Global News Archives

Lexus Unveils 2025 IS F Sport Mode Black IV Special Edition in Japan

Lexus has introduced a new special edition for its IS sedan in Japan, alongside updates for the 2025 model year lineup. The IS300 and IS300h models now come with the F Sport Mode Black IV package, which offers aesthetic enhancements and additional features aimed at elevating the sedan’s sporty appeal.

The F Sport Mode Black IV stands out with its new set of black forged alloy wheels, designed by BBS, and black mirror caps featuring a smoked finish for the chrome accents. These details differentiate the latest edition from its predecessor, the F Sport Black III, which also incorporated black exterior elements.

Inside, the F Sport Mode Black IV offers premium upgrades, including Ashwood inserts on the door panels and steering wheel. The steering wheel and gear shift knob feature dimpled leather, while the heated and ventilated sports seats are upholstered in luxurious Ultrasuede material. The 8-inch digital instrument cluster now comes with updated opening graphics, and the Panoramic View Monitor has been added as standard equipment, enhancing both convenience and driver visibility.

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Land Rover Defender’s Electric Evolution: Delayed But Inevitable

Internal combustion engines (ICEs) have outlasted many predictions of their demise, with vehicles like the Land Rover Defender remaining a stronghold of traditional powertrains. Despite JLR’s commitment to electrification, the Defender’s current generation, built on the D7x platform, wasn’t designed to go fully electric. Here’s why and what to expect moving forward:

Why the Current Defender Can’t Go Electric

Platform Limitations:

The D7x platform, introduced with the L663 Defender, was optimised for off-road capability and durability, but it lacks the design flexibility needed for a fully electric drivetrain.
Lennard Hoornik, JLR’s Chief Commercial Officer, acknowledged the difficulty of integrating the required battery and motor systems due to axle packaging constraints and the platform’s focus on rugged utility.

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Honda-Nissan-Mitsubishi Merger: Potential Collaborations on Future Vehicles

The possibility of Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi merging into a unified auto group has stirred excitement, as it could create the world’s third-largest automaker. Beyond strategic advantages like resource sharing and market reach, the merger presents an intriguing opportunity for collaborative vehicle development. Here’s a look at potential outcomes from such a partnership:

A Full-Size Honda SUV Based on the Nissan Armada

The Concept:
The Nissan Armada, also known as the Patrol globally, sits on a rugged body-on-frame chassis and boasts impressive size and power, with its twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 delivering 425hp and 699Nm of torque.

Potential for Honda:

Honda could use the Armada’s platform to create its first full-size SUV, offering a counterpart to American family hauliers like the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition.
A refined version of the Armada chassis could support a new Honda model, possibly named “Crossroad,” harkening back to Honda’s past forays into rugged SUVs.
For powertrains, Honda could either adopt the Armada’s V6 or develop a hybridized version of its legendary J35 V6 for enhanced performance and efficiency.

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Nissan to Downsize Shonan Plant Amid Domestic Restructuring Efforts

Nissan Motor Co. has announced plans to scale back operations at its subsidiary’s Shonan Plant in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, as part of broader domestic restructuring efforts. The move is expected to lead to the loss of hundreds of jobs and marks the first detailed restructuring initiative within Japan following the company’s global downsizing announcement last year.

Production Changes at Shonan Plant

The Shonan Plant, operated by Nissan’s subsidiary Nissan Shatai Co., focuses on manufacturing commercial vehicles such as the AD van and NV200 Vanette. Key updates include:

Cessation of AD Van Production: Nissan plans to halt production of the AD van by November, citing declining sales and intensified competition from Toyota.
Review of NV200 Vanette Production: The automaker is also considering scaling down production of the NV200 Vanette as part of its restructuring strategy.
Impact on Plant Capacity: The Shonan Plant has an annual production capacity of 150,000 units, but the downsizing measures are expected to significantly reduce this figure.

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Mazda6 Bows Out After Over Two Decades in Australia

Mazda Australia has announced the end of the road for the Mazda6, marking the conclusion of a remarkable journey that spanned over two decades. Production of the mid-sized sedan and wagon has officially ceased as Mazda shifts its focus toward hybrid SUVs, including the CX-60 and CX-80, as part of its evolving multi-solution strategy.

A Legacy of Success

Since its launch in 2002, Mazda has sold nearly 150,000 units of the Mazda6 in Australia, with its most successful year in 2005, registering close to 15,000 sales. The model earned multiple awards and competed with notable rivals like the Ford Mondeo, Honda Accord, Nissan Maxima, and Toyota Camry.

A Competitive Segment

In 2024, the Mazda6 secured third place in the Medium Passenger Cars under $60K segment, with 1354 units sold nationwide. The Toyota Camry dominated with 15,401 sales, followed by the BYD Seal (6393 units). Other competitors included the Skoda Octavia (846), Hyundai Sonata (506), Honda Accord (137), and Volkswagen Passat (103).

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BYD to Complete $1 Billion EV Plant in Indonesia by 2025

BYD is on track to complete its $1 billion EV production plant in Indonesia by the end of 2025, according to Eagle Zhao, BYD’s president director in Indonesia. This move highlights the company’s ambition to solidify its presence in a market traditionally dominated by Japanese automakers.

Key Details of the Plant

Location: Subang, West Java, within an industrial complex.
Production Capacity: 150,000 EV units annually.
Timeline: Construction is set for completion by the end of 2025, with production starting shortly thereafter.
Export Focus: The plant is intended to serve both domestic and export markets.

