During the official opening event of the Mercedes-Benz Setia Alam Autohaus, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia also announced the availability of two model updates in its SUV line; the new locally-assembled (CKD) Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 e 4MATIC Coupé as well as the Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC (below), now enhanced with new vehicle equipment upgrades.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and Hap Seng Star earlier today, have together officially launched its newly relocated Mercedes-Benz Autohaus in Setia Alam. It features a new luxury brand presence and exclusive luxury lifestyle boutique for the folks and Mercedes-Benz customers in and around Setia Alam, Selangor. This new, very much larger, Hap Seng Star Setia Alam Autohaus outlet features new enhancements and upgrades that embodies a luxurious retail experience concept for customers, showcasing the brand’s commitment to be a leader in the luxury retail experience while strengthening its customer touchpoints throughout Malaysia.
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Angka-Tan Motor Sdn Bhd, a company under the Tan Chong group of companies, the Malaysian distributors of Foton commercial vehicles has launched the Foton Aumark S City Flyer 4-Wheeler BJ1065 Series, a light-duty truck to meet the demands of logistics usage in the country.The Foton Aumark S City Flyer basically comes with 5.6 tonnes GVC (gross vehicle weight) and is enhanced with better safety and quality. Aside from this, Angka-Tan are also launching the City Flyer in a longer wheelbase form for those that require more carrying capacity. The prices for the new Aumark City Flyer will start at RM93,900 for the 4 Wheeler and from RM95,900 for the long wheelbase variant.
Well, I'm still around folks! Lazier than ever which is why things don't get updated. No, the Malaysian automotive industry is technically doing fine without me and it's just that ever since the recent pandemic and the many Movement Control Orders (Three to be exact) has made me change the priorities in my life. These days, its more about me, me, me and me.
But that isn't new with me actually. It's just that I have enjoyed doing what I like to do the most and since the automotive scene isn't all that great since you are restricted in doing outdoorsy stuff and lotsa masks, protocols, it has been boring. Add the fact that these days I only see cars having their infotainment systems upgraded as the biggest upgrade to a vehicle model ever and that they basically still drive the same as before, car launches can be extremely boring too.
I mean, cars these days all mostly drive well and don't actually want to kill you. Even crappy small cars drive well and a filled with safety features whether you want them or not. Ten years ago you could buy a crappy looking car with tiny tyres and it would handle terribly (I'm lookin' at you, previous gen Nissan Almera - the current one is a good looking B segment car and drives well too), but these days, even the ugliest looking B segment Hatchback on sale today - I'm lookin' at you Honda City Hatchback drives decently well, is extremely well equipped does not have any handling issues to complain or bitch about. Except that it's ugly. Or uglier in real life. Photos actually do it justice. MAYBE its the choen camera angles.
Why oh why, aside from ensuring that maximum profitability to the company will you stop selling the outgoing, nicer looking, as practical, as fast, as well equipped good looking Honda Jazz/Fit for the City Hatchback? Look at the current Japan market Honda City and compare to what we Malaysians are getting. The City Hatchback looks so conservatively bland or like some budget family car from te 1950s rather than something modern and truly savvy from its external styling. In terms of equipment, of course we still get the usual stuff, but looks and style wise.....nope. Look at the Jazz/Fit below...modern chic.
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UMW Toyota Motor recently launched their Ramadan/Raya campaign this year with the theme ‘Bersama Lebih Bermakna’. Continuing the celebration nationwide, Toyota will be releasing their Hari Raya film entitled ‘Kota Raya’. The story highlights the struggles of millennials in the city and inspired by the importance of family and quality time spent with them, especially with the travel restrictions Malaysians had to endure these past two years,
An all-new Lexus NX F-SPORT SUV will debut in Malaysia soon, With over 95 percent of its components completely refreshed, the all-new Lexus NX F-SPORT is basically an all new car. 95% is usually more than most new model changes as some manufacturers actually keep a lot of older stamped parts if you think about it. Anyway, NEW LEXUS NX F-SPORT folks. that's all you need to know.
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Volvo Trucks Malaysia launched Volvo Connect, a new customer portal that offers a single interface for digital services and functions with a single point of access. This integrates and consolidates connectivity of all truck operations on a single system. The official launch of Volvo Connect was at the Malaysia Commercial Vehicle Expo (MVCE) 2022 (ongoing till tomorrow, 12th March) and was graced and launched by YB Dato Henry Sum Agong, Deputy Minister of Transport during his visit to the Volvo Trucks booth at the exhibition.
