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Proton vendor issues due to slow SUV sales caused by Chinese rivals – reduce production to clear stock
A couple of months ago, it was reported that Proton’s vendors were facing “severe financial strain” due to the national carmaker failing to honour the number of parts it ordered for its SUV models – the X50, X70 and X90. We raised this issue during a Q&A session after yesterday’s media briefing, and the company’s deputy CEO Roslan Abdullah stepped in to give his comments on the situation.
Roslan said the problem stemmed from an unexpected slowing of sales due to the influx of new competitors from China, particularly Chery. “The [current] situation, with competitors coming into the same product [segment], their price gap not more than RM5,000, impacts our [ability] to honour [orders].
“When we planned [our production] for the X50 in 2020, for example, the [Honda] HR-V was the only competitor. But as of now, I think some of you just came back from China [after Auto China 2024 in Beijing], you know how many cars will come and [take a piece of the pie],” he said, adding that Proton was adjusting production to clear outstanding stock, hence the reduction in orders.
A different take was offered by director of manufacturing Mohd Shaharuddin, who said that Proton has a rule of committing to one month of full orders and five months of forecast orders, with a fluctuation not exceeding five per cent each month.
However, the most recent issue with not honouring orders was not caused by Proton not wanting to build the cars, but certain suppliers not being able to produce the parts and holding up the supply chain. “We have 127 suppliers, but three major suppliers cannot deliver the parts, so definitely we cannot produce the cars,” he said. “For the past three months this is what has been happening.”
As for complaints that Proton was sourcing more components from China at the expense of local vendors, Roslan said the issue, as always, came down to cost – implying that Chinese-made components are cheaper. “When we put anything with the Proton logo, customers expect it to be cheaper than the rest. So what choice do we have in order for us meet customers’ expectations?”
The facelifted X70 can’t come soon enough He added that Proton has requested its local vendors to focus on reducing prices to enable its vehicles to be sold at prices that met expectations. “We can just say, “OK, when the [vendors] increase the price, we just increase the car price.” And yes, we can get a higher profit per unit, but can we go for Malaysia #1 or ASEAN #3 [in terms of sales numbers]? That’s the question [we ask ourselves].
“In spite of that, being a Malaysian company, we always focus on the Malaysian vendors to develop and focus on achieving better cost effectiveness,” Roslan remarked.
Proton will surely be hoping that the product refreshes coming to its ageing SUV models – including a facelifted X70 due this year – will reverse its fortunes and bring sales back to “normal” levels. In the meantime, vendors will just have to hold out for a little bit longer.
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Chery Omoda 5 axle issue – JPJ issues immediate recall notice for 600 vehicles, to monitor recall process
The road transport department (JPJ) has issued a statement following the widely-publicised case of a Chery Omoda 5 that had sustained rear axle failure, and the department has stated that it has summoned Chery Corporate Malaysia to conduct a thorough investigation and gather additional information on the matter.
On April 30, Chery Malaysia issued a precautionary safety recall on 600 units of the Omoda 5 for a potential axle issue following the social media circulation of the case of a customer vehicle that had sustained rear axle failure.
In light of this, JPJ has issued a recall notice for 600 units of the Omoda 5 effective today, May 3, and the department stated that vehicle owners will be contacted by the company for inspection slots to be scheduled; alternatively, vehicle owners may also walk in to any service centre nationwide, JPJ stated.
“Any affected components involved in this issue will be replaced, with all costs to be borne by Chery Corporate Malaysia,” the department’s statement continued.
All owners of the Chery Omoda 5 are advised to plan for the recall process for their vehicles to be carried out as soon as possible, and further information may be obtained by contacting the Chery Malaysia Customer Careline at +603- 2771 7070, or visit www.chery.my for more information.
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Proton quality improvement in 2024 – 55% lower GCPA demerit score since 2019, 44% better product reliability
Yesterday, Proton held a media briefing at its Tanjung Malim plant to talk about its quality initiatives, covering the entire lifecycle from product development to after-sales. The event seemed particularly well-timed considering the mounting issues plaguing one of its key competitors.
The national carmaker is certainly feeling the heat from the brace of well-priced Chinese SUVs entering the market – a fact company officials have made known both in private and in public. But it has taken great pains to communicate its commitment to quality as a differentiator in the market place. Funny, given its image not too long ago.
Proton said its quality initiatives are in line with its three strategic aspirations – to be the #1 carmaker in Malaysia and the #3 in ASEAN, as well as achieving consistent quality by adopting global standards. The company claimed around 800 of its total employees contribute to its constant quality improvement.
