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Caltex Malaysia Marks 89 Years of Legacy, Innovation and Community Spirit

As the nation celebrates Merdeka and Malaysia Day, Caltex Malaysia also commemorates a milestone of its own – 89 years of fuelling the country’s growth and communities. More than just a fuel provider, the company has long been a part of the nation’s social fabric, shaped by the dedication of its people, its partners and its customers.

Caltex describes its nine-decade journey in Malaysia as one driven by excellence, resilience and innovation. The brand has consistently placed emphasis on the people behind its operations, recognising employees and partners as the true foundation of its success. The company believes that every achievement is a collective one, born from a workplace culture that values commitment, ingenuity and family.

Breaking Barriers in Operations

One example of this spirit is reflected in Vitini Josak, who joined Caltex at 22 as a fresh graduate and rose through the ranks to become a leader. At just 29, she broke new ground by becoming the first female Terminal Manager in Caltex Malaysia’s history—at a time when such positions were almost exclusively held by men. Her leadership not only redefined possibilities for women in the industry but also inspired younger colleagues who saw her as proof that barriers could be dismantled.

*Vitini Josak (2nd from right) celebrating 25 years in Caltex Malaysia in 2023*

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Toyota Pioneers Battery Recycling with Sweep Energy Storage System at Mazda Plant

As the global shift towards electrification accelerates, one of the most pressing challenges for the automotive industry is deciding what to do with retired electric vehicle batteries. With no single definitive solution, various start-ups and carmakers are developing their own approaches. Toyota’s answer is the Sweep Energy Storage System, a project that has now entered field testing at Mazda’s Hiroshima facility.

The Sweep system takes high-voltage batteries salvaged from electrified vehicles, whether hybrids or fully electric, and integrates them into a large-scale factory energy storage solution. What sets the system apart is its ability to work with batteries of varying chemistries and levels of degradation. An advanced energy management logic developed by Toyota continuously monitors performance, directing power through the strongest units while bypassing weaker ones in real time.

Adding to its cost efficiency, the system also reuses inverters from the donor vehicles, removing the need for expensive power conditioners. Horizon, a science and technology publication, highlights this as a key factor in lowering operational costs and making the system more scalable for wider adoption.

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Rail and Bus Services to Run Non-Stop for National Day Celebrations

In conjunction with the 2025 National Day celebrations, public transport operators will extend their services to ensure seamless travel for Malaysians heading to the festivities.

All rail lines, including the Light Rail Transit (LRT), Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), monorail and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Sunway route, will run on a 24-hour schedule across two days, 30 and 31 August. The move is aimed at supporting the large crowds expected to attend the celebrations while providing a convenient and reliable travel option.

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Mercedes-Benz Reportedly in Talks to Source BMW Engines Amid Weak Sales

After decades of rivalry, Mercedes-Benz and BMW may soon find themselves in an unlikely partnership. According to a report by Manager Magazin, Mercedes is exploring the possibility of sourcing four-cylinder engines from BMW, a move that would mark one of the most surprising shifts in the modern automotive industry. While BMW has not confirmed the development, industry insiders suggest that discussions have been ongoing for nearly a year.

The timing of these talks comes as Mercedes faces financial headwinds. At the end of July, CEO Ola Källenius reported weaker-than-expected results, with profit margins in its passenger car business dropping to 3.2 per cent during the second quarter. Sales for the first half of the year stood at just 900,000 units, the lowest since 2020. Internally, Källenius told his management team that cost-cutting alone would not be enough if the company lacked the right products to meet demand.

One of Mercedes’ immediate challenges lies in its engine supply. The Stuttgart-based brand underestimated the number of combustion engines required to support its plug-in hybrid models. Initially, Mercedes sought to cover the shortfall by sourcing four-cylinder units from Geely in China, but political sensitivities in key markets such as the United States have made the use of Chinese-built engines increasingly problematic. This has pushed the company to explore cooperation closer to home, with BMW emerging as the most viable option.

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Zeekr 7X Launched in Malaysia with Three Variants, Up to 646PS

Zeekr Malaysia has officially introduced the Zeekr 7X, marking the brand’s first entry into the local electric SUV market. Positioned directly against rivals like the Tesla Model Y, the five-seater is offered in three distinct variants – the entry-level RWD Standard Range, the mid-tier RWD Long Range, and the flagship AWD Performance – priced at RM179,800, RM190,800, and RM226,800 respectively.

