The Lotus Emeya is the fastest electric vehicle (EV) to lap the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) with a time of 2:20.317 minutes. This record was set by Daniel Lu, a Chinese national that currently races for Absolute Racing in the GT World Challenge Asia championship, during a recent time attack event organised by Lotus with support from local distributor Karrus Automotive Group.

Lu’s time is 7.473 seconds quicker than the previous publicly reported record set earlier in 2026, which was set in a modified Tesla Model 3 Performance that managed 2:27.790 minutes. Unlike that car, Lu drove a standard production-specification Emeya R.

This particular Emeya R is a left-hand drive unit from China, as the ‘Lotus Nyo’ badging indicates. For a bit of history, Lotus has been sold as Lotus Nyo since Geely acquired a controlling stake in 2017 due to a trademark dispute. However, this was resolved in January last year when Lotus regained the right to use its own name.

With 905 PS and 985 Nm of torque from its dual-motor powertrain, the Emeya R is vastly more powerful than the Tesla and is capable of accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 2.8 seconds on to a top speed of 256 km/h, which is handy when chasing time on the 5.543-km circuit.

It’s worth noting that the Emeya R is from a time before Lotus updated its line-up to no longer use alphabet-based variant grading. From the 2026 model year, Emeya (and Eletre) variants are either ‘600’ or ‘900’, with a trim level attached as the suffix to make the range easier to browse through.

The time attack programme was led by Chong Yok Meng, senior director of chassis and vehicle dynamics at Lotus. In addition to Lu, local racing driver and ‘Prince of Drift’ Tengku Djan Ley was also present to take on SIC’s high-speed straights and technical mix of fast and slow corners in the Emeya R.

If you refer to our coverage of Lotus Car Malaysia’s 30th anniversary, Djan has long been associated with the Lotus brand and was responsible for setting a time of 2:27.932 minutes at SIC in an Emira Turbo last year.

The day started off well with a time of 2:22.770 minutes, which was already good enough for a new record. Believing there is an even quicker time to achieve, the technical team worked to optimise the car further before getting it back on track. Fresh tyres and refreshed brakes were just what were needed for the car arriving from China to achieve the headline record time.

“At Lotus, the track has always been the ultimate proving ground. Every Lotus is engineered around one purpose – ‘For The Drivers’. Every engineering decision we make, from chassis tuning and steering feel to aerodynamics and power delivery, is focused on delivering confidence, precision and an engaging driving experience,” said Chong.

“The Emeya carries that same philosophy into the electric era. It has been developed with the same DNA that has defined Lotus for more than 75 years. This record is more than a lap time — it validates our engineering philosophy and proves that electrification enhances, rather than compromises, the Lotus driving experience,” he added.

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This is the iCaur V25 (branded iCar in China), a new rugged-looking SUV that is positioned between the existing V23 and V27. While it looks like a V23 at first glance, the V25 features a larger body and is a range-extended electric vehicle (REEV) with an internal combustion engine.

Addressing the first point, the V25 measures 4,636 mm long, 1,920 mm wide, 1,855 mm tall and its wheelbase spans 2,820 mm. By comparison, the V23 is 4,220 mm long, 1,915 mm wide, 1,845 mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,735 mm. As for the V27, it is 5,055 mm long, 1,976 mm wide, 1,894 mm tall and comes with a wheelbase of 2,910 mm to become the brand’s largest model to-date.

iCaur V23 vs V25 vs V27 - dimensions

Specification	iCaur V23	iCaur V25	iCaur V27
Length	4,220 mm	4,636 mm	5,055 mm
Width	1,915 mm	1,920 mm	1,976 mm
Height	1,845 mm	1,855 mm	1,894 mm
Wheelbase	2,735 mm	2,820 mm	2,910 mm

Despite the general design being similar to the V23, the V25 does differentiate itself in certain areas. For starters, the integrated daytime running lights in the headlamps are half circles instead of two horizontal lines like they are on the V23.

Additionally, the grille is more open with a rectangular mesh pattern, while the front bumper has chunkier mouldings. Unlike the V23, the V25’s number plate at the rear is not mounted on the side-hinged tailgate but is instead in a carved-out section of the bumper. The trim just ahead of the D-pillars also get an insert and a small indent not seen on the V23.

In terms of specifications, a filing with China’s ministry of industry and information technology (MIIT) reveals the V25 to sport a 1.5 litre turbocharged engine producing 156 PS (154 hp or 115 kW) to charge a 33.68-kWh battery pack. Depending on the variant, the electric-only range is either 145 or 150 km following the WLTC standard. Details on the electric motor(s) are not available for now, but the setup is said to enable a top speed of 180 km/h.

CarNewsChina reports the V25 can be optioned with a towing package for a towing capacity of 1,800 kg, but this comes at the expense of departure angle that drops from 24 to 15 degrees – approach angle stays at 28 degrees. Wheels come in 19- or 21-inch sizes. For driving assistance systems, the V25 gets an optional roof-mounted LiDAR and is expected to use Horizon Journey 6 chips for up to 560 TOPS.

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Dedicated rules are needed for motorcycle convoys in Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) road safety research centre head associate professor Law Teik Hua has said, reported New Straits Times.

Existing laws under the Road Transport Act did not contain specific provisions governing the size, formation or activities of motorcycle convoys on public roads and highways, Law said, commenting on an accident that involved a motorcycle convoy on the East Coast Expressway 1 near the Jabor toll plaza.

“It may be reasonable to develop rules concerning the maximum size of a convoy, minimum spacing, presence of convoy marshals and safety briefings prior to large-scale rides,” Law said, calling for a multi-pronged approach that combines regulations, enforcement and education.

