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Toyota to Build Lexus EV Plant in Shanghai, Raises Profit Forecast to Nearly $30 Billion

Toyota has announced plans to establish an electric vehicle (EV) plant in Shanghai dedicated to its luxury Lexus brand, reinforcing its commitment to China’s growing EV market. This move comes as foreign automakers face increasing challenges in the world’s largest auto market.

The Japanese automotive giant, the world’s top-selling carmaker, revealed the decision while also raising its annual net profit forecast to nearly $30 billion and increasing its revenue projection.

Toyota stated that it will set up a wholly owned company in Shanghai for the development and production of Lexus battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and batteries. Production is expected to commence after 2027, with the facility creating 1,000 new jobs and boasting an annual output capacity of approximately 100,000 vehicles.

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Aston Martin Unveils Valkyrie Hypercar for Le Mans and Endurance Racing

Aston Martin is set to embark on an exciting new chapter in its storied motorsport legacy with the debut of the Valkyrie hypercar, marking the brand’s return to the top tier of endurance racing. The Valkyrie, derived from its road-going counterpart, will compete for overall victory at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans and take on both the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA).

A Unique Hypercar Entry

Unlike any other competitor, the Valkyrie is the only racing car in the Hypercar category derived from a road-legal hypercar. It will make its global competition debut at the 2025 WEC season opener, the Qatar 1812km, on February 28. Aston Martin’s THOR Team will field two Valkyrie entries in WEC, further cementing its place in endurance racing history.

British Talent Leads Aston Martin’s Le Mans Line-up

Aston Martin has assembled a formidable driver lineup for the Valkyrie program. In WEC, the #007 Valkyrie will feature British endurance racer Harry Tincknell alongside rising star Tom Gamble. The #009 Valkyrie will be piloted by three-time FIA GT World Champion Marco Sørensen (DEN) and accomplished endurance racer Alex Riberas (ESP).

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Toyota Gazoo Racing Opens Orders for Updated GR Corolla in Japan

Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) has officially begun accepting orders for the newly enhanced GR Corolla, a high-performance model refined with insights from the brand’s motorsport experience. The updated version features a turbocharged three-cylinder engine delivering 299hp and is available with either an eight-speed Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission (GR-DAT) or a six-speed manual transmission.

The automatic variant is equipped with an Ultrasuede-upholstered shift knob accented by an aluminate red trim ring and a shift lever boot. Meanwhile, the manual version features a similar design but with the addition of the GR logo. Both models include a manual parking brake, a parking brake boot, and three-point ELR seat belts for added safety.

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BYD’s Stella Li Awarded 2025 World Car Person of the Year

Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD, has been awarded the 2025 World Car Person of the Year, making history as the first woman and the first representative of a Chinese automaker to receive this prestigious accolade.

Li played a pivotal role in BYD’s rapid global expansion over the past year, spearheading the launch of key models, facilitating the company’s entry into new markets, and overseeing the production of BYD’s 10-millionth new energy vehicle.

A panel of 96 automotive journalists from 30 countries selected Li from a competitive shortlist, which included Stellantis Chief Design Officer Ralph Gilles and Toyota’s Chief Branding Officer and Design Chief Simon Humphries. Candidates were evaluated based on their contributions to the global automotive industry over the past year.

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Hyundai Ioniq 9 Now Available for Preorder in South Korea

Hyundai has officially opened preorders for the Ioniq 9 in South Korea as of February 3, 2025. The three-row electric SUV is expected to make a significant impact on the global EV market, beginning with its home country.

Combining high performance with advanced electric vehicle technology, the Ioniq 9 boasts an impressive driving range of up to 620km (WLTP). The Long-Range RWD model is powered by a 215hp rear motor, while the Long-Range AWD variant adds a 94 hp front motor alongside the same 215hp rear motor. For those seeking maximum performance, the AWD Performance version features dual 215hp motors, delivering power to both the front and rear wheels.

Designed for efficiency and practicality, the Ioniq 9 achieves its 620km all-electric range in the Ultimate 215hp rear-wheel-drive model equipped with 20-inch wheels. Additionally, the advanced 800V battery system supports ultra-fast DC charging of up to 350 kW, ensuring rapid recharges.

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Free KTM Komuter Rides for Klang Valley Commuters During Thaipusam

Klang Valley commuters will enjoy free KTM Komuter rides from February 10 to 11 in conjunction with Thaipusam, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook announced today.

According to NST, the complimentary service will begin at midnight on February 10 and run until 11:59 PM on February 11, with access via automatic gates. To ensure a seamless experience, KTM Komuter has fully transitioned to a cashless system. Passengers can use the KTMB Mobile (KITS) app, Komuter Link Card, Touch ‘n Go Card, local bank debit/credit cards, or physical QR tickets available at ticket counters—all free of charge during the two-day period.

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Historic Mercedes-Benz W196 Stromlinienwagen Sells for RM262 Million at Auction

Mercedes-Benz has once again made history in the world of automotive auctions. A rare 1954 W196 Stromlinienwagen, bearing chassis number 00009/54, was recently sold for a staggering €51.2 million (approximately RM262 million), making it the second most expensive car ever auctioned. The sale was conducted by RM Sotheby’s at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, with proceeds directed towards restoration efforts for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, which had owned the car since 1965.

This remarkable sale places the W196 Stromlinienwagen second only to another legendary Mercedes-Benz model—the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé—which fetched an unprecedented $143 million (around RM669 million) in 2022.

