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OMODA | JAECOO has continued its impressive global momentum, setting a new sales record in September 2025 with 32,840 vehicles delivered worldwide.

The achievement marks a significant milestone for the young dual-brand automaker, which has now surpassed 630,000 cumulative sales in just 29 months since its debut.

Between January and September 2025, OMODA | JAECOO sold a total of 244,522 vehicles globally — a 39% increase compared to the same period last year. The result underlines the brand’s rising strength as one of China’s fastest-growing international automotive players, with expanding presence across Latin America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

The company’s recent performance reflects a well-calibrated global strategy. In Latin America, markets like Brazil and Mexico saw rapid growth thanks to locally tailored products that suit regional driving habits and consumer preferences. Mexico alone recorded a 40% month-on-month sales increase in September, becoming one of the brand’s top-performing markets.

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UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has closed September 2025 on a strong note, reporting total sales of 8,172 units for the month, which pushes its year-to-date tally to 70,418 units. The solid performance reaffirms Toyota’s position as Malaysia’s leading non-national car brand, driven by its reputation for reliability, innovation, and accessible electrified mobility.

The company’s consistent growth continues to align with its “Mobility for All” philosophy, a vision that focuses on providing practical, high-quality vehicles to suit the needs of all Malaysians. Toyota’s wide model range, coupled with dependable after-sales service and its commitment to continuous improvement, has helped the brand remain a trusted choice among local drivers.

Toyota’s hybrid range has become increasingly popular among Malaysians who are looking for practical electrification solutions without the need for charging infrastructure. These self-charging hybrids not only deliver fuel savings and lower emissions but also maintain the familiar driving experience of a petrol vehicle. With more than twenty years of hybrid expertise, Toyota continues to lead the segment in Malaysia with models such as the Corolla Cross Hybrid, which remains a strong performer in its class.

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UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) continued its upward trajectory in July 2025, posting robust sales figures of 8,877 units for the month. This pushes the cumulative sales for the year to 53,163 units, reinforcing the brand’s strong presence and sustained relevance in the Malaysian automotive landscape.

Toyota’s success in Malaysia lies in its ability to offer a diverse product line-up that caters to a wide range of customer preferences. From dependable internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles for daily commuting to hybrid alternatives designed for fuel efficiency and environmental consciousness, UMWT has built a reputation for consistently addressing the practical needs of Malaysian motorists.

Central to this success is UMWT’s unwavering customer-first philosophy. The company’s commitment to reliability, ownership assurance and long-term support continues to earn the trust of customers nationwide. By focusing on real-world priorities, the brand delivers not only products but also an ownership experience that reflects the daily realities of Malaysian drivers.

The Toyota Extra Mile programme stands as a testament to UMWT’s commitment to customer satisfaction. It elevates the ownership journey through comprehensive support that includes a robust network of service centres, digital convenience via the Toyota MY app, and specialised hybrid vehicle maintenance. Whether through extended warranty offerings or simplified access to routine servicing, the programme is designed to provide assurance long after the vehicle leaves the showroom floor.

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Two of China’s prominent electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, Neta and Zeekr, are facing increasing scrutiny over allegations of artificially inflating their sales figures, a tactic industry insiders claim distorts market data and misleads consumers.

According to a report by Free Malaysia Today (FMT) citing Reuters, internal documents and dealer testimonies revealed that both automakers engaged in premature vehicle registration by insuring cars before they were sold to actual buyers. This allowed the companies to classify these vehicles as sold under Chinese industry standards, even though they had yet to be delivered.

Between January 2023 and March 2024, Neta reportedly booked 64,719 early vehicle sales using this method, representing more than half of the 117,000 units it claimed to have sold during that period. Zeekr, a premium EV brand under Geely, allegedly employed a similar strategy in late 2024, particularly in the city of Xiamen, working with state-owned Xiamen C&D Automobile.

Though not technically illegal, this practice, known as “zero-mileage used car” sales, has sparked outrage. Vehicles are marked as used due to insurance and registration, but have never been driven by real customers. The practice has emerged in the context of a fierce price war and an overcapacity crisis in the Chinese EV market.

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UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) concluded June 2025 with robust sales, recording 7,773 units for the month and bringing its year-to-date total to 44,286 vehicles. This steady performance highlights Toyota’s enduring appeal among Malaysian consumers, with the company continuing to prioritise reliability, value, and innovation across its diverse model lineup.

Toyota’s presence in the Malaysian market remains deeply entrenched across multiple customer segments, from first-time car buyers to seasoned enthusiasts and commercial users. Embracing Toyota’s global “Mobility for All” philosophy, UMWT maintains a strong commitment to delivering vehicles that offer both practical utility and long-term dependability. Its range, which includes passenger cars, SUVs, hybrids and commercial vehicles, continues to reflect the brand’s aim of offering real-world solutions for everyday needs.

Toyota Takes the Lead at Super GT Malaysia Festival

Further reinforcing its presence, UMWT played a pivotal role in the return of the Super GT racing series to Malaysia after a 12-year absence. As the Title Sponsor of the Super GT Malaysia Festival, held at Sepang International Circuit, Toyota attracted more than 75,000 motorsports fans over the weekend. Beyond the action on the track, the event showcased Toyota’s motorsports credentials through a vibrant GAZOO Racing zone, where visitors experienced GR performance models, tried their hand at racing simulators, and enjoyed interactive attractions tailored for the whole family.

