The Malaysian automotive industry saw a six per cent increase in vehicle sales from January to August 2024, with 533,301 units sold compared to 503,783 units during the same period in 2023.
According to the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), 488,277 units were passenger vehicles, while 45,024 were commercial vehicles, compared to 451,403 passenger vehicles and 52,380 commercial vehicles sold in the first eight months of 2023.
Just a few days back, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), the official distributor of Mitsubishi vehicles in the country, had a media preview of the facelifted Mitsubishi Xpander and stated that they had officially begun production of the facelifted Mitsubishi Xpander seven-seater.
Now, the facelifted Mitsubishi Xpander has officially been launched, with production taking place in Pekan, Pahang. The new Xpander, designed to enhance its SUV styling, brings a host of upgraded features, making it more appealing to Malaysian drivers seeking a robust and practical seven-seater.
The facelifted Xpander showcases a refreshed, dynamic look, particularly in its rear design. It now features a redesigned light shape, a horizontally styled rear spoiler, and an updated bumper, all reflecting an active, sporty lifestyle that complements its SUV nature.
In terms of practicality, the Xpander remains a top contender with its best-in-class features. It boasts a 225mm ground clearance, making it well-suited for a variety of terrains. The interior offers exceptional space, providing up to 837 litres of cargo capacity when the second-row seats are folded. The facelift also brings additional enhancements, including a rear-driving video recorder and an electric parking brake, catering to the modern driver’s need for convenience and ease.
The interior has also received significant upgrades. A new, straight-cut dashboard is now complemented by brown leather trim pieces, which extend to the door cards. The 9.0 inch infotainment system is now displayed on a free-standing touchscreen, while the steering wheel has been simplified with a round horn pad for a cleaner look.
The air conditioning controls have been updated with a digital display, along with hard buttons and toggle switches for fan speed and temperature. New additions like a wireless charger and an electronic parking brake with auto hold further elevate the Xpander’s comfort level. The removal of the handbrake also allows for a centre front armrest, providing additional storage space.
For added convenience, both front and rear dashcams are now included. Middle-row passengers benefit from a fold-down centre armrest equipped with cupholders, and behind the front armrest, charging ports are available – one USB-A and one USB-C. The rear blower on the roof, with adjustable speed, ensures that passengers in the back remain comfortable during journeys.
Under the hood, the facelifted Xpander retains its 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, producing 105PS and 141Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. Power is delivered to the front wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission.
On the road prices without insurance start at RM99,980 for the standard variant and RM109,980 for the Xpander Plus variant. The first 500 customers who book and register the Xpander via the Mitsubishi Online Showroom will receive a Naturehike Camping Wagon worth RM400. The updated Mitsubishi Xpandr also comes with 5-Year warranty with unlimited mileage, for both variants.
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.
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.
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.
Interested to buy a Perodua for yourself or for your loved one but can’t seem to find the time to visit a showroom?
Now you don’t have to go out to a showroom to buy a Perodua because Perodua can come to you in the comforts of your own home. (more…)
Following the historic debut of Malaysia’s first national electric vehicle during the 67th National Day celebrations in Putrajaya, PRO-NET has expressed confidence in the ongoing local testing of the Proton e.MAS 7.
The C-segment SUV, built on the advanced Global Modular Architecture (GMA) platform, features the world’s leading 12-in-1 intelligent electric propulsion system, Cell-To-Body battery technology, and the innovative Flyme Auto Connectivity System, all of which have performed impressively in its local testing phase. (more…)
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has introduced the locally assembled GLC 350 e 4MATIC, a plug-in hybrid variant of the popular luxury SUV. Assembled at their plant in Pekan, Pahang, this latest offering reinforces Mercedes-Benz’s leadership in the luxury SUV market by combining electric efficiency with outstanding performance.
Nadia Trimmel, Vice President of Marketing & Sales for Mercedes-Benz Cars Malaysia, described the new model as a versatile vehicle that delivers the best of both worlds. “The new Mercedes-Benz GLC 350 e 4MATIC offers customers the seamless performance and reliability of a combustion engine paired with the efficiency and quiet comfort of electric driving,” she said. With a range of up to 131km in electric mode (WLTP), the vehicle offers an ideal solution for both urban and long-distance journeys.
