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You Can Save On Your Car Loan With New Revamp of Rules

Car buyers in Malaysia will soon get fairer car loans after the government decided to remove the old “Rule of 78.” This rule has been used for decades in hire-purchase loans but was often seen as unfair. The change comes with the new Hire-Purchase (Amendment) Bill 2025, passed on October 8, which replaces the old system with a fairer one.

Before this, car buyers had to pay most of their loan interest at the start of their repayment. This meant that if they paid off the loan early, they didn’t save much money. Because of that, many people chose longer loan terms instead of finishing payments sooner.

Now, with the new “reducing-balance” system, interest will be charged only on the remaining loan amount, not the total borrowed. This means buyers who pay early or take shorter loans will save more money. Banks must also clearly show the real interest rate to customers.

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BYD Shark in Malaysia – What To Expect!

BYD is officially bringing its first-ever pickup truck, the Shark, to Malaysia, a move that marks the brand’s entry into one of the most competitive vehicle segments in the market. This follows the Shark’s successful launches in regions like Mexico and Thailand, and Malaysian buyers can expect a showcase of the model soon before its official arrival.

The BYD Shark represents a significant step forward for the Chinese automaker as it expands from electric passenger cars into the pickup market. Unlike traditional diesel-powered rivals, the Shark is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) that blends practicality with high performance and efficiency.

Under the hood, the Shark features BYD’s advanced Dual-Mode Off-Road hybrid system. It pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with electric motors to deliver a combined output of around 430PS and 650Nm of torque. This powertrain enables the Shark to accelerate from 0–100km/h in just 5.7 seconds, outpacing most conventional pickups on the road.

Equipped with BYD’s signature Blade LFP battery (29.6 kWh), the Shark offers up to 100km of electric-only range, ideal for daily urban commutes without using fuel. When combined with its petrol engine, the truck can travel up to 840km on a full charge and tank. Charging options include both AC and DC capabilities, along with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality, allowing owners to power electrical devices directly from the vehicle.

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Proton e.MAS 7 Maintains EV Leadership as e.MAS 5 Bookings Surge Past 10,000 Units

PRO-NET, the subsidiary of Proton leading the brand’s electric mobility efforts, has reached another major milestone in its e.MAS EV journey. The Proton e.MAS 7 continues to dominate the market as Malaysia’s best-selling electric vehicle, recording a total of 7,413 units sold as of 31 October 2025.

Of this number, 6,954 units were sold locally, while 459 were exported. This marks ten consecutive months at the top for the e.MAS 7, reinforcing Proton’s strong position in the nation’s growing EV sector.

Alongside this success, the newly launched Proton e.MAS 5 — Malaysia’s first truly affordable EV — is making waves of its own. The model has already received more than 10,000 bookings nationwide, signalling a major shift in public interest towards electric mobility.

Interest in the Proton e.MAS 5 is strongest in the Central Region, followed by Southern and Northern Malaysia. Demand in East Malaysia and the East Coast is also climbing, showing that enthusiasm for Malaysia’s first affordable EV extends across the country.

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Loke: Physical Driving Licences Soon Come with a Fee, Digital Version Stays Free

Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport is making a significant leap into digitalisation by moving vehicle licenses and registration documents from traditional physical cards to a fully digital platform. During a podcast with Cilisos, Transport Minister Anthony Loke highlighted that the initiative forms part of a wider plan to modernise public services, enhance efficiency, and substantially reduce government spending.

Currently, printing physical licenses and related documents costs the government over RM100 million annually. By introducing a digital system, the government expects to save this amount while still offering drivers the option to obtain a physical card for a fee of RM10 to RM16. Loke emphasised that not every driver requires a physical license, and moving online will streamline administrative processes, cut costs, and resolve common printing issues.

With around 15 to 16 million active drivers in Malaysia, the transition represents a major logistical effort. The Ministry acknowledges that there may be minor challenges or complaints during the early stages of the rollout, but the long-term benefits—including financial savings and improved service delivery—are expected to outweigh any temporary disruptions.

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Perodua Gears Up to Launch Its First Fully Malaysian Electric Vehicle

Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) is preparing to introduce its first electric vehicle (EV) that meets national standards by the end of this month, marking a significant milestone in Malaysia’s automotive journey.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed the upcoming launch during his visit and engagement session with Perodua employees. As both the Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Anwar highlighted that this locally developed EV represents more than just a new product—it reflects Malaysia’s broader ambition to drive forward its National Agenda.