On the 10th of March 2022, Scania unveiled sustainable partnerships with operators of the first New Truck Generation (NTG) equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) which have been one of the first Euro V trucks sold in Malaysia together with other sustainable transport solutions. This happened at the (currently) ongoing Malaysia Commercial Vehicle Expo (MCVE) 2022 at MINES, in Sri Kembangan. Scania also showcased more sustainable partners who are joining the journey to achieve Scania’s Science-Based Target of being a sustainable transport provider. The list goes on with B100 FAME-prepared buses/coaches; and the test & drive competition called ‘A Good Driver’ MCVE Edition that is open to the public. MCVE’s Guest-of-honour Yang Berhormat Dato’ Henry Sum Agong, Deputy Minister of Transport witnessed these proceedings.
MAN Truck & Bus (M) Sdn Bhd (MAN Malaysia) had launched the flagship MAN TGX heavy duty prime mover at the Malaysia Commercial Vehicle Expo (MCVE) 2022. The truck, at the moment brought into the country in fully imported form will eventually be locally assembled, comes in the Euro V (5) emissions standards. It will offer those operators and customers that want a high performance MAN truck with the option of saving the whales at the same time.
The Malaysia Commercial Vehicle Expo (MCVE) kicked off today at the Malaysia International Exhibition and Convention Centre (MIECC). This was the fifth time that MCVE was held, albeit a year or so late due to the lockdowns Malaysia placed to combat the recent pandemic. MCVE is the first and biggest commercial vehicle expo series ever held in Malaysia that focuses on future transport solutions in the commercial vehicle industry. The three-day expo was launched by YB Dato’ Henry Sum Agong, Deputy Minister of Transport Malaysia. And what could be one of the largest automotive shows to be held right before Malaysia opens up to the world again on the 1st of April this year.
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.
A bit of bad news to those looking to purchase a Mercedes-Benz A-Class or a GLA. There is a slight price increase in the A-Class (A200 especially(), GLA and GLB-Class cars sold in Malaysia. These price increases coincide with slightly upgraded specification in the cars like the added ambient lighting option now fitted to the A200 and the improved active safety features in the GLA 200 and GLB 200.
This news is a little late due to the fact that I actually had some things to do and that my kid is finally sitting for her SPM papers. Being a somewhat dedicated father, as well as other commitments, this has taken priority. And the fact that I am essentially semi-retired these days.... Anyway, yes, Mercedes-Benz has launched the all new W206 generation of C-Class sedans in fully imported form for the moment with the locally assembled variants coming in later. We now get the C200 AV or Avantgarde and the C300 AMG-Line for now at around RM288K and RM330K respectively. Still quite decent prices for what is offered, although the C200 is now back to a 1.5liter turbocharged engine (with some electric motor boost) and the C300 comes with the 2.0liter turbocharged engine.
After launching the Mk8 Volkswagen Golf last week, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) is having the Volkswagen Tour 2022 with its first roadshow at 1Utama Shopping Centre from 23 rd to 27 th February. The event will run from 10am till 10pm daily at Centre Court, Ground Floor (Old wing). A highlight at the Tour will be the all-new Golf R-Line and GTI,
Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has announced that they are now accepting pre-bookings for the all-new Golf R-Line, with the estimated price range between RM155,000 to RM165,000. The C segment hatchback was unveiled at the Sepang International Circuit as part of the official launch of the eighth generation of the Golf in Malaysia. The car was unveiled together with the iconic hot hatch GTI variant as well as a short preview of the upcoming top of the range, high performance Golf R.
Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) launched the all-new Golf GTI at the Sepang International Circuit yesterday, the 16th of February 2022. The all-new 8th generation GTI is the latest in what can be said as ultimate everyday performance car. Powered by a 2.0TSI turbocharged engine coupled with 7-speed wet clutch DSG making 245PS and 370Nm of torque, and then plonked into a practical hatchback body, the Golf GTI is practical yet promising a thrilling and memorable ride for the ones behind the wheel. The best thing is that it is locally assembled, therefore a much better proposition at RM211,689.54 onwards. A nice price drop from the previous MK7.5 version which was priced at around RM250,000.00.
