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Pengerusi Kumpulan Geely Holding, Li Shufu, mengesahkan semula strategi dual-track syarikat automotif terkemuka China itu dalam membangunkan kenderaan enjin pembakaran dalaman (ICE) dan kenderaan elektrik pintar (EV), menolak sepenuhnya sebarang cadangan untuk meninggalkan teknologi konvensional demi elektrifikasi sepenuhnya.

Dalam ucapan dalaman yang disampaikan baru-baru ini kepada warga kerja Geely, Li menegaskan bahawa syarikat akan terus memperuntukkan pelaburan besar kepada pembangunan teknologi ICE dan hibrid, sambil mempercepatkan kemajuan dalam penawaran EV. Beliau menyifatkan pendekatan ini sebagai “berjalan dengan dua kaki,” satu strategi jangka panjang yang mengekalkan keseimbangan antara inovasi mobiliti masa depan dan kecekapan rangkaian kuasa tradisional yang terbukti. “Kami tidak akan mengurangkan pembangunan ICE,” tegas Li. “Permintaan terhadap enjin pembakaran dalaman masih tinggi di banyak pasaran global. Justeru, Geely akan terus memimpin dalam kedua-dua bidang – ICE dan EV.”

Li juga menekankan bahawa kehadiran antarabangsa Geely bukanlah hasil urus niaga semata-mata, tetapi sebahagian daripada strategi menyeluruh untuk menyerap kepakaran global. Pemerolehan syarikat seperti Volvo dan Lotus, serta pelaburan dalam Mercedes-Benz dan Aston Martin, menurut Li, telah memberikan Geely akses kepada teknologi keselamatan, kejuruteraan prestasi, kemewahan dan pengurusan jenama bertaraf dunia. “Kejayaan jangka panjang dalam industri automotif memerlukan pengetahuan mendalam, jaringan global dan identiti jenama yang kukuh,” katanya. “Kerjasama antarabangsa kami adalah asas kepada pertumbuhan dan pembelajaran kami.”

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Geely Holding Group Chairman Li Shufu has reaffirmed the Chinese automotive giant’s dual-track strategy of developing both traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and smart electric models, signalling a firm stance against abandoning conventional powertrains in favour of full electrification.

In a recent internal address to employees, Li made clear that Geely will continue to allocate significant resources towards the development of ICE and hybrid technologies while simultaneously advancing its electric vehicle (EV) offerings. He described the company’s long-term approach as “walking on two legs,” underlining the importance of maintaining balance between established propulsion systems and the innovations of future mobility.

Li dismissed suggestions that Geely would scale back its ICE operations. Instead, he stressed that the company would remain invested in refining and leading in traditional powertrains, particularly as global demand for such vehicles persists in many markets. This commitment, he explained, ensures the company’s resilience and flexibility amid the fast-evolving automotive landscape.

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Hennessey Special Vehicles has officially introduced the Venom F5 Evolution, a significantly upgraded iteration of its celebrated hypercar, now recognised as the most powerful road-legal car powered solely by an internal combustion engine. Developed in partnership with Ilmor Engineering, the new model generates power, accompanied by substantial improvements in aerodynamics, suspension, handling, and comfort.

The launch of the Venom F5 Evolution marks a pivotal moment in Hennessey’s ongoing mission to redefine the limits of performance and engineering. The Texan manufacturer, known for pushing the boundaries of speed and design, embarked on an intensive development programme following customer demand for enhanced capability. As a result, the F5 Evolution incorporates a comprehensive suite of upgrades designed to refine both on-track performance and grand touring comfort.

At the heart of this next-generation hypercar lies the newly optimised ‘Fury’ engine, a 6.6-litre twin-turbocharged V8 created through a collaboration with high-performance specialists Ilmor Engineering. Building upon the original powerplant, the revised engine benefits from advanced componentry including the world’s largest mirror-image turbochargers (Precision 76/80 Next Gen), Ilmor-designed billet aluminium pistons, extreme-duty aluminium connecting rods, lightweight titanium exhaust valves, high-capacity fuel injectors, and refined billet valve covers. These enhancements collectively contribute to an increase of 214 brake horsepower (bhp) over the original output.

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Porsche is considering the introduction of a new combustion-engine SUV before the end of the decade, potentially serving as a replacement for the internal combustion engine (ICE) Macan. The move comes as the company reassesses its strategy in response to slower-than-expected adoption of electric vehicle (EV), prompting a more flexible product approach that extends the life of combustion and hybrid models well into the 2030s.

Originally, the Macan Electric, launched last year, was set to fully replace the ICE Macan in 2024. The petrol-powered Macan was withdrawn from sale in the European Union in April 2024 due to cybersecurity compliance issues and is expected to cease production entirely by 2026. However, with EV sales not meeting initial projections, Porsche is now evaluating the feasibility of a new ICE and hybrid SUV model to be sold alongside its electric counterpart.

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Proton’s sales surged in February 2025, marking a 13.2% increase compared to the previous month. The national automaker sold 11,232 units, capturing an estimated 17.2% market share from a forecasted Total Industry Volume (TIV) of 65,276 units. The rebound comes as car buyers returned to the market following a slow start to the year.

Three Proton Models Dominate YTD Sales

Despite its growing presence in the EV segment, Proton remains committed to its internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, with three models leading their respective segments in Year-To-Date (YTD) sales:

  • Proton S70 – The best-selling C-segment sedan in Malaysia, recording 2,340 units sold in 2025. Its mix of performance, spaciousness, connectivity, and value has helped it dominate the segment for two consecutive months.

