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Rolls-Royce Showcases Its Most Complex Woodwork for Phantom’s 100th Anniversary

To mark the 100th anniversary of the legendary Phantom, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has unveiled what it proudly calls the most intricate woodwork ever created in its history. This exclusive Private Collection of just 25 cars showcases an extraordinary level of craftsmanship, debuting three techniques never before used by the marque — 3D marquetry, 3D ink layering, and 24-carat gold leafing. Each car represents a century of design evolution and artistry, merging tradition with innovation in a way only Rolls-Royce can.

The centenary of the Phantom is more than just a milestone; it is a celebration of how the car has defined luxury motoring across generations. For this occasion, the marque’s designers, engineers, and artisans pushed their creative and technical limits, blending hand-drawn sketches, digital design, and cutting-edge production methods. The result is a collection of interior artworks inspired by journeys, landscapes, and the moments that have shaped the Phantom’s enduring legacy.

The standout feature of this collection is the interior door panels, which Rolls-Royce describes as the most complex ever crafted in its history. Each door took an entire year to complete, with every surface narrating a part of the Phantom’s story. The design combines geographical maps, floral motifs, and visual nods to historic Phantom models, all expressed through Blackwood veneer. This material was selected for its rich depth and distinctive grain, offering a dynamic visual texture that shifts subtly under different lighting conditions.

The process required the use of some of the largest veneer sheets ever produced for a Rolls-Royce. These were cut and pieced together like an elaborate mosaic, with each section positioned to ensure the wood grain interacts with light in a specific way. The result is an ever-changing surface that reveals new details from different angles. Even the speaker grilles were integrated directly into the veneer through precision milling, creating an uninterrupted, seamless aesthetic that elevates the cabin’s sense of calm and refinement.

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BYD Expands Global Reach With Fleet of Eight Car Carriers

BYD has now completed its very own shipping fleet, marking another major step in its global expansion. The eighth and final vessel, the BYD Jinan, officially went into service last week, giving the Shenzhen-based automaker an annual transport capacity of more than one million cars.

What’s remarkable is how quickly the fleet came together. The first ship, BYD Explorer No.1, was only delivered in January 2024. In under two years, the company has built up a full fleet of roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) car carriers, each designed to handle between 7,200 and 9,000 vehicles depending on size.

The line-up now consists of BYD Explorer No.1, Hefei, Changzhou, Shenzhen, Xi’an, Changsha, Zhengzhou and the newly launched Jinan. While Jinan is just starting operations, the other ships are already moving cars across the globe. For instance, BYD Hefei is currently unloading in Europe before heading back to China, Xi’an is due in Barcelona this week, while Shenzhen and Changsha are en route from China to Europe.

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Inflated Pre-Sale Numbers in China’s Auto Market Raise Industry Concerns

China’s car market may be the biggest in the world, but the pressure of competition has brought some questionable tactics into play. According to China’s state news agency Xinhua, certain carmakers have been exaggerating pre-sale orders to create the impression of strong demand, a move that could mislead both consumers and investors.

According to Reuters, The Xinhua Daily Telegraph reported that some companies went as far as asking their own employees to place refundable deposits, while others turned to what it called a “grey industry chain” that specialises in artificially boosting order books. These inflated figures, the report added, are rarely verified by third parties and often end up being far higher than the actual number of cars delivered to customers.

This practice has already raised eyebrows among regulators. In September, China’s industry ministry announced a three-month campaign to clamp down on false marketing and other irregular online activity in the automotive sector. Industry insiders admit that the trend is becoming a problem, with concerns that it could damage the sector’s long-term credibility.

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CATL to Begin Mass Production of Sodium-Ion Batteries in 2026

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Limited (CATL) has confirmed that it will begin large-scale production of its next-generation sodium-ion batteries next year. The new cells are designed to deliver a driving range of around 500 kilometres while being cheaper to manufacture and less damaging to the environment.

Unlike conventional lithium-based batteries, the new technology relies on sodium, an abundant material that is easier to extract. CATL has not yet disclosed which car manufacturer will be the first to adopt the batteries.

The company highlights several advantages of the sodium-ion technology. Production costs are lower, the carbon footprint is reduced, and the batteries are classified as more environmentally friendly. They are also capable of both fast charging and rapid discharging, while offering stable performance in a wide range of conditions. Importantly, sodium-ion batteries are considered safer than current mainstream chemistries.

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Porsche Previews the Cayenne Electric Interior Ahead of Global Debut

The upcoming Porsche Cayenne Electric, scheduled to debut at the end of 2025, introduces a new interior concept that emphasises comfort, digital functionality, and personalisation. At the centre of this update is the Flow Display, the largest screen ever fitted to a Porsche, integrated into a cabin designed to merge sport-focused design with advanced digital systems.

According to Markus Auerbach, Director Interior Design at Style Porsche, the goal was to combine traditional Cayenne design cues with Porsche’s new “Digital Interaction” approach. The Flow Display, a curved OLED panel, forms the basis of this system, offering a clean, seamless interface for vehicle controls and infotainment. Alongside this, new features such as electrically adjustable rear seats, heating for surfaces like armrests and door panels, and customisable Mood Modes expand the model’s scope of comfort and usability.

All passengers benefit from increased cabin space and new comfort options. The standard-fit electrically adjustable rear seats can switch between comfort and cargo positions, while Mood Modes adjust interior light, sound, climate, and seating settings for relaxation or focus. A panoramic roof with Variable Light Control adds further versatility: its glass surface, the largest ever installed in a Porsche, can transition between clear, matte, or two semi-transparent settings.