To achieve its goal of maximising customer satisfaction, Proton has focused on four key areas, namely engineering and project quality, supplier quality, production quality and market quality. The first of these refers to the company’s ability to produces new models in an efficient and effective manner.
This includes the adoption of a New Product Development System (NPDS), a global standard for project management that implements strict gate reviews to identify and address potential quality issues early on in a vehicle’s development, ensuring new models are launched with a high standard of quality.
Using this approach, the market concerns ratio index (that is, the percentage of vehicles with customer concerns/cases) within the first 100 days from launch has fallen from 6% with the launch of the CKD X70 in 2020 to just 2% with the S70 last year.
Engineering quality also means adopting new trends, particularly in the field of Connected, Autonomous, Shared and Electric (CASE) vehicles, to ensure the technological readiness of Proton’s products. Right now, 4G connectivity can be had across the company’s lineup except the Saga, with plans to switch over to 5G technology by 2030.
Click to enlarge Meanwhile, Level 2 semi-autonomous driving technologies are available on the X50, X90 and S70, with this year’s facelifted X70 set to get them too. As for car sharing, there are no plans as yet, but Proton wants to introduce some sort of service by 2030. Lastly, the company is making a big push towards electrification with the launch of its first battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles next year.
Proton has also worked to improve supplier quality, employing two more global standards – a structured Advanced Project Quality Development (APQP) process and Product Parts Approval Process (PPAP). The latter includes essential tools for developing, producing and distribute components that meet customer satisfaction.
The company has also looked into upgrading its suppliers’ capabilities with the introduction of the Quality Assurance System Audit (QASA) and a yearly supplier quality performance audit, ensuring sustainable product quality through advanced process control. Proton said it has registered a 43% increase in the number of vendors able to hit a minimum QASA standard of BBB (satisfactory).
An inspector showing defects on an X50 undergoing a GCPA audit Next is production quality. You may remember that shortly after Geely acquired a 49% stake in Proton, the latter adopted the former’s Global Customer Product Audit (GCPA) scoring system to measure defects in new vehicles. In 2019, Proton recorded a massive improvement in its GCPA score, from 6,388 to 1,329 (the lower, the better), closing in on the benchmark set by Geely and Volvo.
Since then, the company has reduced its score further, by a staggering 55%. Unlike in previous years, Proton has elected not to publish a concrete figure, but a 55% reduction would put its GCPA score somewhere in the 500s.
To generate a GCPA score, inspectors audit one per cent of the daily approved (or “lulus”) vehicles after pre-delivery inspection (PDI). They test each car on its safety, security and general functions, as well as conducting a performance evaluation and a static evaluation of perceived quality.
Last but not least is market quality, which refers to how a car’s quality holds up after it’s sold. Essentially, Proton looks out for any defects that are reported after a car is launched and takes steps to rectify those issues.
The company is able to detect problems after launch either through an Initial Stage Control (ISC) in the first 100 days following a new product launch, warranty claims analysis, daily market quality meetings and social media sentiment reports. Once flagged, the issues are sent to quality attack, improvement and circle teams to be rectified, with the results reviewed in weekly management quality meetings attended by CEO Li Chunrong.
Proton claimed that since this system was implemented, it has witnessed a drastic reduction in warranty claims and a 44% improvement in its 12 months in service (12MIS) product reliability index. The company added that it has resolved around 1,005 post-launch issues since 2019.
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Neta X SUV EV has arrived in Malaysia – price to be under RM125k, range up to 500km; public display soon
Initial units of the Neta X have arrived at Port Klang for the Malaysian market, and the EV is set to be previewed at the Malaysia Autoshow that is due to take place at the end of May.
Arriving as the facelifted version of the Neta U, pre-bookings for the Neta X will be opened on May 6, and customers may place their pre-bookings online or at dealers in the authorised Neta network.
Early information indicates that the Neta X will come to the Malaysian market in two variants – the ‘400’ version with 401 km of battery range is estimated to be less than RM125k, and the ‘500’ version with 501 km of battery range – both on the more lenient CLTC testing standard – is estimated to be priced under RM140k.
Given its pricing estimate, the Neta X looks set to enter the market price-wise slotting in below the BYD Atto 3, which is priced at RM149,800 as of today’s update.
That said, the Neta X is notably larger than the Atto 3, measuring 4,619 mm long, 1,860 mm wide and 1,628 mm tall with a 2,770 mm wheelbase. The Neta X gets a single powertrain specification, with a front-mounted motor producing 163 PS and 210 Nm of torque, drawing from either a 51.8 kWh or 62 kWh battery.
The Neta range in Malaysia will be joined by models that will be locally assembled (CKD) at the upcoming Chembong assembly plant in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan. The Neta X and the Aya are scheduled to be assembled at this plant, with the Aya from March 2025 and the X from October in that year, with a total of 10,000 units to be built in the first year.