The W196 Stromlinienwagen was initially built in an open-wheel configuration and underwent its first tests in December 1954. It made its racing debut at a non-Formula 1 event in Argentina in January 1955, driven by none other than five-time world champion Juan Manuel Fangio. The car was powered by a 3.0-litre M196 engine, paired with a five-speed manual transmission.

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Audi Reverts to Traditional Naming Strategy, Scraps Confusing Powertrain-Based System

Audi has officially abandoned its short-lived attempt at a new naming scheme, returning to a more traditional approach where model numbers reflect vehicle size rather than powertrain type. The automaker had initially introduced a revised system in March 2023, designating even numbers for electric vehicles (EVs) and odd numbers for combustion-engine models. However, the brand has now decided to revert to its previous method, simplifying its lineup for customers.

Under the reinstated naming convention, Audi will differentiate powertrains using specific suffixes: “TFSI” for petrol engines, “TFSIe” for plug-in hybrids, “TDI” for diesel, and “e-Tron” for fully electric models. Additionally, body styles will retain their familiar designations—Sedan, Avant, or Sportback. This move eliminates the previously introduced double-digit powertrain-based naming format, which was often criticised for being confusing. Terms like “55 TFSI” and “40 TDI” leave many consumers struggling to identify a vehicle’s specifications at a glance.

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BYD Seal 05 DM-i Plug-in Hybrid Set for Official Launch on February 10 in China

BYD’s Ocean Series customer service has confirmed that the Seal 05 DM-i plug-in hybrid sedan will officially debut in China on February 10. The model, which began pre-sales on January 7, is available in three variants, with prices ranging from 89,800 to 109,800 yuan, approximately RM58,000 to RM71,000.

The exterior of the Seal 05 DM-i follows BYD’s latest Ocean series design language, featuring a sleek front fascia and a rear end equipped with a full-width taillight bar, hidden exhaust outlets, and a subtle ducktail spoiler. A “Seal 05” badge on the right side of the tailgate identifies the model. The vehicle is also fitted with advanced camera systems, including a triple-camera setup on the front windshield, rear-facing cameras positioned on the front fenders, and cameras integrated into the side mirrors. Buyers can choose from four exterior colour options: two shades of grey, white, and black.

Structurally, the Seal 05 DM-i is a rebranded version of the BYD Destroyer 05. It measures 4,780mm in length, 1,837mm in width, and 1,515mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,718mm. The primary difference from its predecessor is an additional 20mm in height, while other dimensions remain unchanged.

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Malacca EV Battery Collection Plant Destroyed in Massive Fire

A fire broke out at an electronic waste and electric vehicle (EV) battery collection facility in the Bukit Rambai Industrial Area, Malacca, yesterday, reducing the plant to ruins. The incident occurred around 12:50 pm.

The Malacca Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) received an emergency call at 12:51 pm and immediately deployed a fire rescue tender (FRT) vehicle, a water tanker, and seven personnel from the Tangga Batu fire station. Upon their arrival at 12:56 pm, approximately 90% of the facility—responsible for collecting and dismantling mobile and EV batteries for recycling—had already been consumed by flames.

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English

Toyota to Build Lexus EV Plant in Shanghai, Raises Profit Forecast to Nearly $30 Billion

Aston Martin Unveils Valkyrie Hypercar for Le Mans and Endurance Racing

Toyota Gazoo Racing Opens Orders for Updated GR Corolla in Japan

BYD’s Stella Li Awarded 2025 World Car Person of the Year

Hyundai Ioniq 9 Now Available for Preorder in South Korea

Free KTM Komuter Rides for Klang Valley Commuters During Thaipusam

Historic Mercedes-Benz W196 Stromlinienwagen Sells for RM262 Million at Auction

Audi Reverts to Traditional Naming Strategy, Scraps Confusing Powertrain-Based System

BYD Seal 05 DM-i Plug-in Hybrid Set for Official Launch on February 10 in China

Malacca EV Battery Collection Plant Destroyed in Massive Fire

WTC Automotif Kicks Off Local Production of GAC EMKOO in Malaysia

The XC60 is Now the Best-Selling Volvo Car of All Time

BMW Group Malaysia Unveils Official Pricing for New BMW X3 20 xDrive M Sport and BMW 320i Sport

SISMA Auto Unveils New DENZA Showroom and Service Centre in Glenmarie

Chery Showcases Hybrid Battery Durability in Southeast Asia with Groundbreaking Seawater Test

All-New Hyundai Santa FE Previewed: Bold, Boxy and Commanding

Hyundai Motor Malaysia Officially Starts Operations: New Tucson and STARIA Previewed

Lamborghini Sees Synthetic Fuels as Lifeline for Combustion Engines Amid Electrification Shift

Lexus Marks the Finale of IS500 with Limited-Run “Climax Edition”

Land Rover Unveils 2026 Defender Trophy Edition, Heralding a New Era of Adventure

Archive

Zenvo Unveils 1,850hp Mjølner V12 for 2026 Aurora Hypercar

Proton e.MAS 7 Leads EV Market with 1,853 Deliveries in Q1 2025

Porsche Malaysia Celebrates 15th Anniversary with Launch of New 911 Carrera and Carrera 4 GTS

iCAUR 03 Electrifies Malaysia with Local Preview and Off-Road Showcase

Volkswagen Prepares to Electrify Iconic GTI and Golf R Line-Up with Groundbreaking Performance Models

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