The LRT Kelana Jaya Line has been experiencing delays since this morning due to a train being stuck at the Kelana Jaya station. Rapid KL says that the train can’t move due to a component issue and repairs are ongoing.

As such, trains from both directions will have to turn back at Taman Jaya (from Gombak) and Ara Damansara (from Putra Heights). To bridge the gap, there will be shuttle trains between Ara Damansara to Kelana Jaya (Platform 2, every eight minutes) and between Kelana Jaya and Taman Jaya (Platform 2, every 12 minutes).

To continue your journey at Taman Jaya and Ara Damansara, disembark and take the shuttle trains. Free shuttle bus services are also being provided between Ara Damansara and Taman Jaya at a frequency of between 15 to 20 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

Rapid KL says that trains will be operating at reduced speed and may experience longer stops at platforms. Passengers are advised to consider alternative routes such as the the MRT Kajang Line, LRT Sri Petaling/Ampang Line and the MRT Putrajaya Line to reach their destinations. Extra staff have been deployed at affected stations to assist commuters and there are announcements being made too.

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A one-off concept motorcycle, the BMW Motorrad Vision K18, was unveiled at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on Lake Como, Italy. Based on the six-cylinder BMW Motorrad K1600B Bagger (priced at RM173,500 in Malaysia), the Vision K18 is a glimpse into a touring motorcycle turned into two-wheeled art.

At the heart of the Vision K18 is BMW Motorrad’s inline-six cylinder engine, displacing 1,800 cc. Styling takes inspiration from the aviation world, with long bodywork comprising of large panels, evoking the image of high speed aircraft.

Using the concept of “Full Force Forward”, the Vision K18 reinforces the fact it has six-cylinders. This takes the form of six intake and exhaust pipes, as well as six LED tail lights.|

Adding to the long sleek lines of the Vision K18 is hydraulically lowered suspension, giving a low silhouette. The bodywork is hand-made from aluminium using a planisher, with the largest a seamless side panel more than two meters long that appears cast from a single piece.

Forged carbon is also used in the build of the Vision K18, with flame spraying used to add accents with a bright metallic look. The airbox and fuel tank positions are transposed, giving the Vision K18 a long, low, flat look.

This segues into the tail section that contains six exhaust pipes – three on each side – while the front contain six intake tracts directing air into the airbox. “With the BMW Motorrad Vision K18, we show how we interpret performance, luxury and emotion in a new, very confident way. For us, the inline six-cylinder is far more than an engine – it is a statement,” said Markus Flasch, CEO of BMW Motorrad.

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Here’s a live gallery of the Mercedes-AMG GLC43 4Matic Coupé Nightfall Edition, which was introduced just a few days ago and placed on display at the launch of the new Asbenz Stern Kuantan Autohaus.

Locally assembled (CKD) in Pekan, the Nightfall Edition is priced at RM518,888 on-the-road without insurance, making it RM10,000 more than a regular GLC43 4Matic Coupé. For the premium, you’re getting a few visual and feature enhancements, one of which being the AMG Night Package II.

This builds upon the AMG Night Package that the standard car already comes with, which includes black window trim, and adds a dark chrome finish to a selection of exterior elements such as the grille slats, tristar as well as badging at the rear.

You’ll also get an AMG fuel filler finished in silver chrome with black accents. As for the wheels, they are the same 21-inch AMG Y-spoke alloys accompanied by brake callipers finished in silver.

The Nightfall Edition also comes with the AMG Real Performance Sound system that uses the car’s speakers to augment the engine sound inside the cabin. This is accessed via the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) on the 11.9-inch portrait infotainment touchscreen, and drivers have Balanced and Powerful levels to choose from.

Beyond these changes, the rest of the Nightfall Edition is familiar, with the engine being a 2.0 litre turbocharged inline-four petrol unit rated at 421 PS at 6,750 rpm and 500 Nm of torque at 5,000 rpm. This is augmented by a 48-volt mild hybrid system with a belt-driven starter generator that contributes an additional 14 PS, while also enabling coasting and energy recuperation functions.

Drive goes to all four wheels via a 4Matic all-wheel drive system and AMG Speedshift MCT 9G nine-speed automatic transmission, enabling a 0-100 km/h time of 4.5 seconds and electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.

Chassis systems are carried over too, including AMG Ride Control that provides adjustable damping with Comfort and Sport modes. As with the non-Nightfall Edition, rear-axle steering comes standard and operates at angles of up to 2.5 degrees.

