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Maxim E-Hailing has formally submitted its appeal documents to the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), reaffirming its full compliance with regulatory requirements. The company emphasised its dedication to fostering a competitive and fair e-hailing market in Malaysia.

Puan Masita Binti Mat Isa, Deputy Director General of APAD, stated that the agency had received the necessary documents from Maxim and would review the case promptly. She highlighted the importance of a balanced digital economy, noting that a competitive market ensures optimal e-hailing operations.

Maxim confirmed that only licensed drivers are permitted on its platform, ensuring safe, reliable, and comfortable rides for passengers. The company assists prospective drivers in obtaining Public Service Vehicle (PSV) and E-Hailing Vehicle Permit (EVP) licences through partnerships with over 25 driving schools.

Chowdhury Mushfique Ahmed, Head of Legal and Government Relations at Maxim, explained that the company is actively expanding its network of driving schools to expedite the legalisation process. Future plans include increasing driver quotas and offering compensation bonuses to support legal compliance.

To prioritise user safety, Maxim’s app includes an in-built chat function monitored by the service, alongside a real-time trip-tracking feature that allows passengers to share their journey details with family and friends.

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Sime Darby Auto ConneXion-Ford, the exclusive distributor of Ford vehicles in Malaysia, has unveiled a new initiative aimed at transforming the aftersales landscape. The newly launched Ford Mobile Service (FMS) offers customers the convenience of having professional maintenance and light repair services performed at their homes or offices, beginning with a pilot rollout at the Ford Ara Damansara dealership.

This latest offering is part of Auto ConneXion’s broader strategy to enhance customer convenience without compromising on service quality. By allowing Ford owners to book visits from trained technicians who carry out essential services at a location of their choice, FMS eliminates the need for time-consuming trips to the dealership.

Among the services offered are oil changes, battery replacements, filter and wiper changes, and multipoint inspections. Each procedure is carried out using genuine Ford parts and approved tools, ensuring consistency with the standards upheld at authorised service centres.

Auto ConneXion-Ford’s Managing Director, Turse Zuhair, highlighted that the Ford Mobile Service is an extension of the company’s ongoing commitment to customer satisfaction. He explained that the new platform provides owners with the same level of assurance and reliability they have come to expect from in-dealership services, now delivered directly to their doorsteps. The initiative reflects Auto ConneXion’s continuing emphasis on delivering practical and trusted solutions tailored to evolving customer expectations.

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Honda Malaysia has issued a safety recall affecting a total of 87,490 vehicles across multiple models due to two separate fuel pump-related issues. The move, taken as a precautionary measure, is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to customer safety and product reliability.

The majority of the affected vehicles — totalling 84,073 units — are being recalled to address a fault linked to the fuel pump impeller. According to the company, the impeller component may swell after extended exposure to fuel, potentially preventing the vehicle from starting or, in more severe cases, causing the engine to stall during operation. Affected models include several popular Honda vehicles such as the Jazz (2015–2020), Jazz Hybrid (2018), City (2014–2019), City Hybrid (2018–2019), Civic (2017–2018), Accord (2013–2017), BR-V (2017–2018), HR-V (2015–2018), CR-V (2018–2020), and Odyssey (2017–2019).

In a separate but related development, 3,417 additional vehicles — specifically the Civic (2023–2024) and CR-V (2024) — are being recalled to address a possible defect involving the high-pressure fuel pump. Prolonged usage under high stress may result in cracks within the pump, potentially leading to fuel leaks or the presence of fuel odour while the vehicle is either in motion or idling.

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GWM Malaysia has officially secured a place in the ASEAN Records following an extraordinary real-world performance by the HAVAL H6 HEV, which demonstrated exceptional fuel endurance by travelling over 1,000km on a single tank. This landmark achievement was made possible through a nationwide challenge involving 38 verified owners, all of whom exceeded the 1,000km mark under normal driving conditions.

The most impressive feat came from one participant who recorded a distance of 1,242km on a single refuelling — a benchmark that now stands as the longest distance travelled by a hybrid SUV in the ASEAN region without additional fuel. The challenge was designed to reflect genuine daily usage rather than controlled, optimised conditions, making the results all the more impactful.

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Malaysia’s premier saloon car racing series, the VIOS Challenge, is set to make a landmark appearance on the international stage during the return of the AUTOBACS SUPER GT Series to Malaysian soil after a 12-year absence. The event, to be held from 26 to 28 June 2025 at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit, will see UMW Toyota Motor and Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia (TGR) take on the role of Title Sponsor.

Anticipation is high, with organisers expecting over 40,000 spectators and a worldwide audience exceeding 162 million viewers across broadcast and digital platforms. The return of SUPER GT to Malaysia marks a significant moment in the nation’s motorsport calendar, now enhanced by the inclusion of the VIOS Challenge as a feature race.

The VIOS Challenge, entering its eighth season, has been a mainstay of local grassroots racing and will adopt a revised one-hour endurance format for this international appearance, doubling its usual 30-minute sprint duration. The race will unfold on the full 5.543-kilometre Sepang circuit and is open to three classes of competitors: the Super Sporting category for professional racers, the Sporting class for amateurs, and the Rookie class comprising young drivers from Toyota’s developmental ranks.

Five rookies from the Toyota GAZOO Racing Young Talent Development Programme, launched in 2021, will represent the next generation of Malaysian racing prospects. Since its inception, the programme has produced 22 graduates, with over 10 active in local competitions and four already making their mark internationally with wins and championship titles.

