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Lexus has officially discontinued the LC 500h, the hybrid variant of its flagship grand tourer, marking the end of the model’s run following the 2025 model year. While recent announcements highlighted updates for the 2026 LC 500 coupe and convertible, the petrol-electric LC 500h was conspicuously absent, its quiet departure a reflection of dwindling interest and underwhelming sales.

Industry reports confirm that the LC 500h will not return when the refreshed 2026 LC series reaches showrooms. This decision makes the LC one of only a handful of Lexus models that will not feature an electrified powertrain next year, as the brand continues to expand its hybrid and electric offerings elsewhere in the line-up.

Despite offering clear efficiency advantages, the LC 500h has struggled to find a foothold among buyers. In the first half of 2025, Lexus recorded just seven sales of the hybrid LC, a stark contrast to the 783 units sold of the V8-powered LC 500 coupe and convertible during the same period. Full-year figures from 2024 paint a similarly dismal picture: only 18 LC 500h units were sold compared to 1,446 LC 500s. This weak demand stands out even more considering the broader success of Lexus hybrids across its other model lines.

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Geely Automobile is set to begin presales for the refreshed version of its EX5 electric crossover in China on 24 July 2025. Known domestically as the Geely Galaxy E5, the updated model brings minor design revisions, two new body colours, and a significant battery upgrade that boosts driving range to a claimed 610km on the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC).

The EX5, which debuted in China on 5 July 2024 under the Galaxy E5 nameplate, has rapidly gained traction both domestically and internationally. Within its first year, the model entered over 25 international markets under the Geely EX5 branding. Domestically, the vehicle has accumulated sales of 130,715 units, according to data from China EV DataTracker. On 4 July 2025, Geely International announced that total global sales of the EX5 had reached 150,000 units, highlighting its growing footprint in the electric SUV segment.

For the 2026 model year, Geely has introduced several enhancements to the EX5. While the overall design remains largely unchanged, the latest variant is now offered in two additional exterior colours: Dawn Blue and Evening Forest Green. The model retains its distinctive design cues, including sharp LED headlamps, retractable door handles, and a continuous LED taillight strip. Its dimensions remain at 4,615 mm in length, 1,901 mm in width, and 1,670 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm.

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Chery Malaysia has taken a significant step forward in electrified mobility with the launch of its Chery Super Hybrid (CSH) technology. This introduction marks a pivotal moment in the company’s push to deliver cleaner, more intelligent, and efficient transportation solutions to Malaysian drivers.

According to Chery Malaysia’s Vice President, Michael Chew, the unveiling of the Super Hybrid platform reflects the brand’s global pursuit of energy-efficient innovation. He stated that the CSH platform is engineered to offer the flexibility of electric mobility, the range assurance of a hybrid, and the dynamic performance associated with Chery vehicles.

The CSH system signifies a major leap in New Energy Vehicle (NEV) development. It fuses the performance capabilities of both Super Hybrid Electric Vehicles (Super HEVs) and Electric Vehicles (EVs) into one integrated solution. The outcome is a powertrain that not only delivers high fuel efficiency but also offers refined driving dynamics, establishing a new benchmark in the hybrid vehicle segment.

Chery’s hybrid technology journey began in 2001 with the establishment of a specialised R\&D division focused on clean energy. More than two decades of refinement have led to the emergence of the fifth-generation CSH, which is now ready for international markets, including Malaysia.

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BMW Group Malaysia has officially introduced two major additions to its premium vehicle line-up – the all-electric BMW iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro and the locally assembled BMW X5 xDrive40i M Sport – as part of an exclusive presentation at The Art of Driving 2025, held in conjunction with one of Malaysia’s premier golf events.

Positioned at the crossroads of innovation and performance, these models reaffirm BMW’s commitment to the principles of Technology Openness and the Power of Choice, enabling customers to select from both petrol and electric mobility solutions. Starting 25 July 2025, the new BMW iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro, BMW iX xDrive45 Sport, and BMW X5 xDrive40i M Sport will be available at authorised BMW dealerships nationwide.

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Two of China’s prominent electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, Neta and Zeekr, are facing increasing scrutiny over allegations of artificially inflating their sales figures, a tactic industry insiders claim distorts market data and misleads consumers.

According to a report by Free Malaysia Today (FMT) citing Reuters, internal documents and dealer testimonies revealed that both automakers engaged in premature vehicle registration by insuring cars before they were sold to actual buyers. This allowed the companies to classify these vehicles as sold under Chinese industry standards, even though they had yet to be delivered.

Between January 2023 and March 2024, Neta reportedly booked 64,719 early vehicle sales using this method, representing more than half of the 117,000 units it claimed to have sold during that period. Zeekr, a premium EV brand under Geely, allegedly employed a similar strategy in late 2024, particularly in the city of Xiamen, working with state-owned Xiamen C&D Automobile.

Though not technically illegal, this practice, known as “zero-mileage used car” sales, has sparked outrage. Vehicles are marked as used due to insurance and registration, but have never been driven by real customers. The practice has emerged in the context of a fierce price war and an overcapacity crisis in the Chinese EV market.

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Subaru Corporation has officially introduced the 2026 Subaru Uncharted, its latest addition to the global battery electric vehicle (BEV) lineup. Unveiled in New York City, the Uncharted becomes the third electric model in Subaru’s expanding zero-emissions portfolio, following the Solterra and Trailseeker.

Positioned as a compact crossover, the Uncharted has been engineered to deliver exceptional versatility, seamless driveability, and high-performance attributes distinct to electric vehicles. With this model, Subaru is aiming to cater to a broad spectrum of lifestyles while embracing a forward-looking spirit. The name “Uncharted” underscores the vehicle’s adventurous identity, symbolising its capacity to take drivers and passengers beyond the familiar and into new journeys.

The Uncharted’s exterior design presents a bold, streamlined front fascia, while its compact silhouette is contrasted with rugged and sporty detailing, creating a dynamic and adventurous aesthetic. Inside the cabin, the vehicle features distinctive orange accents and an instrument panel dominated by sharp horizontal lines. The interior layout has been carefully designed to maximise comfort and spaciousness, reinforcing the crossover’s practical and inviting atmosphere.

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