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Proton Extends Launch Offer for Proton e.MAS 7 Amid Overwhelming Demand

PRO-NET, a subsidiary of Proton, has announced the extension of its special launch package for the Proton e.MAS 7 in response to an overwhelming demand from Malaysian consumers. Less than a month after its debut, the vehicle has already secured over 3,000 bookings, prompting the company to extend the offer to the next 3,000 customers. As a result, a total of 6,000 customers will now benefit from this exclusive deal.

The Proton e.MAS 7, Malaysia’s first national electric vehicle (EV), has garnered significant attention due to its innovative features, affordability, and practicality. The extended launch offer includes a RM4,000 price rebate, along with five launch power packages, demonstrating PRO-NET’s commitment to making sustainable mobility more accessible for Malaysians.

Launched by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in mid-December, the Proton e.MAS 7 is available in two variants: the e.MAS 7 Prime, priced at RM105,800, and the e.MAS 7 Premium, available for RM119,800. Both variants are eligible for the extended launch offer, which includes the Launch Power Packs, offering significant value for early adopters. Among the available packages, the Power Home package provides a complimentary 7kW home charger worth RM1,500, while the Power Plus package includes a free V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) adaptor valued at RM500.

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EV Charging Infrastructure Needs Demand Justification

Despite the rising adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in Malaysia, the current number of EVs on the road is insufficient to justify the widespread deployment of charging infrastructure, according to Yinson Holdings Bhd CEO Lim Chern Yuan. According to The Star, Lim highlighted that while low taxes have driven EV sales, infrastructure expansion still lags.

“There are about 38,000 EVs on Malaysian roads today, but this number doesn’t yet warrant placing charging stations nationwide,” said Lim. He emphasised the ongoing collaboration with regulators to accelerate the rollout of EV infrastructure.

A Unified Asean Strategy

Lim underscored the importance of a cohesive Asean strategy to strengthen the region’s EV industry. He argued that relying on assembly-focused models limits the potential for value creation, advocating instead for investment in high-value sectors such as semiconductors, battery technology, and software engineering.

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Penang LRT Must Come First Before Limiting Private Car Use, Says Chow

Plans to reduce private car usage in Penang can only be considered once the state’s first light rail transit (LRT) line is completed, according to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. According to FMT, Chow emphasised that the LRT would serve as a critical starting point for a comprehensive public transport system in the state, eventually leading to decreased reliance on private vehicles.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day, and the same applies to public transport. The LRT is the beginning. Without the first line, we cannot build the connections needed for a more comprehensive rail system,” Chow said. He acknowledged that while discussions about limiting car use are necessary, they remain theoretical until the LRT is operational.

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Toyota Teams with Nvidia for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems

Toyota has announced a partnership with Nvidia to integrate the Nvidia Drive AGX Orin platform and DriveOS operating system into its next generation of vehicles, signalling a significant leap in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This collaboration builds on Toyota’s long-standing relationship with Nvidia, which began in 2019 with the adoption of Nvidia’s technology for cloud computing and autonomous vehicle development.

Nvidia’s Vice President of Automotive, Ali Kani, praised Toyota’s role in the company’s “cloud-to-car” strategy, which seamlessly combines cloud-based technologies with on-vehicle systems to enable safer, smarter mobility. Nvidia also collaborates with a roster of leading automakers, including Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, BYD, Lucid, Rivian, Nio, and Xiaomi, to advance driver assistance and autonomous driving technologies.

TÜV-Certified Autonomous Driving Platform

Nvidia’s Drive AGX Hyperion, a comprehensive autonomous driving platform, has recently passed stringent safety audits by TÜV SÜD (a global company that provides testing, inspection, certification, and training services) and TÜV Rheinland. This platform combines the Drive AGX system-on-chip (SoC), DriveOS, and a suite of sensors and active safety features to deliver reliable and scalable autonomous driving solutions.

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Perodua Suppliers and Dealers Thriving Amid Historic 2024 Performance

The Perodua Suppliers Association (P2SA) and the Perodua Dealers’ Association (PDA) have strengthened their positions in the automotive ecosystem, riding on Perodua’s record-breaking performance in 2024.

“Over the past couple of years, Perodua has procured tens of billions of Ringgit worth of automotive components from our members, marking the highest purchase volume in our history,” said P2SA President Musa Zahidin Tan Sri Ahmad Zaidee.

These significant investments have empowered P2SA members to reinvest and expand their operations, enhancing economies of scale and bolstering competitiveness amid rising external costs.

Supporting Record Production Levels

Musa commended Perodua’s transparent communication and support, which enabled P2SA members to meet the automaker’s unprecedented production achievement of 368,100 vehicles in 2024.

“The prompt payments, clear directions, and open discussions provided by Perodua allowed us to exceed our own expectations and support the highest production levels we’ve ever seen,” he noted.

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Government Nears Decision on Targeted RON95 Subsidy

The government is in the final stages of deliberating on the implementation of targeted RON95 fuel subsidies, with a decision expected from the Cabinet in the coming weeks, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli announced today.

Speaking at the Malaysian Economic Forum, Rafizi revealed that the plan aims to ensure subsidies are allocated to deserving households, marking a shift in how financial assistance is distributed.

New Subsidy Framework Based on Net Disposable Income

The economy ministry has proposed moving away from the traditional income classifications of B40, M40, and T20. Instead, the targeted subsidy system will rely on households’ net disposable income to determine eligibility.

“We are going through the internal processes to finalize this. In a few weeks, the government will finalize the proposal made by the economy ministry,” Rafizi said.

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