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Ford’s CEO, Jim Farley, has announced a major shift in the automaker’s strategy, aiming to leave behind the era of dull, mainstream cars like the Mondeo, Focus, and Fiesta. While these models were once popular, they failed to justify continued investment. Instead, Ford is focusing on iconic vehicles that inspire excitement, such as the Mustang GTD and various Raptor off-road models.

Farley envisions a future where Ford’s lineup is dominated by cars that enthusiasts love and mainstream vehicles that offer higher profit margins, like the Ford Puma compact crossover. With its appealing design and versatility, the Puma represents the kind of higher-priced, more profitable mainstream car Ford wants to build. The production of the Fiesta has already ceased, and the Focus will follow by 2025.

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Ferrari has taken a significant step in its journey towards carbon neutrality by shutting down the gas-fuelled trigeneration plant at its Maranello factory. This early shutdown, three months ahead of schedule, is part of Ferrari’s decarbonisation plan, which was unveiled during the 2022 Capital Markets Day. The plant, which had been operational since 2009, generated electricity, heat, and cooling energy using methane gas and was known for its high-efficiency technology.

The closure will lead to a 60% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions and a 70% decrease in methane gas consumption, making it a crucial move towards Ferrari’s 2030 carbon neutrality goals. In place of the trigenerator, Ferrari is doubling its photovoltaic systems with the aim of reaching a capacity of 10 megawatts peak (MWp) by 2030, up from the current 5 MWp.

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BYD has announced a recall of nearly 100,000 vehicles in China due to a manufacturing fault that presents a potential fire risk. The recall, which involves 96,714 Dolphin and Yuan PLUS electric vehicles, began on September 30th, 2024, according to China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR).

The issue stems from defects in the electric power steering column assembly (CEPS) controller. During manufacturing, the equipment tool cover may interfere with capacitors on the controller’s circuit board, leading to micro-cracks in the capacitors. Over time, these cracks can expand, causing short circuits, overheating, and potentially resulting in fires.

To address the issue, BYD dealers will install insulation pads on the controllers at no cost, mitigating the risk. Owners of affected vehicles will be notified through registered mail, WeChat, and phone calls, and a customer service hotline has been set up for further assistance.

Meanwhile, Sime Darby Motors, the official distributor of BYD vehicles in Malaysia, has reassured customers that the BYD models sold in Malaysia are not affected by the recent recall announcement by BYD in China. The recall pertains only to vehicles sold in the China market.

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PRO-NET, a subsidiary of Proton, has announced the appointment of 36 Proton e.MAS dealerships, more than doubling the initial 17 dealerships announced in June 2024. This move highlights PRO-NET’s commitment to advancing Malaysia’s EV market and expanding its customer service network.

The dealership expansion was complemented by a visit to the Geely Research Institute (GRI) in Hangzhou, China, which was attended by over 40 Malaysian dealer executives and principals. The three-day tour offered participants insights into Geely’s advanced technology and the operations behind selling and servicing premium EV models at Geely dealerships.

Zhang Qiang, CEO of PRO-NET, stated that since the Proton e.MAS brand launch in June, the development pace has been rapid. The addition of 19 new dealerships reflects the excitement surrounding the upcoming Proton e.MAS 7 model and the overwhelming enthusiasm from dealer principals who joined the Geely tour. He emphasised how Geely’s intelligent technology and research have prepared the dealerships for the arrival of Malaysia’s first EV.

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Regas Premium Auto, the authorised 4S dealership in Sarawak, has officially reopened its newly refurbished Retail.NEXT showroom in Kuching. This facility now offers enhanced services for BMW, MINI, BMW Motorrad, and BMW Premium Selection (BPS) brands, aiming to enrich the Premium Ownership Experience for customers in East Malaysia.

The space now features Retail.NEXT contemporary design, a chic café, a premium lounge, and a Heritage Corner showcasing the BMW 700 Coupé.

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Hyundai has achieved a remarkable milestone, having built 100 million cars globally since its founding in 1967. To mark the occasion, the company handed over its 100 millionth and first vehicle, an all-electric Ioniq 5, to its new owner. The symbolic gesture of not highlighting the exact 100 millionth car, but rather the one after, reflects Hyundai’s philosophy of always striving to go “one step further” in its accomplishments.

Hyundai’s automotive journey began in 1968 with the production of its first car, the Pony, at its Ulsan plant in South Korea, which is still a cornerstone of the company and has the capacity to produce 1.6 million cars annually. Over the past 57 years, Hyundai has expanded its global footprint with factories in countries such as the Czech Republic, India, Turkey, and the United States.

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