“Regulators could develop official safety guidelines for large-scale motorcycle convoys recommending the maximum size of the convoy, breaking it into smaller sub-convoys, minimum distances between riders and the use of convoy marshals,” he said.

Other contributing factors were excessive speed, insufficient distance between riders, poor lane discipline, differences in riding abilities among participants, inadequate route planning and rider fatigue, according to the associate professor.

Law warned that a single crash involving one motorcyclist could trigger a chain reaction, and he said that riders in large convoys often maintained shorter distances than recommended to preserve group formation, which could give the motorcyclists more difficulty to react when faced with sudden braking, or a fallen rider.

“Even at speeds ranging from 90 km/h to 110 km/h, a one-second reaction time means a rider would have travelled between 25 metres and 30 metres,” Law said.

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Despite not receiving any meaningful updates since 2022, the 2026 Suzuki GSX-R1000 soldiers on, now into its 40th anniversary. For the US market, Suzuki has released the GSX-R1000RS, GSX-R1000R and GSX-R1000, all with a four-cylinder mill but with differing specifications.

New for 2027 is a Euro 5+ compliant engine with centrifugal variable valve timing, along with revised Showa Balance-Free Front (BFF) upside forks – for the GSX-R1000RS and GSX-R1000 – and chassis tuning with adjustable swingarm pivots. Stainless steel braided brake lines are standard equipment while optional carbon-fibre winglets taken from the Suzuki CN Challenge race bike generate downforce to increase stability at speed and applied to the GSX-R1000RS.

Compression ration in the engine is increased from 13.2:1 to 13.8:1, while valve diameters are now larger, with 10-hole instead of eight fuel injectors spraying fuel directly into the throttle bodies. A new, wider cam chain reduces friction loss, as does a DLC coated piston pin while the new crankshaft design features wider journals to cope with increased engine load.

Braking uses radial-mount, for-piston Brembo callipers with Brembo T-Drive discs on the front wheel. The GSXR-R comes with three ride modes, along with traction control. A quick shifter is standard equipment on the six-speed gearbox.

Other riding aids include two-channel cornering ABS, and slope dependent control that monitors the GSX-R1000’s position when going downhill and modulating brake pressure to prevent rear wheel lift when travelling downhill. Low RPM Assist helps ensure smoother starts and prevents stalls when pulling away from a standing start or riding at low speeds.

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The fifth-generation Mitsubishi Pajero isn’t due for a full reveal until this autumn (generally between September and November in Japan), but a few participants at the brand’s Star Camp event managed to be among the lucky few to lay their eyes on the upcoming off-road SUV before its debut.

Their reactions are the highlight of a new promotional video teasing the all-new Pajero, which looks to offer a more upmarket interior than its predecessors. While we mainly see excited faces in the video, there are bits of the SUV on show, including a black and beige colour scheme as well as stitched trim on the doors.

Based on YouTube’s (limited) translation of what was said, guests described the Pajero as a stylish vehicle that is muscular yet classy in appearance. They also welcomed the roomy cabin and cushy seats, with grab handles also present as a nod to the nameplate’s ruggedness.

The video ends with a frontal shot of the Pajero’s lighting signature shining through a cover, with certain creases somewhat visible. We already know the SUV will be based on the latest Triton pick-up truck and use a pure ladder-frame construction. Mitsubishi has also said Pajero will receive model-specific touches to ensure the SUV delivers a level of comfort to go along with its off-road capability.

The Star Camp promotional video is the latest in a series of teasers by Mitsubishi for the Pajero, with the first being a shadowy look at the model’s front lighting. This was followed by the Multi Meter, a digital take on the iconic triple gauge pod found in older Pajeros.

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The government has approved over 5,000 applications to transfer Budi Diesel eligibility to immediate family members, allowing them to buy diesel at RM2.10 a litre, Bernama reports.

“One of the complaints we received was that Budi Diesel is only available to the registered owner of a diesel vehicle. In some families, a pick-up truck is registered under the father’s name, but it is actually used by the son. We have therefore introduced a facility on the same website that allows eligible applicants to transfer their quota, for example, from a father to a son or other immediate family member,” said treasury sec-gen Tan Sri Johan Mahmood Merican.

He also revealed that the finance ministry has approved over 200,000 applications (over 174,000 in Peninsular Malaysia and over 22,000 in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan, as of July 4) from diesel pick-up truck and SUV owners to up their monthly Budi Diesel quota from 200 to 300 litres.

“The additional allocation is intended to meet the higher diesel consumption of these vehicles, particularly among traders and those living in rural and remote areas. So, owners of pick-up trucks and SUVs, especially traders and those travelling regularly from remote areas, are reminded to apply for the additional subsidy if they are eligible,” Johan said.

If you qualify for Budi Diesel, you can apply to transfer your quota only once to only one close family member. If approved, your spouse, parent, child or sibling will get whatever quota you qualify for (be it 200 or 300 litres) and you will have nothing.

This cannot be reversed, but you’ll still be able to buy up to 200 litres of Budi95 petrol a month at RM1.99 a litre. Absolutely sure you want to do it? Here’s how to apply for the family member transfer.

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According to data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), 1.037 million vehicles were exported from China in June 2026. This marks the first time that the country’s vehicle exports exceeded one million units for a single month.

The June 2026 figure represents an 11.6% increase from May 2026 while also being 75.1% up compared to June 2025. For the first half of 2026, China exported a total of 5.096 million vehicles, a year-over-year (YoY) increase of 65.3%.

The encouraging results are unexpected by the CAAM, as the association projected total exports for 2026 to increase by a modest 4.3% to 7.4 million units. As it stands, China is close to 69% of the way to achieving that target number.