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Chery Launches Exeed Yaoguang C-DM Global Edition in China, Prices Start from RM90k

Chery has pulled the covers off the Exeed Yaoguang C-DM Global Edition in China, an SUV that blends familiar design with significant updates to its hybrid powertrain.

Available in three trims, the model has been priced from 139,900 yuan, which works out to roughly RM90,800, while the top-spec version climbs to 189,900 yuan or around RM123,300. Positioned as a “Global Edition”, the new model is clearly intended for export, signalling Chery’s ambition to push its premium Exeed line further into international markets.

On the outside, the Yaoguang retains much of the bold character of its predecessor, but with subtle enhancements. The full-width LED light bar across the nose remains, now joined by vertical light strips at either side to emphasise the SUV’s stance.

A new dual-tone exterior option has been added, giving buyers a sharper, more distinctive look. At the rear, the through-type taillights are still in place, but with the addition of black trim and twin exhaust outlets that lend the SUV a sportier finish. Dimensionally, the Global Edition continues with a length of 4,781 mm, width of 1,920 mm, height of 1,671 mm, and a wheelbase of 2,815 mm, while curb weight varies between 1,913 and 2,171 kg depending on specification.

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2026 Tank 400 Plug-in Hybrid SUV Lands in China with Tech Upgrades and Fresh Powertrain Option

The Tank 400 plug-in hybrid SUV has just rolled out in updated form and is already being showcased in 178 cities across China. Great Wall Motor’s rugged off-roader hasn’t abandoned its mechanical presence, but for 2026 it comes with some notable tweaks in styling, technology, and powertrain choices that should make it even more appealing to buyers.

On the outside, the SUV retains its squared-off, muscular look but gains subtle detail changes. The most eye-catching is a new colour option called Dunhuang Purple, which gives the big SUV a more distinctive presence.

The front bumper has been reworked with black mesh elements that sharpen its bold stance, while at the back, the once-prominent external spare tyre guard has been deleted. The badge arrangement has also been revised, with the “GWM” lettering now positioned at the centre of the tailgate.

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Zeekr 9X PHEV SUV Debuts in China with 1,381hp and Up to 1,250km Range

Geely’s premium brand Zeekr has unveiled its latest flagship, the Zeekr 9X, in China—a full-size plug-in hybrid SUV packing some jaw-dropping numbers. Launched on September 29, the 9X comes with as much as 1,381hp, advanced air suspension, and a claimed mixed driving range of up to 1,250km.

The reception has been explosive: during its presale, the brand racked up more than 42,000 orders within the first hour.

For context, Zeekr was introduced in 2021 as Geely’s luxury battery-electric brand, but this year marks a big pivot. The company has shifted its strategy to include plug-in hybrids, with the 9X being the first of its kind. Positioned as a halo model, it shows how seriously Zeekr intends to compete in the high-end SUV space.

Measuring 5,239mm long, 2,029mm wide and 1,819mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3,169mm, the 9X is actually longer and wider than a Mercedes-Benz GLS. The design follows current Chinese luxury trends with C-shaped LED headlights, a bold grille, and active air intake shutters.

At the back, there’s a large circular taillight unit, and the SUV sits on 22-inch alloys available in different designs. Buyers can choose from five exterior colours: black, white, silver, grey and purple.

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Could Malaysia See a 2026 Toyota Hilux with Standard 2.8-L Turbo-Diesel and Mild-Hybrid?

The Toyota Hilux has long been a familiar sight on Malaysian roads, whether it’s serving as a rugged workhorse for businesses or doubling as a reliable family and lifestyle truck. Toyota Malaysia markets it with the usual emphasis on toughness, durability, and a servicing network that stretches across the country—qualities that explain why it continues to be one of the best-selling pickups in the market.

But if recent leaks from Australia are anything to go by, the next-generation Hilux due in 2026 could be very different from what Malaysians are used to. Documents filed for homologation reveal changes that point to a more powerful and tech-laden truck, though they may come with higher costs and fewer body style options.

According to Drive, the filings, listed under new “GUN2” model codes (the current Hilux runs under “GUN1”), suggest a major reshuffle in the powertrain line-up. Central to this is the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine, which could become the standard across the range.

In contrast, the 2.7-litre petrol engine looks set to be dropped, particularly from the lower trims. Another notable omission could be the extra-cab body style, leaving buyers with only single-cab and double-cab choices.

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Toyota and Mazda Reportedly Teaming Up on Next-Generation MX-5 and GR86

Japan’s leading car magazine Best Car has reported that Toyota and Mazda may be co-developing the next generation of the Mazda MX-5 and Toyota GR86. If true, the collaboration would mark a major shift in Toyota’s sports car strategy and ensure the continued future of two of the world’s best-known affordable performance cars.

Toyota and Mazda first entered into a formal partnership in 2015, later strengthening it into a capital alliance in 2017. Beyond vehicle supply arrangements, the two companies have collaborated on electric vehicles and software-defined vehicle development.

Best Car’s October issue notes that the close ties between Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda and Mazda President Masahiro Moro have helped strengthen the relationship. Both executives are long-time drivers with experience in competitive racing, which has shaped their shared perspective on building sports cars.

The MX-5 holds a unique position in the global car industry. Since its introduction in 1989, it has been the world’s best-selling roadster and a catalyst for other two-seat sports cars such as the Porsche Boxster, BMW Z3, and Audi TT. Meanwhile, the GR86 has carried Toyota’s reputation in the affordable sports coupe segment, originally developed in partnership with Subaru.