GWM, short for Great Wall Motors, have launched their latest EV, the Ora 07 streamline four door 'coupe'. This what I would call a neo-retro styled four door coupe is priced at RM169,800 for the long range variant and RM189,800 for the performance variant. Both come with an attractive warranty package for both battery and powertrain for up to 8 years. The 07 offers another choice for Malaysians that want to test the waters and try out a premium feeling battery powered electric vehicle.
Yesterday, at the GAC and TC Warisan MOU signing ceremony for the study of local assembly in Malaysia of GAC vehicles with a view towards exports including left hand drive exports - the article is HERE, the Malaysian Transport Minister, the Honourable Anthony Loke had also stated some significant points pertaining to the ownership of electric vehicles (EV) here in Malaysia. Road tax for EV cars is still being studied but a result should be given by the Ministry of Transport by April 2024. According to the minister, they are studying to make the EV road tax lower than what it is and lower than fossil fuel powered vehicles (if possible).
Today, the 21st November 2023 marks the official launch and price announcement of the smart #1 SUV/Crossover here in Malaysia. This comes after many days of teasers, previews and so on. The brand's first offering was launched by Yang Mulia Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry at an event attended by Tan Sri Syed Faisal Albar, Chairman of PROTON, YBhg. Dato' Hairil Yahri Yaacob, Secretary General of MITI, Tong Xiangbei, Global CEO of smart Automobile, Dr. Li Chunrong, Chief Executive Officer of PROTON, En Roslan Abdullah, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of PROTON, and Mr. Zhang Qiang, Chief Executive Officer of PRO-NET as well as many other guests.
Here is our preview and first opinion on the soon to be launched in Malaysian 2024 smart #1 BRABUS variant. This is built on the smart #1 Premium variant and adds twin electric motors to give it supercar levels of acceleration 0-100kmh in 3.9seconds. This is our second meeting with this crossover EV. The first was at the Proton Test Track in Shah Alam when it was all stickered up. So we got to drive it then but could not film or take photos of it.
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Today, the 11th of July 2023, marked a historic day in terms of Malaysian automotive history. Volvo Trucks Malaysia (Volvo Trucks) officially launched their fully electric FM Series heavy duty prime movers in Malaysia. These are the first electric heavy duty prime mover series of trucks to be launched in Southeast Asia and also the first to be adopted by an operator in the region where integrated logistics provider, Swift Haulage Berhad had purchased two units of the model. The announcement at the media preview this afternoon was made at the Volvo Trucks headquarters in Shah Alam shows off the Volvo Trucks' role in accelerating the industry’s transition to electromobility, in line with the nation’s net zero carbon ambitions.
Hello folks. As per the last article in the blog, Scania have started selling their Battery Electric Trucks here in the region. This is the video (below) of the preview held last week at Scania's Malaysian headquarters. I managed to attend it and take a look at what their future plans are and also see what their Electric truck is all about.
SISMA Auto, the Multi-brand premium automotive group earlier today opened the largest BYD 3S Centre in the automotive hub of Glenmarie, in Shah Alam, Selangor The new 3S centre which RM5 million is a Class-A BYD facility and has a spacious nine-car display showroom and a 16 service bays which was designed to accommodate the growing number of BYD customers. This comes after the news that BYD has already sold over 1,000 units of their Atto3 SUV in Malaysia.
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Proton New Energy Technology Sdn Bhd (PRO-NET) has appointed Edaran Otomobil Nasional Berhad (EON), the automotive retail arm of DRB-HICOM, as an official dealer for smart Malaysia. The addition of EON follows the appointment of a Hap Seng Group company, Hap Seng Smart, earlier this month, with five other dealership appointments to be announced soon.
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Volvo Car Malaysia continues to expand its initiative to sell cars directly to its customers by offering their full Pure Electric Line-up on its updated ‘Online Sales’ platform. The platform’s update also signifies the brand's intention to improve its position as the leading mover in the e-luxury segment and to further providing its customers with the Swedish luxury experience even from the comfort of their own homes or anywhere they are at.
Why not try renting an electric car before deciding to buy one? GoCar Malaysia, a leading on-demand mobility-as-a-service platform, recently announced that it has added some of the latest electric vehicles (EVs) to the GoCar Subs Electric line-up, with subscription options of weekly and monthly plans. The expanded range of EVs and shorter-term subscription plans aim to make it easier and more affordable for Malaysian consumers to experience life with different EVs, in line with GoCar’s ongoing efforts to increase the accessibility and availability of electric vehicles (EVs) to the general public.
Tuesday, the 16th of May 2023 was the day when TC Euro Cars (TCEC), the authorised distributor of Renault vehicles in Malaysia, officially launched the new Renault Zoe 100% Electric. The new Renault Zoe is available in two variants - The Zoe R110 base variant at RM165,000 on the road without insurance, while the higher-spec Zoe R135 retails at RM179,000 on the road without insurance. Also available are 12 to 36-month subscription plans.
Equipped with Renault’s latest 52 kWh battery, this latest Renault Zoe delivers up to 135 PS with 245 Nm of torque and an enhanced WLTP-rated range of up to 395 km, This is in addition to a class-leading 0-100 percent charge time of three hours via AC charging at 22 kW.
Surprising news folks. Smart cars, the very tiny car manufacturer is back via Proton New Energy Technology Sdn. Bhd. (PRO-NET), a subsidiary of Proton cars and Hap Seng Group (as its first dealer). The company which was formed to promote and market New Energy Vehicle (NEV) from the Proton and Geely joint venture has hit an important milestone here in its development of pushing such vehicles with the appointment of its first authorized dealer, Hap Seng Smart Sdn. Bhd. Note that Smart vehicles was a joint venture project started out by Mercedes-Benz with watch manufacturer Swatch Group but since 2019 has been a partnership arrangement with Geely to promote and sell Smart badged cars globally.
Earlier today DHL Express, the that very familiar international express service provider, announced the addition of six electric vans in Malaysia. These electric motor powered vehicles will be making its rounds across the Klang Valley for last-mile deliveries. This introduction makes DHL as the first courier company in Malaysia to transition toward a having commercial electric vehicle (EV) fleet. Welcome to the future, courtesy of DHL, I presume
Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has unveiled its latest electric model, the IONIQ 5 Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV), with what they say are innovative and sustainable features that are set to redefine the electric mobility lifestyle in Malaysia. There will be three variants with prices starting at RM199K. The launch seems to say that HSDM is pushing foward with making Hyundai a niche player with unique vehicles that aren't just the norm as well as paving the way for the future.
