alfa Romeo and Maserati Hard

Proton Records Strong Q1 Growth with EV and ICE Sales Boosting Market Share

Archive

Review: The Mini Aceman S Offers Good Looks But With An Iffy Ride Quality

Ferrari to Unveil Its First Electric Car Along Five Other Models

Auto Shanghai 2025: BMW Group Showcased Future Innovations, On the Road to Neue Klasse

Kia Unveils EV4 and Concept EV2: A Bold Step in Electric Innovation

Toyota to Build Lexus EV Plant in Shanghai, Raises Profit Forecast to Nearly $30 Billion

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