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BYD SEAL 6 EV Makes Global Debut in Malaysia – Pricing Starts from RM100,000!

Malaysia has been chosen as the stage for the world’s first reveal of the BYD SEAL 6 EV, with BYD Sime Motors officially pulling the covers off the new model today. The launch not only introduces a fresh contender in the C-segment sedan market but also highlights Malaysia’s growing importance in BYD’s global strategy.

The SEAL 6 EV arrives as the seventh model in BYD’s local line-up, sitting alongside popular choices like the Dolphin and Atto 3. Unlike its stablemates, the SEAL 6 EV is pitched as a more premium and dynamic sedan, aiming to combine modern design, advanced electric technology and day-to-day usability in a package that should appeal to a wide audience.

In Malaysia, the SEAL 6 is being promoted under the tagline “Precision. Passion. Aligned.” This reflects BYD’s intention to blend performance with refinement.

Two variants will be available locally — Dynamic and Premium. The Premium gets an opening panoramic sunroof with a powered shade, 18-inch wheels on 225/50 Westlake tyres, and a full-width LED strip up front. The Dynamic skips the sunroof, runs on smaller 17-inch alloys with 225/55 tyres, and loses the LED strip.

For the first time, a BYD sedan is fitted with an all-new advanced suspension system featuring a dual ball-joint MacPherson strut at the front and a rear multi-link setup. Together with a rear-wheel drive configuration — rare in this segment — the car promises a sportier, more balanced feel, with improved weight distribution and a turning radius of just 5.5 metres.

The electric motor in the Premium variant delivers 214hp and 330Nm of torque, allowing the sedan to sprint from 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds. Three driving modes are available, catering for both relaxed and spirited driving. The Dynamic variant produces 127hp and 220Nm of torque. The SEAL 6 features a 56.64 kWh BYD Blade Battery, which boasts an NEDC driving range of 485km.

The battery supports DC fast charging at up to 100 kW, allowing it to go from 30% to 80% in just 23 minutes. For slower charging, the onboard Type 2 AC system tops out at 6.67 kW. On top of that, it also comes with vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, delivering up to 3.7 kW to power external devices.

At the same time, the SEAL 6 retains a strong emphasis on practicality, offering 24 storage compartments throughout the cabin and a combined cargo capacity of 525 litres.

Inside, the car is designed to rekindle the joy of driving, pairing a quiet cabin with premium comfort features and seamless connectivity. The model is also the largest in its class among C-segment sedans sold in Malaysia, which should translate into generous passenger space.

It has a 12.8-inch intelligent touch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an 8.8-inch digital instrument panel, synthetic leather seats and a wireless phone charger.

Standard safety features include Stop and Go full speed adaptive cruise control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Intelligent High Beam Control.

Colour choices include Arctic White, Harbour Grey and Misty Blue. The interior comes in a black and grey combination. Pricing starts from RM100,000 for the Dynamic variant and RM115,800 for the Premium.

For early adopters, the first 800 customers will enjoy benefits worth up to RM6,288, depending on the chosen variant and housing type. These include complimentary wall chargers, rebates, or even a 12-month doorstep charging programme tailored for high-rise residents.

All buyers will also receive a V2L adapter, a Type 2 charging cable and a comprehensive warranty package — six years or 150,000 km for the vehicle, plus eight years or 160,000 km coverage for both the drive unit and the Blade battery.

BYD Sime Motors has been expanding rapidly in Malaysia. The brand already operates 37 outlets nationwide and is targeting 50 by the end of 2026. Since its entry into the market, over 20,000 units have been sold, underlining strong customer confidence and growing interest in EVs. With the launch of the SEAL 6 EV, the company expects this momentum to continue.

Bookings for the BYD SEAL 6 EV are now open across BYD showrooms in Malaysia.

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia Welcomes New CEO, Takashi Sakamaki

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), the official distributor of Mitsubishi vehicles in the country, has announced Takashi Sakamaki as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. He takes over from Shinya Ikeda, who has helmed the company since October 2021.

