Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival is in Penang This Weekend - Round 3 on the 15-16 February 2020

This weekend, the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival featuring the Toyota Vios Challenge penultimate races will happen in Penang. This is  Round 3 of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival and will happen at area surrounding Stadium Batu Kawan from 15-16 February 2020. If you have been following the Vios Challenge, the races this weekend would be critical in deciding the Super Sporting, Sporting and Promotional class championship. It is the last race of the season to be contested on a street circuit race before the series moves to the Sepang International Circuit in April. 

Proton Launches the Upgraded 2020 Proton X70 SUV - Locally Assembled and Drives A Little Bit Better Too (with Test Drive Video)

PROTON has launched the upgraded 2020 Proton X70. There have been quite a few changes to one of Malaysia's most popular SUVs in recent times, notably the 7 speed wet clutch DCT gearbox and extra 15Nm torque (300Nm) as well as some suspension tuning which makes the SUV more driveable than ever. Fuel economy seems to have been improved a touch...not by much as it is still a SUV on the heavy side.but makes it feel darn solid when you are inside it. Yes, we know because we have already driven it as prior to the launch today, a bunch of us automotive hacks had the opportunity to take it for a spin. Have a look at our YouTube Channel's video below.

.

UMW Toyota Announces Availability of the Brand New and Upgraded Toyota Alphard and Velfire MPVs in Malaysia

 

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has announced that the 2020 Toyota Alphard and Toyota Vellfire premium MPV models are now available for booking. Pre-launch orders will be accepted from now onwards at all authorized Toyota dealerships and UMWT branches nationwide. These new and slightly enhanced models will go on sale with prices starting from RM383,000 for the Vellfire (one variant) and RM465,000 for the Alphard (two variants). So those who want a brand new Alphard or Vellfire brought in through official channels with a more comprehensive warranty, you can go book 'em now.

Volkswagen Malaysia is Playing Cupid With Their New Social Media Campaign “Score a Fling“.

February is the month of love, especially to those that sell roses, greeting cards and not forgetting romantic people. So this Valentine’s Day, Volkswagen Malaysia has decided to play Cupid with an exciting new social media campaign, “Score a Fling“.

AIA General Berhad Launches the AIA Family Drive Car Insurance

AIA General Berhad has launched their AIA Family Drive insurance for passenger cars in Malaysia. The AIA Family Drive car insurance policy provides total protection, convenience and savings for the entire family. You can get a family discount of 5% if you insure two or more cars and this is the first car insurance in Malaysia to offer a family discount. Of course, there's more value added stuff too.

Hino Has Delivered its 100,000th Hino Truck in Malaysia - Also Records 5,520 Units Sold in 2019 Making It The No. 1 Overall Truck and Bus Market Leader Here

Last Wednesday, the 5th of February 2020, Hino Motors Sales (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (HMSM)  delivered the 100,000th unit HINO truck in Malaysia. It also has shared that the company had sold 5,520 units of trucks and buses making it the overall market leader in terms of truck and bus sales in total. The 100,000th Hino vehicle was handed over to its existing customer, Ikhasas Resources Sdn Bhd (Ikhasas Resources). The joyous occasion was marked by an official handover ceremony during the Hino Chinese New Year Open House held at HMSM Headquarters in Petaling Jaya. 

Renault Malaysia Updates - New Online E-Store and Captur 'Buy One Get One Free' Subscription Promotion

Renault Malaysia, via their official distributors TC Euro Cars have recently launched their online E-Store which offers a Fully Digital Car Buying and Subscription Experience. This service is touted to be the first in Malaysia and allows customers to buy or subscribe for a Renault at their fingertips. You can actually do everything from book your test drive to set the time for delivery of your new Renault.  Aside from that, there is TCEC has also the ‘Buy One, Get One Free’ promotion offers a free Captur subscription for any online purchase of a new Renault via www.renault.com.my.

Offers and Promotions: Volkswagen “Wong”-derful CNY Celebration

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia is celebrating Chinese New Year 2020 with a bang. A nationwide CNY Open house will take place on the 8 th February 2020, which is a Saturday, from 11am till 5pm at all authorized Volkswagen dealerships in the country. This time around, Volkswagen’s Chinese New Year’s theme focuses on the Chinese character “旺” which translates to “wong”, meaning good luck and prosperity. 

Volvo Trucks Malaysia Post Record Sales Numbers For 2019

Volvo Trucks announced earlier today that it has recorded its best truck sales performance ever in the  50 years of the company conducting business in Malaysia. Volvo Trucks Malaysia sold  479 units of prime movers and rigid truckslast year and this was a 6.5% increase of 29 units more than the total number sold in the previous year.  According to the company, approximately 70% of the units were their Volvo FM series of trucks while the rest were the Volvo FMX and Volvo FH heavy duty models. This was a 29% share in the prime mover / heavy hauler market segment based on date from the Malaysia Automotive Association (MAA).

PROTON Starts Off Strong in 2020 - Most Successful January Sales in 4 Years With Over 8,500 New Registrations (Short Analysis At The End)

After selling slightly over 102,000 cars in 2019, PROTON has started 2020 strongly with the Malaysian based company recording a total of 8,506 new registrations for the month of January 2020. This figure is a 20.2% increase over the same period last year. This also marks PROTON’s most successful January sales in 4 years. The company is on a roll and should be on its way to another stong year ahead with the launch of the locally assembled X70 SUV and maybe the smaller X50 SUV by the end of this year.

