Global News Archives

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

Toyota Motor has officially announced its plans to begin electric vehicle (EV) production in Indonesia within 2025, marking a major strategic shift in the company’s regional manufacturing operations. This move aligns with Indonesia’s government-led push to accelerate EV adoption through generous tax incentives for locally assembled electric cars.

As part of this expansion, Toyota will start assembling its bZ4X all-electric SUV in Indonesia. This decision places the Southeast Asian nation alongside Japan and China as one of only three global manufacturing locations for the bZ4X. The company also confirmed it will begin production of electric pickup trucks in Thailand later this year, reinforcing its commitment to electrifying its commercial and passenger vehicle offerings in the region.

Toyota’s long-standing presence in Indonesia, where it commands over 30% of the automotive market, has previously been centred around hybrid vehicle manufacturing. However, this latest development marks Toyota’s first foray into full EV assembly in the country, positioning it in direct competition with a wave of Chinese manufacturers that have recently entered the Indonesian EV sector.

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

Great Wall Motor (GWM) has officially revealed a glimpse of its first-ever supercar, marking a bold entry into the high-performance automotive segment. Unveiled by Chairman Wei Jianjun on the company’s 35th anniversary, the yet-to-be-named model is set to feature a self-developed 4.0-litre V8 engine paired with a plug-in hybrid system, positioning it as a formidable contender against BYD’s all-electric Yangwang U9.

The teaser image, shared on Wei Jianjun’s official Weibo account, showcases the prototype cloaked in a black film, with the GWM chairman and company executives gathered around it. Though heavily covered, the car’s long proportions, sloped bonnet, and muscular rear haunches suggest a mid- or rear-mounted engine layout. Prominent air intakes situated in front of the rear fenders reinforce expectations of a performance-focused design. The only difference between the U9 and this is that this does not feature the huge swan neck spoiler.

The supercar has been in development for several years, with reports tracing its origins back to 2021. GWM formally committed to the project in January 2025, during its general meeting, which also marked the initiation of a new luxury division internally codenamed “BG”. That same month, the company filed a new trademark, “自信汽车” (Zixin Qiche or “Confidence Auto”), with the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), signalling a new direction under a premium sub-brand.

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

Kia Corporation has officially introduced the Carens Clavis EV, its first electric vehicle manufactured in India, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s electrification strategy. Designed specifically to address the evolving needs of emerging markets, the new electric recreational vehicle (RV) fuses Kia’s advanced EV technology with practical design and lifestyle-centric features.

The Carens Clavis EV represents Kia’s vision of inclusive and accessible electric mobility. With a focus on versatility, everyday comfort, and adaptability, this SUV-inspired RV is geared towards both urban commuters and families seeking a capable electric vehicle for longer journeys. Offering a refined blend of practicality and innovation, the Clavis EV sets out to make electric driving a seamless part of daily life.

The Carens Clavis EV is offered with two battery configurations: a 42 kWh unit delivering a certified range of 404km (ARAI, full MIDC cycle), and a larger 51.4 kWh pack extending range to 490km. Both versions are capable of charging from 10% to 80% in 39 minutes using a 100 kW DC fast charger. Customers can choose between two electric motor outputs, delivering either 132hp or 168hp and 255Nm of torque, ensuring ample acceleration even under full load.

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BMW M Commits to Performance Amid Tougher Euro 7 Emissions Standards

BMW M has confirmed its commitment to maintaining high-performance powertrains in the face of the upcoming Euro 7 emissions regulations, which will come into effect with significantly more stringent testing conditions. The new rules, although keeping current emissions limits from the Euro 6e standard, introduce a more rigorous set of testing protocols designed to better replicate real-world driving scenarios.

Under these updated requirements, vehicles must now remain emissions-compliant for a full decade or up to 200,000km, doubling the current durability standard. Furthermore, for the first time, emissions from brake dust and tyre particles will also be subject to regulatory scrutiny, expanding the environmental scope of the legislation beyond just tailpipe pollutants.

According to Autocar, BMW M CEO Frank van Meel acknowledged that meeting Euro 7’s technical demands was not the central issue. The primary challenge, he said, lay in preserving the level of performance expected from the marque’s engines.

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

As electric vehicles (EVs) continue to gain traction globally, a growing number of passengers are reporting unexpected discomfort in the form of motion sickness. In 2024, EVs accounted for 22 per cent of all new car sales worldwide, a notable increase from 18 per cent in 2023, yet despite their rapid rise, many users are struggling with the physiological side effects of the EV driving experience.

Across social media platforms and online forums, reports of nausea while riding in electric cars, particularly from passengers in the rear seats, have become increasingly common, according to a report by The Guardian. Researchers are now working to uncover the reasons behind this discomfort, and recent findings suggest there is a scientific basis for the phenomenon.

According to William Emond, a doctoral researcher at the Université de Technologie de Belfort-Montbéliard in France who specialises in vehicle-induced motion sickness, the issue stems from a lack of prior experience with the unique motion characteristics of electric cars. The human brain, he explained, relies heavily on learned signals, such as engine revs or vibration patterns, to anticipate acceleration and deceleration. Since EVs operate far more quietly and smoothly than their combustion-engine counterparts, these familiar cues are missing, leaving the brain struggling to interpret motion accurately.

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

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 to Launch Updated EX5 in China with Extended Range and New Features

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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Neta and Zeekr Accused of Artificially Inflating Sales to Meet Targets in China’s Hypercompetitive EV Market

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 Unveils All-New 2026 Uncharted Electric Crossover in New York

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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BMW Teases Hardcore Track-Focused M2 Package for 2025

BMW is preparing to push its compact performance offering even further with the unveiling of a new track-oriented upgrade for the second-generation M2. Though the current model is still relatively fresh, the German automaker appears keen to expand the M2 range with a package designed to maximise its circuit capabilities while remaining road-legal.

The latest development follows closely on the heels of two key M2 announcements earlier this year: the debut of the race-ready M2 variant in April, and the introduction of the M2 CS in May. Now, BMW has teased what appears to be a forthcoming Track Package version, aimed at enthusiasts seeking the most focused driving experience from their high-performance coupe.

In a recent Instagram post, BMW previewed the package using a Sao Paulo Yellow M2 test mule with camouflaged front and rear ends, including a sizeable rear wing that remains impossible to miss despite the disguise. While full details remain under wraps, the images hint at subtle aerodynamic revisions such as a more pronounced front splitter and possibly reworked air intakes. However, beyond these surface changes, the package is expected to introduce more substantial upgrades beneath the bodywork.

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Global News

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

Geely to Launch Updated EX5 in China with Extended Range and New Features

Neta and Zeekr Accused of Artificially Inflating Sales to Meet Targets in China’s Hypercompetitive EV Market

Subaru Unveils All-New 2026 Uncharted Electric Crossover in New York

BMW Teases Hardcore Track-Focused M2 Package for 2025

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

Geely to Launch Updated EX5 in China with Extended Range and New Features

Neta and Zeekr Accused of Artificially Inflating Sales to Meet Targets in China’s Hypercompetitive EV Market

Subaru Unveils All-New 2026 Uncharted Electric Crossover in New York

BMW Teases Hardcore Track-Focused M2 Package for 2025

Archive

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iCAUR Malaysia Opens Flagship Dealership In Damansara

Zeekr 9X PHEV SUV Debuts in China with 1,381hp and Up to 1,250km Range

Toyota Australia May Look to China for More EVs

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