  • Proton X50 – Proton’s B-segment SUV powerhouse continues its dominance, with 1,824 units sold in February and 3,259 units YTD. Having sold nearly 130,000 units since its 2020 launch, the X50 remains a favorite among Malaysian buyers.

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Dalam menghadapi cabaran industri automotif yang semakin menekankan elektrifikasi, Alfa Romeo telah mengambil langkah pragmatik dengan menyemak semula rancangannya untuk peralihan ke barisan semua elektrik di Amerika Utara menjelang 2027. Kini, jenama Itali ini, yang merupakan sebahagian daripada kumpulan Stellantis, memilih pendekatan “Multi-Energy”, menggabungkan kenderaan petrol, hibrid, plug-in hibrid (PHEV), dan elektrik sepenuhnya (BEV).

Pendekatan Realistik untuk Peniaga

Ketua Alfa Romeo Amerika Utara, Chris Feuell, mengakui cabaran yang bakal dihadapi oleh rangkaian peniaga jika portfolio hanya terhad kepada BEV. “Kami mempunyai 110 peniaga di rangkaian AS kami, dan mewajibkan mereka menjual hanya BEV dalam masa beberapa tahun akan menjadi sangat mencabar,” kata Feuell.

Langkah ini mencerminkan usaha untuk melindungi kelangsungan operasi peniaga dan menyediakan pilihan yang lebih luas kepada pengguna. Keputusan ini juga datang di tengah-tengah jualan yang menurun, dengan hanya 8,865 unit terjual di AS pada 2024, penurunan sebanyak 19% berbanding tahun sebelumnya.

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The automotive industry has been grappling with ambitious EV goals, and Alfa Romeo is the latest brand to revise its plans. Originally set to transition to an all-electric lineup in North America by 2027, the Italian marque, part of the Stellantis group, has now opted for a “multi-energy” strategy, which includes petrol, electric, and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

A Pragmatic Shift for Dealers

According to reports, Chris Feuell, head of Alfa Romeo North America, acknowledged that requiring dealers to sell only battery electric vehicles (BEVs) within a few years would be overly restrictive. “We’ve got 110 dealers in our US network, and it would be very challenging for them to survive with a BEV-only portfolio,” Feuell explained.

The decision comes amidst challenging circumstances for the brand in the US, with sales declining 19% last year to just 8,865 units. This shift reflects a more flexible approach to ensure the sustainability of its dealer network and cater to a broader range of consumer preferences.

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Walaupun Porsche terus mendorong agenda elektrifikasi, komitmennya terhadap enjin pembakaran dalaman (ICE) masih kukuh. Khabar angin menghidupkan semula Macan berkuasa petrol telah mencetuskan spekulasi, selaras dengan kenyataan terkini Ketua Pegawai Kewangan Porsche, Lutz Meschke, yang mengesahkan bahawa ICE akan kekal relevan lebih lama daripada yang dirancang.

Peluang untuk Macan ICE Kembali

Meschke menyatakan bahawa Porsche sedang meneroka kemungkinan memperkenalkan varian hibrid atau ICE pada model yang awalnya dirancang sebagai elektrik sepenuhnya. “Keputusan ini masih dalam peringkat konseptual, tetapi jelas bahawa enjin pembakaran akan terus memainkan peranan penting,” katanya.

Macan ICE, yang dihentikan di Eropah kerana peraturan keselamatan siber, masih tersedia di pasaran lain seperti Amerika Syarikat. Dengan lebih 500,000 unit terjual sejak pelancarannya pada 2013, Macan petrol adalah antara model terlaris Porsche, menjadikan kembalinya ke Eropah sebagai langkah yang dinanti-nantikan oleh peminat setia.

Porsche Macan 2019

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When Porsche debuted the Taycan, it redefined electric vehicles (EVs), setting records and reshaping perceptions of what EVs could achieve. However, public sentiment surrounding EVs has cooled, and changing market dynamics have led Porsche to reconsider its ambitious plans for a predominantly electric fleet.

EV Plans on Hold Amid Falling Taycan Sales

In July 2024, Porsche openly acknowledged challenges in its EV strategy. Initially targeting an 80% EV lineup by 2030, the automaker scaled back those goals following disappointing Taycan sales. In the first nine months of 2024, Taycan sales plummeted by 50% year-over-year, with only 14,000 units sold by September.

Meanwhile, Porsche’s internal combustion engine (ICE) models like the 718 Cayman and Boxster are enjoying a resurgence. These mid-engine sports cars, set to transition to all-electric models after 2025, have seen a 10% increase in global sales in 2024, even as they were discontinued in several European markets due to cybersecurity regulations.

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BMW’s Neue Klasse concepts have given enthusiasts a preview of the brand’s future design direction, but it turns out that this influence will not be limited solely to its electric vehicles. According to Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW’s head of design, the design language showcased in the Neue Klasse sedan and X crossover concepts will be carried across the entire range, including combustion engine models.

Van Hooydonk emphasised that both petrol-powered and electric BMWs will adopt these new design cues, with subtle differences in their design elements and proportions to distinguish them. This is part of a broader strategy to offer modern, cohesive styling across all BMW vehicles, allowing customers to choose between internal combustion or electric drivetrains without feeling they are choosing between different aesthetics.

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