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All-New Alphard And Vellfire Available For Booking, Toyota Continues Market Dominance

UMW Toyota Motor maintained its market dominance in June, earning remarkable sales figures of 8,559 units for Toyota and 110 units for Lexus. Toyota and Lexus combined total sales for June 2023 reached 8,669 units, exceeding the 8,004 units reported in May 2023.

Year-to-date sales for June 2023 have shown excellent growth, with a total of 48,659 units sold. This result indicates a strong 6.0% increase over the 45,911 units sold year to date in June 2022.

Another major highlight for the month of June was the unveiling of the highly anticipated all-new Toyota Innova Zenix, featuring both Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) and Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) models. This introduction was a big step forward in the company’s persistent commitment to carbon-neutrality and sustainability.

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Caterham Project V Sneak Peak Before Official Debut

Caterham was a stand-alone corporation until it was acquired by Team Lotus in 2011, resulting in the formation of the Caterham Group. You may remember a group of Malaysians being involved, including a certain Tan Sri Tony Fernandes.

Later in 2021, Caterham Cars was acquired by VT Holdings, the Japanese importer of the Caterham Seven since 2009.

Recently, Caterham teased the front end of the Project V, and now we’re getting a glimpse at the back end a week before the complete product makes its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

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EV Batteries Still A Great Concern For Insurers

Thatcham Research has stated that a lack of data on EV batteries continues to present problems for insurers who are obliged to write off EVs after minor accidents, possibly jeopardising EV adoption.

In a report titled “Impact of BEV Adoption on the Repair and Insurance Sectors,” which the UK Government’s innovation agency Innovate UK funded to examine differences between EVs and fossil-fuel models, the British automotive risk intelligence company cited a “concerning lack of affordable or available repair solutions and post-accident diagnostics.”

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Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Family Now Available With IQ.Drive

Updated IQ.Drive features for the Tiguan Allspace family, which comes in three different variants—the R-Line 4Motion, the Elegance, and the Life—have been announced by Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM).

The rejuvenated Tiguan family now offers a number of new IQ.Drive functions such as Front Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Side Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Lane Assist. Additionally, wireless charging is now standard for all models.

A 9.2″ Discover Pro infotainment system with wireless App-Connect and a Digital Cockpit are among the connectivity technologies included in the interiors of the three models.

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Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Apprenticeship Program Now Accepting Applications

Applications are now being accepted for the 2023 Advanced Modern Apprenticeship programme at Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Training Academy. The programme provides a platform for young Malaysians who want to work for one of the most prominent firms in the world as passenger car technicians.

Since 1984, the Training Academy of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has produced over 900 apprentices who are currently employed in a variety of jobs and specialisations within the brand’s approved dealer network. Since 2017, the programme has had 500 candidates on average yearly.

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Proton Sells 77,321 Units In First Six Months Of 2023

Proton achieved a productive first half of 2023 by attaining its highest overall sales figures since 2012. With 14,351 units sold in June (domestic + export), total sales have reached 77,321 units, an increase of 28.6% over the same month last year and more than three times faster than the industry’s overall sales growth.

Total industry volume (TIV) is predicted to be 61,900 units in June, translating to a market share for Proton of 23.2%. Year-to-date market share has climbed once more to 21.3%, an increase of 3.2% over the same period in 2022.

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All-New Kia Niro EV Launched in Malaysia: 201hp, 255Nm, 460km Range – RM255,888

The first-generation Niro was introduced in 2016 and was based on the same platform as the Hyundai Ioniq, followed by a plug-in version in 2017, an electric version in 2018 and a facelift variant in 2019.

On November 25 during the 2021 Seoul Mobility Show, the second-generation Niro was unveiled. The model was officially launched on January 25, 2022, and the second-generation Niro EV made its premiere in April later that year.

Finally, Dinamikjaya Motors Sdn Bhd, the sole distributor for the Kia brand in Malaysia has introduced the second-generation all-new Kia Niro EV for the Malaysian market.

Exterior

The exterior of the Niro EV is heavily influenced by the 2019 Kia HabaNiro concept car. The front still features Kia’s signature “Tiger Face” that extends from the hood to the fender below.

It features daytime running lights (DRLs) known as the “heartbeat” along with a bold skid plate that enhances the ruggedness of the Niro EV.

The side profile comprises a high-tech two-tone body with a wide Aero C-Pillar at the rear, enhancing air flow to improve aerodynamics that blends into the boomerang-shaped rear taillights. Also found on the exterior design is the Active Air Flap within the grille which contributes to the new Niro’s competitive 0.29 co-efficient (Cd) achievement.

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New Fourth-Generation Kia Picanto Debuts

The new Picanto entry-level hatchback has been unveiled by Kia. The fourth-generation compact car now comes in two different specifications, the base and the GT Line, and has been improved with a fresh appearance and modern technology.

Exterior

It has new headlights with optional LEDs, as well as redesigned front and rear bumpers and features Kia’s signature ‘tiger nose’. Although options for 14, 15, and 16-inch alloy wheels are available, the base model comes with 14-inch wheels as standard. Exclusive 16-inch diamond-cut wheels and a rear diffuser are included with the GT Line. Ten paint colours are available, including Iced Illusion and Rich Brown.

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GAC Introduces An Engine That Runs On Ammonia

Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. (GAC), a state-owned company in China, seems to want to have a go at it all while the rest of the world is moving away from internal combustion engines (ICE) and towards battery electric cars (BEV) or fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) for cleaner emissions.

The Chinese partner of Toyota showcased an ammonia-powered engine as part of its annual technological exhibition. The use of the somewhat hazardous fertiliser as a combustible fuel is not new, but it would be the first outside of the shipping and trucking sectors.

The company views the vile substance contained in urine as a desirable fuel for both practical and environmental reasons. It has intriguing advantages for combustion with fewer greenhouse gas emissions because it only contains hydrogen and no carbon.

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Porsche Backtracks – Petrol Powered Macan To Stick Around For A While

The all-new, fully electric Porsche Macan is scheduled to be introduced in the first half of 2024, although it is possible that the ICE-powered version may continue to be produced for a longer period of time than previously anticipated.

According to reports, Porsche stated that, depending on sales volume over the following two years, it will evaluate its decision to discontinue the combustion-engined Macan in 2025 or 2026.

The production version of the Macan was unveiled at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show and 2013 Tokyo Motor Show. Early models included the Macan S and Macan Turbo. The recent model that is available in the Malaysian market is the 2022 Porsche Macan facelift. The standard Macan costs RM433,154, the Macan S starts at RM623,593, and the Macan GTS is the most expensive model, starting at RM786,232.

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