The rest of the kit list includes AMG sport seats trimmed in Artico synthetic leather, AMG carbon-fibre interior trim, an AMG steering wheel trimmed in Nappa leather, AMG-specific displays in the MBUX system and a Burmester 3D surround sound system.

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The Kedah road transport department (JPJ) has seized a school bus for being used as paid passenger transport, thereby violating its permit, Bernama reports.

“The bus fulfilled all requirements, including having valid insurance and road tax, but it violated the operator’s licence conditions by carrying passengers other than school students,” said Kedah JPJ director Stien Van Lutam.

The school bus was detained yesterday during an operation by Kedah JPJ at the Gurun toll exit after it was caught carrying 26 passengers from Taman Intan, Sungai Petani, to Bukit Jenun, Pendang, to attend a funeral ceremony.

Investigations found that the 73-year old driver had not used his bus to ferry schoolchildren for two years due to a lack of demand. “The situation led the driver, who is also the bus owner, to take up paid passenger transport services from one destination to another,” said Van Lutam.

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Good news for p-hailing riders. The government will be discussing the raising of the Budi Madani Ron95 fuel subsidy quota for p-hailing riders to 250 litres in the next National Economic Action Council (Majlis Tindakan Ekonomi Negara, MTEN) meeting tomorrow.

This was revealed by prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at an event in Johor yesterday. The PM said that he will bring up the matter personally for discussion at the MTEN meeting. The suggestion was sparked from his own initiative after turun padang and hearing the plight of food delivery riders on the insufficient current quota, Anwar said.

“The (MTEN) meeting on Tuesday, I will bring (this matter) and discuss. Because they (p-hailing) get 200 litres, the same as us, RON 95 is only 200 litres. So I said, we’ll remind saudara Fahmi (communications minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil), we find a way to at least increase it by 50 litres to make it 250 litres,” PMX said, reported by Bernama.

The Budi95 subsidised fuel quota – originally 300 litres per month – was temporarily adjusted to 200 litres on March 26 following a sharp increase of global oil prices. Eligible e-hailing drivers continue to enjoy the higher usage ceiling of 800 litres a month.

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The Malaysian cabinet has not discussed any new classification for the T20 income group, finance minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan has said, reported New Straits Times.

The Malaysian government’s current focus is on the nationwide implementation of the Budi Diesel fuel subsidy mechanism, instead of introducing new income category classifications, he said.

“As explained by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil last week, the cabinet did not discuss any T-category classifications. Our approach is to focus on the implementation of Budi Diesel nationwide. We are using the same approach as Budi95 as we believe the system is comprehensive and fair to all,” Amir Hamzah said, adding that the government is working on expanding the mechanism to Sabah and Sarawak.

Last week, communications minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said that the government is studying the implementation of a diesel subsidy using a mechanism similar to that for the Budi Madani RON 95 (Budi95) scheme for petrol.

In response to calls by several groups including traders, transport operators and the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) to restore the previous 300 litre subsidised RON 95 petrol quota, Amir Hamzah said the government must balance subsidy spending with global supply uncertainties in light of the Middle East conflict, according to the report.

The reduction in the quota for subsidised RON 95 petrol from 300 litres to 200 litres a month was based on actual usage patterns recorded, where average consumption stood at 98 litres a month, Amir Hamzah said.

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The weekend is here, and just in case you’re relaxing in a supine position wondering about the Jaecoo J5 and its attractive RM108k price tag, we’ve got you covered in our latest video review.

This B-segment SUV takes more than a few cues from a certain Solihull-based 4×4 brand – whether that’s bad or good depends on how you see it. Under the bonnet is the Chery Tiggo Cross Turbo‘s blown 1.5 litre four-cylinder engine (147 PS and 210 Nm of torque), but here you get a CVT instead of the Chery’s DCT. 0-100 km/h is done in 10.2 seconds; top speed is 175 km/h.

In what may be a first for the Malaysian market, the J5 is marketed as a ‘pet-friendly’ vehicle (TÜV-certified, no less) – it’s got anti-bacterial and scratch-resistant faux leather upholstery with low volatile organic compounds. Accessories such as nets, mats and pet carriers are available.

Versus the Proton X50, the J5 is the same length, 65 mm wider, 41 mm taller, has a 20 mm longer wheelbase and a 150-litre bigger boot. But size isn’t everything… is it. So for the full lowdown, hit Play and let Hafriz Shah take you through the popular J7‘s adik.