The first of two joint venture companies, NexV Manufacturing (NMSB) handles assembly and manufacturing, while the second, Intro Synergy (ISSB), takes care of distribution.
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2024 BYD Atto 3 in Malaysia – 1 variant only; new rear badge, 15.6-inch screen; 345 km EV range; RM149,800
Sime Darby Motors has updated the BYD Atto 3 for the 2024 model year, with changes being made to the electric vehicle’s variant line-up, design and kit list.
Starting with the variant line-up, the 2024 Atto 3 is no longer offered in Extended Range guise (previously priced at RM168,430), leaving just the sole Standard Range available at an unchanged price of RM149,800 before on-road costs, or RM150,430 on-the-road without insurance.
The powertrain remains the same too, with a front-mounted electric motor rated at 204 PS (201 hp or 150 kW) and 310 Nm of torque for a slightly slower 0-100 km/h time of 7.9 seconds. Powering the motor is a Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that is good for up to 410 km of range following the NEDC standard (345 km WLTP).
For charging, the Atto 3 support a maximum AC input (Type 2) of 7 kW as well as a DC input (CCS2) of 70 kW, the latter capable of getting the battery from a 0-80% state of charge in 45 minutes. There’s also a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function to power other devices.
In terms of design changes, the Atto 3 now comes with a black fin trim piece (previously white) on the rearmost pillars, while the ‘Build Your Dreams’ script on the tailgate has been replaced with the BYD logo – this was announced by the Chinese carmaker last year.
Colour options have also been revised, with returning hues being Surf Blue, Ski White and Boulder Grey. There’s now a new Cosmos Black colour offered, but we bid farewell to Forest Green as well as Parkour Red.
On the mention of colours, the interior gets a new Black/Dark Blue theme as an alternative to Dark Blue/Light Grey (previously called Eclipse Blue/Hazy Grey). These themes are dependent on the exterior colour, with Black/Dark Blue being available with Cosmos Black or Boulder Grey, while Dark Blue/Light Grey is paired with Ski White and Surf Blue.
As for equipment changes, the Atto 3’s rotating infotainment touchscreen has been enlarged to 15.6-inch diagonally from 12.8 inches previously. Compared to the previous spec sheet, the new-for-2024 Standard Range also gains the previous Extended Range’s multi-colour ambient lighting system and wireless charging pad.
Beyond these adjustments, the rest of the 2024 Atto 3’s kit list is the same as the pre-update Standard Range and includes 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, adaptive front lights, LED taillights, a powered panoramic sunroof, a five-inch digital instrument cluster, synthetic leather upholstery, automatic air-conditioning, Android Auto (wired) and Apple CarPlay (wireless) support, a six-speaker sound system, keyless entry and start and a CN95 air filter.
2024 BYD Atto 3 spec sheet and price list; click to enlarge Safety and driver assistance systems are six airbags plus a centre side airbag, ABS, ESC, traction control, EBD, hill descent control, front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, brake auto hold, autonomous emergency braking, front collision warning, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, rear collision warning, blind spot monitoring, door open warning and rear cross traffic alert.
Each purchase comes with a six-year, 150,000-km factory warranty and the Blade battery is covered for eight years or 160,000 km. There’s another separate warranty for the drive unit – eight years or 150,000 km for the motor, motor controller, DC assembly and electric control assembly.
Customers can also opt to purchase Standard or Plus service packages, the former priced from RM1,688 to RM4,888 with coverage of between three years or 60,000 km up to eight years or 160,000 km. The latter includes more service items and is offered in six-year, 120,000-km or eight-year, 160,000-km options priced at either RM11,688 or RM17,688.
GALLERY: 2024 BYD Atto 3 brochure
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2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE300 4Matic Coupé in Malaysia – 259 PS/400 Nm MHEV, rear-wheel steer; RM519k
Previewed in Malaysia early last month, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has announced pricing for the CLE 300 4Matic Coupé, which is RM518,888 on-the-road without insurance, or slightly lower than its estimated price as previously announced.
The CLE 300 4Matic Coupé designation means a fixed roof body that gets the M256 2.0 litre turbocharged inline-four petrol engine with 259 PS at 5,800 rpm and 400 Nm from 2,000 rpm to 3,200 rpm, along with a 48-volt EQ Boost mild-hybrid ISG system that contributes 23 PS and 205 Nm, sending drive to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmmission.
Thus equipped, the four-seater coupé achieves 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h. For exterior, the CLE 300 4Matic Coupé gets the AMG Line kit with the Night Package, bringing gloss black trim for the side mirror housings, beltline trim strips and side window surrounds.
