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Government Mulls Formation of Malaysian Transportation Safety Board Following Fatal Road Accidents

The Ministry of Transport is evaluating a proposal to establish the Malaysian Transportation Safety Board (MTSB), a specialised agency that would be tasked with investigating road accidents nationwide. The initiative stems from recommendations made by a special task force set up to examine two recent tragedies: a fatal crash involving Federal Reserve Unit personnel in Teluk Intan, and the Gerik, Perak, tour bus disaster that claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris students.

According to Transport Minister Anthony Loke, the proposal is still under ministerial consideration but reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening road safety governance. The creation of the MTSB would mark the first time Malaysia has had a dedicated body focused solely on in-depth accident investigation, mirroring the role of transportation safety boards in other countries.

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iCAUR Malaysia Opens Components Hub Ahead of iCAUR 03 Launch

iCAUR Malaysia has taken another step in establishing its presence in the local market with the introduction of the iCAUR Components Hub, a centralised warehouse aimed at strengthening after-sales operations and supporting its growing dealership network.

Located within Shah Alam’s Hicom Industrial Estate, the 88,000-square-foot facility is managed by Chery Corporate Malaysia and shared with OMODA | JAECOO Malaysia. Operational since March 2025, the hub has been steadily expanding its parts inventory ahead of the Malaysian debut of the iCAUR 03, which is set for the third quarter of the year.

The warehouse holds more than 10,000 carefully selected spare parts and components, reflecting the brand’s emphasis on operational readiness. The facility is intended to ensure rapid and efficient after-sales service for customers across the country. It will support a nationwide network of at least 16 dealers in 2025, with further expansion planned for 2026.

The initiative aligns with iCAUR’s “Born to Play” brand ethos, which underlines a focus on being prepared from day one. With the backing of a global automotive player and its established supply chain infrastructure, iCAUR Malaysia aims to set high standards for premium after-sales service while also contributing to Malaysia’s position as a hub for Right-Hand Drive models in ASEAN.

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Proton X50 to Come Standard with Touch ‘n Go RFID in New Mobility Partnership

Proton has entered into a strategic partnership with Touch ‘n Go Sdn. Bhd. to equip every unit of its newly launched Proton X50 with built-in RFID technology. The collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marks a major step forward in Malaysia’s push towards a more connected mobility ecosystem.

Under the agreement, each Proton X50 will roll off the production line already fitted with a Touch ‘n Go RFID tag. This integration will give drivers immediate access to Malaysia’s growing network of RFID-enabled highways, eliminating the need for separate installation and promising greater convenience for motorists.

The MoU signing took place at Proton’s Centre of Excellence headquarters in Shah Alam. Proton Edar was represented by Deputy Chief Executive Officer Zhang Qiang, while Touch ‘n Go Sdn. Bhd. was represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Praba Sangarajoo. Witnesses included Ong Chee Wooi, Head of Sales at Proton Edar, and Jarrod Wong, Sales Director at Touch ‘n Go.

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Renault and Geely Join Forces on New SUV Line for Overseas Markets

Renault’s China-based research and development team is harnessing Geely’s advanced GEA platform to create a fresh line-up of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) aimed primarily at markets in Southeast Asia and Latin America. The project marks a significant step for both manufacturers, as it could become the first instance of Geely supplying its GEA platform to an external partner.

The upcoming range will feature both fully electric and plug-in hybrid powertrains, with the initial models expected to take the form of SUVs. While Renault will design the bodywork independently, the core vehicle architecture and chassis will draw heavily from existing models within Geely’s Galaxy brand. This approach is intended to keep costs down and shorten development timelines, allowing the vehicles to reach their target markets more quickly.

The partnership reflects a deepening relationship between the two companies in the fast-growing overseas NEV sector. Geely has previously collaborated with other marques such as Volvo, Smart, Polestar and Jiyue, but those projects relied on the CMA platform. In contrast, the GEA architecture is Geely’s most recent flagship platform, currently underpinning several models in its Galaxy range – including the newly introduced Galaxy A7, the best-selling Xingyuan, the E5, and the forthcoming M9 and Starship 9.

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BMW Preparing Rugged G74 SUV to Challenge Mercedes-Benz G-Class

BMW is working on an all-new, rugged SUV, known internally as the G74, aimed squarely at rivalling the iconic Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

Production is scheduled to commence in the second half of 2029 at the company’s manufacturing facility in South Carolina. Industry insiders suggest the model will be based on a heavily revised version of the current X5 platform, but with significant modifications to enhance its off-road credentials. The G74 is expected to sit at the top of BMW’s SUV line-up as a new flagship for serious all-terrain performance.

In a notable strategic decision, BMW plans to keep the model powered by an internal combustion engine, potentially paired with hybrid technology. This approach reflects ongoing global demand for petrol-powered luxury SUVs, a segment that continues to attract strong interest even as electric vehicle sales in certain niches. such as the all-electric Mercedes-Benz G-Class, show signs of slowing.

Hints of BMW’s future direction surfaced recently with the introduction of the xOffroad package for the X5 Silver Anniversary Edition. This package includes all-terrain tyres, underbody protection and a rear locking differential – features that could be further developed and refined for the G74.

While the German manufacturer has made it clear that pickups remain outside its brand identity, senior figures within BMW have expressed a willingness to explore more rugged SUV concepts. The company is acutely aware of the growing global demand for vehicles that combine comfort, premium features, and genuine off-road capability, a market in which the G-Class has enjoyed decades of dominance.

If the G74 delivers on its promise, BMW could soon be competing in one of the most exclusive and competitive corners of the SUV market, offering an alternative for customers seeking both luxury and the ability to tackle demanding terrain with confidence.

Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut Reclaims 0–400–0 km/h World Record

Koenigsegg has once again stamped its authority on the high-speed world stage, reclaiming the 0–400–0 km/h record for homologated road cars with its Jesko Absolut at the Örebro airfield in Sweden.

Factory test driver Markus Lundh achieved the remarkable feat in just 25.21 seconds, surpassing the marque’s own record set in June 2024 and eclipsing every other competitor. The time also represents a dramatic improvement over last year’s 27.83-second run, with more than 2.5 seconds shaved off the benchmark.

The achievement came courtesy of refined performance software strategies, collectively named “Absolut Overdrive”, developed for the same Jesko Absolut used in last year’s run. These updates, which will be made available to customer vehicles, enhance drivetrain integration, engine management, and torque control to unprecedented levels.

Christian von Koenigsegg, the company’s founder and chief executive, attributed the success to seamless collaboration between the engineering and development teams, underpinned by in-house drivetrain systems, advanced software architecture and mechanical solutions designed to minimise aerodynamic drag while maximising stability.

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