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Kia Sales Malaysia (KSM) recently announced the appointment of Cycle & Carriage (C&C) as its latest authorised dealer partner. KSM is Kia Corporation’s arm in Malaysia, and it’s in charge of the brand’s sales, aftersales, training and all wholesale and retail operations in our market. Famous as a dealer for Mercedes-Benz, C&C also represents Leapmotor and Peugeot in Malaysia.

“The appointment of Cycle & Carriage, a renowned automotive brand in Malaysia with a legacy spanning over 125 years, reflects Kia’s commitment to strengthening our retail footprint and elevating the customer experience nationwide, while positioning the brand more competitively within Malaysia’s dynamic automotive landscape,” said KSM CEO Hyung Ho Kim.

“As one of the world’s largest carmakers, Kia is a strong addition to our portfolio. We are proud to welcome the brand and look forward to leveraging Cycle & Carriage’s automotive expertise and customer-focused sales, aftersales and service excellence to expand the brand’s market reach and deliver exceptional ownership journeys to customers in Malaysia,” said Adrian Short, C&C Malaysia CEO.

The collaboration between KSM and C&C unites two major forces within the Malaysian automotive landscape, offering Kia customers enhanced sales touchpoints, improved aftersales support, and elevated ownership experiences in line with Kia’s latest global standards, the carmaker said in a statement.

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Coming in a new colour option for Malaysia is the 2026 Honda Gold Wing Tour, priced at RM217,388. This pricing is a reduction of RM5,000 from the 2025 Honda Gold Wing price of RM222,888.

The new colour option is Gunmetal Black Metallic, and pricing does not include road tax, insurance and registration. Otherwise, specifications remain the same for the Gold Wing touring motorcycle in Malaysia.

Power still comes from the Gold Wing’s trade mark flat-six engine since the fourth generation Gold Wing GL1500. Power for the liquid-cooled, 24-valve, DOHC mill is rated at 124.7 hp at 5,500 rpm with a maximum torque of 170 Nm at 4,500 rpm.

Standard fitment is the seven-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) with reverse gear, with two wet multi-plate clutches, sending power to the rear wheel. Shaft final drive spins the rear 16-inch wheel wearing 200/55 tyre while the front wheel is an 18-inch hoop wearing 130/70 rubber.

Suspension for the Gold Wing is electronically controlled, with double wishbone layout and rear monoshock, working in conjunction with the Gold Wing’s ride modes. This minimises dive under braking and provides load compensation with rear spring preload electronically adjustable separately from the ride modes if desired.

Also standard equipment on the Gold Wing is Honda’s Motorcycle Airbag System comprising of an airbag module which includes the airbag and the inflator, and crash sensors. Riding conveniences include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, along with Bluetooth connectivity to the rider’s smartphone.

An electrically adjustable windscreen offers stepless adjustment for both height and angle allowing riders to fine-tune wind protection to their preference. A total of 121-litres of storage is found on the Gold Wing, with electronic locking and unlocking of the top box and panniers using the Gold Wing’s smart key system.

Braking is done with the Dual Combined Brake System (D-CBS) automatically balancing braking force between front and rear wheels, guided by an ABS modulator and brake ECU. Twin brake discs with six-piston callipers are fitted to the front wheel, while the rear wheel gets a single disc with three-piston calliper.

Other riding conveniences include four ride modes, cruise control, Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), and Hill Start Assist (HSA), and two USB charging sockets while riding information is displayed on a. seven-inch TFT-LCD screen. The Gold Wing tips the scales at 391 kg, with a 20-litre fuel tank and seat height set at 745 mm.

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BYD VP and GM of the carmaker’s Asia Pacific Auto Sales Division Liu Xueliang (pic, second from right) has said in his speech at the launch of BYD Mansion Macalister in Penang that the carmaker remains committed to the Malaysian market despite recent new government policies on EVs.

“We noticed that the Malaysian government has released new policies regarding new energy vehicles (NEV). As a responsible technology company, we will continue to bring our best technologies and products to Malaysia.

“Together with the relevant authorities of the Malaysian government and our distributor and dealer partners, we will find the most suitable NEV development solutions for the Malaysian market,” he said.

“We respect all the policies from the Malaysian government and we hope to use our efforts, our wisdom and our spirit, with the cooperation of all the Malaysian consumers and friends to continue delivering the best technologies and products to Malaysia,” he added.

To recap, MITI’s new fully-imported (CBU) EV regulations mean that BYD’s current all-CBU line-up will either be outlawed because they don’t make at least 180 kW (245 PS), or become expensive (Seal and Sealion 7) because the CIF needs to be at least RM200k. The way around this is local assembly (CKD), but because BYD was looking at setting up a new factory, new regulations stipulate a RM100k floor price as well as a target of 80% of production to be exported.

