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Millions Rush to Clear Old Traffic Fines as Deadline Looms

Millions of motorists are racing against time as authorities tighten the net on long-standing traffic summonses, warning that those who continue to ignore them after the year-end cut-off could face serious consequences ranging from blacklisting to the loss of fuel subsidies.

The scale of unpaid fines is enormous: the Road Transport Department (JPJ) is still chasing 4.95 million unsettled summonses valued at RM1.48 billion, while police records show almost RM6.6 billion worth of unpaid tickets stretching back years.

The repercussions go far beyond the usual inconvenience of being blocked from renewing road tax or a driving licence. Because the Budi95 petrol subsidy is linked to a valid licence, motorists who continue to sidestep their obligations risk losing the financial assistance entirely.

Discounts of between 50% and 70% have been offered since November in an attempt to entice motorists to clear their backlog, but the grace period ends on 31 December. After that, a new “pay fast, pay less” system will kick in on 1 January 2026, imposing heavier penalties the longer a summons remains unpaid.

According to The Star, JPJ director-general Aedy Fadly Ramli revealed that only a small fraction of the outstanding tickets had been settled since the concession began. Just over 362,000 summonses, amounting to RM47.85 million, were paid off between 1 November and last Monday — a mere seven per cent of the total.

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BYD Marks Three Years in Malaysia With 25,000 EVs on the Road

BYD Sime Motors is celebrating its third year as Malaysia’s leading electric vehicle brand, a milestone marked by more than 25,000 BYD cars now driving on Malaysian roads. The company views this achievement not just as a sales figure but as a reflection of 25,000 Malaysian families who are contributing to cleaner mobility. BYD owners collectively help cut over 62,000 tonnes of CO₂ each year, a reduction comparable to planting nearly 2.5 million trees—enough to form a green ring around Malaysia several times over. It is a remarkable indication of how quickly the shift towards electric mobility has taken hold.

The brand currently offers the largest full-electric range in the country. Seven models have been introduced so far, led by the BYD Atto 3, which continues to dominate the competitive C-segment SUV market. The range expanded in 2025 with the arrival of the Atto 2, the Seal 6 and an updated version of the Seal. The variety now spans entry-level options right up to premium models, covering sedans, SUVs and MPVs, giving Malaysian consumers one of the most diverse EV line-ups available.

Eagle Zhao, Managing Director of BYD Malaysia, described the anniversary as a moment the company takes pride in. He noted that having more than 25,000 Malaysians choose BYD shows just how quickly the public is embracing electric vehicles, and he credited this growth to the brand’s focus on cleaner, smarter and safer technology. He also acknowledged the strong trust and support Malaysians have shown towards the brand, saying it motivates BYD to continue introducing better products and innovations.

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Mercedes-Benz Introduces All-New Electric GLB with More Space, More Tech and Two Powertrain Options

Mercedes-Benz has pulled the covers off the next-generation GLB, and while its familiar upright silhouette remains, almost everything else has been thoroughly reworked. The SUV enters its new chapter as a fully electric model, stepping in as a successor to the EQB despite wearing a different badge. Hybrid versions will come later, but the initial rollout focuses solely on battery power, available in both five- and seven-seat layouts.

The new GLB arrives with two variants at launch. The first is the GLB 250+ with EQ Technology, fitted with an 85 kWh lithium-ion battery and built around an 800-volt electrical system. Power is supplied by a single rear-mounted motor producing 268 hp and 335 Nm of continuous torque, with a short-lived boost function that temporarily increases output to 454 Nm. It manages the 0–100 km/h sprint in 7.4 seconds and offers a travel range of 630 km on a full charge, which places it right at the top of the segment for efficiency and usable distance.

Above it sits the more powerful GLB 350 4Matic with EQ Technology. This version adds a second motor at the front axle for all-wheel drive, raising total output to 349 hp and 515 Nm. Despite the bump in performance, its range dips only slightly to 615 km. The extra power drops the 0–100 km/h time to 5.5 seconds, giving the 4Matic variant some surprisingly lively acceleration for a family SUV.

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Chery Readies a New Addition to the Tiggo Line-Up with the Tiggo 5 Pro in China

Chery is preparing to expand its Tiggo 5 family with a brand-new model called the Tiggo 5 Pro, a compact SUV that takes a different design direction from the current Tiggo 5x sold in China. While the Tiggo 5 series has so far consisted of the two Tiggo 5x variants, the Pro arrives with a noticeably larger footprint and a fresh look, even though it remains a petrol-powered model.

The Tiggo 5 Pro stretches to 4540 mm in length and 1835 mm in width, making it longer and slightly wider than both existing Tiggo 5x versions, which measure either 4400 mm or 4358 mm long, with both sharing the same 1830 mm width. All three models, however, sit on an identical 2630 mm wheelbase. Its height matches one of the current Tiggo 5x versions at 1588 mm, giving it a similar stance despite its extended body.

What sets the Tiggo 5 Pro apart visually is its new design language, which Chery has reserved for this model. Most striking is the closed-off front end — an unusual choice for a petrol-powered SUV — paired with sharp surface lines and slim headlights. The designers have added a narrow rectangular grille in the middle and a polygonal lower grille that gives the car a layered, more expressive front profile. It’s a cleaner, more modern interpretation that moves away from the busier styling cues often seen on entry-level SUVs.

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Subaru Forester e-Boxer Wins 2024 Japan Car of the Year

The Japan Car of the Year (JCOTY) award has been presented annually since 1980, beginning with the Mazda Familia—better known to some as the Mazda GLC. Over the decades, Toyota and Honda have dominated the awards, securing 15 and 14 wins each. Subaru, meanwhile, has only occasionally taken the top spot, but when it does, it tends to make an impression.

Subaru’s first JCOTY win came in 2003 with the fourth-generation Legacy, a model that bids farewell this year. The second title arrived in 2016 with the fifth-generation Impreza, followed in 2020 by the second-generation Levorg (sold in some markets as the WRX Wagon). The brand can now add a fourth win to its record.

The Forester Hybrid—marketed in Japan as the Forester e-Boxer—has been named the 2024 Japan Car of the Year. The award recognises the crossover’s balance of performance, everyday usability, efficiency, and safety. In Japan, the Forester e-Boxer is also competitively priced, ranging from ¥4,202,000 to ¥4,598,000 (around RM131,000 and RM144,000).

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Nissan Introduces the Sixth-Generation Serena in Malaysia with a New e-POWER System

Since its debut in Japan in the 1990s, the Nissan Serena has built a strong reputation in the mid-sized MPV segment. It is known for its ease of use, flexible interior, and dependable performance, qualities that have made it a long-standing favourite among Malaysian buyers. The Serena’s focus on practicality and efficiency has helped it remain one of the most respected and best-selling MPVs in the country.

Malaysia first saw a hybrid Serena in 2013 with the C26 Serena S-Hybrid, which introduced fuel-saving technology alongside a cleverly designed cabin suitable for daily family needs. This was followed by the C27 Serena S-Hybrid, which expanded on the formula with advanced safety technology and user-friendly features that strengthened its appeal among families.

The arrival of the sixth-generation C28 Serena marks another major shift. The All-New Serena e-POWER moves to a fully electric motor-driven setup, aiming to deliver a level of performance and refinement not usually found in this segment. The change signals Nissan’s intention to push the boundaries of what a family MPV can offer.

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