Perodua Sells A Lot of Cars in 2019 - Over 240,000 Units and This in Turn Meant Over RM5.4 Billion in Local Parts Supplied. - ALSO, Perodua Bezza Sales Figues Update

Perodua managed to sell 240,341 units of vehicles in 2019 and this basically gave the Malaysian automaker of nearly 40% of the Total Industry Volume of new cars sold in Malaysia. What this means is that out of every 5 cars sold, 2 are Perodua. Amazing isn't it? The record sales figure constitutes a year-on-year jump of 13,098 units, or 5.8%. The Malaysian total industry volume (TIV) was estimated at 604,775 units last year. 

VIDEO: 2019 Onwards Volkswagen Golf 1.4TSI (Mk7.5) with the R-Line and Sound & Style Package

I have been extremely busy doing my other pursuits in life. Taking a break from the automotive scene over this past couple of months is refreshing. You do know that I have a lot of other hobbies and recently, I had the opportunity to fully indulge in them. But I have not forgotten you readers  and viewers out there. This is a new video on the 2019 onwards Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI with the R-Line and Sound and Style Package over on our YouTube Channel.

TOUCH ‘N GO Top-Up Charges Are Now Waived at All 27 Shell Stations Along the North-South Expressway (NSE)

On the 16th of January 2020, Shell Malaysia had announced that 27 Shell Stations along the North-South Expressway (NSE) will not be charging the RM0.50 Touch ‘n Go (TNG)top-up fee. So feel free to top-up your TNG card at those stations as the fee has now been waived. According to Shell Malaysia, this is one way of how the company gives back to their customers and how they can help lessen the burden. 

Sponsored by Daihatsu Malaysia, The Rewilding Roadshow by the Free Tree Society Kuala Lumpur Brings Conservation Home

Earlier today I attended the launch of Free Tree Society Kuala Lumpur  (FTS) the Rewilding Roadshow. This Roadshow is an initiative to encourage urban Malaysians to fill up their green spaces at home with plants with the aim of  supporting biodiversity and sustainable lifestyles. The initiative is sponsored by Daihatsu Malaysia, which is a natural fit for their Environmental Action Plan 2030, which is their social responsibility initiative in line with the  United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

BMW Group Malaysia Has Some Chinese New Year Offers and Promos for the Year of the Rat 2020

As usual, it's that time of the year where deals are abound. BMW Group Malaysia is welcoming the Year of the Rat, or this year's Chinese New Year with more attractive offers, cash rebates and financing solutions across a wide range of BMW and MINI models at all authorised dealerships throughout Malaysia. So now could be a good time for you to buy that M5 or the Cooper S model you've always yearned for.

MAN Truck and Bus Malaysia Has a New Managing Director - Announces Upcoming Service Centre in Port Klang, New Strategic Initiatives & Hands Over Trucks to Nitsu Transport Service

MAN Truck and Bus (M) Sdn Bhd (MAN), the Malaysian arm of the European commercial vehicle brand, earlier today announced it has appointed Andrew O’Brooks as its new managing director. Aside from that, the company also announced its new service centre in Port Klang which is scheduled for opening sometime in March 2020 as well as an announcement of their latest strategic initiatives which is in line with the brand's global direction and current motto of ' Simplifying Business'.

2020 Volkswagen Passat Facelift Launched in Malaysia - Only 1 Variant Offered - Passat 2.0TSI Elegance

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) have launched the facelifted Volkswagen Passat here in Malaysia. The Malaysian variant comes only four months after its German market launch and like the pre-facelift model, is locally assembled in Pekan, Pahang. Only 1 variant will be available for now - the 2020 Passat 2.0TSI Elegance which will come priced at RM187,990 on the road before any insurance.

2020 Perodua Bezza Facelift launched - Expects to Deliver 5,600 Units by End of January, Meaning They Have Produced A Lotta Units Prior to Launch

Perodua has launched the 2020 Perodua Bezza today. Aside from the fact that this is a facelift with slightly refreshed looks and better equipment inside, the Malaysian car manufacturer has also stated that they have already produced a lot of the new Bezza and expects to deliver some 5,600 units in January 2020. This is the story of really ensuring that there are more than adequate stocks of a car model available. Quite an interesting achievement in my opinion as we have always heard of products being launched and deliveries only start some time later.

Shell Malaysia Announces First Four of Many Lucky Winners - 'Nak Ekstra RM20,000?'

Shell Malaysia's ‘Nak Ekstra RM20,000?’ continues to reward fellow Malaysians until 9 February 2020. This is a weekly campaign by the energy provider brand which is aimed at helping out Shell customers from all walks of life where they may get rewarded only with pumping RM40 worth of Shell fuel. To start off 2020, four Shell customers were announced as the first round of grand prize winners of the campaign.

Site Update: I'm Back! Or Damn, it's So Darn Hard to Start Writing Again After a Self Imposed Break and Thoughts About the Future

I'm Back! Well, technically back and will start reporting and writing about the automotive scene here again after a nice long self imposed break. It was well needed as I think 2019 was an achievement for this blog, or Motoring Malaysia in many ways. 

We made it to over 1,000 Subscribers over on our YouTube Channel. This is an achievement as by the end of 2018 we only had about 600 or so subs. Reaching 1,000 was quite important as you get a chance to be monetized by YouTube and can earn some pocket money for me. Why do I say for 'me'? And not for the blog?