Liu also revealed that BYD is looking at expanding in East Malaysia. “Last year, I went to East Malaysia, and I can feel there is a lot of demand from consumers there for BYD technologies and products. I made a promise that we will bring BYD technologies and products to East Malaysia,” he said.

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UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has announced that it sold 6,464 units in April, lifting its year-to-date (YTD) tally to 21,924 units (which is 21% of its 102,417-unit 2025 sales total). This is its best month so far this year, after March’s 5,814, February’s 4,856 and January’s 4,700. You can see the trend is steadily rising.

The road transport department‘s (JPJ) latest data shows that a total of 9,055 Toyotas were registered in Malaysia in April, which means 2,591 were not sold through official channels.

As usual, UMWT does not disclose sales broken down by model, but according to JPJ data, Malaysia’s best-selling Toyota is the Hilux (10th in April with 1,804 units, 11th YTD with 6,568 units) while the Vios and Alphard (including those not sold by UMWT) are neck and neck – last month, the sedan sold 1,706 units for 12th (14th YTD with 5,451 units) while the MPV did 1,487 for 14th (13th YTD with 5,543 units).

UMWT launched three EVs on the same day in April – the bZ4X, Urban Cruiser EV and Hilux EV. Less than a month later, it launched the Yaris Cross, which is available in ICE and hybrid versions. Other Toyotas launched this year include the Vellfire Hybrid, GR Corolla AT and Vios Hybrid.

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Chery Malaysia has released teasers for its next model, the Chery Tiggo 9. The T9 is the flagship of Chery’s Tiggo range of SUVs, and it will sit on top of the Tiggo Cross, Tiggo 7 Pro, Tiggo 8 and Tiggo 8 Pro in the company’s local line-up.

“The Tiggo 9 does not try to impress. It simply meets you at your level, as a flagship SUV defined by presence, precision, and intelligent control. With all-wheel drive capability, a meticulously refined cabin, and the kind of confident road presence that leaders will recognise immediately, the Tiggo 9 is for those who have earned the right to expect more from everything — including the drive,” the social media caption reads.

Registrations of interest are now open, and the RoI page lists down the SUV’s equipment highlights. While Chery Malaysia previously said that the Tiggo 9 will be offered with a CSH plug-in hybrid powertrain, the RoI page mentions 2.0T AWD, so perhaps the PHEV will come at a later date. Chery is already selling CSH variants of the Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8, so it’s just a matter of time before there’s a flagship PHEV in town.

The 2.0T in question is the Tiggo 8 Pro’s 256 PS/390 Nm 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine, paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. While the T8P is front-wheel-drive, the T9 gets AWD with seven modes. These should be Eco, Normal, Sport, Sand, Mud, Snow and Off-Road. The T9 rides on 20-inch alloys, an inch up from the T8P’s wheels.

Comfort and convenience features highlighted include a 15.6-inch 2.5K central screen powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8155 chip, head-up display, a 10-way powered driver’s seat, front ventilated seats with massage function, second-row ventilated seats and a Sony audio system with 14 speakers, including front headrest speakers. Kit wise, this is a big step up from the T8P.

On the safety side, this big SUV will come with 10 airbags and a full ADAS suite with 23 features.

The Tiggo 9 is 4,810 mm long and 1,925 mm wide, which makes it 88 mm longer and 65 mm wider than the Tiggo 8 Pro. Its 2.8m wheelbase is 90 mm longer than the T8P’s. It’s big all right, but a touch smaller in footprint – 10 mm shorter, 5 mm narrower, wheelbase 20 mm shorter – than the massive Jaecoo J8. Speaking of that giant, the Tiggo 9’s design is less in your face, more handsome – Audi-like, if you like.

That’s the size ballpark. As for price, the Tiggo 8 Pro retails for RM159,800. The Jaecoo J8 is priced from RM178,800 for the five-seater 2WD, to RM198,800 for the six-seater AWD. The Omoda C9 by Jaecoo – similarly sized and also powered by Chery’s 2.0T engine – goes for RM168,800 for the 2WD and RM188,800 for the AWD. We’ll leave you to guesstimate the Tiggo 9’s price.

What do you think of the Chery Tiggo 9’s looks and package?

GALLERY: Chery Tiggo 9 CSH at BIMS 2025

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Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and Asbenz Stern today unveiled a new Autohaus in Kuantan, the largest of its kind on the East Coast that serves to strengthen the German brand’s retail presence in the region.

