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You Can Save On Your Car Loan With New Revamp of Rules

Car buyers in Malaysia will soon get fairer car loans after the government decided to remove the old “Rule of 78.” This rule has been used for decades in hire-purchase loans but was often seen as unfair. The change comes with the new Hire-Purchase (Amendment) Bill 2025, passed on October 8, which replaces the old system with a fairer one.

Before this, car buyers had to pay most of their loan interest at the start of their repayment. This meant that if they paid off the loan early, they didn’t save much money. Because of that, many people chose longer loan terms instead of finishing payments sooner.

Now, with the new “reducing-balance” system, interest will be charged only on the remaining loan amount, not the total borrowed. This means buyers who pay early or take shorter loans will save more money. Banks must also clearly show the real interest rate to customers.

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BYD Shark in Malaysia – What To Expect!

BYD is officially bringing its first-ever pickup truck, the Shark, to Malaysia, a move that marks the brand’s entry into one of the most competitive vehicle segments in the market. This follows the Shark’s successful launches in regions like Mexico and Thailand, and Malaysian buyers can expect a showcase of the model soon before its official arrival.

The BYD Shark represents a significant step forward for the Chinese automaker as it expands from electric passenger cars into the pickup market. Unlike traditional diesel-powered rivals, the Shark is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) that blends practicality with high performance and efficiency.

Under the hood, the Shark features BYD’s advanced Dual-Mode Off-Road hybrid system. It pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with electric motors to deliver a combined output of around 430PS and 650Nm of torque. This powertrain enables the Shark to accelerate from 0–100km/h in just 5.7 seconds, outpacing most conventional pickups on the road.

Equipped with BYD’s signature Blade LFP battery (29.6 kWh), the Shark offers up to 100km of electric-only range, ideal for daily urban commutes without using fuel. When combined with its petrol engine, the truck can travel up to 840km on a full charge and tank. Charging options include both AC and DC capabilities, along with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality, allowing owners to power electrical devices directly from the vehicle.

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Proton e.MAS 7 Maintains EV Leadership as e.MAS 5 Bookings Surge Past 10,000 Units

PRO-NET, the subsidiary of Proton leading the brand’s electric mobility efforts, has reached another major milestone in its e.MAS EV journey. The Proton e.MAS 7 continues to dominate the market as Malaysia’s best-selling electric vehicle, recording a total of 7,413 units sold as of 31 October 2025.

Of this number, 6,954 units were sold locally, while 459 were exported. This marks ten consecutive months at the top for the e.MAS 7, reinforcing Proton’s strong position in the nation’s growing EV sector.

Alongside this success, the newly launched Proton e.MAS 5 — Malaysia’s first truly affordable EV — is making waves of its own. The model has already received more than 10,000 bookings nationwide, signalling a major shift in public interest towards electric mobility.

Interest in the Proton e.MAS 5 is strongest in the Central Region, followed by Southern and Northern Malaysia. Demand in East Malaysia and the East Coast is also climbing, showing that enthusiasm for Malaysia’s first affordable EV extends across the country.

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Loke: Physical Driving Licences Soon Come with a Fee, Digital Version Stays Free

Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport is making a significant leap into digitalisation by moving vehicle licenses and registration documents from traditional physical cards to a fully digital platform. During a podcast with Cilisos, Transport Minister Anthony Loke highlighted that the initiative forms part of a wider plan to modernise public services, enhance efficiency, and substantially reduce government spending.

Currently, printing physical licenses and related documents costs the government over RM100 million annually. By introducing a digital system, the government expects to save this amount while still offering drivers the option to obtain a physical card for a fee of RM10 to RM16. Loke emphasised that not every driver requires a physical license, and moving online will streamline administrative processes, cut costs, and resolve common printing issues.

With around 15 to 16 million active drivers in Malaysia, the transition represents a major logistical effort. The Ministry acknowledges that there may be minor challenges or complaints during the early stages of the rollout, but the long-term benefits—including financial savings and improved service delivery—are expected to outweigh any temporary disruptions.

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Perodua Gears Up to Launch Its First Fully Malaysian Electric Vehicle

Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) is preparing to introduce its first electric vehicle (EV) that meets national standards by the end of this month, marking a significant milestone in Malaysia’s automotive journey.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed the upcoming launch during his visit and engagement session with Perodua employees. As both the Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Anwar highlighted that this locally developed EV represents more than just a new product—it reflects Malaysia’s broader ambition to drive forward its National Agenda.

He explained that the upcoming Perodua EV has been designed to align with the country’s economic and environmental objectives. According to him, the car will not only be affordable but will also serve as a model that caters to the needs of Malaysians while strengthening the national economy.

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Xpeng Reveals High-Tech X9 Ultra Electric MPV with Triple AI Chips and Dual-Motor Power

Xpeng has officially unveiled the X9 Ultra, a new high-performance, all-electric version of its X9 MPV, offering major upgrades in intelligence, performance, and design. Details of the upcoming flagship model were recently confirmed through China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), giving a first look at what will be Xpeng’s most advanced people-mover to date.

The X9 Ultra stands out for being equipped with three of Xpeng’s in-house Turing AI chips, collectively delivering a massive 2,250 TOPS of computing power. Two of these chips manage the brand’s VLA large model — the system responsible for advanced driver-assistance features — while the third powers the VLM large model that governs the intelligent cockpit. Together, they enable smoother interaction, more accurate environmental perception, and a smarter in-car experience designed to rival top-tier luxury EVs.

The new variant will be available in both two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive configurations, with power coming from ternary lithium batteries supplied by CALB. The single-motor setup generates 315hp, while the dual-motor all-wheel-drive version pairs the same front motor with an additional 181hp rear motor for improved traction and performance.

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