Wheels are 19-inch AMG multi-spoke light alloy units shod in run-flat tyres, and the chassis also gets rear-wheel steer that gets up to 2.5 degrees of rear wheel steering angle to aid both agility and stability.
Inside, the cabin of the CLE 300 4Matic Coupé features a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 11.9-inch portrait-oriented central touchscreen display for MBUX infotainment system, which supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The AMG Line trim continues inside, where the cabin of the CLE 300 4Matic Coupé gets leather upholstery, black roof lining, AMG floor mats, power-adjustable, climatised front seats with memory function, centre console in a mixed fabric-look finish with metal effect, Artico synthetic leather upholstery for the instrument panel and beltlines, a Nappa leather-trimmed multi-function steering wheel, a head-up display and ambient lighting.
Front seat occupants get a wireless device charger, while the MBUX suite gets Navigation Premium, Interior Assistant, AR navigation, Remote Services Advanced, audio personalisation, along with pre-installation for live traffic information and MBUX Entertainment Plus.
Audio comes courtesy of a 17-speaker Burmester 3D Surround Sound system, while further convenience equipment includes Keyless Go, Hands-Free Access, the mirror package with folding exterior mirrors and self-dimming driver’s exterior mirror and interior mirror, the Stowage Space Package, Thermatic climate control, a pull-out sun visor and the bootlid convenience closing feature.
For driver assistance and active safety systems, the CLE 300 4Matic Coupé gets the Driving Assistance Package Plus with Active Distance Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Steering Assist, evasive manoeuvre support, pedestrian protection, the parking package with Memory Parking Assist, Active Parking Assist, 360-degree camera, Pre-safe Impulse with side, rear side and centre airbags, emergency call system, anti-theft alarm and interior monitoring.
The Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4Matic Coupé is on sale in Malaysia, priced at RM518,888 on-the-road without insurance, and as with all new Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles sold through Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, comes with a four-year warranty.
GALLERY: 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4Matic Coupé previewed in Malaysia
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2024 Kia EV9 launched in Malaysia – two GT-Line AWD variants; 6 or 7 seats; 505 km EV range; from RM370k
Dinamikjaya Motors, a subsidiary of Bermaz Auto, today launched the Kia EV9, which will be offered in two fully-imported (CBU) variants, both in GT-Line guise and with the same powertrain. The difference is in the number of seats, with the more affordable option being a seven-seater priced at RM369,668 on-the-road without insurance. Meanwhile, the second variant of the brand’s fully electric flagship SUV comes with six seats and goes for RM374,668.
Included with each purchase is a five-year, 150,000-km vehicle warranty as well as an eight-year, 160,000-km battery warranty. Buyers will have five colours to choose from, including Ocean Blue, Snow White Pearl, Pebble Grey, Aurora Black Pearl and Iceberg Green.
As mentioned at the start, the EV9 line-up in Malaysia use the same powertrain, which is a dual-motor, all-wheel drive setup rated at 385 PS (380 hp or 283 kW) and 700 Nm. This is good for a 0-100 km/h time of 5.3 seconds and top speed of 200 km/h.
The range figure is identical too at 505 km following the WLTP standard. This is thanks to a 99.8-kWh lithium-ion battery that supports DC charging (CCS2) at a max capacity of 350 kW, so a 10-80% state of charge can be reached in just 24 minutes. Alternatively, there’s slower AC charging (Type 2) at a peak of 11 kW, with a full charge requiring 10.5 hours. A vehicle-to-load (V2L) system is also present that is capable of outputting up to 3.58 kW to power electrical accessories and devices.
Equipment-wise, both variants are nearly identical and come standard with 21-inch alloy wheels, cube-design automatic LED projector headlamps, LED DRLs, LED taillights, rear LED fog lamps, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry and start, a sunroof, a powered tailgate and all-around parking sensors. Interestingly, we’re also getting cameras in place of traditional side mirrors, with the video feed shown on dedicated displays near the A-pillars inside the vehicle.
The list continues with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a rear-view mirror that doubles as a display for a rear camera, selectable drive modes, paddle shifters to control regenerative braking, a head-up display, three-zone climate control (dual-zone front, single-zone rear) with all-row vents, leatherette seat upholstery, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen (with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay) and a 14-speaker Meridian sound system.
As for safety and driver assistance systems, the EV9 come with seven airbags (dual front, sides, curtains and centre side), a surround view monitor, the usual array of passive systems (ABS, EBD, brake assist, traction control, ESC), hill start assist, a tyre pressure monitoring system, brake auto hold, rear occupant alert, safe exit assist and ISOFIX child seat anchors for the second and third row.