BYD’s investment aligns with Indonesia’s EV strategy, which includes tax incentives and an import duty waiver for automakers to stimulate EV demand and attract foreign investment. The Indonesian government has set an ambitious target of producing 600,000 EVs domestically by 2030.

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Mercedes-Benz Partners with Google Cloud to Revolutionise In-Car Navigation and Voice Assistance

Mercedes-Benz and Google Cloud have announced an expanded strategic partnership aimed at elevating the MBUX Virtual Assistant through advanced conversational capabilities powered by Google Cloud’s Automotive AI Agent. Built on Gemini, Google’s state-of-the-art generative AI model on Vertex AI, the Automotive AI Agent is specifically designed for the automotive sector. By integrating Google Maps Platform, it offers personalised, real-time navigation and point-of-interest (POI) insights to Mercedes-Benz drivers.

Enhanced Navigation and Conversational AI

The upgraded MBUX Virtual Assistant will enable natural, intuitive conversations, allowing users to ask detailed questions about navigation or POIs. For example, drivers can say:

“Could you guide me to the nearest fine-dining restaurant for a unique culinary experience?”
Follow up with: “Does the restaurant have good reviews?” or “What is the chef’s signature dish?”

Responses will include accurate, up-to-date information, displayed seamlessly through the vehicle’s native interface. Google Maps Platform powers this feature, delivering real-time data updates across 250 million global locations, refreshed over 100 million times daily.

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Porsche Rumoured to Bring Back Petrol-Powered Macan Amidst EV Strategy

Porsche’s commitment to internal combustion engines (ICE) appears far from over, despite its aggressive push towards electrification. Insiders have hinted at the possible revival of a petrol-powered Macan, a move that aligns with recent statements from Porsche’s Chief Financial Officer, Lutz Meschke, regarding hybrid and ICE developments.

Meschke stated “We are exploring the possibility of equipping some of the models originally planned only as electrics with hybrid or internal combustion engines. Decisions are being made that are only conceptual for now, but it is clear the combustion engine will remain longer than planned.”

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ALPINA B8 GT: The Final Curtain for BMW’s 8 Series

As the BMW 8 Series approaches its swan song, ALPINA is sending it off in style with the ultimate iteration of the Gran Coupe: the ALPINA B8 GT Hommage. This exclusive model showcases the pinnacle of ALPINA engineering, blending luxury and performance into a truly limited offering of only 99 units. Among these, 20 will feature a rare two-tone Black Sapphire paint combined with Blue or Green II accents, making them even more coveted.

Under the hood, the B8 GT borrows the formidable 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 from the B5 GT, delivering an identical 625hp and 850Nm of torque. Enhanced by ALPINA’s meticulous tuning, the car rockets from 0 to 100km/h in just 3.3 seconds and reaches 200km/h in 10.5 seconds. For those lucky enough to test its limits, the B8 GT achieves a blistering top speed of 330km/h on the Autobahn.

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Lexus Announces the Farewell of RC and RC F Models with the 2025 Final Editions

After a decade on the market, Lexus has officially announced that the RC and RC F models will be discontinued at the end of the 2025 model year. Having sold over 90,000 units across 62 countries and regions, these iconic luxury coupes will bow out in style, offering enthusiasts one final chance to experience their exhilarating performance and unparalleled elegance.

The 2025 Lexus RC lineup, featuring minor updates, and the RC F, offered exclusively as a mono-spec Final Edition, are expected to arrive in dealerships early this year. These models reflect Lexus’s commitment to crafting precision-engineered luxury with performance and sophistication.

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Global News

Lexus Unveils 2025 IS F Sport Mode Black IV Special Edition in Japan

Land Rover Defender’s Electric Evolution: Delayed But Inevitable

Honda-Nissan-Mitsubishi Merger: Potential Collaborations on Future Vehicles

Nissan to Downsize Shonan Plant Amid Domestic Restructuring Efforts

Mazda6 Bows Out After Over Two Decades in Australia

BYD to Complete $1 Billion EV Plant in Indonesia by 2025

Mercedes-Benz Partners with Google Cloud to Revolutionise In-Car Navigation and Voice Assistance

Porsche Rumoured to Bring Back Petrol-Powered Macan Amidst EV Strategy

ALPINA B8 GT: The Final Curtain for BMW’s 8 Series

Lexus Announces the Farewell of RC and RC F Models with the 2025 Final Editions

Mitsubishi Marks Full Exit from China’s Auto Manufacturing Amid EV Industry Overhaul

Hyundai Motor Posts Record Quarterly Revenue Despite Dip in Profits

Leapmotor B01 Electric Sedan Debuts in China with 650km Range

The Honda Prelude Will be a Blend of Type R Underpinnings and Civic Hybrid Power

Toyota to Start Assembling its bZ4X All-Electric SUV in Indonesia

Great Wall Motor’s First Supercar to have a 4.0L V8 Plug-in Hybrid?

Kia Unveils India-Built Carens Clavis EV – 168hp, 490km Driving Range

BMW M Commits to Performance Amid Tougher Euro 7 Emissions Standards

Rise in Electric Vehicle Motion Sickness Tied to Sensory Mismatch and Vehicle Design, Say Researchers

Lexus Pulls the Plug on LC 500h Hybrid as Coupe Line-Up Heads Towards Combustion-Only Future

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All-New Proton X50 Officially Launched from RM89,800

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