Nissan is preparing to begin exports of electric vehicles (EVs) produced at its Chinese manufacturing facilities starting in 2026, as part of a strategic plan to revitalise its global business. Target markets for these exports include Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and other regions where the company already maintains an established after-sales service network.
The Japanese automaker, which has been grappling with delays in product rollouts and structural inefficiencies, is currently undertaking a comprehensive review of its global production framework. Central to its turnaround plan is the export of EVs assembled in China, capitalising on the country’s manufacturing scale and cost advantages.
Leading this export initiative is the Nissan N7, a mid-size sedan developed through the company’s joint venture in China. Introduced to the Chinese market in April, the N7 rapidly achieved 10,000 orders, marking the fastest uptake for a joint-venture brand in the region. The model is manufactured at Nissan’s plant in Guangzhou, located in Guangdong Province.
The N7 features advanced automotive software enhanced by artificial intelligence developed by Chinese technology firms. However, for Nissan to distribute the vehicle internationally, modifications to the software will be necessary due to regulatory limitations on the use of China-origin AI in certain countries. To support this requirement, Nissan has invested in IAT Automobile Technology, a local software developer tasked with tailoring software for export models.
Puspakom has issued a stern warning to vehicle runners and window tint film companies over the circulation of misleading information regarding its role in vehicle inspections, especially concerning window tint compliance. This move follows the discovery of warranty cards issued by a well-known tint film manufacturer, which asserted that their products were “JPJ-compliant” but “not Puspakom-compliant” – a claim the agency has firmly refuted.
According to FMT, the Chief Executive Officer of Puspakom, Mahmood Razak Bahman, denounced these assertions as both unfounded and deceptive. He clarified that Puspakom does not set independent standards for tint compliance and merely applies the specifications established by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) during its inspection processes.
Mahmood stated unequivocally that there is no such thing as a “Puspakom standard” for window tinting, and any implication to the contrary is a misrepresentation of the agency’s role. He further condemned the misuse of Puspakom’s name by industry players seeking to justify failed inspections or claim the existence of dual standards.
In many cases where vehicles fail tint inspections, the cause lies in the overall visible light transmission (VLT) values not meeting JPJ’s prescribed thresholds. Mahmood explained that this is often due to the factory-fitted tinted glass present in some vehicles. While a tint film might technically comply with JPJ guidelines when applied to clear glass, it may still result in a failed inspection if used in combination with windows that are already tinted by the manufacturer.
What does a pick-up truck have to do with your regular car? The modern ones can be just as comfortable as sedan, and sometimes better too.
There was a time when pick-up trucks were utilitarian. Those that drove one, used it for a purpose, for work. And there was also a time where you could only register a pick-up truck for commercial purposes.
That has all changed. The vehicle itself is almost unrecognisable in terms of size, design and comfort when compared to their “workhorse” like predecessors.
But even now, there are pick-up trucks that are more utilitarian than others. You don’t buy a Hilux for comfort and neither do you buy a Ranger to go hardcore off-roading. Some pick-up trucks are built to excel at one thing.
That’s just some though, there are others that are built to excel at just about everything.
And in that context, the Mitsubishi Triton, particularly the flagship Athlete variant is arguably the one truck that sits in the midst of a complicated equilibrium and is the best value for money pick-up there is in the market now.
But first, some context.
The Triton that you see on these pages is the sixth-generation variant. It was first introduced to the world towards the second half of 2023 and made its Malaysian debut in October of 2024.
The new Triton had it all. It was much improved over the previous-generation model and was a fine balance of comfort and utility.
But during its launch last year, it was overshadowed by the removal of the diesel subsidies. It was caught in between the political war between those that supported the subsidies and those that agreed for it to be removed.
The industry was in a shock, and this also resulted in lower sales across the board for pick-up truck brands.
So unfortunately for Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), it was just a matter of timing. No one could have predicted the timing of the subsidy removal, and this caught out the new Triton, as good as it may be.
Moving forward.
MMM is not a company that sits on its laurels, or misfortunate in this instance. The company headed back to the drawing board, put its ears to the ground and came back with a new Triton.
It is still the same sixth-generation model, but just with a few enhancements that makes it easier on the eye and easier to live with.
It featured new body decals to give it a sportier presence. It also comes with a sports bar at the rear, a new front bumper with aggressive styling and more importantly an easy lift system for the tailgate. The importance of the latter is never to be underestimated as it makes it easier to lift the excruciatingly heavy tailgate.
And then came the final update, the price. MMM reduced the price from the initial RM166k to RM160k, in response to market conditions obviously.
This made the Triton the most affordable among the three heavenly trucks – the Toyota Hilux Rogue, Ford Ranger Wildtrak and the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain.
So, what makes the Triton so special?
