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Jaecoo J5 Makes Malaysian Debut – The Everyday Superstar Crossover

OMODA | JAECOO Malaysia has pulled the wraps off the Jaecoo J5, previewing it for the first time at the ongoing Carnival in Desa ParkCity, Kuala Lumpur. The compact B-segment crossover is positioned as the brand’s “Everyday Superstar”, aimed at young families and urban drivers looking for practicality without compromising on style and technology.

The Jaecoo J5 stands at 4,380mm long, 1,860mm wide, and 1,650mm tall, with a 2,620mm wheelbase, slightly longer than a Proton X50. It rides on 18-inch aluminium alloy wheels with 235/55 R18 tyres, combining stability with a touch of sportiness.

Under the bonnet sits a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine pushing out 147PS and 210Nm, paired to a CVT. Fuel efficiency is rated at 7.5 L/100km (WLTC), making it a frugal daily driver while still offering enough punch for highway runs.

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BYD Opens World’s Largest Driving Experience Centre in Zhengzhou

Chinese automaker BYD has unveiled what can only be described as the ultimate playground for car enthusiasts, a sprawling all-terrain driving experience centre in Zhengzhou. The facility combines a race track, off-road courses, water challenges, and even a Guinness World Record-certified sand incline, making it unlike anything offered by other car manufacturers, including Europe’s most prestigious brands.

At the heart of the centre lies a 1.7-kilometre circuit featuring nine corners and a 550-metre straight. The design allows BYD’s most powerful models, including the all-electric YangWang U9, to hit speeds of up to 220km/h. Adjacent to the track is a massive 164,687 square-foot paddock built for slalom manoeuvres, moose tests, and demonstrations of automated parking technology.

For those seeking something more unconventional, BYD has created a low-friction zone made from 30,000 smooth basalt bricks, kept constantly wet to replicate the challenges of driving on snow and ice. The automaker has even constructed a 70-metre-long pool. This unusual addition exists not for leisure but to showcase the YangWang U8’s ability to float and move slowly across water thanks to its advanced electric powertrain, a capability unheard of in the industry.

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Works Ministry Resolves Over 95% of MyJalan Road Damage Complaints

The Ministry of Works (KKR) has announced significant progress in addressing public road complaints received through the MyJalan application, with 11,860 cases resolved out of 12,459 submissions. This represents a resolution rate of 95.19 per cent, while the remaining 599 cases, or 4.81 per cent, are still under investigation or pending necessary action.

According to Bernama, since its launch in August 2023, the MyJalan app has attracted 54,330 registered users, who collectively submitted 40,938 complaints. However, not all of these fell directly under KKR’s jurisdiction. In line with the No Wrong Door policy, a total of 28,479 cases, amounting to 69.57 per cent, were redirected to the appropriate authorities. These included roads maintained by municipal councils, village administrators, agricultural bodies, state governments, and agencies such as the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) and the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW).

Beyond addressing road safety through the app, KKR is also pressing ahead with major infrastructure upgrades. On the East-West Highway, traffic flow remains within manageable levels according to 2024 census data, yet a RM100 million rehabilitation project has been commissioned. The project, scheduled for completion in 2026, covers resurfacing works, improvements to street lighting, and structural upgrades, alongside detailed studies, surveys, and the maintenance of both pavement and non-pavement assets.

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Proton Launches Nationwide Photography Contest Celebrating the Spirit of Proton

Proton has announced the launch of a nationwide photography contest designed to capture the passion, pride, and everyday stories of Malaysians with their Proton vehicles. Running from 18 August to 30 September 2025, the competition carries the theme “Lens of Proton: Beauty in Every Detail”, and invites participants to showcase how Proton plays a role in their lives, going beyond its image as just a car manufacturer.

The initiative, themed “More Than Cars – Show Us Your Proton Story”, encourages creativity and personal expression. Entrants can submit photographs that portray their Proton in meaningful contexts, whether on the open road, during cherished family moments, or through artistic perspectives that highlight the brand’s place in Malaysian culture.

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Mitsubishi’s Red Peak Challenge Returns, Set to Thrill Kuching This August

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), the official distributor of Mitsubishi vehicles in the country, is set to bring the adrenaline-charged Red Peak Challenge to East Malaysia later this month. The event will be held at Farley Mall, Kuching on 23 and 24 August 2025, from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm, giving the public a rare chance to push the Triton to its limits under expert supervision.

The Red Peak Challenge is designed to showcase the rugged capabilities of the Triton through a series of specially constructed ramps and obstacle courses. The centrepiece is the 45-degree Red Peak Climb, a dramatic incline that highlights the pick-up’s grip and hill-climbing prowess. With its powerful engine and robust 4WD system, the Triton is able to conquer the ramp with ease, giving participants a firsthand taste of its strength and control.

Other obstacle demonstrations include the 35-degree Side Traverse Ramp, which puts the Triton’s body rigidity and stability to the test when one wheel leaves the ground, and the Roller Ramp, inspired by muddy plantations and construction sites, where the Super Select 4WD-II system ensures power is evenly distributed to all wheels for maximum traction. A Staircase Ramp has also been created to simulate uneven terrain and steep descents. Here, the Triton’s Rock Mode, part of its seven drive modes, demonstrates how effortlessly the vehicle manages challenging surfaces while passengers still enjoy impressive cabin comfort.

