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Great Wall Motor’s (GWM) strategic expansion in Malaysia reflects its broader global vision and commitment to the ASEAN market. The company’s impressive global sales growth and its approach to localisation are central to its success. Here’s a summary of the key points:

GWM’s Global Strategy and Growth

  • Four Globalisation Pillars: GWM focuses on four strategic pillars:
    • Locally Built
    • Locally Operated
    • Locally Cultivated
    • Supply Chain Integration

  • Sales Performance: The company reported a 62.59% year-on-year increase in global sales, with 201,500 units sold internationally in the first half of 2024.

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Naza Eastern Motors Sdn Bhd today unveiled the highly anticipated 5-door variant of the iconic Suzuki Jimny, marking a significant milestone in the company’s strategic expansion into Malaysia’s rapidly growing SUV market.

Naza Eastern Motors is confident that the introduction of the 5-door Jimny will bolster its market position and drive future growth. The company plans to implement targeted marketing campaigns and strategic partnerships to enhance brand visibility and reach new customer segments. Additionally, Naza Eastern Motors aims to expand its dealership network to better serve its growing customer base across Malaysia.

Underneath the iconic design lies a machine built for adventure. With its powerful 1.5L engine with Idle Start Stop technology capable of producing 101 horsepower, this efficient powerplant paired with the new ALLGRIP PRO 4WD system, 4 Speed low range transfer gear and LSD Traction Control Brake provides not only sufficient power but also gives drivers control and confidence on any adventure.

The ALLGRIP PRO 4WD system with low-range transfer gear offers extreme off-road capability, enabling seamless shifting from 2H two-wheel drive to 4H four-wheel drive on the fly. This unique feature provides unparalleled adaptability while navigating adventurous ground. If you’re stuck, simply shift to 4L mode which transforms the Jimny into a veritable mountain climber, allowing it to conquer even the most unforgiving off-road terrain.

With optimised torque delivery and specially 4-speed automatic transmission options. The 5-doors may be rooted in heritage, but it also embraces innovation. Modern features such as touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control, and advanced safety features enhance the driving experience without compromising on Jimny’s raw spirit.

Interior wise, the Jimny 5-doors is optimised through minimalistic design to avoid distractions so that the driver stays focused. This is achieved with basic black shades to avoid distractions while silver inserts highlight functional elements.

The dashboard and centre console has been designed to maximise the driver’s awareness of the angle of the car. Sections of the interior have a pattern that includes a perfect combination of practicality and utility. The 5-doors offer a large boot space with a wide rear opening, making the loading and unloading of luggage accessible and easy.

Safety is not forgotten. The Jimny is designed to assure you and your passengers’ safety. The Jimny features 6 airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist function, Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Brake Limited Slip Differential, Hill Hold Control, Hill Descent Control, Side-Impact Door Beams, 3-point Emergency Locking retractor Seatbelts, ISOFIX Child Seat anchorages, Seatbelt Pretensioner, and Rear View Camera – all built on top of Suzuki’s renowned Ladder Frame, providing superior safety performance.

The 5-door Jimny has an overall length of 3850mm compared to the 3-door which measures 3,550mm. That is an additional space of 300mm, translating to a longer wheelbase, an increase in cabin space, and additional legroom and luggage room in the rear.

Equipped with a body-on-frame design, the rugged Jimny provides a sense of solidity offering unique experience. The Jimny has LED projector headlamps with washers to ensure visibility remains uncompromised in the toughest of conditions. The optimised bumpers with angled edges enhance wheel clearance for agile manoeuvring and the protective black textured sections safeguard against damage. Meticulously designed, the Jimny combines form and innovation, augmenting the driving experience.

The Jimny 5-door’s price starts from MYR 199,380.00 (OTR price without insurance).

Tyre punctures can turn any journey into a major disruption, especially on Malaysian roads plagued by heavy rainfall, high traffic, potholes, and debris. Waiting for roadside assistance and repairs can be time-consuming and frustrating. Continental is now addressing these challenges with the expanded availability of its innovative ContiSeal technology, which promises to transform how drivers handle tyre punctures.

Enhanced Safety with ContiSeal Technology

First introduced in 2003, ContiSeal technology has undergone significant refinement over two decades. It now offers immediate sealing of 80% of all punctures and 99.9% of punctures up to 5mm in diameter. The technology uses a vulcanisation process to enhance the tyre’s durability and elasticity, reducing cavity noise by up to 3dB.

