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Proton Holdings Bhd recorded a robust performance in May 2025, with total sales, including domestic, export, smart, and Proton e.MAS vehicles, reaching 13,328 units. This figure represents a 6.1% increase compared to May 2024, and marks the third consecutive month of sales growth for the national carmaker.

Between March and May, Proton experienced a year-on-year growth of 10%, pushing year-to-date (YTD) sales to 61,087 units. Market share for the month is projected at 19.2%, with the same percentage forecasted for the YTD share, based on an estimated Total Industry Volume (TIV) of 69,495 units.

Key contributors to this upward trajectory included the Proton X50 and X70, both of which have sustained strong demand following the launch of their updated variants last year. Export sales surged by 36.6% over 2024 figures, while Proton’s flagship electric vehicle, the e.MAS 7, continued to lead EV sales in Malaysia for a fifth straight month, achieving a new milestone by surpassing 900 units sold in May.

Across Proton’s model range, May emerged as the second-best sales month in 2025, bolstered by nationwide promotional campaigns that stimulated consumer interest. The Proton X70 recorded the highest growth rate among individual models, with sales increasing by 44% to 982 units. This placed the C-segment SUV 53.1% ahead of its YTD sales from the previous year, a trend Proton expects to sustain throughout the remainder of 2025.

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Volvo Cars has unveiled a groundbreaking advancement in occupant protection technology with the debut of its multi-adaptive safety belt, set to launch in the fully electric Volvo EX60 in 2026. This new safety system is designed to provide tailored protection for vehicle occupants by using real-time data from the car’s sophisticated sensor array, marking a major evolution of the original three-point safety belt first introduced by Volvo in 1959.

Developed to address the diversity of human body types and the unpredictability of real-world collisions, the multi-adaptive safety belt responds dynamically to both individual occupant characteristics and the specifics of each crash scenario. Drawing input from both internal and external sensors, the system calibrates belt tension to suit variables such as a person’s height, weight, body shape, and seating posture, as well as the angle and severity of a collision.

The innovation lies in the belt’s expanded use of load-limiting profiles, increasing the options from three to eleven. This significant leap enables the restraint system to apply a more precise level of force during an accident, balancing the need for secure restraint against the risk of injury from the belt itself. For example, in a serious collision involving a larger occupant, the system may apply a higher load threshold to reduce the chance of head trauma. Conversely, a smaller individual in a lower-impact crash would benefit from a lower load setting to reduce the likelihood of rib fractures.

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FAW-Volkswagen, the long-standing joint venture between China’s FAW Group and Germany’s Volkswagen, has announced plans to introduce two new energy vehicles (NEVs) by 2027, both of which will be based on the China-developed CMP platform. These models will be manufactured exclusively for the domestic Chinese market and will not be exported abroad.

The new vehicles will offer customers the choice between fully electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) configurations. The announcement follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding on 4 June between FAW-Volkswagen and the Tianjin Economic Development Zone Government, aimed at accelerating the growth of the NEV sector within the region.

As part of this collaboration, FAW-Volkswagen confirmed that its assembly plant in Tianjin, which currently has a production capacity of 300,000 vehicles annually, will serve as the manufacturing hub for the two upcoming models. The move marks a significant step in the company’s broader strategy to localise innovation and expand its NEV lineup in China.

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Starting 1 July, all vehicles from Singapore entering Malaysia by land must display a valid Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP), as the Malaysian government moves from an advisory phase into full enforcement of the regulation.

According to The Star, the announcement was made by Transport Minister Anthony Loke, who confirmed that from this date onwards, any foreign-registered vehicle found entering Malaysia without a VEP will be fined in accordance with the Road Transport Act 1987. The penalty, set at RM300, applies to both private and company-owned vehicles, and offenders will not be allowed to exit the country without settling the fine and completing the necessary registration process.

The VEP system, initially introduced in October last year, was rolled out with a soft enforcement approach focused on public awareness. Since its launch, no fines have been issued during this preliminary phase. However, the government will now transition to active enforcement under Section 66H(7) of the Road Transport Act, which makes it an offence to drive a foreign-registered vehicle in Malaysia without a valid permit.

Each VEP is issued in the form of an RFID tag linked to a Touch ‘n Go eWallet account. The registration process can be completed via the official portal at vep.jpj.gov.my, with the RFID tag itself costing RM10 and a service fee of RM30 for collection through appointed agents. Vehicle owners may either collect their RFID tag from the VEP Tag Collection Centre in Danga Bay, Johor, or opt for delivery by post.

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Kia Corporation has unveiled its latest innovation in accessible transport with the debut of its PV5 Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) at the Financial Times’ Future of the Car Summit, held in collaboration with the UK’s Motability Operations Ltd. The showcase marks a significant advancement in Kia’s global commitment to inclusive and sustainable mobility.

The PV5 WAV, part of Kia’s expanding Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) portfolio, represents a fusion of advanced electric vehicle technology and inclusive design. Developed specifically for individuals with mobility challenges, the model exemplifies the automaker’s vision of a future where transport is equitable, sustainable, and accessible to all.

Sangdae Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of the PBV Division at Kia, emphasised that the PV5 WAV is not merely a mode of transport, but a symbol of autonomy and empowerment. He noted that by combining innovative PBV architecture with human-centric design, Kia aims to ensure that individuals with disabilities can participate fully in the transition to electric mobility.

The need for accessible transport is growing globally due to rising life expectancy and an ageing population, which is creating increasing demand for WAVs. Simultaneously, the decline in availability of traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, which were often adapted into WAVs, has created an urgent need for purpose-built electric alternatives. Kia’s PV5 WAV is a direct response to this shift, offering a ready-made electric solution for the next era of mobility.

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The Volvo Padel Open is set to return in 2025 with its most ambitious edition yet, promising a larger prize pool, expanded competition categories, and enhanced participant experience. The tournament, recognised as the largest of its kind in Malaysia, will run from 21 June to 27 July 2025, with registration now officially open.

Organised in collaboration with three prominent padel venues in the Klang Valley – Joy Division Padel, Padelground, and PadelKu – this year’s tournament will accommodate up to 320 players. Competitors will vie for a share of prizes exceeding RM180,000 in value, including cash, merchandise, complimentary court hours, and an exclusive week-long experience in a fully-electric Volvo vehicle.

The registration window closes on 3 July 2025, with a one-off entry fee of RM160 per person or RM320 per team. In a show of appreciation to its customers, Volvo is offering a 50% discount on individual registration fees for Volvo vehicle owners.

Acknowledging the rising calibre of local players, the 2025 edition introduces three refined competition categories – Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced – aimed at accommodating both seasoned competitors and those new to the sport. The Beginner category will now feature an “americano” format during the qualifying rounds, enabling individual players to partner with multiple teammates in a rotation system. Points are earned through each match, and the top 16 male and female scorers will move on to the semifinals, which are divided into men’s and women’s divisions.

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