While exports are on the up and anchoring China’s automotive industry, the association highlighted that the domestic market is taking a beating with sales declining by double-digit percentages. Over the years, vehicle exports from China have steadily increased, with The Economic Observer highlighting 2021 as a breakout year.

Prior to that year, China’s vehicle exports averaged around one million units yearly between 2018 and 2020. Starting 2021, the figure exceeded two million units for the first time, while 2022 and 2023 saw 3.11 million and 4.91 million units respectively. From 2024 to 2025, exports climbed from 5.86 million to 7.1 million units.

Unsurprisingly, new energy vehicles (NEVs) have steadily accounted for the bulk of exports. In June 2026, exports of NEVs reached 523,000 units, representing a month-over-month (MoM) increase of 17.2% and YoY increase of 160%. Meanwhile, vehicles with traditional internal combustion engines saw 514,000 units exports for a MoM increase of 6.4% and YoY increase of 32.7%. As the numbers indicate, for every two cars China exports, one is a NEV.

The year-to-date (YTD) tally for NEVs is currently 2.355 million units, which is up 120% YoY, while “traditional fuel” vehicles are up by 35.5% YoY at 2.741 million units – NEVs accounted for 46.2% of total vehicle exports between January and June this year.

Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) said the encouraging export results is attributed to a robust supply chain for NEVs as well as feature-rich products. Strong demand from key regions like ASEAN, the Middle East and Russia have also fuelled the growth in exports.

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A record-extending 22nd Manufacturers’ title in the FIM Superbike World Championship (WSBK) for Italian motorcycle maker Ducati. This marks the Italian manufacturer’s fifth consecutive WSBK crown with the Panigale V4 R racing superbike. The title, sealed at Donington Park, comes during Ducati’s centenary year and strengthens the Borgo Panigale firm’s status as the most successful manufacturer in WorldSBK history.

The Panigale V4 R has now delivered manufacturers’ championships in every season since 2022, underlining its dominance in the production-based racing series. Ducati’s 2026 campaign was spearheaded by Aruba.it Racing-Ducati riders Nicolò Bulega and Iker Lecuona, who together garnered 24 race wins and 44 podium finishes during the season.

The celebrations continued after the SuperPole Race, where the team also mathematically secured the Teams’ Championship, giving the squad its fifth team title and a fifth consecutive crown. Ducati’s WSBK palmares now stand at 22 manufacturers’ titles, 16 riders’ championships, 473 race victories and 1,258 podium finishes.

Ducati’s success spans multiple generations of superbikes, beginning with the Ducati 888, which claimed three consecutive titles from 1991 to 1993. The iconic 916/996/998 family designed by Massimo Tamburini added eight more championships between 1994 and 2002, followed by the Ducati 999 with three titles and the 1098/1198 series with another three before the Panigale V4 R continued the winning tradition with five straight crowns from 2022.

Ducati Corse general manager Luigi Dall’Igna described the latest title as the result of the combined efforts of Ducati’s engineers, teams and riders. “We are truly proud to have once again conquered the Manufacturers’ title in the WorldSBK Championship. This result is concrete proof of the excellent work carried out by Ducati Corse together with all our teams and riders,” he said.

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Prasarana Malaysia (Prasarana) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China’s Chongqing Rail Transit (CRT) to strengthen strategic cooperation in enhancing monorail operational capabilities, system reliability, technical expertise and talent development.

In an official release, Prasarana said the collaboration will focus on sharing best practices in system reliability and asset management, operational digitalisation, data analytics, predictive maintenance as well as operational and safety standards. Additionally, workforce competency development through joint training programmes, technical visits and the exchange of expertise are also points of focus.

“The partnership with Chongqing Rail Transit provides opens up the opportunity for Prasarana to expand its access to global best practices in rail system reliability, maintenance strategies and operational efficiency. This knowledge-sharing partnership is crucial to ensuring commuters continue to enjoy safer, smoother and more reliable services,” said Prasarana president and group CEO Amir Hamdan.

He added that as one of the world’s leading monorail operators, CRT would help strengthen the operational ecosystem of the KL Monorail, which has served commuters for more than two decades, by incorporating technological advancements and international best practices.

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The Volkswagen Tayron has arrived in Malaysia, and the seven-seater SUV comes to the Malaysian market in two variants; the Tayron Elegance, and the Tayron R-Line. Both variants of the Tayron for Malaysia are locally assembled (CKD) in Pekan, Pahang.

The Elegance is launched in Malaysia, priced from RM190,660 on-the-road without insurance with the standard two-year warranty, or RM200,760 with the Volkswagen Assurance Package that brings a five-year manufacturer’s warranty, five-year roadside assistance and a five-year maintenance package. Meanwhile, the Tayron R-Line is previewed, at an estimated price range of RM259,000 to RM269,000.

Succeeding the Tiguan Allspace as the brand’s three-row SUV offering in Malaysia, the Tayron measures 4,792 mm long, 1,852 mm wide and 1,660 mm tall with a 2,788 mm wheelbase, or 253 mm longer, 10 mm wider and 21 mm taller than the third-generation Tiguan it is based upon. Compared to the previous Tiguan Allspace, the Tayron is 66 mm longer, 13 mm wide and two mm longer in its wheelbase.

The Tayron Elegance in Malaysia is powered by the manufacturer’s 1.5 litre eTSI turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance, producing 150 PS and 250 Nm from 1,500 rpm to 3,500 rpm. Transmission is a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and this engine gets Active Cylinder Management cylinder deactivation at low to medium loads.

