Global News Archives

Leapmotor B01 Electric Sedan Debuts in China with 650km Range

Leapmotor has officially launched its all-electric B01 sedan in China, introducing a highly competitive model across six variants that combine aerodynamic efficiency, modern electric powertrains, and advanced driver assistance features. The B01 offers three range options—430 km, 550 km, and 650 km (CLTC standard)—and caters to different performance and tech expectations at prices starting from just RM58,900.

The variant line-up includes the 430 Comfort Edition priced at 89,800 yuan (approximately RM58,900), 550 Comfort at 95,800 yuan (RM62,900), 550 Enjoy at 103,800 yuan (RM68,100), and 550 LiDAR Edition at 113,800 yuan (RM74,700). The longer-range 650 Enjoy Edition comes in at 109,800 yuan (RM72,100), while the flagship 650 LiDAR Edition tops the list at 119,800 yuan (RM78,700).

Built on the manufacturer’s LEAP 3.5 modular platform, the B01 boasts a remarkably low drag coefficient of 0.197 Cd. In terms of size, it measures 4,770 mm in length, 1,880 mm in width, and 1,490 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,735 mm—positioning it closely alongside the Tesla Model 3 in the mid-size electric sedan segment. Depending on the trim, the curb weight ranges from 1,550 kg to 1,711 kg.

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

Honda is preparing to reintroduce the Prelude nameplate with a compelling blend of performance engineering and hybrid efficiency, setting it apart from the rest of the Civic-based range. The revived model will stand out by featuring the same dual-axis front suspension setup found in the acclaimed Civic Type R, combined with that model’s wider front track and high-performance Brembo brakes. However, instead of being driven by a turbocharged engine, the new Prelude will employ the powertrain from the Civic Hybrid.

This unique pairing of the Civic Hybrid’s electrified power system with the precision handling of the Type R chassis is expected to create a car without direct rivals in the market. While some manufacturers have explored the idea of combining hybrid technology with performance applications, it remains an unconventional strategy across the industry.

Honda appears to be positioning the new Prelude as a grand tourer rather than a full-blown sports coupe. This direction preserves certain elements from previous generations, including its two-door, front-wheel-drive configuration. However, enthusiasts hoping for the return of a manual transmission will be disappointed. Unlike the CR-Z hybrid, which proudly offered a six-speed manual gearbox, the latest iteration of the Prelude will forgo that option entirely.

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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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Global News

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

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

BMW Prepares to Bid Farewell to the Z4 With a Final Edition Ahead of 2026 Production End

Porsche 911 GT3 Gets Track-Ready Upgrade with Manthey Kit

Omoda 7 Raises the Bar for Intelligent Parking

Toyota Yaris Cross Nightshade Arrives in Thailand with Sportier Look and Upgraded Features

SAIC Moves Its All-Solid-State Battery Programme Into Full-Line Commissioning

Rolls-Royce Introduces the Black Badge Ghost Gamer, a Bespoke Salute to Early Arcade Culture

Toyota Pushes Ahead With Mid-Engined Development Despite Early Setbacks

Nissan Unveils the All-New Navara for 2026 Debut in Australia

Porsche Introduces the 2026 Cayenne Electric — the Brand’s Most Powerful Production Model Yet

Leapmotor Shows New A10 Electric SUV Before Official Launch

Archive

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Two Lucky Winners Walk Away With Brand New Hondas!

Porsche Unveils the All-Electric Macan GTS – Performance, Precision, and Distinctive Design

Bookings Open for Locally Assembled Hyundai Staria in Malaysia

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