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Kia Sets Out to Rebuild Its Presence in Malaysia Under a New Principal-Led Structure

Kia is preparing for a significant new chapter in Malaysia as Kia Sales Malaysia Sdn Bhd (KSM) steps forward as a fully principal-led entity, aiming to reintroduce the brand with clearer direction, stronger support and a far more polished customer experience. The company is taking on local scepticism directly, encouraging Malaysians to reassess the brand with a simple question in mind: why Kia?

KSM’s President and CEO, Hyung Ho Kim, has stressed that the company is not racing to be the fastest-growing name in the industry. Instead, the mission is to build steady, long-term progress while prioritising the needs of customers, dealers and the broader Malaysian market. The shift to a direct model, effective from 1 January 2026, means KSM now commands all aspects of the brand locally—from marketing and sales to after-sales and training—allowing it to present Kia’s identity without the limitations of a third-party distributor.

Managing Director Emily Lek explained that operating as a standalone entity gives the brand full control over its messaging and direction. She described this as an exciting return, noting that Kia now has the systems, strategy and freedom to deliver what she considers the brand’s true experience.

Malaysia remains a vital hub for the region, with the Kia Asia Pacific headquarters based here. The APAC office functions as the strategic centre for operations across 33 markets including ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand, overseeing six subsidiaries—among them Kia Sales Malaysia and the manufacturing arm, Kia Malaysia.

In 2024, the APAC region accounted for retail sales exceeding 165,000 vehicles, representing a 3.4% market share. With more than 100 staff, the headquarters continues to generate skilled job opportunities, drawing on Malaysia’s talent pool.

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Jetour Rolls Out 2026 X90 Pro, Expanding Its Mid-Size SUV Line-Up

Jetour has introduced the 2026 X90 Pro to the Chinese market, adding a fresh contender to its growing family of SUVs. Five variants are on offer, with prices starting at 135,900 yuan (around RM79,226) and topping out at 167,900 yuan (around RM97,881), placing it firmly in the competitive mid-size segment.

The latest X90 Pro carries Jetour’s updated styling direction, dominated by a bold, upright front grille filled with vertical chrome bars that give the SUV a more assertive presence. The body stretches 4,858 mm from nose to tail, stands 1,780 mm tall and measures 1,925 mm across, while its 2,850 mm wheelbase puts it slightly ahead of the Jetour Dashing in size.

The cabin is configured as standard in a 2+2+2 layout, though five- and seven-seat options remain available for buyers who need either extra cargo room or maximum family capacity. In the five-seat and seven-seat arrangements, the luggage area can be expanded to a substantial 1,634 litres, which should please anyone who regularly hauls bulkier items.

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Smart #6 EHD Edges Closer to Launch with New Images and Full Powertrain Details

Smart has offered a clearer look at its upcoming #6 EHD, releasing a fresh batch of official images and confirming several major specifications following the model’s earlier appearance in documents from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The new material sets the tone for what is shaping up to be the brand’s most ambitious model yet, particularly with its claimed 1,810 km CLTC range, a 285 km electric-only figure and a system output of 429 hp.

The #6 EHD’s plug-in hybrid setup is built around Geely’s NordThor Hybrid 2.0 technology, a configuration that pairs a 161hp 1.5-litre turbo engine with an electric motor. Power is channelled through a 3-speed DHT, forming a combined output of 429hp. Battery details remain under wraps, though Smart confirmed the use of lithium iron phosphate cells supplied by either SVOLT or CATL. Fuel consumption is said to dip as low as 3.9 litres per 100 km, underscoring the emphasis on efficiency.

Smart has already laid the groundwork for expectations with the previously introduced #5 EHD, which uses a similar formula: a 161hp 1.5T engine paired with a 268hp electric motor for the same 429hp total output and a 3-speed DHT. The #6 EHD, however, is set to surpass it in size and positioning.

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Leapmotor B10 Arrives in Malaysia with a Starting Price of RM107,800!

Stellantis Malaysia has introduced the Leapmotor B10 to the local market, marking another strategic push into the electric SUV segment. The model arrives not long after the C10 and builds on the global partnership between Stellantis and Leapmotor International, a joint venture aimed at distributing advanced and cost-efficient EVs across more than 20 countries by the end of next year. Its arrival coincides with a strong period for the brand, which recently crossed its one-million-unit milestone and reported more than 70,000 deliveries in November alone.

Two versions of the B10 are available at launch, known as LIFE and DESIGN, and the differences begin with the battery packs. The LIFE runs on a 56.2 kWh unit, while the DESIGN variant carries a larger 67.1 kWh pack. Both cars support an 11 kW on-board charger with matching AC charging capability. Their DC performance varies, however, with the LIFE accepting up to 140 kW and the DESIGN topping out at 168 kW.

This allows a 30% to 80% recharge to be completed in under 20 minutes. The driving range reflects the size difference: the LIFE variant manages 361km on the WLTP cycle, while the DESIGN stretches this to 434km WLTP. Both also come with a 3.3 kW V2L output, enabling the vehicle to power external devices when needed.

The B10 sits on the new LEAP3.5 platform, which fuses the battery pack into the chassis as one integrated structure. Developed with the help of Stellantis’ Chassis Master division, the Cell-to-Chassis 2.0+ approach gives the SUV a low centre of gravity, a well-balanced 50:50 weight distribution and a torsional rigidity rating of 36,360 Nm per degree. These ingredients help deliver a more settled and composed driving experience.

A compact 60 kg Electric Drive assembly contributes to a total weight reduction of over 20 kg and operates at 94% efficiency with a power density of 2.67 kW per kilogram. The setup includes an LFP battery and an AI-assisted motor management system designed to maintain long-term health, safety and performance.