Meanwhile, the Tayron R-Line gets a larger-displacement engine and higher outputs, with a 2.0 litre TSI turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 265 PS and 400 Nm, paired with the 4Motion all-wheel-drive setup, and like the Elegance, the R-Line also gets the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Claimed 0-100 km/h time for the Tayron Elegance is 9.6 seconds, while the R-Line does the run in 6.1 seconds.

Suspension for the Tayron is comprised of MacPherson struts in front and a four-link configuration at the rear; both Elegance and R-Line variants get the Dynamic Chassis Control Pro (DCC Pro); rolling stock is a set of 18-inch “Napoli” alloy wheels shod in 235/55R18 tyres for the Elegance, while the R-Line gets larger, 20-inch “York” alloy wheels in 255/40R20 tyres.

Inside, the three-row Tayron seats seven, with luggage capacities of 345 litres with all three rows of seats upright, 850 litres with the third row folded, and 1,905 litres with the second and third rows of seats folded down. the third row folds in a 50:50 split, while the sliding second row gets a 40:20:40 split. Access to the luggage compartment is via a hands-free operated, powered tailgate.

Displays are comprised of a 12.9-inch Discover central infotainment touchscreen and a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro driver’s instrument display in the Elegance; the R-Line steps up to a 15-inch Discover Pro Max touchscreen, and additionally gets a head-up display.

For audio, the Elegance gets an eight-speaker system, while the R-Line gets an 11-speaker Harman Kardon setup outputting 700 watts, including a subwoofer and a 16-channel digital amplifier. Both the Tayron Elegance and R-Line variants get the MIB4 software and wireless App Connect support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as the IDA voice assistant.

For device charging, both the Tayron Elegance and the Tayron R-Line can charge two mobile devices wirelessly at up to 15 W, in addition to two USB-C ports for the front occupants and two USB-C ports from the rear centre console, the latter at up to 45 W.

The Tayron Elegance gets “Varenna” leather upholstery, and the front seats are equipped with 12-way power adjustment and memory, heating and ventilation, a massage function, as well as pneumatic lumbar support. The multifunction steering wheel gets heating as well. Door trim features leatherette inserts, a ceramic-coloured headliner, and ornamental wood trim on the dashboard.

The Tayron R-Line is distinguished by its black headliner, dashboard trim with aluminium inserts, R-Line aluminium front scuff plates, and brushed stainless steel pedals for the driver.

Driving assistance systems in the Tayron for Malaysia include adaptive cruise control, travel assist, front assist with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring, advanced driver attention and drowsiness monitor, side assist with rear traffic alert and exit warning, lane assist, emergency assist, and park assist plus with park distance control. For passive safety equipment, the Tayron gets nine airbags.

For exterior colours, the Volkswagen Tayron in Malaysia gets five colours for both Elegance and R-Line variants. These are Oryx White Pearl, Grenadilla Black Metallic, Dolphin Grey Metallic, Nightshade Blue Metallic and Oyster Silver Metallic.

The Volkswagen Tayron Elegance is sold in Malaysia from RM190,660 on-the-road without insurance with the standard two-year warranty, or RM200,760 with the Volkswagen Assurance Package that brings a five-year manufacturer’s warranty, five-year roadside assistance and a five-year maintenance package. Meanwhile, the Volkswagen Tayron R-Line is estimated to be priced from RM259,000 to RM269,000.

2026 Volkswagen Tayron Elegance

2026 Volkswagen Tayron R-Line

2026 Volkswagen Tayron Elegance brochure

2026 Volkswagen Tayron R-Line brochure

2026 Volkswagen Tayron Elegance for Malaysia, official images

2026 Volkswagen Tayron R-Line for Malaysia, official images

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Zeekr Malaysia has signed on three new authorised dealer partners as it continues to expand its network in the country.

The three include Wheelcorp Premium and Quantum Motors, both of which will have Zeekr outlets in Peninsular Malaysia, including within the Klang Valley and Seremban. Meanwhile, Ghee Hua Co. will sell Zeekr vehicles in Kuching, Sarawak, bringing the brand to East Malaysia.

The new authorised dealers will operate dedicated sales outlets, with selected locations also offering aftersales support through integrated 3S (sales, service and spare parts) centres.

According to Zeekr Malaysia, the expanded network brings Zeekr’s retail presence to a total of 11 units, with plans to further expand to 18 outlets nationwide by the end of 2026.

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According to a report by Nikkei Asia, Malaysia will start small-scale production of a homegrown graphene-enhanced lithium-ion battery for use in electric vehicles (EVs) this month.

Developed at a cost of around RM20 million, the battery will be produced at Gigafactory Malaysia, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NanoMalaysia. Incorporated in 2011, NanoMalaysia is a company limited by guarantee under the ministry of science, technology and innovation (MOSTI).

“We are on the verge of operationalising Malaysia’s first local battery technology production factory,” said Rezal Khairi Ahmad, CEO of NanoMalaysia. He described the project as “likely the first of its kind in ASEAN. No other countries in the region are producing homegrown battery tech.”

Rezal also explained that the battery uses a nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) chemistry – not lithium iron phosphate (LFP) – but incorporates graphene instead of graphite to increase energy storage capacity by up to three times. In most commercial lithium-ion batteries today, graphite is widely used for the negative electrode.

The graphene-enhanced battery is projected to have a driving range of up to 640 km per charge (no mention of battery capacity of vehicle type), Rezal said, adding that it also supports fast charging. It is said to be most suitable for EVs with energy densities above 200 Wh/kg. NanoMalaysia has received orders from one local organisation for a 25-kWh battery, with other deals being “refined and finalised.”