No shortage of ADAS either, including High Beam Assist, Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (front, rear and side), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, driver attention warning, Lane Following Assist, adaptive cruise control with stop and go and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist.
The last system is can engage autonomous emergency braking or provide steering assistance to avoid or mitigate collisions when dealing with junction turning/crossing, oncoming traffic lane changes, oncoming traffic and side lane changes.
2024 Kia EV9 spec sheet; click to enlarge As you can tell, the EV9 we’re getting is pretty well equipped regardless of variant, so the only thing you need to decide is how many seats you need. Go with the cheaper seven-seat option and you get a 60:40 split-folding bench in the second row with one-touch sliding function. With the more expensive six-seat variant, you get two individual Relaxion seats that are powered and come with ottomans.
It should be noted the front seats on both variants are Premium Relaxion units that come with power adjustment in addition to massaging, ventilation and heating functions – memory is only for the driver’s seat.
2024 Kia EV9 price list; click to enlarge Another notable aspect of the EV9 is it is the second Kia EV based on the E-GMP with an 800V architecture to be sold here after the EV6. It is much bigger than its stablemate, measuring in at 5,015 mm long, 1,980 mm wide, 1,780 mm tall and with a wheelbase spanning 3,100 mm.
With all said and done, what do you think of the Kia EV9? With RM5,000 being the price gap between the six- and seven-seat variants, which one would you go for? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
GALLERY: 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD 7-Seater
GALLERY: 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD 6-Seater
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Proton PHEV confirmed for 2025 – Geely Galaxy L7 most likely candidate as next-gen X70 with 1.5T 4-cyl?
Aside from the facelifted X70, Proton also confirmed yesterday that its first plug-in hybrid model will be launched next year, around the same time as its first battery electric vehicle. While a PHEV has been bandied about by the national carmaker for a while, this is the first time it has given a timeline for the car’s introduction.
No details as yet, but given that we’re only about a year out from the launch, we can speculate that it will likely be based on an existing Geely model. This will almost certainly be powered by the NordThor BHE15 Plus plug-in hybrid system, centred around a 163 PS/255 Nm 1.5 litre turbocharged Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine.
This is paired with a 145 PS/338 Nm electric motor and a three-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT) to provide up to 390 PS and 535 Nm of torque. A variety of battery sizes are fitted depending on the model and variant, offering a pure electric range of up to 90 km.
The NordThor PHEV powertrain is fitted to a number of models in China, including the Galaxy L7. This is the plug-in version of the latest Boyue L, based on the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) – meaning it could be offered in Malaysia as the next-generation X70. Given that the facelifted first-gen model is due to be launched this year, however, such a car should be marketed under a different nameplate.
Proton’s focus on profitable SUV models means the L7 is the most likely option, but it also has a sedan sibling called the L6. Unlike the S70, this is a proper C-segment model that’s quite a bit larger, so it could be sold as a more premium alternative.
The NordThor powertrain is also found in Geely’s mainstream models, carrying the Hi-P branding. So far, the PHEV models offered are the Emgrand L and the Xingyue L, the latter also available in a long-range version with up to 205 km of pure electric range.
Clockwise from top left: Geely Galaxy L6, Emgrand L Hi-P, Xingyue L Hi-X (now Hi-P) Alternatively, Proton could simply stick an electric motor and battery onto its existing 1.5 litre turbo three-pot, which is already being produced in Malaysia. This gives the added benefit of theoretically being able to fit into its current models, especially as it would also work with the seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission.
There’s one catch, however – such a powertrain only exists in the Volvo XC40 T5 Recharge, meaning that Proton would have to work with Gothenburg to get the technology to our market. The XC40 makes a grand total of 262 PS and 425 Nm of torque, and with a 10.7 kWh lithium-ion battery, it offers a pure electric range of 44 km.
So, which one of these options would you like to see in Malaysia as Proton’s first PHEV? Sound off in the comments after the jump.
GALLERY: Geely Galaxy L7 at Auto China 2024
GALLERY: Geely Galaxy L6
GALLERY: Geely Emgrand L Hi-P
GALLERY: Geely Xingyue L Hi-X
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Tesla Model 3 rendered as a hatchback and wagon
Tesla Model 3 hatchback rendering The Tesla Model 3 is the brand’s cheapest electric vehicle (EV) that is offered as a sedan only, but what if there were other body styles available? That’s exactly what Theophilus Chin has done by creating these renders of the Model 3 in wagon and hatchback guises.