He explained that the upcoming Perodua EV has been designed to align with the country’s economic and environmental objectives. According to him, the car will not only be affordable but will also serve as a model that caters to the needs of Malaysians while strengthening the national economy.

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Volvo Extends Complimentary Data for Owners of Google Built-In Models

Volvo Car Malaysia has announced an industry-first move in the premium car segment, extending its complimentary Volvo Car Connect Plus data service by another year for eligible owners whose current subscriptions are nearing expiry.

Previously known as Digital Services, the Volvo Car Connect Plus package is included with the brand’s latest models equipped with Google built-in. It allows seamless access to a suite of connected features without relying on a tethered smartphone — including media streaming, real-time Google Maps navigation, Google Assistant voice commands, and over-the-air system updates.

Since its introduction, Volvo Car Connect Plus has become a defining feature of Volvo’s ownership experience, offering up to five years of complimentary in-car data with new vehicle purchases. Early adopters, however, received four years of coverage when the first wave of Google built-in cars arrived in Malaysia. To ensure parity with newer models, Volvo is now extending the complimentary subscription by an additional year for these owners, matching the five-year period available with 2024 model year cars.

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Jetour T2 Set to Hit Malaysian Roads Soon with Estimated Price of RM178,888

Jetour Malaysia has revealed that its upcoming all-terrain SUV, the Jetour T2, will be priced at an estimated RM178,888, marking another major step in the brand’s expansion in Malaysia. The announcement follows the model’s earlier right-hand-drive debut and reinforces Jetour’s growing presence in the premium SUV segment.

Visually, the Jetour T2 commands attention with its bold and boxy styling. It wears a strong, upright stance accentuated by LED headlamps featuring Jetour’s distinctive light signature, flared wheel arches and rugged body lines that convey both durability and refinement. Available in several striking colours — including Khaki White, Aviation Silver and Carbon Black — the T2 projects a premium yet adventurous personality that fits right in among Malaysia’s diverse driving environments.

Under the bonnet, the T2 packs a 2.0-litre TGDi turbocharged engine producing 245PS and 375Nm of torque, paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The drivetrain is complemented by Jetour’s X-Intelligent Drive Mode, which automatically adjusts power delivery and traction depending on surface conditions. This gives the T2 flexibility to move effortlessly between city roads, highways and unpaved terrain without sacrificing control or efficiency.

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Proton Achieves Record October Sales with 15,575 Units Sold

Proton ended October 2025 on a strong note, recording its highest monthly sales volume of the year. The national automaker sold a total of 15,575 units domestically and abroad, representing a 16.3% increase compared to September. This brings Proton’s year-to-date total to 129,872 units, placing the company 3% ahead of 2024’s performance at the same point.

The broader Malaysian automotive market also rebounded, with Total Industry Volume (TIV) estimated at 77,377 units in October, the highest monthly figure for 2025 and a 32.3% rise from the previous month. With two months remaining, Malaysia appears on track to exceed 800,000 annual vehicle sales for a second consecutive year, likely maintaining its position as the top automotive market in ASEAN.

The Proton Saga continued to demonstrate enduring strength even as its next-generation replacement nears launch. The model achieved 8,373 units sold in October, its best performance since July 2013, securing second place in the national sales chart. Cumulative 2025 sales have reached 59,107 units, reaffirming the Saga’s status as one of Malaysia’s most trusted nameplates.

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GWM Malaysia Introduces the Refreshed ORA Good Cat Ultra and GT

GWM Malaysia has officially pulled the wraps off the updated ORA Good Cat Ultra and ORA Good Cat GT, giving one of the country’s most recognisable electric hatchbacks a sharper look, refreshed colours, and added appeal for the growing number of EV enthusiasts in Malaysia.

Visually, the 2025 update brings in a striking new So Blue with Black Roof colour combination that adds a youthful edge to the Good Cat’s familiar retro-futuristic curves. It joins a palette that already includes Hazel Wood Beige with Brown Roof, Pistachio Green, Aqua Grey, and Sun Black (the latter two reserved for the GT variant). The result is a more expressive, confident-looking hatchback that continues to blur the line between modern chic and timeless design.