Sakamaki is no stranger to the automotive world, bringing with him more than two decades of international experience with Mitsubishi Corporation. Over the years, he has worked extensively in China, Indonesia and Mexico, focusing on business strategy, export operations and market development.

His career has seen him take on senior roles that contributed to Mitsubishi’s global growth, from leading business development to handling CBU exports and strengthening OEM supply with global automakers.

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Stellantis Experiments with EV Tech in Peugeot E-3008

Stellantis is pushing the boundaries of electric vehicle technology with a prototype Peugeot E-3008 that carries something quite different under its skin. In partnership with Saft, the battery subsidiary of TotalEnergies, the carmaker has fitted the SUV with a new system called IBIS, which is now undergoing proper road testing.

IBIS has been in the works for years, developed with support from French research institutions as well as engineering firms like E2-CAD and Sherpa Engineering. Back in 2022, the technology had its first outing in a stationary demonstrator, where it proved its technical viability and generated several patents.

Moving it into a fully operational car is seen as the next logical step in bringing the idea closer to production reality.

The clever bit about IBIS lies in how it simplifies the electric powertrain. Rather than using separate modules for the inverter and charger, these functions are integrated directly into the battery pack itself. By doing so, the battery can deliver power not only to the motor but also to the grid or to the car’s 12-volt and auxiliary systems, without relying on additional hardware.

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China Drafts National Standard for Car Door Handle Safety

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) is drafting the country’s first mandatory standard for automobile door handles. The proposed regulation, Safety Technical Requirements for Automobile Door Handles, is open for public feedback and aims to address safety concerns linked to the growing use of concealed electric handles in modern vehicles.

With the rise of EVs, door handle designs have become more complex, often prioritising style and aerodynamics over ease of use. This has raised concerns about usability in emergencies, particularly when electrical systems fail. The new standard sets out requirements for handle design, placement, and performance to ensure that doors remain operable in all situations.

As reported by Autohome, development began in 2024 under MIIT’s guidance, with the National Technical Committee for Automotive Standardisation leading the process. Experts from more than 100 automakers, suppliers, and testing agencies were involved, examining over 230 vehicle models and carrying out extensive ergonomic research. Tests on more than 20 vehicles helped validate the requirements.

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McLaren Eyes Expansion Under New Ownership – And Hints At More Than Supercars

McLaren may have recently unveiled the Artura sports car and the track-focused W1 hypercar, but questions still linger about what the future holds for the legendary British brand. The company has just undergone a major shift in ownership, having been taken over by CYVN Holdings, an investment arm of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, and merged with UK-based EV startup Forseven.

What this means for McLaren long-term is still uncertain, but some clues have started to emerge. Speaking to Car Magazine in the UK, new CEO Nick Collins outlined parts of the plan, and it looks as though McLaren is preparing to stretch beyond its traditional playground of lightweight, two-seat supercars.

Collins stopped short of confirming whether an SUV is on the way, something McLaren has teased before, but he did reveal that the brand will move into what he called “adjacent segments.” Crucially, he confirmed a future model will arrive with more than two seats, which would mark a significant departure from McLaren’s history of strictly sticking to the supercar formula.

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XPENG Expands Charging Network in Southeast Asia with Charge Plus Partnership

XPENG has announced a major step forward in its charging infrastructure across the Asia-Pacific region. The company’s partnership with Charge Plus will give XPENG drivers access to over 3,800 charging piles in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, as well as stations spanning 5,000km of highways that connect five countries: Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

This marks the first time a Chinese emerging EV brand has collaborated with Charge Plus in Southeast Asia.

Through this cooperation, XPENG vehicles such as the G6, G9, and X9—all of which use an 800V fast-charging platform—will have expanded coverage along key routes, including the entire north-south expressway network in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. In Singapore, the network includes the country’s largest public charging system, which holds more than 30% of the market.

The first XPENG and Charge Plus co-branded charging stations are already operational in major cities across Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. XPENG owners using these stations will receive exclusive benefits, including charging discounts by the end of 2025. Real-time station information will also be integrated into XPENG’s in-car displays, allowing drivers to check availability and navigate to stations directly.

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