Following the start of small-scale production sometime this month, NanoMalaysia is aiming to progress to megawatt-hour (MWh) capacity output as early as September 2026. No pricing was provided but it is said local production will help lower the total cost of an EV since there’s no additional costs arising for import tax, logistics and storage.

Production of the battery will take place at a factory spanning 15,000 square feet in Suria Industrial Park in Sepang. At full scale, the factory will be able to produce around one MWh of battery capacity annually, equivalent to 92,000 battery cells.

NanoMalaysia will also be looking to establish a strategic partnership with Indonesia for the supply of nickel for its battery factory, with potential export markets for the produced batteries being Indonesia, South Korea, India and Pakistan. Recycling end-of-life batteries is also in the works under to ensure raw material security.

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North South Highway users, take note. PLUS has announced that there will be a closure of the E2’s northbound Sungai Perak R&R tomorrow afternoon (July 14), from 2.30 pm to 5pm.

The reason is quite unique. The highway operator will be working with the Sungai Siput department of wildlife and national parks (Perhilitan) to tackle the wild monkey problem at the location. The beruks are getting out of hand and that’s why Operasi Menangani Gangguan Monyet Liar has to be done.

PLUS says that the closure is to ensure the safety of motorists and staff, and the smoothness of operations. Note that the closure includes the petrol station, so if Sg Perak is your fuel stop, plan accordingly.

Meanwhile, the toilets next to the PLUS Jasin toll plaza will be temporarily closed in stages from today till August 31 for upgrading works. Portable toilets will be provided.

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We are halfway through 2026, and it is a good moment to take stock of the Malaysian new vehicle market. According to road transport department (JPJ) data, a total of 409,310 vehicles were registered in the first six months of the year, up 3.1% from 396,829 in the same period of 2025. That makes this the second-best first half on record, just 1,514 units shy of the all-time high of 410,824 set in the first half of 2024, and it comes despite a year that began with the expiry of EV import duty exemptions and no shortage of predictions that the market would cool.

The route to that total was anything but smooth. The monthly numbers see-sawed all half: January was up 26.1% year-on-year at 67,989 units, boosted by registrations spilling over from December’s EV rush and a clear run before the festive season, then February fell 15.8% as Chinese New Year landed mid-month in 2026 and took a bite out of selling days. March was down 12.1% against a strong month last year, April rebounded 19.4% to 77,819 units, the biggest month of the half, May dipped 11.2%, and June closed with a 23.9% jump to 72,943 units. The swings say more about calendar timing than demand: net it all out and the market finished ahead.

Some context on where this half sits. After the pandemic collapse to 185,044 units in the first half of 2020, the market put together four straight years of first-half growth to 2024’s record, eased slightly in 2025, and has now very nearly clawed all of it back. History also says the second half is the stronger one, with year-end promotions and the December registration push: the second half of 2025 delivered 473,498 units against 396,829 in the first. If the second half of 2026 merely repeats last year’s, the full year would land at around 882,800 units, comfortably beating 2025’s record 870,327. It is worth noting that the MAA’s official forecast for 2026 is a TIV of 790,000, which implies a decline; on registration numbers at least, the market is so far tracking well above that trajectory.

Now to the sub-plots, and the biggest one is happening at the top. The two national brands took a combined 62.6% of the market in the first half, up from 59.5% a year ago, but they got there from opposite directions. Perodua remains the colossus with 158,295 units and a 38.7% share, yet that is down 4.7% on the same period last year. Proton, meanwhile, grew 40.5% to 98,010 units, its e.MAS electric range, the S70 and a resurgent Saga doing the heavy lifting. On this pace, Proton is heading for roughly 200,000 units this year, and the gap between the national brands is the narrowest it has been in a long time.

The model-level version of that story is the title race. The Perodua Bezza leads at half-time with 47,463 units, up 2.8%, but the Proton Saga has closed to 44,234 units, up a huge 42.8%. A year ago the gap between these two at the halfway mark was 15,190 units; today it is 3,229, and the monthly crown has already changed hands twice this year, the Saga taking May before the Bezza snatched it back in June. This is the closest the national number-one race has been in years.

The rest of Perodua’s line-up explains its softer half. The Axia is down 9.2%, the Myvi down 14.7% and the Alza down 9.7%, declines that are partly self-inflicted, as the new Traz (10,753 units in its first half-year) pulls buyers from within the family. Proton’s line-up, by contrast, is up almost across the board: the X50 gained 32.3%, the S70 38.4%, and the e.MAS 5 added 10,665 units that simply did not exist a year ago.

The established Japanese brands had a rougher time of it. Toyota is down 11.8% at 50,591 units, even after posting its best months of the year in May and June. Honda fell 22.3% to 27,549 units, and while June’s surge in City deliveries lifted it to its best month of the year, it has a lot of ground to make up. Nissan is down 32.3%, Isuzu down 22.6%. The exception is Mazda, up a remarkable 45.5% to 6,003 units and into the top 10, one of the strongest performances of any established brand.

The Chinese contingent, which took 9.1% of the half against 6.6% a year ago, is no longer moving in one direction either. Omoda | Jaecoo, last year’s breakout star, is down 14.8%, and BYD grew just 5.1%. The momentum has passed to the second wave: Jetour exploded from 399 units to 5,048, a twelve-fold increase that carries it into the overall top 10, while Great Wall Motor gained 42.4%, Zeekr nearly quadrupled to 2,086, and iCaur added 2,573 units from nothing. The China story is now as much about Chinese brands taking share from each other as from everyone else.

The premium end tells its own story: Mercedes-Benz is down 15.0%, BMW down 18.6% and Tesla down 18.1%, the latter despite its June quarter-end delivery push. Among the volume premium players, only Lexus grew, up 10.7%.

