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2023 Lexus UX 300e Goes Further With 34% More Capacity In New Battery Pack

The electrification journey for Lexus began in 2005 with the RX400h, the world’s first hybrid SUV, and since then the brand has continued to add more electrified models to its range. The latest model, introduced today in Japan, is the updated UX 300e which was the first Lexus production BEV (battery electric vehicle) model.

For this latest version of the company crossover SUV, the main improvement is in the electric powertrain (203 ps/300 Nm) which has a newly developed battery pack with capacity increased from 54.4 kWh to 72.8 kWh. This has extended the claimed range up to 450 kms, an improvement of 40%, with energy consumption reduced to 166.7 Wh/km.

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Proton’s Cumulative Volume For 2022 Passes 100,000 Mark After 9 Months

Since the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely) acquired a 49.9% share in Proton in 2017, the Malaysian carmaker has been steadily regaining its strength in the domestic market. With new models like the X70 and X50, sales have kept rising although the COVID-19 pandemic slowed the trend last year.

Once the dominant brand in the market, Proton has been at No.2 for over 15 years and has been determined to regain its top position. With a strong sales month and more vehicles being available for delivery in September, the volume of 14,872 units (domestic + export) took the cumulative total volume for three quarters of 2022 to 102,353 units.

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Government Gives One More Year Of Full Duty-Exemption For Imported EVs

It’s not often that the auto industry gets what it asks for during Budget time but for Budget 2023, the Finance Ministry has at least given one more year (to the end of 2024) for the full duty exemption on battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Last year, the exemption period announced was only for 2022 and 2023, with an extension until the end of 2025 for those models which are assembled locally.

It’s not as long as what the car companies wish for but it’s probably better than nothing. The point is that while a number of companies are now importing BEVs, the sales numbers are not exactly big even if the vehicles are ‘affordable’. The prices of BEVs are still high, even without any tax imposed, and proper ones (we’re not talking about the cheap 2-seater minis from China) are still in the region of RM150,000.

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First Look At Honda Prologue EV To Go On Sale In 2024 (w/VIDEO)

Honda has revealed the exterior and interior styling of its Prologue battery-electric vehicle (BEV) that will go on sale in North America in 2024. The model, with a SUV bodystyle, is one of the two BEVs which the Japanese carmaker will co-develop with GM.

GM will supply its flexible global BEV platform powered by its proprietary Ultium batteries, and also build the BEVs at its plants in North America. The second model is planned for launch in 2027, by which time the companies will be looking at the start of ‘global production of millions of BEVs.

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Volvo’s Radar System Will Detect Children Left Inside The Car

It’s hard to imagine that parents can take their children out in a car and forget about them after parking and getting out. But from the periodic news reports of children being trapped in cars because their parents forgot about them, it does happen – and sometimes a tragic death occurs.

US government statistics show that since 1998, more than 900 children in America have died after being left in hot cars. Heartbreakingly, a majority of hot car deaths occur because someone forgot that their child was in the car at the time. No statistics are readily available for Malaysia but it does happen too.

Volvo as a safety pioneer has given this matter attention and used its technological expertise to develop a system which can help ensure that no one will be left behind or forgotten. It’s a radar system for use inside the cabin and also covers the boot compartment. The radar’s sensitivity is strong enough to detect the tiniest movements at sub-millimetre scale – such as those of a sleeping toddler or even a pet.

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The Maserati GranTurismo Returns

After months of teasing, the Maserati GranTurismo has made its global debut. This latest generation starts a new chapter in a story that began 75 years ago with the Maserati A6 1500.

The original Gran Turismo of 1947 at the Geneva Motor Show was the first road-going Maserati, of which only 61 examples were produced. The car had technical features and original, cutting-edge technology making it a genuinely revolutionary car.

The new GranTurismo coupe upholds that tradition, combining the high performance typical of a sportscar with comfort suitable for long distances. It represents a benchmark, embodying the concept of “The Others Just Travel”.

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FLUX Offers A Tesla EV Experience For 3 Years

While Teslas, which are all battery electric vehicles, are sold in many countries, they are still not officially sold in Malaysia. PEKEMA, the association of Bumiputera dealers, is however taking orders for Tesla models which it is importing in large numbers this year to be sold through its members’ dealerships. Pricing indicated by some dealers shows the cars (imported from the UK) to cost between RM342,800 and RM418,800.

PEKEMA has indicated that they will offer owners aftersales support, but without an official representative of the brand owner supporting the business, they will still rely on obtaining assistance from other parties.

However, if you are keen to find out what it’s like owning a Tesla – and not having the aftersales worries – FLUX is offering the Model 3 and Model Y on a subscription basis. The company says it will also give subscribers a 4-year warranty for peace of mind. Additionally, a concierge service is also for maintenance and document renewals along with nationwide roadside assistance and car theft recovery.

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Citroen oli Concept Proposes Lighter, Simpler Approaches To EVs

French concept cars have often been taken to extremes in trying to be avant garde, generating controversy but also spurring discussion. The latest one presented by Citroen yesterday certainly is as radical as they come, with polarizing views on whether it is an intelligent design or something outrageous as usual.

The Citroen oli concept is a vehicle intended to have multiple roles in mobility, with a major effort to make it affordable and simple. The carmaker feels that the industry is stuck with offering heavier, more complex and expensive zero emission vehicles and wants to buck that trend.

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Tata Motors Launches Tiago.Ev Priced Under RM50,000

Back in 2008, Tata Motors introduced what was then the cheapest car in the world – the Nano, which cost around U$S2,200 then. It was intended to enable more people in India, especially families, to travel in a safer 4-wheeler than a 2-wheeler. Unfortunately, despite being cheap, it did not catch on and sales were poor so it was discontinued after 10 years.

Nevertheless, the company’s founder has long wanted to help his countrymen and does so in various ways and Tata Motors has again come up with a low-priced electric car. Tata Motors, having been a pioneer in EVs in India, has used its expertise to produce an EV at a cost low enough to price it from 8.49 lakh (about RM48,000). However, this is an introductory price for the first 10,000 buyers from October 10 when the car – known as the Tiago.ev – goes on sale.

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BYD SUV And MPV Electric Vehicles To Be Distributed By Sime Darby Motors Malaysia

Automotive brands from China are not new to the Malaysian market and were already selling their products 20 years ago, mainly in the commercial vehicle sector. In recent years, perhaps encouraged by the partnership Geely was able to form with DRB-HICOM in Proton, more brands are making their appearance.

Among them will be BYD Automobile (BYD stands for ‘Build Your Dreams’), which will be distributed by Sime Darby Motors (SDM) Malaysia. The two companies have formalized the partnership with the signing of a Distribution Agreement which also involves PT. BYD MOTOR INDONESIA.

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