Of the two, the hatchback’s front end gets tweaked to incorporate a sporty lip at the base of the bumper, which also gets distinctive creases just ahead of the new wheels. The rear has a more rakish window leading to a slight spoiler lip, with taillights that extend further into the tailgate. The lower apron also gets a dedicated number plate recess and asymmetric black trim.
As for the wagon, maintains the same front end as a regular Model 3 Highland but with an extended roof for increased cargo space. This terminates in a more upright rear that has the Model 3’s C-shaped taillights adapted to suit the revised shape. Based on these renderings, which of the two alternate (and imagined) body styles of the Model 3 do you think looks best? Sound off in the comments below.
The hatchback does look rather interesting to us and could foreshadow a more affordable Tesla model that is part of the company’s future product roadmap – maybe a Model 3 hatchback with a smaller battery and (possibly dimensions)?
Tesla Model 3 wagon rendering At this point in time, Tesla’s S3XY line-up is either a sedan (Model S and Model 3) or a crossover (Model X and Model Y), while its fifth offering is the Cybertruck. Rumours of a Tesla hatchback that is more affordable than the Model 3 have been swirling for some time, although the company isn’t revealing much aside from that its upcoming vehicles will not be built on the originally planned “unboxed” manufacturing strategy, but instead will use current manufacturing lines and share aspects with current platforms.
The “unboxed” process, to those not familiar, does away with having a car roll down a traditional assembly line where parts are added on at various stations. Instead, different sections of the vehicle are assembled at the same time in dedicated areas of a factory before these sub-assemblies are brought together in the end to reduce production costs and space required.
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Beijing 2024: Volvo EM90 six-seater EV MPV twin to Zeekr 009 with 272 PS/343 Nm; from RM536k in China
The Volvo EM90 made its debut in the later part of 2023, and the electric MPV has been shown at Auto China 2024 in Beijing.
Built on the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) that also underpins the Zeekr 009, the EM90 packs a single motor, rear-wheel-drive powertrain that outputs 272 PS and 343 Nm of torque. This draws from a 116 kWh NMC battery that offers a claimed maximum range of 738 km on a full charge, and DC charging enables a 10-80% charge in 30 minutes.
The EM90 is closely matched to the 009 in terms of exterior dimensions, with the Volvo measuring ,206 mm long, 2,024 mm wide and 1,859 mm tall and with a wheelbase of 3,205 mm, and a maximum cargo capacity of 1,826 litres.
Volvo design details abound throughout the EM90, beginning in the front of the vehicle with the ‘Thor’s Hammer’ signature design of its daytime running lights which wear rectangular pixel design as found on the units for the EX90 and EX30.
The closed-off grille gets a textured surface along with the Iron Mark, while the main headlamp units are each located in the same areas as the air curtains. At the rear of the EM90, the tail lamps expand upon the design of those on the Zeekr, while the tailgate is similar across both models. The EM90 can be specified with eight-spoke alloy wheels of 19- or 20-inch diameter sizes.
In China, the interior of the six-seater EM90 can be specified with either wool blend upholstery in light grey, or Nappa leather in white, as seen in these images, or in black.
The second row features lounge seats that can recline and slide, and are equipped with heating and ventilation functions along with folding tray tables for the business-class experience. As in the Zeekr 009, there are comfort controls for each second-row seat.
Dual sunroofs allow generous amounts of external light, and are complemented by ambient lighting within the cabin. Voice commands or switch controls can deploy the overhead screen, adjust air-conditioning and lighting, and position the seats to serve as a theatre, meeting room or sleeping quarters for the rear seats, says Volvo.
Safety and assistance features in the EM90, according to the Volvo Cars website for China, include rear collision warning, a driving recorder, front collision mitigation, rear cross traffic alert, one pedal driving, front and rear park assist, lane departure warning, forward cross traffic warning, lane keeping assist, driver fatigue warning, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, blind spot information, Pilot Assist, and TPMS.
In China, the Volvo EM90 is priced from 818,000 yuan (RM536,238), and customer deliveries have started in March this year. For Malaysia, fully electric models from Volvo slated for our market include the EX90 and the EX30, with the smaller model set to arrive first.
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2024 BMW iX2 xDrive30 M Sport in Malaysia – 449 km EV range; from RM283k; RM7k more than iX1 xDrive30
Following the start of order taking for the BMW iX2 last month, we now have a full spec sheet of the more stylish sibling to the iX1. Offered in a sole xDrive30 M Sport variant, the fully electric iX2 retails for RM297,000 on-the-road without insurance, inclusive of an extended five-year warranty and six-year service package – without it, the price drops to RM282,800.
The iX2’s powertrain is identical to the top-spec iX1, with a dual-motor, all-wheel drive setup rated at 313 PS (308 hp or 230 kW) – with temporary boost engaged – and 494 Nm of torque. This setup is good for a 0-100 km/h time of 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 180 km/h.
