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Although Volkswagen began selling its ID. range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in 2020 and 5 models to date, none of them is a sedan. The first was a hatchback (ID.3), followed by three crossover SUVs (ID.4, ID.5 and ID.6) and one MPV/minivan (ID.Buzz). During the second quarter of this year, the range will get its first sedan which is designated the ID.7. The sedan will be offered in the three primary markets of China, Europe and North America.

The model is being previewed this week at the CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, USA, but like the ID.4 and ID.Buzz when they were first previewed before launch, the ID.7 also has camouflage that is somewhat unique.

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The first week of 2023 sees no change in all fuel grades again, so unsubsidized RON97 petrol remains at RM3.35 per litre. The other grade – RON95 petrol and biodiesel – remain the same as the government has been maintaining their levels by using subsidies when necessary. It is a costly exercise when oil prices start rising and while the subsidies have to stop, the government will find a way to continue providing them to those who really are really in need of assistance.

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It’s a problem that Malaysian motorists have long complained about and yet, the JPJ (Road Transport Department) has ignored the matter, while successive Transport ministers have also never seemed to be aware. We’re referring to the roadtax sticker that motorists have to replace once a year on their motor vehicles that doesn’t stick properly and curls up off the glass after just a short while. At one time, even the print on the paper faded.

The problem is very well known and it’s surprising that nothing has been done all these years. One would imagine that the solution would be easy enough by either asking the supplier to change the material, improve the quality or simply change the supplier. None of these seems to have been done and the only suggestion given by the JPJ was to request for a replacement – a solution that is inconvenient as motorists have to go to the JPJ office and queue up.

Now our new Transport Minister, Anthony Loke, has given assurance that something will be done. He gave this assurance after a meeting with the JPJ management yesterday to discuss a number of matters. While his predecessors did not seem to care about the matter, this minister does. Perhaps it could be because he has probably been driving his own car for a long time and has personally seen how the roadtax sticker comes off.

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In spite of the challenges of getting parts, especially microprocessors, to complete vehicles, the auto industry in Malaysia actually had a boom year and is expected to have a Total Industry Volume (TIV) of over 700,000 units. Even by November, the TIV had reached 642,306 units, exceeding the sales forecast of 630,000 units made by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

For Proton, it was also another great year – the fourth, in fact – as the brand saw overall sales of 141,432 units (including exports) in 2022. This was with the addition of another 14,750 units in December, the fourth best monthly performance for the year.

Compared to numbers reported in 2021, Proton’s total sales grew by 23.3% despite a tough start to the year. Production was disrupted at both factories due to a combination of flooding which affected parts vendors in Selangor and an acute shortage of microprocessors, which was a global problem. The situation limited output and deliveries for the first 4 months of the year.

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Extreme E enters its third season in 2023, with the series heading to new locations for the first time and revisiting some of the 2022 favourites. Uniquely, this motorsport event is not just about competition over rough terrain but also aims to drive awareness of climate change issues. It promotes sustainability and competing vehicles run only on electricity.

The extent to which sustainability and minimal impact on the environment are pursued can be seen in the way the logistical aspects. Instead of using aircraft, a ship was specially converted for the purpose to carry the vehicles, logistics equipment and paddock infrastructure to each location.

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BMW Malaysia has started off the new year with the addition of another variant in the BMW iX range, this being the iX xDrive50 Sport. It joins the iX xDrive40 (available in two versions) which was launched last year.

According to Hans de Visser, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia, the additional variant exemplifies the brand’s commitment towards shaping the future of Electrified Mobility in Malaysia, not only in expanding the product offerings but also infrastructure to accommodate a thriving electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem.

“Our efforts to electrify the automotive landscape in Malaysia has always worked in tandem with the government’s agenda for electrification, and we are set to see further developments in this aspect with our many new industry partners as well,” he said.

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