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Two of Liberty Walk’s most iconic Japanese builds are set to make a bold statement at the upcoming Tokyo Auto Salon Kuala Lumpur 2025, taking place from 8 to 10 August at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC). Flown in exclusively from Japan, the world-renowned tuning house will showcase its radically customised Ferrari F40 and Super Silhouette ER34 — two standout builds that have redefined automotive artistry.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to browse exclusive merchandise from Liberty Walk and meet the brand’s charismatic founder and owner, Wataru Kato, during the event.

The Liberty Walk Ferrari F40, which drew global attention upon its debut in 2023, is perhaps one of the most talked-about modified Ferraris in existence. Known for its extreme customisation, the F40 retains its legendary 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which delivers 471hp and 578Nm of torque. While maintaining its original performance DNA, the car has been transformed with Liberty Walk’s aggressive signature styling, including a full wide-body kit featuring prominent bolt-on fender flares, an aero-enhancing front cowl and diffuser, side skirts, rear diffuser, a large rear wing, and a lowered suspension setup.

The car’s traditional Rosso Corsa red paintwork has been replaced with a striking white wrap adorned with red roundels on the doors, drawing aesthetic inspiration from the A6M Zero fighter planes used by Japan during World War II. The dramatic transformation reportedly led to the vehicle being removed from Ferrari’s official registry, a testament to the extent of the modifications and the tuning house’s unapologetic approach to automotive expression.

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China is set to introduce new regulations that will reshape how regenerative braking systems operate in electric vehicles (EVs), a move likely to impact the growing segment of drivers who favour one-pedal driving. The new rule, outlined under the national standard GB 21670-2025, is scheduled to come into effect on 1 January 2027.

This legislation will prohibit EVs from having a default driving mode that brings the car to a complete stop simply by releasing the accelerator pedal. While the rule does not entirely ban one-pedal functionality, it requires that such features no longer be the vehicle’s default setting. The change appears to be aimed more at enhancing road safety than improving battery efficiency.

According to a report by The Paper, a Chinese news outlet, the primary concern behind the new regulation is the delayed braking response observed in drivers accustomed to strong regenerative braking. Studies have indicated that drivers relying heavily on regenerative deceleration may hesitate to apply the brake pedal in emergency situations—where the stopping power provided by regenerative systems alone proves insufficient. This delay could compromise reaction times, especially in critical moments requiring full braking force.

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As the 2026 Mazda CX-5 makes its global debut, attention has quickly turned from the brand’s best-selling crossover to what lies ahead for its sports car lineup. While the launch of the new-generation CX-5 will likely continue Mazda’s strong commercial performance in the SUV market, the marque’s sporting future remains a key point of interest for enthusiasts and brand loyalists alike.

In an exclusive discussion with The Drive, Stefan Meisterfeld, Vice President of Strategic Planning for Mazda North America, offered insight into the company’s stance on performance-oriented models. Meisterfeld emphasised that sports cars remain integral to Mazda’s identity, describing them as “critical” to the brand’s overall strategy. He acknowledged the diversity of Mazda’s customer base, stating that the company aims to meet varying emotional and functional needs, which includes retaining a strong connection to its sporty roots.

While the MX-5 Miata continues to hold a special place in Mazda’s portfolio, Meisterfeld’s comments suggest that the company’s future plans could go beyond the iconic roadster. Notably, he made a distinction between “the MX-5 and sports cars in general,” potentially signalling openness to expanding the sports car range.

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Nissan may be on the brink of revitalising dormant manufacturing capacity in the United States, as reports suggest the company is in discussions to build a pickup truck for Honda. Although no official sources were cited, speculation points to Nissan’s Canton plant in Mississippi as a likely candidate for the potential production agreement.

This development could represent a major turnaround for Nissan’s North American operations, which have been significantly downsized in response to steep financial losses. The Japanese automaker recently reported a staggering net loss of $4.5 billion in its most recent fiscal year, prompting the company to scale back both current output and future manufacturing projections across the region.

Rumblings of a collaboration between the two Japanese giants are not new. Earlier this year, when speculation of a possible merger between Honda and Nissan gained traction, both firms acknowledged the prospect of sharing resources. Among the potential joint ventures discussed was the use of Nissan’s body-on-frame platforms by Honda to expand its presence in the U.S. truck segment.

At present, Honda’s only pickup offering for the American market is the Ridgeline, a unibody model. Nissan, on the other hand, manufactures the Frontier — a body-on-frame truck — at the Canton facility. Honda currently lacks a comparable vehicle in its line-up, raising the possibility that the automaker could be considering a significant shift in platform architecture for future pickup models.

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China’s automotive market continues to witness a rapid transformation, as new energy vehicles (NEVs) dominate the sales charts for the first half of 2025. According to data released by Chinese auto outlet Yiche, local manufacturers are gaining ground swiftly, with Geely’s Geome Xingyuan (Proton e.MAS 5) model emerging as the top-selling vehicle in the country for the period under review.

The updated Top 20 vehicle sales chart reveals a notable shift in consumer preferences, particularly towards NEVs, which include both pure electric and plug-in hybrid models. Among the top ten positions, the dominance of Chinese brands is evident, underscoring the growing appeal of domestically produced vehicles in both mainstream and electric segments.

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Boustead Petroleum Marketing Sdn Bhd (BHPetrol) celebrated the winners of its nationwide ‘Peraduan Isi Minyak dan Beli, Menang Bergaya’ contest at a prize presentation ceremony held at the Royale Chulan Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

The contest, which ran from 1 March to 30 April 2025, was open to BHPetrol eCard members who spent a minimum of RM40 in a single transaction at any BHPetrol station across Peninsular Malaysia. Eligible purchases included fuel and items from participating station shops, and entries were automatically registered upon qualifying transactions.

A total of 30 winners were selected to share in prizes worth RM200,000, with the grand prize being a Perodua Alza. The second prize winner drove away with a Perodua Axia, while two third-prize winners each received a motorcycle. Additional prizes included RM5,000 in cash and RM1,000 worth of BHPetrol vouchers for three fourth-prize winners, and RM3,000 in cash plus vouchers for another three fifth-prize recipients. Twenty consolation prize winners were each awarded RM1,000 in cash alongside RM1,000 in BHPetrol vouchers. The full list of winners is available on BHPetrol’s official website.

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