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Proton has concluded the first half of 2025 with a notable increase in its market share, despite challenging market conditions affecting the wider automotive sector. The national carmaker registered 11,069 units in June, a marginal improvement compared to the same period last year, bringing its total year-to-date (YTD) sales to 72,156 units. This positions Proton as the second-best performing automotive brand in terms of volume for the first half of the year.

The company’s market share for June stood at 20.7%, reflecting a 1.1% gain over the previous month and placing it 1.2 percentage points above its YTD average of 19.5%. While the Total Industry Volume (TIV) dipped significantly in June—falling by 21% to an estimated 53,500 units from 68,007 in May—Proton’s sales resilience allowed it to improve its relative standing in the industry.

A key contributor to Proton’s performance continues to be the X50 SUV, which has firmly held its position as the best-selling B-segment SUV since its launch in October 2020. With more than 140,000 units sold domestically and abroad, the X50 remains a cornerstone of Proton’s lineup. In June alone, 1,657 units were delivered, including 353 units for export, representing nearly half of Proton’s total overseas shipments for the month. Cumulatively, 11,361 units of the X50 were sold in the first six months of 2025—an 11.3% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

Anticipation is building for the launch of the all-new Proton X50, scheduled for July. The upcoming model features updated styling, a revamped interior, the new 1.5-litre i-GT engine, and the advanced ADAS 2.0 safety suite. Pre-launch bookings began on 5 July, accompanied by a promotional campaign and a series of activities leading up to the official reveal.

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Stellantis is poised to announce a comprehensive recovery strategy for two of its most troubled marques, Alfa Romeo and Maserati, in the coming weeks. The plan aims to arrest declining sales and strengthen the competitiveness of the historic Italian brands through increased collaboration, though a full merger is reportedly off the table.

The strategy, which is nearing final approval, will see Alfa Romeo and Maserati seek operational “synergies” across future vehicle platforms and shared components in overlapping market segments. This collaborative approach is intended to streamline development and reduce costs, though each brand is expected to retain its distinct identity.

The move follows persistent speculation about Maserati’s future, including rumours of a potential sale—claims Stellantis executives have continued to deny. At the same time, concerns are mounting over delays to Alfa Romeo’s next-generation Stelvio SUV, a model seen as crucial to the brand’s revival.

Sales figures paint a grim picture. Alfa Romeo posted an estimated 20 per cent decline in sales last year, while Maserati suffered a more severe drop of over 50 per cent, despite launching new products. Compared to their peak years, both marques have seen sales plummet, with Alfa Romeo now selling just half the volume it achieved in 2018.

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UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) continues its positive momentum into 2025 with strong March sales, delivering 7,929 Toyota vehicles for the month and reaching a year-to-date total of 19,944 units. The figures reflect steady demand and consumer confidence in Toyota’s reliable, efficient, and forward-thinking mobility solutions in Malaysia.

As the nation’s leading non-national automotive brand, UMWT’s success is fuelled by a diverse and technology-driven lineup, trusted by generations of Malaysians. The company’s dedication to innovation and quality is clearly resonating with local buyers seeking both everyday practicality and sustainable performance.

Toyota’s hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are gaining traction as a practical solution for greener driving. A standout example is the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, introduced in 2021, which has already surpassed 23,031 units sold. As part of Toyota’s multi-pathway strategy, hybrids play a key role in reducing carbon emissions while remaining accessible to the wider market.

In the spirit of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, UMWT has launched its “A Festive Homecoming” promotion, inviting customers to celebrate with attractive offers:

  • Up to RM9,500 in savings

  • Flexible financing from as low as RM658/month

  • Service plans starting at just RM33/month, providing long-term peace of mind

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The Malaysian automotive industry recorded a sharp rebound in February 2025, with total industry volume (TIV) rising 31% to 63,906 units from 48,732 units in January, according to the latest report from the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

In a statement, MAA attributed the strong recovery to market stability following a sluggish start to the year. “The increase reflects a positive recovery in the automotive industry after a period of slower sales at the beginning of the year,” the association said.

Despite the month-on-month growth, February’s TIV was down 2% year-on-year compared to the 65,017 units recorded in the same month last year. Passenger vehicles accounted for 58,606 units, while commercial vehicle sales reached 2,939 units.

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Maserati’s ambitious resurgence, marked by the launch of the MC20 supercar, the new-generation GranTurismo, and the Grecale SUV, has been abruptly slowed as Stellantis reassesses the brand’s future. In an earnings call for the final quarter of the 2024 financial year, Stellantis Chief Financial Officer Doug Ostermann confirmed that the company had written down a $1.59 billion investment in Maserati. This figure includes the cancellation of several projects that were scheduled for launch, as noted in the company’s investor briefing.

Ostermann attributed the decision to a reassessment of Maserati’s electrification strategy, particularly concerning the brand’s performance in China. Stellantis had initially expected the Chinese luxury market to transition rapidly to electric vehicles. However, as these expectations were adjusted, so too were the financial forecasts for Maserati, prompting Stellantis to recalibrate its investment plans for the historic marque.

The announcement follows a challenging year for Maserati, which saw global sales plummet by 58 percent, falling from approximately 26,600 units to just 11,300. The sales decline has intensified scrutiny over Maserati’s long-term viability within Stellantis. In mid-2024, former Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares warned that underperforming brands faced the threat of closure if they failed to generate profits. Tavares emphasized that Stellantis could not afford to support brands that did not contribute financially, reinforcing the company’s strict focus on profitability.

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