Efficient Powertrain with Over 100 km Electric Range
The GLC 350 e 4MATIC comes equipped with a 1,999 cc four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 204hp and 320Nm of torque, paired with an electric motor generating 100kW and 440Nm of torque. Combined, the system delivers 313hp and 550Nm of torque, allowing the SUV to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 6.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 218km/h.
Kia Asia Pacific has made a significant leap in its regional presence with the grand opening of the Kia Asia Pacific Training Centre in Glenmarie, Shah Alam. This state-of-the-art facility is the fifth global training hub for the automaker, joining established centres in Germany, Russia, the UAE, and the USA. The centre serves as a testament to Kia’s confidence in Malaysia’s pivotal role as a hub for the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, where Kuala Lumpur functions as the regional headquarters.
The Kia Asia Pacific Training Centre is designed to drive innovation and raise service standards across the region. It will offer a range of training programmes aimed at operational staff, sales teams, and aftersales personnel. The focus is on automotive training excellence, providing comprehensive knowledge and skills essential for the ever-evolving automotive industry.
Kevin Ahn, President and CEO of Kia Asia Pacific, highlighted the strategic importance of the centre: “The opening of our Kia APAC Training Centre aligns with our company’s philosophy of fostering a customer-centric and people-focused culture. This training centre represents our commitment to continuous improvements, ensuring we deliver top-quality service that exceeds customer expectations.”
Ahn further emphasised Malaysia’s selection as the site for the new training hub, stating that the country’s strategic location, diverse talent pool, and language proficiency made it the ideal choice. “Malaysia was selected out of our 34 markets in APAC for its strategic location, allowing us to meet the evolving needs of the industry while keeping our teams at the forefront of technological advancements,” he said.
Honda Malaysia has introduced special edition models for the popular Honda WRV as well as the Honda City.
The Honda WRV, a small, versatile SUV that has been quite popular among Malaysians with over 13,400 units sold, now comes with aesthetic upgrades that will appeal to those looking to distinguish themselves from the rest of the WRV crowd.
The new WRV offers a touch of exclusivity with new exterior upgrades such as a new front, side and rear skirtings, or under spoilers as some call it. Further distinguishing the special edition model from the rest of the pack is a chrome exhaust pipe finisher, or exhaust tip.
You also get something Honda calls a rear panel lining cover, or otherwise known as anti-scratch boot sill. This is particularly useful to avoid scratching the boot liner when storing and removing items.
And to avoid unnecessary spending, the special edition WRV also gets a Digital Video Recorder (dash cam), as standard. Just so that everyone knows that you are driving something unique, the WRV also comes with a Special Edition emblem on the boot lid.
Everything else remains the same. You still get a versatile interior that can accommodate active lifestyles with foldable seats, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as safety systems that include eight systems that make up the Honda Sensing safety suite.
The special edition Honda City on the other hand (not available for photos as of publishing) also gets a refreshed exterior with new front, side and rear skirts. You also get a Special Edition emblem that is also placed on the boot lid.
Inside, the new City offers a Honda Digital Video Recorder, foot lights that light up the foot wells, side step garnishes and a trunk tray for added convenience.
These updates are limited to the Honda City V variant only and the car has other notable features such as an eight speaker sound system, 60:40 split rear seats, 519 litres of boot space, six airbags, Honda Sensing suite with eight safety features, and walk away auto lock.
The Honda City Special Edition is available at RM94,900 but if you opt for the Platinum White Pearl Colour, that will set you back an additional RM300.
The Honda WRV Special Edition on the other hand is priced at RM107,900, and is available in Stellar Diamond Pearl colour only.
Honda Malaysia will showcase the WRV special edition models at its dealerships starting today (12 September, 2024), while the City special edition will be available for viewing at the of September, 2024.
For inquiries, you can call Honda Malaysia’s toll-free number at 1800-8-2020 or log on to www.honda.com.my.
© Copyright – Piston.my 2024 Trademarks belong to their respective owners. All rights reserved