Located in the Indera Mahkota area, the Asbenz Stern Kuantan Autohaus features a total built-up area of 65,340 square feet, of which 26,565 square feet is dedicated to a display area that can accommodate up to six vehicles, as well as a customer spaces such as the Star Lounge and Mercedes-Benz Lifestyle Collection showcase.

To expand its aftersales services, the new Kuantan Autohaus now includes integrated body and paint services. As such, it is now a 4S facility, which is an upgrade from the previous 3S centre launched by Asbenz Stern back in 2018.

In addition to B&P services, the new facility is equipped with 16 work bays to handle everything from scheduled maintenance to more extensive repair work, all carried out by Mercedes-Benz trained and certified technicians.

There is also an on-site DC fast charger capable of up to 120 kW and equipped with two charging guns to charge two vehicles simultaneously, including fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

“Opening the new Asbenz Stern Kuantan Autohaus reflects our shared commitment to continuously elevating the Mercedes-Benz customer experience in the East Coast region,” said Martin Schulz, CEO and president of Mercedes-Benz Cars Malaysia and head of region at Mercedes-Benz Cars Southeast Asia.

“Kuantan has always been an important location for us, and this new Autohaus marks the next step in our journey here. By investing in a purpose-built facility with expanded capabilities, including body and paint services, we are able to serve our customers more efficiently and comprehensively. Our commitment remains the same, to deliver the level of care and quality that our customers expect from Mercedes-Benz,” commented Goh Chuan Kiong, managing director of Asbenz Stern.

Asbenz Motors’ partnership with Mercedes-Benz started in May 2004 and to date, the company has invested a total of RM35 million across its network, including the latest RM23 million investment in its Kuantan Autohaus – the company also has a presence in Kedah and Terengganu. You can visit Asbenz Stern Kuantan Autohaus at No C1, Mahkota Valley, Jalan IM 9/1, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang.

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National registration department (JPN) director-general Datuk Badrul Hisham Alias has revealed that the new MyKad (informally called the identity card or IC), which is expected to be introduced next month, will not be able to function as a Touch ‘n Go (TnG) card, Bernama reports.

Why this is so has not been officially divulged – perhaps the reasons are security- and theft-related. But your TnG card can just as easily be stolen, and you can always terminate the card in the event of theft and get your money back.

Personally, I have always found the MyKad’s TnG feature to be extremely useful – after all, my MyKad is always with me and I then don’t have to carry a separate TnG card around. It’s also useful for emergencies, such as when you inadvertently leave your TnG card in another car – you will always be able to pay toll, parking or hop on the LRT. OK, it’s not NFC-enabled so I can’t reload it using my phone, but that’s the only drawback I can see.

However, after 10 happy years of convenience, this boon was taken away from me last year when my MyKad’s TnG finally expired. Thankfully, I was at KL Sentral at the time, so it was a short walk to NU Sentral’s Touch ‘n Go Hub. There I was told that renewal wasn’t possible and that if I wanted to continue using my MyKad as a TnG card, I had to go and get a new MyKad, which of course I didn’t bother with.

Anyway, you don’t have to rush to replace your MyKads once the new one is out. “The law does not require holders of the existing MyKad to immediately replace their cards once the new version is introduced,” Bernama quoted home minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail as saying recently.

So if you’re a MyKad TnG user, presumably you should be able to continue using your current MyKad as a TnG card until your 10-year validity expires, unless any contrary future announcements are made.

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Besides the soon-to-be-launched Tunland V7 and V9, Foton is also displaying the electric eTunland at the Malaysia Commercial Vehicle Expo (MCVE), held at the Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre (MIECC). Unlike its other siblings, there are currently no plans to introduce this particular pick-up, with distributor Handal BCM using the show as an opportunity to gauge public demand.

The eTunland is based on the smaller Tunland G7 – i.e. the original Tunland – and is around 300 mm shorter than the V7 and V9, meaning that its size is far more in line with one-tonne competitors like the Toyota Hilux – now also available in EV form. Measuring 5,340 mm long, 1,940 mm wide and 1,870 mm tall, it’s 20 mm longer, 85 mm wider and 25 mm taller than the new Hilux EV, while its 3,110 mm wheelbase is 25 mm longer.

Of course, the eTunland is nowhere near as modern as the latest ninth-generation Hilux. The basic structure has existed in some form or another since 2011, with the electric version arriving in 2022. At the very least, this era of Foton truck came before the company decided to slavishly copy Ford and Ram’s full-size pick-ups with the V7 and V9 (okay, maybe the rear end is a bit too similar to the Nissan Navara, but that’s about it).