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The roar of high-performance engines echoed once more across the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit as Porsche Malaysia, under the stewardship of Sime Darby Auto Performance, welcomed the return of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA) to Malaysian soil with Rounds 5, 6, and 7 of the 2025 season.

This year’s Malaysian leg marks a pivotal midpoint in the championship calendar and delivers a potent mix of speed and spectacle, featuring two days of blistering sprint races and the much-anticipated return of the endurance format. The series, now in its 22nd season, continues to stand as Asia’s premier one-make racing competition, renowned for its tight competition and pure racing ethos, where every driver competes in identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992) machinery.

Sime Darby Auto Performance, representing Porsche in Malaysia, underscored the event’s significance by reaffirming its long-standing support for motorsport talent and culture. The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Hunter, highlighted that the Carrera Cup Asia is not merely a competitive series but a celebration of motorsport’s enduring spirit, adding that the brand remains committed to nurturing both real-world and virtual racers throughout the region.

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Proton has officially launched its first electric vehicle, the e.MAS 7, in Trinidad and Tobago, marking the model’s second international entry following its debut in Nepal three months ago. This move further strengthens the company’s push into the global EV market and highlights its growing presence in the Caribbean region.

Introduced in Malaysia in December 2023, the e.MAS 7 has quickly become Proton’s third most exported model, following the popular Proton Saga and Proton X50. The launch ceremony, held in the capital city of Port of Spain, was presided over by Jean-Marc Mouttet, Sector Head of ANSA Motors Limited, and Alexander Sabga, General Manager of New Business Development at ANSA MCAL Ltd. ANSA Motors has been Proton’s official distributor in Trinidad and Tobago since 2013.

To complement the launch, ANSA Motors unveiled a newly constructed electric vehicle showroom at The City of Grand Bazaar. The facility has been designed to offer an immersive and educational experience, allowing customers to familiarise themselves with EV technology and receive tailored after-sales support. This investment underscores ANSA’s commitment to supporting EV ownership and promoting sustainable mobility across the country.

The arrival of the e.MAS 7 follows the successful introduction of the Proton X50 and X90 in Trinidad and Tobago in 2023. With a total of 481 Proton vehicles now exported to the nation, comprising 271 units of the X50, 141 units of the X90, and 44 units of the Saga, the Malaysian automaker continues to solidify its presence in this Caribbean market of approximately 1.4 million people.

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Just five months after beginning deliveries in January, the Proton e.MAS 7 has become Malaysia’s fastest-selling electric vehicle, registering 3,632 units sold as of 31 May 2025. Of this figure, 3,399 units were delivered locally, while 233 units were exported, cementing the e.MAS 7’s position as the country’s top-selling EV model this year.

This milestone arrives as Proton’s EV division, PRO-NET, marks the first anniversary of the e.MAS brand. Officially unveiled on 12 June 2024, Proton e.MAS made its market debut with the e.MAS 7 on 16 December of the same year. Since then, the model has rapidly risen to prominence, outpacing competitors and redefining consumer expectations in Malaysia’s burgeoning electric vehicle sector.

Despite the wider market grappling with pricing volatility and cost pressures, the e.MAS 7’s consistent sales performance stands as a testament to Proton’s trusted brand legacy and commitment to quality.

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Sime Motors has marked a significant milestone with the grand opening of its new flagship Denza showroom, a purpose-built facility dedicated to delivering an elevated automotive retail experience. Situated prominently along Old Klang Road, the showroom is designed to set new standards in luxury, innovation, and customer engagement.

Spanning over 8,000 square feet, the state-of-the-art facility houses six display vehicles, a refined customer lounge, and five advanced service bays. The showroom’s design reflects Sime Motors’ ambition to merge cutting-edge technology with premium service, establishing a benchmark for automotive retail spaces in Malaysia.

To commemorate the launch, Sime Motors hosted an exclusive Gala Night that formally introduced the Denza Sime Motors showroom to invited guests. The event featured high-end entertainment, gourmet cuisine, and an unveiling ceremony, offering a preview of the sophisticated customer experience the new showroom aims to deliver.

According to Sime Motors’ Managing Director for Southeast Asia, Jeffrey Gan, the showroom is not merely a sales centre, but a manifestation of the company’s vision for future mobility. It embodies a commitment to integrating modern design, forward-thinking technology, and superior hospitality into a single, seamless experience for every visitor.

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Proton Holdings Bhd recorded a robust performance in May 2025, with total sales, including domestic, export, smart, and Proton e.MAS vehicles, reaching 13,328 units. This figure represents a 6.1% increase compared to May 2024, and marks the third consecutive month of sales growth for the national carmaker.

Between March and May, Proton experienced a year-on-year growth of 10%, pushing year-to-date (YTD) sales to 61,087 units. Market share for the month is projected at 19.2%, with the same percentage forecasted for the YTD share, based on an estimated Total Industry Volume (TIV) of 69,495 units.

Key contributors to this upward trajectory included the Proton X50 and X70, both of which have sustained strong demand following the launch of their updated variants last year. Export sales surged by 36.6% over 2024 figures, while Proton’s flagship electric vehicle, the e.MAS 7, continued to lead EV sales in Malaysia for a fifth straight month, achieving a new milestone by surpassing 900 units sold in May.

Across Proton’s model range, May emerged as the second-best sales month in 2025, bolstered by nationwide promotional campaigns that stimulated consumer interest. The Proton X70 recorded the highest growth rate among individual models, with sales increasing by 44% to 982 units. This placed the C-segment SUV 53.1% ahead of its YTD sales from the previous year, a trend Proton expects to sustain throughout the remainder of 2025.

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