Measuring 4,787mm in length, 1,930mm in width and 1,650mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,900mm, the 7X goes up against the Tesla Model Y.

The RWD Standard Range is powered by a single rear-mounted motor producing 421PS and 440Nm, capable of accelerating from 0–100 km/h in six seconds. Its 75kWh lithium iron phosphate battery provides up to 480 km of WLTP range, with 22kW AC charging taking around 4.5 hours from empty to full.

Thanks to 450kW DC fast charging, the battery can be replenished from 10% to 80% in just over ten minutes. Like the rest of the line-up, it also offers vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability with a 3.3kW output.

Stepping up to the RWD Long Range brings the same motor output but pairs it with a larger 100kWh nickel cobalt manganese battery, extending the driving range to 615 km. The 0–100 km/h sprint remains at six seconds, while AC charging takes 5.5 hours and DC fast charging reaches 80% in around 16 minutes.

At the top of the range, the AWD Performance introduces a dual-motor setup delivering a substantial 646PS and 710Nm, slashing the century sprint to just 3.8 seconds. Using the same 100kWh NCM battery, it achieves a range of 543 km on the WLTP cycle, with charging times matching those of the Long Range model.

Equipment across the range is generous, with the Standard Range already fitted with LED headlamps and taillamps, daytime running lights, frameless doors, a powered tailgate, a panoramic glass roof with powered sunshade, 19-inch alloy wheels and RGB ambient lighting. Inside, the cabin is finished in leatherette upholstery with powered front seats featuring memory functions and rear seats with adjustable backrests.

The dashboard houses a 13.02-inch digital instrument cluster, paired with a 16-inch 3.5K infotainment screen supported by a 10-speaker sound system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, triple-zone climate control, and even a USB port for dashcam integration.

The Long Range variant enhances comfort and convenience with power adjustment for the steering wheel, ventilated and massage-enabled front seats, a head-up display with augmented reality and a projection area of 36.21 inches, a 21-speaker Zeekr Sound Pro system, and dual 50-watt wireless charging pads.

For customers wanting the full luxury experience, the AWD Performance variant adds 20-inch alloy wheels, an adaptive single-chamber air suspension system with continuous damping control, and the Zeekr Stargate Integrated Smart Light Curtain with 1,831 LEDs embedded into the front panel for personalised text or emoticon displays. The cabin gains Nappa leather upholstery, powered rear side-window sunshades and powered doors – a feature absent in rivals within this segment.

All variants are powered by Qualcomm’s 8295 chip, which drives the infotainment system and user interface. Practicality is also a focus, with 36 storage compartments throughout the cabin, including hidden spaces beneath the rear bench.

Safety and driver assistance features are uniform across the line-up. Each 7X comes equipped with seven airbags, adaptive cruise control with lane centring, lane keep assist, automatic lane change, forward collision warning with emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear collision mitigation, cross-traffic alert at both ends, driver monitoring, automated parking assist, a 360-degree camera with transparent chassis view, parking emergency brake and sentry mode.

Zeekr Malaysia is also offering customers a choice of five exterior colours. Crystal White is the standard option, while Onyx Black, Tech Grey and Forest Green are available at additional cost. A more exclusive Brooke Blue, paired with a silver roof, is reserved solely for the AWD Performance. On the inside, the cabin comes standard in black, though the flagship variant adds an alternative purple and white theme. For those seeking a sportier stance, 21-inch forged wheels are listed as an optional upgrade.

Vehicle warranty at five years/150,000km, battery warranty at eight years/160,000km and connected service for one year.

BYD Confirms CKD Factory in Malaysia, Production Starts 2026

BYD Sime Motors, the official distributor of BYD cars in Malaysia, has confirmed plans to establish a CKD (Completely Knocked Down) factory in Tanjung Malim, Perak.

Spanning 600,000 square metres, the plant is expected to begin vehicle production in 2026, marking a significant step in making electric mobility more accessible, competitive, and affordable for Malaysian customers.

The investment reflects BYD’s long-term strategy to strengthen its presence in Malaysia and broaden the availability of electric vehicles (EVs) for local buyers.

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