It’s clear that the eTunland was designed as a work truck first and foremost – the slim headlights still come with halogen projectors (although there are LED daytime running lights in the bumper), while the hexagonal grille is finished in plain black plastic, just with the massive chrome Foton script and blue lines that demarcate this truck as an electric one. The “OTO” centre section flips up to reveal the charging port, and the whole nondescript look is finished off by 17-inch silver alloy wheels.

The show unit features the G7’s latest interior design that is rather reminiscent of the pre-facelifted Mercedes-Benz GLE, sporting triple chrome-trimmed rectangular centre air-con vents and a widescreen panel housing twin 12.3-inch displays for instrumentation and infotainment. The piano black centre console is equipped with an electronic gear selector and parking brake, a four-way rotary controller, a split-opening armrest compartment and a single solitary cupholder.

Being an older truck, the eTunland isn’t exactly stacked with kit – while there is a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, faux leather upholstery, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, Apple CarPlay and a reverse camera, you get just four speakers and manual air con with rear vents. Interestingly enough, however, rear passengers receive their own air con controls, which even the V7 an V9 don’t get.

The eTunland is available with a single-motor 4×2 powertrain with outputs of 177 PS (130 kW) and 350 Nm of torque. An 88.6 kWh CATL LFP battery provides a range of 360 km on the WLTP cycle, which is over 100 km further than the Hilux EV. It only supports up to 70 kW of DC fast charging, however, so topping up from 20 to 80% takes a yawning 36 minutes, while a full charge at an AC wallbox charger takes ten hours.

The truck you see here is the dual-motor 4×4 variant, which produces a sum total of 340 PS (250 kW) and 526 Nm. No WLTP range figure for this one, but the more lenient CLTC produces 505 km. Curiously, while other EV trucks use either fully- or semi-independent suspension at the back, the eTunland’s rear motor is hung off the differential of a solid rear axle, and it still uses leaf springs. Despite this, however, the payload rating has taken a serious hit, with the bed only able to carry 525 kg.

Safety-wise, the eTunland can be had with up to six airbags (this particular unit has just two) to go with its stability control and hill descent control. There is also an available forward collision warning system, but with no autonomous emergency braking functionality.

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The Perodua Ativa Hybrid is finally confirmed for Malaysia, four years after its subscription-only trial programme branded by Perodua a study for EVs and long-term mobility as a service. By confirmed, we mean full local production and sales – unlike before, you’ll be able to buy one this time around.

Perodua president and CEO Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Ahmad said that the company is finalising discussions, including production timelines and pricing, among other details. “Once we finalise all those items, we will make a proper announcement at a later date. Rest assured, the hybrid of this Ativa model will be produced locally,” he said yesterday after Japan ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata toured P2’s Sg Choh base, reported by Bernama.

Zainal revealed that for the Ativa Hybrid project, Perodua received about 1.5 billion yen (over RM37 million) from the Global South Fund to support Japanese hybrid technology in Malaysia.

Led by Japan’s Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry (METI), the latter is a subsidy for initiatives that encourage partnerships in fields like renewable energy, digital technology and infrastructure, aimed at developing countries in the Global South. Securing the grant helps Perodua reduce costs for what would be its first ever hybrid model.

If you recall, back in 2023, before an EV project was thrust upon Perodua, the market leader was lining up hybrid as its next step, and Zainal said that P2’s first hybrid will be a variant (as opposed to a standalone model like the Toyota Prius) in a full model change a.k.a. all-new next-generation model. FMC rules out the Ativa as a host, so it looks like plans have changed since – perhaps the grant has something to do with it.

The Ativa Hybrid offered to 300 subscribers in September 2022 was a CBU import, essentially a rebadged Daihatsu Rocky e-Smart Hybrid. It is powered by a 106 PS/170 Nm electric motor (Ativa 1.0T has 98 PS/140 Nm), with a 82 PS/105 Nm 1.2-litre WA-VEX Atkinson-cycle three-cylinder naturally aspirated engine acting purely acts as a generator for the hybrid battery. This is akin to Nissan’s e-Power system in the Kicks.

The e-motor powers the wheels via an HEV transaxle, which means that this series hybrid model works somewhat like a range extender electric vehicle. Unlike Honda’s e:HEV hybrids, there’s no direct drive connecting the ICE and the wheels, although in practice, the 1.2L engine – when active – does feel directly connected to throttle movements. Note that Daihatsu’s e-Smart is a different system from the Toyota Hybrid System used in the Vios Hybrid and Yaris Cross Hybrid.