How ContiSeal Works

ContiSeal tyres are designed to seal holes up to 5mm in diameter. The sealant layer, applied inside the tyre’s tread area, creates an airtight seal that prevents air leakage. This means drivers can continue their journey without needing immediate roadside repairs, even if a foreign object like a nail penetrates the tyre. The seal remains effective even if the object is removed.

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The 13th Annual Art Of Speed (AOS 2024) took place at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park, Serdang (MAEPS) from July 27-28, 2024. Known for its tradition of attracting international guests and showcasing customised vehicles from around the globe, this year’s event continued to highlight the best in automotive culture and customisation.

Among the distinguished guests were Shige Suganuma, Shinotsuka “NATQQ” Michihisa, and Hey Murakamii from MOONEYES, Japan; professional Japanese drifter Daigo Saito from Fat Five Racing; and Katie’s Customs from Japan, featuring a custom Vincent Black Shadow motorcycle. Other notable attendees included STOOP Motorcycles with a custom Harley-Davidson Panhead, EVILACT with a custom 1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead EL, and Nigel Petrie from Engineered To Slide, Australia. From Thailand, Spinny and Little Boy Cycles were recognised, while global figures such as Dino Dalle Carbonare and Alexander Iain from Speedhunters.com were also present.

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The smart Tour Brand Roadshow is expanding its tour with a new location at Bangsar Shopping Centre from 31 July to 4 August 2024. This is a great chance to experience the smart #1 and #3 vehicles, including their advanced features like V2L capabilities and the Hello smart app functions. With Brabus Fever specials offering up to RM30,000 off the smart #1 Brabus, it’s a perfect opportunity for enthusiasts to explore these all-electric models.

Here’s the full schedule:

  • Bangsar Shopping Centre: 31 July – 4 August 2024
  • Gurney Plaza, Penang: 4 – 8 September 2024
  • Mid Valley South Key, Johor Bahru: 19 – 22 September 2024

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Johor police have exposed a car theft syndicate that can steal luxury vehicles in just 30 seconds, despite these vehicles being equipped with alarms and immobiliser systems. Johor police chief M. Kumar detailed the syndicate’s operations and the significant arrests made during a statewide operation targeting vehicle theft syndicates, according to Malay Mail.

Key Details of the Syndicate’s Modus Operandi

  • Targeted Vehicles: The syndicate focuses on luxury and four-wheel drive vehicles, which are sold on the black market in a neighbouring country.

  • Operational Tactics:
    • The syndicate operates in pairs to steal high-end vehicles.
    • They use an electronic programmer to start modern vehicles without a key.
    • A jammer device is employed to disable the vehicle’s GPS and alarm system within 30 seconds.
  • Duration of Activity: Initial investigations reveal that the syndicate has been active for five to six months.

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Proton has officially commenced a significant expansion of its stamping facilities with a groundbreaking ceremony for the new E and F stamping lines. This expansion is part of the company’s strategic plan to relocate the production of the Proton Saga from Shah Alam by 2026.

Investment and Infrastructure

A substantial investment of RM253 million has been allocated for this project, which aims to increase the volume of parts stamping at the Tanjong Malim facility. This move is designed to support Proton’s overall production growth and accommodate the introduction of new models in the future. The new stamping lines follow the inauguration of the D-Line stamping plant on March 14, 2023, by the Menteri Besar of Perak, Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.

Enhanced Production Capacity

During the ceremony, Proton’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Li Chunrong, emphasised the importance of the new lines for the company’s expansion plans. “The addition of the parts stamping E and F-Line is critical to Proton’s future volume expansion plans as it gives us more flexibility to ramp up our production and meet market demand. For the whole of 2023 and up to June 2024, our Tanjong Malim plant has stamped out 6,067,064 components, of which 395,211 are from the new D-Line, and this number will grow exponentially when production for the Proton Saga is relocated here in 2026,” he said.

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Neta has officially introduced the Neta X battery-electric SUV in Malaysia, presenting three variants: the 400 Comfort, 400 Luxury and 500 Luxury. This launch marks a significant step in expanding the electric vehicle market in the region.

Performance and Powertrain

The Neta X is equipped with a single front-mounted motor that delivers 163PS and 210Nm of torque. This powertrain allows the SUV to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in under 9.5 seconds and achieve a top speed of over 150km/h. The SUV offers two battery options:

  • 400 Variants: A 52.49 kWh battery providing a range of 401km.
  • 500 Variants: A 64.14 kWh battery offering a range of over 480km.

Charging times are approximately 9 hours for the 52.49 kWh battery and 11 hours for the 64.14 kWh battery using AC charging. DC fast charging from 30% to 80% takes about 30 minutes.