Under the skin, the half’s quietest big story is what powers these vehicles. Petrol registrations actually fell 2.3% even as the market grew, slipping to an 82.0% share, and diesel continued its post-subsidy slide, down 18.4%, with pick-up truck registrations down 20.2% alongside it. All of that growth, and then some, came from electrified vehicles: hybrids jumped 70.4% to 24,147 units and EVs 85.1% to 31,738. Between them, 55,885 electrified vehicles made up 13.7% of everything registered in the first half, roughly one in seven, up from about one in thirteen a year ago.

What to watch in the second half? Whether Proton can keep closing on Perodua, and whether the Saga can do what no Proton has done in years and take the annual crown. Whether the EV market can keep growing against a second half of 2025 that built towards a December incentive-deadline rush of 8,123 units. And whether the market can string together the roughly 461,000 second-half registrations it needs for a third consecutive record year. On the evidence of the first six months, none of those can be ruled out. As always, you can explore the full picture, by brand, model, body type and fuel, on our car sales data tool.

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Prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has said that reducing fuel prices involved substantial expenditure and it is not as easy as people think, reports NST. Speaking at the recent Sentuhan Sahabat Madani Bukit Batu programme, Anwar, who is also finance minister, added that the government needed to ensure country’s finances remained stable while also implementing various measures to help ease the people’s burden.

“Take fuel prices, for example. Do you think it’s easy (to reduce them)? Yes, we have lowered them but if we want to reduce them further, it gives us a headache. We have to spend a lot of money. Where are we going to find the funds? But if we don’t lower prices, the people suffer and businesses struggle. That’s why we reduced the price of RON 95. Our fuel price is among the lowest in the world,” said Anwar.

“Then there are those who say this PMX has lowered the price of RON95 but not diesel. They are still unhappy. So, we have to find a way and discuss it. Diesel prices are high and we want to lower them too, but it is not easy. Sometimes supply is not yet sufficient,” he added.

Anwar also pointed out that making hasty decisions without proper planning when it comes to reducing fuel prices could harm the country. He added that diesel at RM2.10 per litre under the current Budi Madani Diesel (Budi Diesel) scheme is among the lowest in the world and urged the people to remain patient, as the government was working to improve its policies to better address the rising cost of living.

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From June 2025 to April 2026, the BMW X3 20 was the only fourth-gen (G45) X3 on sale in Malaysia. Not any more. This now lords over it – the RM358,800 (or RM386,700 with BSRI) BMW X3 30 xDrive M Sport. What do you get for RM33k more than the X3 20?

Well, firstly, 68 PS more, 90 Nm more, 2.2 seconds faster to 100 km/h and 25 km/h more at the top end. The B48 2.0 litre turbo engine now makes 258 PS and 400 Nm of torque, granting you a 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time and a 240 km/h top speed.

Those 20-inch M light alloys (with staggered 255/45 front and 285/40 rear tyres) are an inch bigger than the X3 20’s, and those M Sport brakes with dark blue metallic callipers, adaptive LED headlamps and the panoramic glass roof cannot be found on the X3 20.

Other goodies this guy gets that the cheaper X3 doesn’t are Magnolia printed fine wood trim from the BMW Individual catalogue (the X3 20 has M fine-brushed aluminium trim instead), front seat ventilation, driver’s seat lumbar, 15 Harman Kardon speakers (only six on the X3 20) and Active Park Distance Control with pedestrian detection when reversing.

Here ends the differences. You still get 48-volt mild-hybrid tech, the eight-speed ZF auto, passive suspension, all-wheel drive, the M Sport styling package, satin aluminium trim and an Iconic Glow grille.

The interior still features Veganza black perforated and quilted synthetic leather, an M leather steering wheel, black headlining, sports seats, three-zone air-con, ambient lighting, an interior camera, a 12.3-inch instrument panel, a 14.9-inch touch-screen, a head-up display and Connected Package Professional.

Besides the aforementioned addition of Active Park Distance Control with pedestrian detection when reversing, the ADAS suite’s the same – AEB, ACC with stop and go, various lane functions, rear cross traffic alert and braking, and Parking Assistant Plus (comprising a 360 camera, remote 3D view, drive recorder, auto-parking and reversing assistant).

Even the colours are the same – Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Dune Grey and, as you see here, Tanzanite Blue. What do you think? Would you have the 20 or the 30?

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The first-half numbers for 2026 are in, and Malaysia’s EV market has shrugged off its biggest test yet. A total of 31,738 fully electric vehicles were registered between January and June 2026, according to road transport department (JPJ) data, up 85.1% from the 17,143 units in the same period last year. That growth has come despite the import duty exemption for CBU electric vehicles expiring on December 31, 2025, which many expected would knock the wind out of the market.

Month by month, 2026 has beaten 2025 every single time. January’s 6,239 units were up 269% year-on-year, although that figure was flattered by the year-end rush, as buyers and distributors scrambled to beat the incentive deadline and registrations spilled over from a record December 2025 (8,123 units). February was the low point of the half at 3,635 units as the post-deadline hangover set in, yet even that was 68% ahead of the same month last year. The narrowest gap came in May, up 21.3%, before June closed the half with 6,215 units, up 89.9% and the strongest month since January.

The bigger picture is that EVs are now a meaningful slice of the overall market. Battery-electric vehicles accounted for 7.8% of all registrations in the first half of 2026, up from 4.3% a year earlier. Put another way, roughly one in every 13 new vehicles registered in Malaysia this year has been fully electric, against about one in 23 last year.

