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UMW Toyota Motor Sees Strong Sales and Community Engagement in May 2024

UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) reported a successful month in May 2024, achieving total monthly sales of 8,422 units for both Toyota and Lexus brands with the Toyota Vios and Corolla Cross being the two best-selling models. This brings the total year-to-date sales to 39,211 units.

Commitment to Community and Environmental Sustainability

UMWT remains dedicated to community engagement and environmental sustainability, as demonstrated by its various initiatives. The 23rd Toyota Eco Youth (TEY) program, launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, is a key example. This national-level program empowers students aged 13 to 17 from 16 schools across Malaysia. The initiative promotes Toyota’s 8 Steps Problem-Solving Method (PSM) to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Since its inception in 2001, the TEY program has engaged over 300,000 students from 521 schools, fostering a legacy of environmental stewardship. TEY 2024/2025 offers cash prizes totalling up to RM80,000, incentivising innovative solutions and aligning with UMWT’s environmental action plan to achieve zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

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Nissan Motor Aims to Cut EV Costs with Innovative Motor Magnet

Nissan Motor is working towards significantly reducing the cost of electric vehicles (EVs) by developing a new motor magnet made from inexpensive materials. This initiative is a part of their strategy to make EV manufacturing costs comparable to petrol vehicles by fiscal year 2030, ending March 2031. Achieving this goal would require a 30% reduction in EV production costs.

The recently developed magnet utilises a samarium-iron rare-earth alloy. Unlike traditional EV motors, which use neodymium magnets enhanced with dysprosium and terbium for heat resistance, Nissan’s magnet eliminates the need for these rare and supply-risk-prone materials. Neodymium and dysprosium primarily come from China, which has previously restricted rare-earth exports to Japan, highlighting a significant supply-chain risk.

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Tow Truck Operators Are Already Increasing Prices Due To Removal of Diesel Subsidies

Despite assurances that there will be no increase in the cost of living and day to day expenses, it seems like the increase in diesel has had immediate effects on the market.

Some businesses have started posting notices about an immediate increase in price of their services.

One such business is from the tow truck industry, with one business sharing that their business will be increasing the price of their services immediately as they did not qualify for subsidies.

A quick check with the business revealed that towing a car on a flatbed from Ipoh to Kuala Lumpur used to cost RM700 but now costs RM1,000.

The increase in prices is expected to have far reaching ripples with this being just the tip of the iceberg.

According to reports, over 300,000 people are expected to benefit from subsidies but the total number of diesel users far exceeds that.

The government has also outlined the type of vehicles that qualify for subsidies and sadly private vehicles that have been registered to be used by companies and organisations do not qualify for that, and that is the category where some tow trucks fall under.

Diesel vehicles that have been registered for e-hailing as well as tourist vans and busses do not qualify for subsidies.

It is unlikely that those operating within this industry will simply absorb the increase in price. This increase in cost will unfortunately be passed on to the paying consumer, inadvertently making daily life more expensive.

Sarawak Premier Calls for Sustainable Energy Alternatives to Replace Diesel

Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg has urged the federal government to seek out affordable and sustainable energy alternatives to replace diesel consumption nationwide. He suggested that such alternatives could eliminate the reliance on government-funded diesel subsidies.

Abang Johari made these remarks following the Asia Pacific Green Hydrogen Conference and Exhibition (APGH) 2024, where he emphasised the unsustainable nature of continuous diesel subsidies. “If people keep relying on diesel and demanding subsidies whenever diesel prices rise, they’ll just keep asking for subsidies,” he stated.

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Nationwide Peugeot 408 Roadshow: Enjoy Exclusive Rebates and Test Drives

Peugeot Malaysia is embarking on a nationwide roadshow tour and will be visiting the major cities to showcase the newly launched all-new Peugeot 408. Since its launch at the end of April, the Peugeot 408 has received close to 400 bookings and counting, with the GT variant being the top choice.

Peugeot Malaysia is bringing the all-new 408 to major shopping malls for customers to get up close and personal and behind the wheel to test it for themselves at the locations listed below:

Location	State	Dates	Venue
AEON Ipoh Station 18	Ipoh	14 June – 16 June	South Court
AEON Tebrau City	Johor Bahru	28 June – 30 June	Ground Floor Concourse
1 Utama Shopping Centre	KL	11 July – 14 July	Ground Floor, Luxe Wing

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BMW Malaysia Unveils Official Pricing for New BMW 520i – RM333k

BMW Malaysia has announced the official pricing for the new BMW 520i, now available at authorised dealerships nationwide. The locally assembled premium executive sedan is priced at RM332,800.00.

Debut at Malaysia Autoshow 2024

The new BMW 520i made its debut at the Malaysia Autoshow 2024, joining the BMW 5 Series family. It features a sleek, sporty exterior design and a sophisticated interior that seamlessly blends functionality and elegance.

Flexible Financing Options

With the Easy Drive Financing Plan from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, the new BMW 520i can be owned with a monthly installment starting from RM3,881.00, based on an 80% loan over five years. Customers registering for the Easy Drive Financing by June 30, 2024, will also receive a RM10,000 cash rebate.

Alternatively, the Straight-Line Financing Plan offers ownership with a monthly installment from RM3,942.00, based on an 80% loan over seven years. Terms and conditions apply.

Comprehensive Ownership Benefits

Owners of the new BMW 520i will enjoy a complete premium ownership experience from BMW Group Malaysia, which includes:

BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline
BMW Service Online

Retail Pricing

The retail price for the new BMW 520i, excluding insurance, is as follows:

The New BMW 520i: RM332,800.00
Add-On for BMW Service & Repair Inclusive: RM26,900.00 (includes a 5-Year Extended Warranty and Service Package)