Suspension and Driving Modes

The Neta X features MacPherson struts in the front and a multi-link layout in the rear for suspension, ensuring a smooth ride. It comes with 18-inch alloy wheels fitted with 225/60R18 tyres. The SUV offers multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and a one-pedal driving mode, complemented by an Auto Hold function for added convenience.

Exterior Features

Externally, the Neta X boasts:

  • LED headlamps, tail lamps, DRLs, and a rear fog lamp.
  • LED high-mount brake lamp.
  • Panoramic sunroof.
  • Roof rack.
  • Heated, auto-folding mirrors with turn signals.
  • Rain-sensing wipers.

Interior and Technology

Inside, the Neta X features:

  • LED reading lights and luggage compartment light.
  • 15.6-inch central touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay, real-time navigation with location services, OTA software updates, voice control, online music playback, and Bluetooth connectivity.
  • An eight-speaker sound system for a premium audio experience.

Safety and Driver Assistance

The Neta X is well-equipped with safety and driver assistance features:

  • Comfort Variants: Regular cruise control.
  • Luxury Variants: Forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning, lane change assist with blind spot detection, door opening warning, rear cross traffic alert, full-speed adaptive cruise control (ACC), lane keep assist, traffic jam assist, intelligent cruise assist, traffic sign recognition, high beam assist, and an emergency lane keeping system.

Colours and Upholstery Options

The Neta X is available in five exterior colours: Pearl White, Sky Grey, Jet Black, Glacier Blue, and Amber Brown. Interior upholstery options include brown or black.

Customer Benefits

  • 5yr/150,000km warranty
  • 8yr/160,000km battery warrantyUntil 31st July
  • Double booking value
    Free wallbox or 2500kW ChargEV credits
    2yrs/40,000km free maintenance

Pricing

400 Comfort – RM119,888

400 Luxury – RM127,888

500 Luxury – RM135,888

Neta X Warranties:

  • EV High Voltage Part Warranty: Covers the vehicle controller assembly, motor controller assembly, drive motor assembly, battery pack assembly, resolver, high voltage relay, and BMS system for up to 8 years or 180,000 km, whichever comes first.
  • General Part Warranty: Covers parts for up to 5 years or 150,000 km, whichever comes first.

Special Financing

Affin Bank is offering a special financing rate as low as 2.20% and a priority lane to expedite the approval process within 6 hours of receiving completed applications for NETA EV.

The Neta X, with its combination of performance, advanced features, and customer benefits, aims to make a significant impact in Malaysia’s electric vehicle market.

Puspakom has assured customers that the new requirement to produce their tax identification number (TIN) from today will not lead to delays or longer queues at any of its inspection centres. The new mandate comes from the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) as part of the e-invoicing system set to begin on August 1.

Integrated Process

According to FMT, Puspakom CEO Mahmood Razak Bahman explained that the TIN requirement has been seamlessly integrated into the MyPuspakom website for customers making online bookings. “Customers only need to update their TIN details on MyPuspakom once, and future bookings will proceed as they do now,” he said. This early rollout aims to address any potential glitches, with Puspakom committed to supporting customers throughout the transition.

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Honda Malaysia celebrated a major milestone today with the delivery of its 170,000th Civic and 150,000th HR-V in Malaysia. The event took place at Honda Botanic Auto Mall Sdn. Bhd., marking a double achievement for the popular models.

Historic Milestone

The 170,000th Civic, a 2.0L e:HEV RS, was handed over to Mr. Lim Chin Hui, while the 150,000th HR-V, a 1.5L e:HEV RS, was delivered to Ms. Asha Waheda. Both customers received exclusive gifts and Honda Genuine Accessories valued at RM10,000 as part of the celebration.

Sales and Growth

In the first half of 2024, Honda Malaysia reported total sales exceeding 39,200 units, a 16% increase from the same period in 2023. The HR-V led sales in the Non-National Compact SUV Segment, contributing 28% to Honda Malaysia’s total sales. The City model followed with 24%, and the CR-V contributed 15%.

The company also noted a growing demand for its e:HEV technology. The e:HEV variants, available in models like the City, City Hatchback, Civic, HR-V, and CR-V, accounted for 13% of sales in the first half of 2024, reflecting substantial growth for Honda’s hybrid models.

Future Commitment

Honda Malaysia continues to uphold its “How We Move You” tagline, focusing on creating mobility products and services that drive progress and enhance the joy and freedom of mobility for its customers. The company remains dedicated to advancing its offerings and meeting the evolving needs of the Malaysian market.

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