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Volkswagen Marks 1.5 Million ID. Deliveries with Milestone ID.7 Tourer

Volkswagen has celebrated a major milestone in its shift towards electromobility, handing over the 1.5 millionth all-electric ID. family vehicle to a customer at its Emden plant in Lower Saxony. The symbolic unit, a black ID.7 Tourer Pro, underscores Volkswagen’s growing presence in the electric segment with a range of up to 606 kilometres.

The ceremony was attended by Lower Saxony’s Minister President Olaf Lies, together with Volkswagen executives including Martin Sander, Board Member for Sales, Marketing and After Sales, and Kai Grünitz, who oversees Technical Development. The customer, from Vechta in Lower Saxony, received the keys to what is now a landmark car in the brand’s electric portfolio.

Volkswagen highlighted that reaching 1.5 million deliveries in less than five years illustrates its position as a leader in Europe’s EV market. Since the debut of the ID.3 in September 2020, the company has consistently topped registration charts in Germany and across the continent. Sander pointed out that the figures confirm Volkswagen’s strategy of building electric cars that match customer expectations, noting that the ID. family remains a cornerstone of the brand’s transformation.

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Zeekr Opens New Flagship Showroom at KLCC, Announces Official Price for 009 Executive

Zeekr Malaysia has marked another milestone in its expansion journey with the opening of Zeekr Centre KLCC, a premium retail space located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle. Operated by authorised dealer Preeminent Auto Sdn Bhd, the new showroom underlines the brand’s ambition to establish a strong presence in Malaysia and across Southeast Asia.

Spanning 4,800 square feet, the KLCC showroom serves as Preeminent Auto’s flagship dealership and its second outlet following Zeekr Centre IOI Mall Puchong. The space can accommodate up to five vehicles at any one time and is equipped with three AC charging bays. Its floor-to-ceiling glass façade allows natural light to flow into the showroom, while the dark exterior finish accented with Zeekr’s distinctive orange detailing presents a modern and minimalist design that reflects the brand’s premium positioning.

According to Preeminent Auto, the opening of the KLCC outlet is intended to elevate the premium EV experience in Malaysia. Visitors will be able to explore Zeekr’s latest electric vehicle line-up, engage with sales consultants, and take part in test drives designed to showcase the brand’s technology and refinement. The new centre also embodies Zeekr’s “Luxury Reimagined” philosophy, bringing a heightened level of sophistication to the local EV retail scene.

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Geely’s Livan Auto Introduces the Smurf Micro EV

Geely’s sub-brand Livan Auto has pulled the covers off its latest creation, the Livan Smurf, a compact all-electric city car designed to capture urban buyers with its small footprint and charming styling.

The Smurf is essentially a rebadged version of the Geely Panda Mini EV, which has already proven its popularity in China with over 101,000 units sold between January and July this year. With its playful design and affordable pricing, Livan is positioning the Smurf as an accessible entry point into the growing micro-EV segment.

From the outside, the Smurf carries a boxy silhouette that suits its urban role. The closed-off front grille is narrow and is paired with distinctive “Forest Spirit Eye” headlights that lend the car an expressive, cartoon-like face. A silver bumper accent creates what looks like a smiling mouth, and the centrally mounted charging port is neatly integrated into the front. At the side, the profile remains flat, with the option of single-tone or dual-tone finishes, while 14-inch “Vibrant Pinwheel” alloy wheels complete the look.

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XPeng and Volkswagen Strengthen Partnership with Broader Technical Cooperation

XPeng and Volkswagen Group have taken another major step in their partnership with the signing of a new agreement that expands their technical cooperation well beyond electric vehicles.

The deal will see the jointly developed electrical and electronic (E/E) architecture not only integrated into Volkswagen’s battery-electric vehicle (BEV) platforms but also applied to its internal combustion engine (ICE) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models for the Chinese market. This expansion marks a significant milestone in Volkswagen’s push to accelerate its software-defined car strategy while also improving its overall competitiveness in the world’s largest automotive market.

According to the two companies, the E/E architecture has already been designed and validated by their joint R&D team. Originally intended for use in electric models, it has now been adapted for conventional and hybrid powertrains as well. This flexibility will allow Volkswagen to benefit from faster software iteration, frequent over-the-air updates, and a dramatic reduction in vehicle development cycles.

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Proton’s First EV Plant Nears Completion, Production to Begin in September

Proton’s electric vehicle journey is taking shape faster than many anticipated. Within just six months of breaking ground in Tanjung Malim, the national carmaker’s dedicated EV production plant is already nearing completion. Construction is now 90.4% done, equipment installation has reached 83.5%, and overall progress stands at 86.9%. Full-scale production is scheduled to begin this September.

The first model to emerge from the facility will be the Proton e.MAS 7, marking the debut of a fully electric vehicle from a Malaysian brand. Following this, the e.MAS 5 will enter production, an entry-level EV that has already begun a nationwide showcase tour and is expected to be one of the most significant models for the local market.

Although the initial capacity is set at 20,000 units per year, the plant has been designed with scalability in mind. Its modular layout allows production to expand to 45,000 units annually, with flexibility to adapt to new models and international demand. Production lines have been configured to accommodate variations within the Global Modular Architecture (GMA) platform, with modular tester lines, optimised logistics, and digital systems such as MES (manufacturing execution system) and WMS (warehouse management system) already embedded to support future scaling.

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