A few things. For one, the Triton has built a reputation of toughness and dependability. According to data sourced from MMA, over 120,000 Tritons have found a home in Malaysia since 2005. And over the years, the Triton has also evolved to meet any requirements.
Together with the launch of the sixth-generation model, MMM also offered the single-cab (two-door) variant of the Triton for the first time in the Malaysian market. This was in response to market demands from people who wanted a work truck without all the “show and go”.
The Mitsubishi Triton is also known for its advanced four-wheel drive system called the Super Select 2. Though only available in the flagship variant, the system is highly regarded as one of the most advanced in the industry.
The system gives the Triton Athlete seven drive modes and uses a unique viscous-coupling centre differential. This allows the Triton to distribute power between the front and rear axles in 4H mode.
Unlike regular four-wheel-drive systems that limit the speed at which the 4H mode can operate at, you can drive the Triton at any speed in 4H mode, even well past the speed limit if needed. That is something that is only available in the Triton and can be regarded as a safety feature when the road gets slippery.
And if you come across even more challenging terrain and need more traction, you can simply switch to 4HLc or even low range 4LLC to lock the centre differential. This makes the Triton unbeatable when the road gets tough.
There’s also the powertrain of the Triton Athlete. Powering the truck is a 2.4-litre, turbocharged, MIVEC engine putting out 204PS and 470Nm of torque. This is more power than an Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain, and though it may not be as powerful as a Ford Ranger Wildtrak, it surely offers smoother power delivery.
The Ranger uses a bi-turbo system that is prone to lag during power delivery. The Triton on the other hand offers instant power by utilising a twin-stage turbocharger which responds immediately to the accelerator pedal.
MIVEC on the other hand is a legendary system that works by adjusting the timing and positioning of the engine valves based on the engine speed. This in turn enhances performance by improving combustion, thus leading to reduced consumption as well.
And on the topic of reduce consumption, the Trion is the only pick-up truck in the market that runs on an aluminium engine. This is lighter which means the Triton does not have to work as hard to turn its wheels, which in turn reduces consumption.
What’s more, our research showed that the Triton Athlete is one of the cheapest to maintain in its segment. Based on a 20,000km service interval, we calculated the price of each service package all the way until 100,000km.
The Triton Athlete will set you back just RM7,303.18, which is lower than the Toyota Hilux Rogue as well as the Ford Ranger Wildtrak.
That can’t be all?
Definitely not. While design is always subjective, the design of the new Triton is not just easy on the eye, it is also an award winner. It won the 2024 IF Design Award under the Product Design Category.
It also won the 2024 Japan Car of The Year under the Design Car of The Year Category, ASEAN NCAP Grand Prix Awards 2024 which recognised the Triton as the best Pick Up Truck, and finally it also won the Vehicle of The Year Award Malaysia as the Best Pick Up Truck of The Year.
So, the Triton is not just something looks and sounds good on paper, it has substance too.
Great, but what about safety?
The Triton has you covered as well. It did not only score the maximum of five-stars in the ASEAN NCAP crash test safety rating, but also comes with an armada of active, passive, and driver aid systems.
Some of the things that are worth mentioning include seven airbags for the Athlete version, forward collision mitigation system with warning and braking function.
It also comes with adaptive cruise control as well as the all-important blind spot monitoring system. Besides that, it has rear cross traffic alert, lane change alert, and lane departure warning, among many others.
But how does it drive?
Step inside the Triton and the first thing that gets you is the comfort of the suede and leatherette clad seats. The seats are not only plush, but broad as well, which is important for long journeys.
The near vertical dash is another thing that gets you. It looks tough, macho even. And the design makes it seem wider than any other dash on the market.
But the real magic of the Triton though is when you start driving it. The electronic steering rack feels light in your hands, and this shrinks the Triton’s commanding size since it is so easy to manoeuvre. This also makes steering in and out of parking lots a breeze, assisted of course by about half a dozen proximity sensors.
Tickle the throttle a little and the engine responds immediately. The lag is barely noticeable here. Once you really start chatting with the accelerator paddle, the Triton responds by piling on speed faster it takes you to read this sentence.
It is no performance car, and it is not trying to be either, but performance just comes naturally to this Triton. It must be the many years it has spent racing in the legendary Dakar Rally. Some know-how from that race has trickled down to the everyday Triton.
But what we really like is how refined it can be and how easy it is to live with on a day-to-day basis.
For the rear passengers, the Triton is the only pick-up truck to come with roof-mounted air-conditioning vents. And if you’re working in the field or out on a hot day, nothing feels better than having cool air blown to your face.
So, should you get one?
If you want a do-everything, go-anywhere pick-up truck, the Mitsubishi Triton Athlete is the truck to have. It’s not only the most affordable in its class, but being the cheapest also means it offers the best value for money in its class.
And just to sweeten the deal, MMM also included the best warranty package among all its competitors as well. The Triton comes secured with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty while most others only make do with a five-year or 150,000km package.