The Rocky Hybrid’s claimed fuel consumption is 3.6 litres per 100 km on the WLTP cycle, which translates to 27.8 km/l. When it launched the subscription plan, Perodua said that the Ativa Hybrid is capable of 31.3 km/l in a ‘Malaysian Driving Cycle’, which is supposed to reflect local driving conditions.

With local production, there’s room for Perodua to introduce its own design changes and suspension tune, so the eventual Rawang-made Ativa Hybrid might end up looking like the regular ICE Ativa with small cues to differentiate the electrified variant. The CBU car was a straightforward rebadge, and aside from badging, the only local items were Perodua’s head unit and key fob. We’ve detailed all the differences here.

How much will it be? For context, the 1.0-litre turbo Ativa is priced from RM62,500 to RM73,400. The Daihatsu Rocky Hybrid was launched in Indonesia in July 2025 initially as a CBU Japan model (now CKD), priced at the equivalent of RM76k then.

In my experience, the e-Smart Hybrid can achieve 25 km/l without much effort, and that’s already around 10 km/l better than my ICE Ativa (I’m averaging between 14 to 16 km/l these days) in the same routine. A fantastic car to maximise your Budi95 quota, if you can live with the compact size. What do you think of upcoming Perodua Ativa Hybrid?

GALLERY: Perodua Ativa Hybrid, CBU

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The Malaysian road transport department (JPJ) is working on the implementation of the Automated Number Plate Recognition Integrated Enforcement Project (ANPR P-B). The 36-month pilot project will involve the use of 375 ANPR cameras, 1,000 smart management enforcement devices (SmED) and the development of a control centre in Cyberjaya, although when the project will begin is yet to be confirmed.

“This system allows various traffic offences to be automatically detected including involving LKM (road tax), insurance, VEP (Vehicle Entry Permit), Road Charge as well as offences involving mobile phone use, running red lights and emergency lane (misuse),” JPJ director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli said.

Earlier this year, transport minister Anthony Loke said that the JPJ should adopt ANPR tech to replace roadblocks for enforcement purposes. “I don’t want to see JPJ setting up roadblocks after toll plazas, turning six lanes into one. People will get angry. That’s an outdated approach. JPJ must also change and adopt smarter methods,” he said then.

In 2016, Johor became the first state in Malaysia to use ANPR for vehicle enforcement, while last year, Penang began using it for parking payment enforcement. Enforcement aside, ANPR is of course used at many Klang Valley locations (especially malls) for parking payment, and PLUS is piloting it for toll collection on a stretch of the North-South Highway.

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The debate between consumers enjoying cheap imported EVs from China versus protecting the local automotive industry isn’t unique to Malaysia. While we’re having a debate here, a coalition of 10 automotive associations representing more than 1,500 operators in Thailand is lobbying for the government to raise taxes for CBU EVs to protect the Thai automotive ecosystem.

According to a report by The Nation, The Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT), the Thai Auto-Parts Manufacturers Association (TAPMA) and allied industry groups will submit emergency proposals to the government today, May 14, asking for a raise in excise tax on CBU EVs to at least 32%, as part of measures to stabilise Thailand’s auto and parts industries.

The group of stakeholders warned that Thailand’s automotive industry is facing its ‘most serious crisis’ as the country shifts towards EVs. It said the a rapid transition to EVs, combined with the cost advantage of CBU imported models from China, could ‘severely weaken local production and threaten the survival of Thai auto-parts manufacturers’.

It added that producing vehicles in Thailand costs around 30% to 40% more than importing similar cars from China, and this puts local manufacturers and parts suppliers at a disadvantage. As such, the associations want the excise tax on CBU EVs to be raised to at least 32%, creating a 30-percentage-point gap with domestically produced EVs, which are currently subject to a 2% excise tax.

The group reasons that the higher tax would help offset the cost gap between CKD and CBU EVs, while encouraging carmakers to continue investing in local production. The call for the government to introduce stronger replacement measures is amidst fear that once Thailand’s current ‘EV 3.5’ support scheme ends next year, Chinese carmakers will revert to importing CBU EVs instead of continuing production in Thailand.

The coalition is also proposing a ‘carrot’ in the form of an import quota system linked directly to local production. Under the proposal, companies that make genuine investments in vehicle production in Thailand would be allowed to import CBU EVs at the existing lower excise tax rate of 10%. The quota would be capped at no more than 10% of each company’s production volume, however.