Where has the growth come from? Overwhelmingly, Proton. The national brand registered 13,530 EVs in the first half, up 238% from 4,003 a year ago, when the e.MAS 7 was its only electric model and the e.MAS 5 had yet to go on sale. Proton alone added around 9,500 units year-on-year, which is roughly two-thirds of the market’s entire increase. The newcomers helped too: iCaur (2,573 units) and TQ Wuling (461) did not exist here a year ago, Zeekr nearly quadrupled to 2,086, Leapmotor went from 87 units to 956, and MG tripled to 839.

BYD, last year’s EV champion, grew 5% to 5,675 units and has surrendered the lead to Proton by a wide margin. Tesla is down 18% year-on-year at 1,962 units despite its June quarter-end surge, and BMW, once the biggest of the legacy EV players, fell 58% to 376 units.

The second half will be a tougher comparison. With 31,738 units on the board by June, 2026 has already reached 71% of last year’s full-year record of 44,813, and merely matching the 27,670 units of the second half of 2025 would take the year to around 59,000, up a third. But last year’s second half built steadily towards that December incentive rush, a base that will not be easy to beat without a deadline to chase. You can explore the full EV picture, by model, brand and month, on our car sales data tool.

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This is the Xiaomi SkyNomad N90. The first model in the series – previously known by the internal codename Kunlun N3, and now officially confirmed as the N90 – marks a significant departure for Xiaomi in two ways.

First, the design: where the SU7 and YU7 wear sleek, curvaceous sheet metal, the newly-released side profile shows a decidedly rugged, boxy silhouette with an all-new front-end treatment, plus a roof-mounted LiDAR unit visible in earlier spy shots.

Second, and more fundamentally, this is Xiaomi’s first vehicle that isn’t a pure EV. The N90 is an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV), pairing a 1.5 litre turbocharged petrol engine – which acts purely as a generator and never drives the wheels – with a large battery pack.

Earlier reports pointed to a capacity in excess of 70 kWh – larger than the 62.5 kWh pack in the base Tesla Model Y sold in China – with a claimed 400 to 500 km of electric-only running and a combined range of over 1,500 km. Sunwoda and CALB will reportedly supply the batteries on a 60/40 split.

China’s ministry of industry and information technology (MIIT) – which approved Xiaomi to build EREVs at its Beijing plant on June 10 – published its latest new vehicle catalogue on July 10, and it lists not one but four SkyNomad variants: the N90 Max, N90 Max Camping Edition, and a smaller model called the N70, in standard and Max forms.

According to the filing, the N90 Max measures 5,285 mm long, 1,998 mm wide and 1,825 mm tall, with a 3,080 mm wheelbase and a 2,800 kg kerb weight, and will be offered in five- and seven-seat configurations. All four variants share the same range extender – a Dongan-built M15DRE 1.5 litre turbo four rated at 112 kW – and a 190 km/h top speed.

The N90 Max pairs a CALB ternary lithium battery with dual motors producing 210 kW at the rear and 100 kW up front. The Camping Edition – a five-seater classified as a “cultural life service vehicle” – stands 100 mm taller at 1,925 mm thanks to a pop-up roof with a roof-mounted bed board, and adds side cabinets, tent attachment points and an optional in-car projection kit and detachable table from the factory. The pop-up roof is only permitted for use while parked on non-public roads.

The N70, meanwhile, is a five-seater measuring 4,960 mm long, 1,998 mm wide and 1,785 mm tall with a 2,950 mm wheelbase – think Li Auto L6/L7 territory. The base version uses a Sunwoda LFP battery with a single 210 kW rear motor, while the N70 Max steps up to CALB ternary cells and the same 210 kW/100 kW dual-motor setup as the N90 Max.

Chinese media reports citing the filing indicate 52 kWh and 76 kWh battery options for the N70, good for a CLTC-rated EV range of up to around 380 km. A third model, a large five-seater tentatively dubbed the N80, has also been rumoured but does not appear in this filing.

Xiaomi SkyNomad range - MIIT filing details

Specification	N90 Max	N90 Max Camping	N70	N70 Max
Length	5,285 mm	5,285 mm	4,960 mm	4,960 mm
Height	1,825 mm	1,925 mm	1,785 mm	1,785 mm
Wheelbase	3,080 mm	3,080 mm	2,950 mm	2,950 mm
Kerb weight	2,800 kg	2,840 kg	TBC	TBC
Seats	5 or 7	5	5	5
Battery	CALB ternary	CALB ternary	Sunwoda LFP	CALB ternary
Motors	210 kW rear + 100 kW front	210 kW rear + 100 kW front	210 kW rear	210 kW rear + 100 kW front
Range extender	1.5T generator, 112 kW	1.5T generator, 112 kW	1.5T generator, 112 kW	1.5T generator, 112 kW
Top speed	190 km/h	190 km/h	190 km/h	190 km/h
Extras	–	Pop-up roof, bed board, cabinets, tent points	–	–

The N90 sits squarely in the same class as the Li Auto L9 and Aito M9 – the two models whose makers accounted for seven of China’s top 10 best-selling extended-range SUVs in 2025.

The headline act, however, is the interior. Xiaomi says the SkyNomad has been developed over three and a half years on an all-new platform called the Kunlun Architecture, built from the ground up starting in early 2023 specifically to enable a reconfigurable cabin. The flat floor and long-rail seating system allow the interior to be rearranged on the fly – the front seats can rotate to face rearwards, and a small floor-standing table can be deployed between the first and second rows to create a living room-style layout.