Not bad for a model that was launched in right in the midst of turmoil, and now has rebuilt itself to become one of, if not the best pick-up truck in its segment.
Proton has concluded the first half of 2025 with a notable increase in its market share, despite challenging market conditions affecting the wider automotive sector. The national carmaker registered 11,069 units in June, a marginal improvement compared to the same period last year, bringing its total year-to-date (YTD) sales to 72,156 units. This positions Proton as the second-best performing automotive brand in terms of volume for the first half of the year.
The company’s market share for June stood at 20.7%, reflecting a 1.1% gain over the previous month and placing it 1.2 percentage points above its YTD average of 19.5%. While the Total Industry Volume (TIV) dipped significantly in June—falling by 21% to an estimated 53,500 units from 68,007 in May—Proton’s sales resilience allowed it to improve its relative standing in the industry.
A key contributor to Proton’s performance continues to be the X50 SUV, which has firmly held its position as the best-selling B-segment SUV since its launch in October 2020. With more than 140,000 units sold domestically and abroad, the X50 remains a cornerstone of Proton’s lineup. In June alone, 1,657 units were delivered, including 353 units for export, representing nearly half of Proton’s total overseas shipments for the month. Cumulatively, 11,361 units of the X50 were sold in the first six months of 2025—an 11.3% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
Anticipation is building for the launch of the all-new Proton X50, scheduled for July. The upcoming model features updated styling, a revamped interior, the new 1.5-litre i-GT engine, and the advanced ADAS 2.0 safety suite. Pre-launch bookings began on 5 July, accompanied by a promotional campaign and a series of activities leading up to the official reveal.
The next-generation BMW iX3, the first production model of BMW’s groundbreaking Neue Klasse, is approaching the final stages of development. Currently undergoing intensive testing at BMW’s Miramas facility in southern France, the all-electric Sports Activity Vehicle is set for its world debut at the IAA Mobility event in Munich in September 2025. Production will commence later this year at the marque’s cutting-edge facility in Debrecen, Hungary.
Mike Reichelt, Head of Neue Klasse at BMW, confirmed that the iX3 will deliver major technological upgrades aimed at redefining driving pleasure. Designed with an entirely new powertrain, advanced operating systems, and intelligent computing architecture, the iX3 is set to raise the bar for electric mobility across the BMW lineup. Innovations introduced in this model will be rolled out to all future BMW vehicles, irrespective of their propulsion systems.
At the core of this transformation lies a suite of technological advancements that include a sixth-generation (Gen6) electric powertrain, a radically new display and interaction concept dubbed BMW Panoramic iDrive, and a cluster of four high-performance computing systems referred to as the “superbrains”.
The Gen6 electric powertrain represents a significant leap in performance and efficiency. Featuring newly developed cylindrical battery cells with 20% higher energy density than the prismatic ones previously used, the high-voltage battery has been structurally integrated into the vehicle chassis. This evolution not only enhances range—up to 800km on the WLTP cycle—but also allows for ultra-fast charging. The iX3 50 xDrive can regain over 350km of range in just 10 minutes when connected to a high-capacity 400 kW charger, courtesy of its new 800V architecture.
Porsche has introduced a striking new special edition of its iconic 911, paying tribute to the Porsche Club of America (PCA) as it marks its 70th anniversary. The latest iteration, dubbed the 911 Club Coupe, continues the tradition of exclusive, enthusiast-focused models dedicated to the world’s largest Porsche owners’ club, which was founded in 1955 by Bill Sholar.
Limited to just 70 examples, this celebratory model is based on the 911 Carrera T and will be sold across the United States and Canada. The car retains Porsche’s revered flat-six engine, tuned to deliver 388hp, paired exclusively with a six-speed manual gearbox. Enhancing its sporting prowess, the 911 Club Coupe benefits from Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) Sport Suspension with a 10 mm lower ride height, along with a mechanical limited-slip differential and Porsche Torque Vectoring.
A significant highlight of the new model is its bespoke paint finish. Presented in Sholarbluemetallic—a refined metallic version of the Clubblau hue first introduced in 2015—the colour was developed through close collaboration between Style Porsche, Exclusive Manufaktur and the PCA over the course of 2023. This unique shade reinforces the model’s exclusivity and heritage.
Visually, the Club Coupe distinguishes itself with a SportDesign front fascia featuring red highlights and 20/21-inch RS Spyder wheels finished in Satin Black with Brilliant Silver accents. Subtle nods to the PCA’s signature palette continue with Brilliant Silver door logos, a matching rear 911 decal, and Guards Red grille slats inlays. Instead of the standard Vanadium Grey mirrors from the Carrera T, the Club Coupe’s are painted in body colour to elevate the design further. A special “70 Year PCA” badge mounted on the grille pays homage to the occasion.