Power for the electric motors is provided by lithium-ion battery with a gross energy capacity of 66.5 kWh (64.7 kWh net). Thanks to its sleeker shape, the iX2 has a higher WLTP-rated range of 449 km compared to the iX1 xDrive30 that is rated at 438 km.
Charging times are identical, however, with a 10-80% state of charge achieved in 29 minutes at a maximum DC input of 130 kW. There’s also slower AC charging at 11 kW which sees a full charge from 0-100% requiring 6.5 hours.
Standard kit for the iX2 includes the M Sport package that brings with it more aggressive front and rear bumpers, 20-inch M V-spoke style 873 M bicolour light-alloy wheels, M high-gloss Shadowline with extended content (radiator grille, tailgate logo and mirror caps in black), an Iconic Glow illuminated front grille, M sport brakes (dark blue metallic calipers), adaptive M suspension, acoustic comfort glazing and adaptive LED headlamps.
Inside, you get a choice of Veganza synthetic leather upholstery or a combination of Veganza and Alcantara, aluminium ‘Hexacube’ light interior trim finishers, an M leather steering wheel, powered front sports seats, an anthracite headliner, dual-zone climate control, an ambient lighting system, a wireless charging pad and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
2024 BMW iX2 xDrive30 M Sport spec sheet; click to enlarge There’s also the Live Cockpit Professional system (10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.7-inch infotainment touchscreen), while the infotainment (powered by BMW Operating System 9) is bundled with ConnectedDrive services and Connected Package Professional that includes support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Our iX2 comes with the Driving Assistant Plus package, which includes functions such as Steering and Lane Control Assistant, Speed Limit Info, Automatic Speed Limit Assist, Lane Departure Warning, autonomous emergency braking, and Active Cruise Control with stop and go.
Parking Assistant Plus is also included and consists of Active Park Distance Control (front and rear parking sensors), Reversing Assistant, Lateral Parking Aid, a 360-degree camera as well as Drive Recorder and Remote Theft Recorder.
2024 BMW iX1 xDrive30 M Sport spec sheet; click to enlarge Seven colours are offered for the iX2, namely Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Skyscraper Grey, Cape York Green, Fire Red, M Portimau Blue, and M Brooklyn Grey. Each purchase is accompanied by an eight-year, 160,000-km battery warranty, roadside assistance and accident hotline as well as BMW Service Online.
At RM297,000 (or RM282,800 with the standard two-year vehicle warranty), the iX2 xDrive30 M Sport is RM7,000 more than the iX1 xDrive30 M Sport. For that premium, you get a coupe-like design which also brings with it slightly more range, plus more expressive exterior equipment. Worth it?
GALLERY: U10 BMW iX2 xDrive30 at 2024 Japan Mobility Show
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Tesla V4 Supercharger hardware now in Malaysia at IOI City Mall, IOI Mall Puchong, DC charging up to 250 kW
Tesla has started to deploy its V4 Supercharger hardware in Malaysia and the first two sites to use them are IOI City Mall and IOI Mall Puchong.
These V4 Superchargers are configured to provide a maximum charge rate of 250 kW, which is the same as the V3 installations in Malaysia. The main difference to an end user would be the longer cable offered, allowing you a bit more flexibility with parking your car.
Of course, they obviously look very different, going without the big “hole” in the middle that the V3 Supercharger designs have.
Pricing is the same – RM1.25 per kWh for charging, and an idle fee of RM4 per minute when the Supercharger station is 100% occupied to prevent hogging.
All Superchargers use Tesla’s seamless “plug-in, charge and go” system, meaning that users simply have to input their payment method into their Tesla app; charging will commence automatically once they plug up a charger to their car.
As of today, Tesla has opened 10 DC Supercharger sites (48 Superchargers) and 11 AC Destination Charging site (57 chargers) in Malaysia.
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Bailey Bridge on Jalan Kuantan-Segamat reopened to two-way traffic; for vehicles not exceeding 20 tonnes
Good news for those who frequent this route – Section 102 of Jalan Kuantan-Segamat has been reopened to traffic following its closure from April 29 for repair work to the Bailey Bridge, the works ministry has announced.
The bridge has been reopened to two-way traffic from 4pm yesterday, for vehicles with a maximum permissible load not exceeding 20 tonnes.
“Road users are advised to exercise caution when passing through the area and always adhere to the directions provided on signboards. Cooperation from all parties is highly appreciated, the ministry wrote in its statement.
The closure for repairs saw the diversion of traffic from Kuantan/Gambang to the FT3 (Kuantan to Endau via Pekan) to head to Muadzam Shah.