Finally, the group is also seeking for an 80% local content rule, with the figure referring to a vehicle’s value. They’re seeking a revised calculation method to close loopholes, adding that the current system should be tightened to prevent profits or labour costs from being counted in ways that ‘weaken the intended support for Thai parts manufacturers’.

This is what the parties affected by the Chinese EV wave want, so now the ball is in the Thai government’s court to balance the promotion of EVs with the need to protect domestic manufacturing, jobs and the country’s well-established auto-parts supply chain.

It’s a fact that local production – whether in Thailand, Malaysia, ASEAN or anywhere else in the world – will be costlier than what Chinese OEMs can achieve back home, and if these carmakers have a choice, it’ll be CBU, as exports also help ease the massive (and often excess) capacity that they’ve built in China. If a country has an automotive industry to protect, the only thing that can stop the tsunami is a seawall in the form of tariffs and duties. That is what Malaysia has done with MITI’s recent move to raise the barrier for CBU EVs – we’ve covered this topic extensively, and you can read more here.

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The fourth-generation GN2/GN6 Honda City is set to receive its second facelift since it was revealed back in late 2019. An image of the refreshed B-segment sedan, due to be revealed in India next week, May 22, was posted by Financial Times reporter Akbar Merchant on X.

Clear to see on this undisguised example is the radical new front fascia, giving the car an aggressively sporty look. Sharp headlights with quad eyebrow-style daytime running lights sit atop a full-width honeycomb grille seemingly inspired by the Civic Type R, with the H badge being moved to the top portion of the bumper; there also appears to be a light strip joining the lamps.

To make space for the repositioned “lambang H”, the chrome/gloss black strip of the current model has been refinished in body colour for a sleeker, more streamlined look. Meanwhile, the lower bumper gets a wide upturned air intake that is visually connected to the vertical corner inlets, reminiscent of the plug-in hybrid BYD Seal 6 DM-i (a Japanese car copying a Chinese design? My, how the tables have turned…).

Also visible in this image are the redesigned alloy wheels with a new turbine-style aero look. The rear end is not shown, but past spyshots from Brazil have shown a rump that will be largely unchanged, saved for a reworked bumper with vertical reflectors. We can also expect a new dashboard and upgraded tech to go with the revamped exterior, which would help the City regain lost ground to Chinese SUV rivals.

Despite the significant redesign, the City will likely soldier on with the same engines as before. In Malaysia, these include a 121 PS/145 Nm 1.5 litre DOHC i-VTEC naturally-aspirated four-cylinder mated to a CVT, as well as an e:HEV hybrid that pairs a 109 PS/253 Nm electric motor with a 98 PS/127 Nm Atkinson-cycle mill and a single-speed hybrid transmission.

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Japanese oil giant Eneos has announced it has struck a deal with Chevron to acquire 100% of the US firm’s Southeast Asian downstream fuels and lubricants business, including in Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Australia, Vietnam and Indonesia. As part of the arrangement, Eneos will take over the more than 450 Caltex petrol stations in Malaysia.

Despite this, Caltex’s highly-recognisable red and green star will not suddenly be replaced by orange Eneos branding, as it has emerged that Eneos will retain the last remnants of the California Texas Oil Company. “The Caltex brand, built and nurtured by Chevron over many decades, is an exceptionally important business asset, and we are fully committed not only to preserving its value, but to elevating it further,” said Eneos director and CEO Miyata Tomohide.

Eneos purchased the downstream business – including Chevron Singapore’s 50% non-operated stake in the Singapore Refining Company (SRC) – through a Singaporean special purpose vehicle (SPV). The transaction, worth US$2.17 billion (RM8.5 billion), is set to be completed in 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and closing conditions.

“Today’s agreement reflects Chevron’s disciplined approach to managing our international portfolio. We are proud of what our people have built over 90 years of serving customers and supporting communities across the Asia Pacific region through the trusted Caltex brand.

“Chevron is committed to supporting an orderly transition as our teams prepare to join Eneos, a valued partner with whom we have a long-standing commercial relationship and strong confidence in the continued success of the Caltex brand across the region,” said Chevron’s downstream, midstream and chemicals president Andy Walz.

Tomohide added: “This investment represents a significant step in strengthening the business platform that connects Japan with Southeast Asia and Oceania, while bringing together the competitive strengths developed across each market to advance our group’s growth to the next stage. Looking ahead, we will draw fully on the expertise, networks, and business foundations cultivated in each market to further enhance our fuel products business and trading capabilities.”

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