Power comes from a 218hp unit producing 240Nm of torque, giving the B10 a 0–100 km/h time of around eight seconds. The 400-volt fast-charging system, operating at 2.5C, enables swift recharging, and the WLTP range of up to 434km makes it a practical option for everyday use. The thermal management system uses liquid cooling for the battery and oil cooling for the motor, ensuring consistent performance in Malaysia’s high heat and humidity.

Visually, the B10 adopts a clean, modern design language. The body features smooth surfacing, a distinctive cloud-like waistline and fenders shaped to resemble a planetary ring. Split LED headlamps sit below chequered daytime running lights, and frameless door handles help the SUV achieve a drag coefficient of 0.265. A full-width Wing Star LED taillight bar defines the rear. The SUV measures 4,515 mm in length, 1,885 mm in width and 1,655 mm in height, with a 2,735 mm wheelbase and 170 mm ground clearance.

The cabin centres around the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 processor, paired with up to 16 GB of RAM and an Adreno 640 GPU. A 14.6-inch display running Leap OS 4.0 Plus takes care of infotainment, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support scheduled for January 2026. An 8.8-inch instrument panel, 360-degree camera suite and remote app-based controls come standard.

Cabin space measures 2,390 mm, with good headroom and thoughtfully selected materials. The DESIGN variant adds silicone textile upholstery certified to OEKO-Tex Standard 100 and detailed stitching work. Both front seats are power adjustable and ventilated, while the floating centre console offers wireless charging and abundant storage. A total of 22 storage compartments are located around the cabin. Boot space is rated at 430 litres, expandable to 1,700 litres with the seats folded, alongside an additional 25-litre frunk.

Safety has been a strong area for the B10, earning a 5-star Euro NCAP rating with 93% scores for adult and child protection. Seven airbags are fitted as standard, backed by Level 2 driver assistance that includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Centring, automatic emergency braking, Blind Spot Detection, Traffic Jam Assist and fatigue monitoring, all powered by 12 sensors and 17 active systems.

The B10 is offered in two trims: the LIFE variant priced at RM107,800 and the DESIGN at RM118,800, each with its own interior theme. Early adopters—limited to the first 200 buyers—will receive launch rebates of up to RM8,000 for the LIFE and RM9,000 for the DESIGN. Colour choices include Metallic Black, Light White, Tundra Grey, Dawn Purple and Starry Night Blue, the latter inspired by Van Gogh’s Starry Night Over the Rhone.

The SUV is covered by a six-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty and an eight-year/160,000 km battery warranty, with service intervals set at 20,000 km or one year. By combining strong engineering credentials with competitive pricing and modern features, the Leapmotor B10 enters Malaysia as a confident new entry in the electric SUV market—positioning itself as a serious contender in a rapidly expanding segment.

Millions Rush to Clear Old Traffic Fines as Deadline Looms

Millions of motorists are racing against time as authorities tighten the net on long-standing traffic summonses, warning that those who continue to ignore them after the year-end cut-off could face serious consequences ranging from blacklisting to the loss of fuel subsidies.

The scale of unpaid fines is enormous: the Road Transport Department (JPJ) is still chasing 4.95 million unsettled summonses valued at RM1.48 billion, while police records show almost RM6.6 billion worth of unpaid tickets stretching back years.

The repercussions go far beyond the usual inconvenience of being blocked from renewing road tax or a driving licence. Because the Budi95 petrol subsidy is linked to a valid licence, motorists who continue to sidestep their obligations risk losing the financial assistance entirely.

Discounts of between 50% and 70% have been offered since November in an attempt to entice motorists to clear their backlog, but the grace period ends on 31 December. After that, a new “pay fast, pay less” system will kick in on 1 January 2026, imposing heavier penalties the longer a summons remains unpaid.

According to The Star, JPJ director-general Aedy Fadly Ramli revealed that only a small fraction of the outstanding tickets had been settled since the concession began. Just over 362,000 summonses, amounting to RM47.85 million, were paid off between 1 November and last Monday — a mere seven per cent of the total.

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BYD Marks Three Years in Malaysia With 25,000 EVs on the Road

BYD Sime Motors is celebrating its third year as Malaysia’s leading electric vehicle brand, a milestone marked by more than 25,000 BYD cars now driving on Malaysian roads. The company views this achievement not just as a sales figure but as a reflection of 25,000 Malaysian families who are contributing to cleaner mobility. BYD owners collectively help cut over 62,000 tonnes of CO₂ each year, a reduction comparable to planting nearly 2.5 million trees—enough to form a green ring around Malaysia several times over. It is a remarkable indication of how quickly the shift towards electric mobility has taken hold.

The brand currently offers the largest full-electric range in the country. Seven models have been introduced so far, led by the BYD Atto 3, which continues to dominate the competitive C-segment SUV market. The range expanded in 2025 with the arrival of the Atto 2, the Seal 6 and an updated version of the Seal. The variety now spans entry-level options right up to premium models, covering sedans, SUVs and MPVs, giving Malaysian consumers one of the most diverse EV line-ups available.

Eagle Zhao, Managing Director of BYD Malaysia, described the anniversary as a moment the company takes pride in. He noted that having more than 25,000 Malaysians choose BYD shows just how quickly the public is embracing electric vehicles, and he credited this growth to the brand’s focus on cleaner, smarter and safer technology. He also acknowledged the strong trust and support Malaysians have shown towards the brand, saying it motivates BYD to continue introducing better products and innovations.

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