Xiaomi’s pitch is that when parked, the cabin can transform into a studio for one, a cafe for two, a meeting room for three, or a play area for the whole family – with teasers hinting at amenities such as a television, a games console and a coffee table. The seven-seater version is even said to feature a built-in rooftop tent, a clear nod to China’s booming outdoor camping trend. Lei said achieving this required the combination of AI, Xiaomi’s smart-device ecosystem and its manufacturing capabilities working together.

Pricing is expected to start from as low as 200,000 yuan (approximately RM118,300), which would undercut both the Li Auto L9 and Aito M9, priced from above 250,000 yuan (RM147,900) in China. Reservation inquiries for the N90 opened on Thursday, and Chinese media reports suggest a technology launch event at the end of July, with the market launch targeted for mid-to-late August – reportedly with over 10,000 units built and ready for immediate delivery.

The SkyNomad series is central to Xiaomi’s plan to deliver 550,000 vehicles this year, up around 34% from the roughly 410,000 units it managed in 2025. The company delivered 185,055 vehicles in the first half of 2026 – about a third of its annual target – meaning the new SUVs will need to do some heavy lifting in H2.

No word, of course, on any market beyond China for now – Xiaomi’s official global expansion for its EVs is only slated to begin in 2027. But with EREVs eligible under Malaysia’s current tax structure as hybrids rather than CBU EVs, and Chinese brands moving aggressively into the local market, this is one worth keeping an eye on.

What do you think of the Xiaomi SkyNomad and its transformable cabin concept – clever packaging or a gimmick? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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The Tesla Model Y Performance looks set to finally return to China. A new Model Y variant has appeared in the latest batch of new-vehicle filings published by China’s ministry of industry and information technology (MIIT) on Friday, and based on the numbers listed, it can only be the Performance version of the Juniper facelift, CnEVPost reports.

The giveaway is the top speed. The filed vehicle is rated at 250 km/h, well above the 201 km/h ceiling shared by all four Model Y variants currently sold in China – and matching the figure quoted for the Model Y Performance sold in Europe, the Middle East, North America and other markets since last year.

According to the filing, the Shanghai-built variant is a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive model with a 176 kW front motor and a 291 kW rear motor – a significant bump over the 137 kW/220 kW combination in the regular Long Range AWD (discontinued recently in Malaysia). It draws power from a ternary lithium-ion (NMC) battery pack with cells supplied by LG Energy Solution’s Chinese subsidiary.

The filing lists dimensions of 4,796 mm long, 1,920 mm wide and 1,611 mm tall, on a 2,890 mm wheelbase, with a kerb weight of 2,027 kg. It rides on 21-inch wheels with staggered rubber – 255/35 front and 275/35 rear – consistent with the Arachnid 2.0 forged wheel setup on the global Model Y Performance.

For reference, the Model Y Performance sold elsewhere uses Tesla’s Performance 4DU drive system with a combined output of 460 hp (343 kW), good for a 0-100 km/h time of 3.5 seconds. It’s distinguished by revised front and rear bumpers, a carbon-fibre rear spoiler (10% less drag, 64% less lift versus before), red brake callipers, adaptive damping and Performance-specific front seats with carbon-fibre cabin trim.

The Performance badge has been absent from China since the Juniper facelift launched there in January 2025 with just two variants. Even as Tesla expanded the local lineup to four – the RWD (from 263,500 yuan, approx RM156k), Long Range RWD, Long Range AWD and the six-seater Model Y L (339,000 yuan, approx RM200k) – the flagship never returned, despite the updated Performance debuting in Europe, the Middle East and Africa in August 2025 and North America two months later.

The filing’s public disclosure period runs from July 11 to 17, and vehicles that clear this process typically go on sale within a few months. Expect it to be priced above the Model Y L as the new flagship of the Chinese lineup.

As for Malaysia, the Juniper Model Y Performance has yet to be offered here, even as the local lineup has grown and shuffled over the past year. With Shanghai now certifying the Performance for its home market, the odds of the CBU China-sourced flagship eventually reaching our shores would appear to have improved. If Giga Shanghai builds the Model Y Performance, Malaysia would be able to import it as a significantly better tax rate than if it were to be sourced from Giga Berlin.

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Following its teaser earlier this month, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) is giving the public its first proper look at the Tayron. The seven-seat SUV will be open for an exclusive preview at selected Volkswagen showrooms nationwide over the weekend of July 18-19, ahead of its official Malaysian launch.

A total of 11 dealerships across the country are taking part in the two-day preview, and interested customers are advised to secure a slot at their nearest participating showroom. Here’s the full list:

• Volkswagen Glenmarie
• Volkswagen Sri Hartamas
• Volkswagen Gombak
• Volkswagen Puchong
• Volkswagen Seremban
• Volkswagen Alor Setar
• Volkswagen Juru
• Volkswagen Sungai Petani
• Volkswagen Skudai
• Volkswagen Melaka
• Volkswagen Kuantan

Beyond the showroom preview, the Tayron will also make a public appearance at the Meet the Tayron roadshow at Amanjaya Mall in Sungai Petani, Kedah from July 23-26, hosted by Volkswagen Alor Setar.

Essentially, the Tayron is a lengthened, seven-seat version of the third-generation Tiguan and serves as the replacement for the Tiguan Allspace, which has long been one of Volkswagen’s stronger sellers in Malaysia. Built on the updated MQB Evo platform, it measures 4,792 mm long, 1,852 mm wide and 1,660 mm tall with a 2,791 mm wheelbase – making it 66 mm longer and 13 mm wider than the outgoing Allspace.

Full Malaysian specifications and pricing will be revealed at the launch. In the meantime, those keen on an early look can book a slot at one of the 11 participating showrooms for the July 18-19 preview weekend.

GALLERY: Volkswagen Tayron official images

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