The new Good Cat range remains true to its “Extra Good EV” spirit — offering smart technology, smooth performance, and safety that inspires confidence behind the wheel. Both variants are powered by a 57.7 kWh SVOLT LFP battery, with the Good Cat Ultra delivering 143PS and 210 Nm of torque, offering up to 480 km of range (NEDC). The sportier Good Cat GT ups the ante with 171PS and 250 Nm, along with a slightly reduced 460 km range due to its performance-tuned setup.

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Chery CSH: Benefits of Hybrid Electric Vehicles

And why they are becoming increasingly popular.

With price of just about everything going upwards, car buyers and owners like you and I are increasingly aware of how much money we spend filling up our fuel tanks.

Gone are the days of cheap petrol, and I will bet a silver coin that those days will never return.

So now the big question on everyone’s minds is – how do we extract as much as possible from every Ringgit.

If you are at the grocery store, it will be easy to maximise value by simply picking the cheaper option, i.e., local produce over imported ones.

But with a car, it is not that straight forward.

Some have opted for electric vehicles to save on their fuel bills. But that is not a practical solution for everyone because of the mismatch between charging times and infrastructure against their own lifestyles.

As such, some are turning to hybrids and rightfully so. Hybrids offer the ideal middle ground between fuel efficiency and lifestyle requirements.

There are two types of hybrid systems that are becoming increasingly popular these days and those are your regular hybrid powertrains as well as plug-in hybrids.

However, not all car makers offer these options, it is quite rare to have a car maker to offer hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains at the same time.

Chery however is not your regular car maker.

The Chinese car making giant prefers to give its buyers the true power of choice. While some car makers shy away from offering too many options for fear of sales cannibalisation, Chery offers what its consumers want.

So, what does Chery have to offer?

Chery has been putting out hybrid powertrains since 2008 but beyond the experience the company has, it has also dedicated thousands of engineers as well as dozens of facilities to creating hybrid technology.

Chery’s hybrid technology is divided into two systems; hybrid electric vehicles, such as the Chery Tiggo Cross Hybrid and on the other side of that is the plug-in hybrid systems, such as the one found in the recently launched Tiggo 7 PHEV and Tiggo 8 PHEV.

What is a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)?

Simply put, a HEV is a hybrid car with an electric motor, battery and an engine but without the plug-in capabilities.

This gives you benefits such as improved fuel efficiency thus better range, and the joy of immediate electric power as well.

The benefit of this system is that you don’t ever have to worry about plugging into a charger and you can drive around as you usually would.

While this is true for all hybrid systems out there, Chery’s HEV system stands out with its advanced engineering.

The number one factor that helps it stand out from the rest is its thermal efficiency, rated at an impressive 44.5%, among the best in the industry.

Thermal efficiency is important for hybrid vehicles because it helps the engine extract more energy from a given amount of fuel. This directly reduces fuel consumption and maximises range.

In Malaysia, the Chery Tiggo Cross Hybrid has made quite a name for itself as being one of the most efficient B-segment SUV.

With it’s 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, naturally-aspirated engine making 102PS and 125Nm of torque, it is mated to dual electric motors that put out a combined 204PS and 310Nm of torque.

This gives the car a sprightly, energetic feel every time you tickle the throttle, a trait you usually find in an electric vehicle.

The other benefit to that is the electric range that you get courtesy of the 1.8kWh battery.

Chery does not provide official figures for the all-electric range, but having driven the car, this writer can say that it is good enough to go about a small parking lot without awakening the engine.

This also means that you get improved fuel consumption benefits, with official figures putting it at 5.4-litres per 100km or 19km per litre. But during a drive back from Terengganu in the Tiggo Cross Hybrid, we saw an astonishing figure of 3.6-litres per 100km.

The other benefit of Chery’s HEV system is an ultra-smooth ride. This is the hallmark of Chery’s innovative Direct Hybrid Transmission, or sometimes known as the electronic CVT.

This transmission system is known as a transmission by name only because there are no rotating gears in the traditional sense.

Instead, power is sent directly to the wheels, and because there are fewer moving parts, you get to enjoy a smooth, vibration free drive quality.

And this also contributes to the immediate power delivery we were talking about earlier as you don’t have to wait for the gears to shift.

Final thoughts?

An HEV suits those who want some of the convenience of an electric vehicle without the associated disadvantages. Fuel consumption is better than regular ICE cars and so is performance.

Data suggests that more people are flocking to HEV’s now than ever before as fuel prices soar.

But what if you didn’t mind plugging in but still want an engine to take you further? That is where plug-in hybrid systems come in and we will explore that in a separate, upcoming article.