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2024 Porsche Panamera in Malaysia – updated tech, 353 PS/500 Nm 2.9L biturbo V6; from RM1.3 million
The latest, third-generation Porsche Panamera is now available to order courtesy of Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP), and the updated four-door grand tourer comes to the Malaysian market with a starting price of RM1.3 million.
Made in Leipzig, Germany, the 2024 Panamera for Malaysia gets a 2.9 litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine rated to produce 353 PS and 500 Nm of torque, representing increases of 23 PS and 50 Nm respectively compared to its predecessor. Thus equipped, the 2024 Panamera achieves the 0-100 km/h sprint in 5.1 seconds, and a top speed of 272 km/h.
Its accelerative capabilities are complemented by improved braking equipment, where the use of an electric brake booster is aimed at improving pedal feel and braking precision. The 2024 Panamera gets six-piston fixed calipers and 360 mm brake discs for the front axle, which are 10 mm larger than the units on its predecessor, while the rear brakes continue to be 330 mm discs with four-piston fixed calipers.
Chassis systems in the 2024 Panamera incorporate dual-chamber, two-valve air suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) as standard, where the two-valve configuration has separate compression and rebound stages of damper control , thus offering a wider range of adjustment between comfort and sportiness.
This system will noticeably dampen impacts from transverse joints and broken roads while at the same time ensuring greater body control in dynamic driving conditions. For even sharper handling, rear-axle steering can be optioned on the Panamera. As standard, rolling stock on the 2024 Panamera is a set of 19-inch wheels, with tyres measuring 265/45 in front and 295/40 at the rear.
Exterior equipment on the 2024 Panamera also includes matrix LED headlamps as standard, which features more than 32,000 pixels per headlamp and enables dedicated lane brightening, and has an illumination range of up to 600 m.
Inside, the Panamera features an interior that the manufacturer says ‘features the ideal balance between digital and analogue control elements’ while placing essential driving elements along the driver’s axis, according to the carmaker. The transmission selector is now located inboard of the steering wheel, or to the left in a right-hand-drive vehicle, as in the latest Cayenne.
Interfaces are comprised of a 12.6-inch curved digital instrument display, while infotainment is by a 12.3-inch central touchscreen. New here is an optional 10.9-inch front passenger display, which can be viewed by the front passenger and not the driver, in order that the latter is not distracted.
Infotainment and smartphone connectivity in the 2024 Panamera come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the MyPorsche mobile app for iOS devices enables the operation of functions including air-conditioning, seat massage and ambient lighting via CarPlay or the Siri voice assistant.
For active safety systems, the standard active speed assistant now works with traffic sign recognition, which when activated, will automatically limit the Panamera to the posted speed limit.
GALLERY: 2024 Porsche Panamera
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2024 Proton X70 facelift confirmed with Level 2 semi-autonomous driving – lane centring assist included
Proton held a media briefing regarding its quality control performance at its Tanjung Malim plant today. As part of the presentation, the national carmaker publicly confirmed the presence of the facelifted X70 for the first time, the refreshed SUV set to be launched sometime this year.
Little has been made known about the new X70, but the company has stated that the car will be offered with Level 2 semi-autonomous driving for the first time, joining the X50, X90 and S70. But wait, doesn’t the X70 already have adaptive cruise control? Yes, but it only functions above 30 km/h (no stop and go), and the car also doesn’t come with lane centring assist, only lane departure warning.
The X50, X90 and S70, on the other hand, come with Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC), which combines ACC with stop and go and lane centring. This is almost certainly the system that will come with the facelift, along with lane keep assist.
We know that the new X70 will receive updates from the facelifted first-generation Boyue, thanks to previous spyshots. The changes include slimmer reflector LED headlights, a five-point grille (likely with the new “songket” studded mesh from the X90), a re-profiled front bumper and a new five-spoke design for the range-topping 19-inch alloy wheels. One new bit that the Boyue doesn’t get is a revised rear bumper design with horizontal reflectors.
Inside, the new X70 retains the same gently-undulating, Hangzhou Bay Bridge-inspired dashboard design as the original, losing out on the new dash from the Boyue Pro/Azkarra. The tech should get a much-welcome upgrade, however, with the facelift tipped to add a new steering wheel, seven-inch digital instrument display and 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen – all lifted from the newer X50.
Expect the X70 to come with the same engines as before, including a 177 PS/255 Nm 1.5 litre turbocharged three-cylinder and a 184 PS/300 Nm 1.8 litre turbo four-pot. Both are paired to a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission, but only the 1.5 litre gets the option of all-wheel drive.
GALLERY: 2024 Proton X70 spyshots
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