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Porsche Confirms New Petrol-Powered Crossover for 2028 as EV Demand Slows

Porsche is set to introduce a new petrol-powered crossover by 2028, following the discontinuation of the first-generation Macan in Europe. The move comes amid tightening safety regulations and a reassessment of market demand for electric vehicles.

The original Macan was withdrawn from the European market in 2024 due to its failure to comply with the updated General Safety Regulation (GSR2), which came into effect in July. While the model will continue to be sold in markets not subject to these rules, global production is expected to cease in 2026, bringing the chapter on Porsche’s best-selling compact SUV to a close.

During the first-half earnings call for 2025, Porsche CEO Oliver Blume confirmed that the company has fast-tracked development of an entirely new combustion-engine crossover. He described the upcoming vehicle as a model that will be unmistakably Porsche, aimed at the same segment as the outgoing Macan but distinctly different from the forthcoming all-electric Macan.

Blume emphasised that the development timeline is being condensed to ensure the new SUV reaches showrooms within three years. Although specific technical details were not disclosed, the swift turnaround suggests Porsche may leverage Volkswagen Group’s Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture. This is the same platform underpinning the latest Audi Q5, a vehicle that has already debuted with petrol, diesel, and hybrid powertrains.

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Proton Delivers 999 Units of All-New X50 Within Five Days Amid Strong Market Response

Proton has commenced nationwide deliveries of its all-new X50 SUV, with 999 units reaching customers just five working days after the official launch on 24 July. The rapid delivery follows an extensive pre-launch campaign and careful stock planning, ensuring the brand could reward early supporters even before the pricing was officially revealed.

By the end of July, a total of 2,000 units had been produced at Proton’s Tanjong Malim plant, with output expected to remain high in the coming months to meet surging demand. Within just ten days of opening bookings, 5,000 reservations were secured—despite no price announcement at the time. That number has now grown to 8,000 bookings.

The marketing push for the new X50 is far from over. Proton has collaborated with several local entertainment platforms to boost visibility among younger demographics. A highlight of these efforts includes a partnership with local pop group De Fam, who debuted a dedicated song and music video during the vehicle’s launch event. Proton also took the unconventional route of hosting the launch at a pickleball venue, adding a modern, lifestyle-driven twist to the occasion.

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Leadership Change at JLR: Adrian Mardell Retires as Carmaker Faces Uncertain Road Ahead

Adrian Mardell, the executive responsible for rebranding Jaguar Land Rover into the streamlined identity now known as JLR, is stepping down from his position as Chief Executive Officer. After more than three decades with the company, Mardell’s retirement arrives at a pivotal moment for the British automaker as it faces a landscape marked by shifting market demands, delayed product launches, and strategic uncertainty.

Mardell’s career with JLR began in 1990, and he rose steadily through the ranks to become Chief Financial Officer in 2018. He assumed the role of CEO in 2023 following the resignation of Thierry Bolloré. Over his two-year tenure at the helm, Mardell oversaw a significant restructuring of the company, repositioning its three core nameplates, Range Rover, Defender, and Discovery, as standalone brands within the JLR portfolio.

This strategic pivot brought renewed profitability to the business following a period of instability exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, Mardell’s departure now leaves a leadership vacuum at a time when JLR faces a series of pressing challenges. A successor has yet to be named.

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Volvo Executive Merdeka Sales Returns with Exclusive Offers on Certified Used Cars

Volvo Car Malaysia is set to revive its popular Volvo Executive Merdeka Sales this August, offering a premium selection of certified pre-owned vehicles at attractive prices. Following the overwhelming reception in 2024, when nearly 70 vehicles were purchased on the opening day, the 2025 edition promises even greater value and a broader variety, with prices beginning at RM160,000.

The event will take place on 16 and 17 August 2025 at Level 3A of Symphony Square, Menara Symphony in Petaling Jaya. The showcase will feature a carefully selected range of pre-owned models sourced from Volvo Car Malaysia’s internal corporate fleet, including vehicles driven exclusively by members of the company’s management team.

All vehicles on offer are part of the Volvo Selekt Certified Used Cars programme, ensuring each model meets the brand’s stringent standards for safety, performance, and reliability. These pre-owned cars have undergone a thorough 125-point inspection and have been fitted with genuine Volvo parts by trained technicians. Additionally, every vehicle has received the latest software updates and continues to benefit from Volvo’s original five-year unlimited mileage warranty, 24-hour roadside assistance, and full digital services connectivity.

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BMW M3 CS Touring Sets Record as Fastest Touring Model on the Nürburgring

BMW’s dominance on the Nürburgring has reached a new milestone with the BMW M3 CS Touring clocking a blistering lap time of 7 minutes and 29.490 seconds. This feat establishes the model as the fastest Touring car to ever lap the iconic Nürburgring-Nordschleife, further cementing BMW M GmbH’s reputation for engineering excellence in the high-performance segment.

The achievement comes hot on the heels of the BMW M2 CS’s recent lap record in the compact class, underscoring the brand’s continued pursuit of performance benchmarks. Now, the M3 CS Touring joins the ranks of BMW’s most formidable production vehicles, proving that practicality and racing DNA can coexist in one uncompromising package.

The lap time was recorded on the 20.823-kilometre Nordschleife layout, often referred to as the “Green Hell” due to its punishing technical demands. Driven by BMW M’s test engineer and experienced record-setter Jörg Weidinger, the M3 CS Touring shattered the previous Touring benchmark set by the BMW M3 Touring in 2022, which stood at 7:35.060 minutes. Breaking the 7:30 barrier not only elevates the Touring model’s standing in the mid-size performance category but also places it just fractions of a second behind its saloon counterpart, the BMW M3 CS.

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Proton Makes Global History with Launch of First-Ever Bahasa Melayu Voice Recognition in New X50

Proton has unveiled the world’s first Bahasa Melayu Voice Recognition (VR) system, integrated into the newly launched All-New Proton X50. This development positions the national automaker as a global pioneer in intelligent in-car technology, seven years after it first introduced its English-language “Hi Proton” voice assistant in 2018.

At the core of the new Proton X50’s advanced digital interface is a 14.6-inch infotainment screen, now capable of understanding and responding to voice commands in both English and Bahasa Melayu. This bilingual feature sets Proton apart as the only car manufacturer in the world to offer such dual-language voice command functionality, providing a more inclusive, intuitive and safer driving experience tailored to Malaysian motorists.

The Bahasa Melayu VR assistant has been given the name “Aisyah”—a personable and approachable female persona designed to evoke the warmth of a companion or trusted family member. The system was developed in just seven months, well ahead of its original year-long schedule. Between October 2024 and May 2025, engineers and language experts worked intensively to develop the technology, collecting over 4,000 unique voice command phrases in both Bahasa Melayu and English.