Wheels

THE country will roll out its first locally developed electric vehicle (EV) at the end of this month, with the government positioning it as part of a broader affordability and sustainability drive.  

The Sun reported that Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim made the announcement during a visit to Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd’s (Perodua) Rawang plant in Selangor yesterday.

Anwar said he would confirm the exact launch date “within one or two days” and that state governments would be instructed to treat the rollout as a national priority.

“At the end of this month, we will launch this model and I will instruct state governments that this second launch be made a major National Agenda.

“This is not only about launching a car. It is about governance, social responsibility and environmental protection. These must move together,” he said.

The EV was designed to meet sustainability and affordability goals while supporting the government’s broader policy goals.

“It fulfils the Madani concept because it is affordable. Production must meet national needs and support healthier economic growth,” he said.

The project reflected growing confidence in Malaysia’s economic direction, supported by recent international engagements.

Meanwhile, Anwar said in the coming weeks, he would visit Brazil and South Africa to explore new opportunities involving Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) and other sectors.

He said the EV rollout would mark a broader shift in Malaysia’s manufacturing capabilities.

“We are entering new technological phases such as digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI). This requires reskilling, apprenticeships and training. That responsibility is shared between the government and industry,” he said.

He emphasised that the EV plan would not be a single, isolated announcement but rather a sustained national effort aimed at meeting domestic demands and driving long-term economic growth.

The launch of Malaysia’s first locally developed EV is expected to signal a new phase in the country’s push for affordable, sustainable mobility and industrial self-reliance.

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by TMR

PROTON e.MAS 7 has achieved total sales of 7,413 units as of Oct 31, comprising 6,954 units sold locally and 459 units exported, according to Proton New Energy Technology Sdn Bhd (Pro-NET), a subsidiary of national automaker Proton Holdings Bhd.

At the same time, the newly launched Proton e.MAS 5 has received more than 10,000 bookings nationwide.

Pro-Net CEO Zhang Qiang said this makes the Proton e.MAS 7 Malaysia’s No 1 electric vehicle (EV) for 10 consecutive months, while the Proton e.MAS 5’s bookings reflect strong consumer interest and growing acceptance of electric mobility.

“We are truly humbled by the continued support Malaysians have shown towards both the Proton e.MAS 7 and now, the Proton e.MAS 5 as well.

“Every booking received is the mark of trust that Malaysians have in us to deliver the e.MAS 5 at the highest standards. As the national automaker, we will continue to uphold our responsibility to make electric mobility more accessible and reliable,” he said in a statement.

The central region recorded the highest number of e.MAS 5 bookings, followed by the southern and northern regions, while demand from East Malaysia and the East Coast is also rising.

Dealers report that most e.MAS 5 customers are working professionals choosing the model as their main vehicle. Many are trading in existing cars through the Power Trade-In programme, which offers an additional RM1,000 rebate.

An increasing number of buyers are also first-time car owners or households purchasing the EV as a secondary vehicle.

Early customer feedback cites affordability, practicality and a well-rounded driving experience as key reasons for the strong response. The B-segment hatchback’s compact design, intelligent features and competitive pricing have positioned it as a popular choice for everyday use.

The Proton e.MAS 5 is currently offered with a RM3,000 launch rebate until Dec 31, 2025. Buyers will also receive a launch package worth up to RM8,000, which includes a free 7kW home charger and five years of unlimited Internet data.

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PERUSAHAAN Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) will launch its first electric vehicle (EV) that meets national requirements at the end of this month, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the launch of Perodua’s fully Malaysian-made EV will be turned into a national agenda.

“The EV to be launched will be affordable, meet national requirements and can stimulate the economy,” he said during an engagement session with Perodua staff here today.— BERNAMA

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THE HAGUE — German carmaker BMW is being sued by the Dutch consumers’ association Consumentenbond and the Car Claim Foundation for using software to make its diesel cars appear more environmentally friendly than they truly are, Xinhua reported Monday, citing Consumentenbond spokesperson Joyce Donat.

Various investigations conducted by organisations in the Netherlands, as well as in Germany, France, and Britain, have revealed that these diesel vehicles were equipped with devices which artificially reduced nitrogen oxide emissions during official type-approval tests. However, under normal driving conditions, these vehicles emitted significantly higher levels of pollutants.

Approximately 100,000 BMW diesel cars sold in the Netherlands between January 1, 2009, and September 1, 2019, were affected.

“We want BMW to compensate the consumers they misled,” said Sandra Molenaar, director of the consumers’ association.

The Car Claim Foundation, a non-profit organisation, has called on BMW to recall the affected vehicles and bring them into compliance with emissions standards under real-world driving conditions. — BERNAMA-XINHUA

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A compact, feature-packed EV that starts from RM56,800 

by SHAUQI WAHAB 

PROTON Holdings Bhd has officially launched the e.Mas 5 in Malaysia, positioning it as the most affordable electric vehicle (EV) currently on the market. 

Revealed by CEO Dr Li Chunrong, the compact EV starts at RM56,800 for the Prime variant and RM69,800 for the Premium, prices that include a RM3,000 introductory rebate valid until Dec 31, 2025. 

Without the rebate, the Prime variant is RM59,800 and the Premium RM72,800, both on-the-road without insurance. 

Initially, only the Premium model will be available, with the Prime following later. 

Proton’s chairman Datuk Seri Syed Faisal Albar marked the launch of the e.Mas 5 as a milestone in Malaysia’s automotive journey, framing it as a return to Proton’s original mission of building national pride through mobility. 

He highlighted the model as the country’s first truly affordable EV, saying the launch represents not just a product introduction. 

“It is a movement towards a Malaysia where innovation is inclusive, where technology is human and where every journey, no matter how small, drives us closer to a brighter and cleaner future,” he said during the grand launching ceremony of the e.Mas 5. 

He stressed Proton’s rapid EV development, successfully creating its second electric model in two years after the e.Mas 7. 

He credited the firm’s partnership with Geely Holding Group, stressing that Proton has not merely adopted foreign technology but has been actively involved through structured training and technology transfer. 

“Geely made sure that we are part of it. Our local engineers learn from the heart of the technology centre,” he added. 

He acknowledged the challenges of building an affordable EV, praising the Proton team and engineers for bringing the vision to life despite technical and market hurdles. 

The e.Mas 5, which has already secured over 5,000 bookings, is positioned to democratise electric mobility, ensuring that the future of electric mobility should belong to everyone, not just the privileged few. 

The e.Mas 5 Unique Specifications

The e.Mas 5 measures 4,135mm in length, 1,805mm in width and 1,580mm in height, with a 2,650mm wheelbase and 160mm of ground clearance. 

The Prime variant weighs 1,230kg, while the Premium tips the scales at 1,305kg. 

Wheel options include 15-inch steel rims with 205/65R15 tyres for the Prime and 16-inch alloys with 205/60R16 tyres for the Premium. 

Powertrain options differ noticeably between the two models. 

The Prime features a rear-mounted motor producing 79 PS and 130 newton-metres (Nm), paired with a 30.12 kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium iron phosphate (CATL LFP) battery capable of up to 225km on the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) cycle. 

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GRAB Holdings Ltd., Southeast Asia’s largest ride-hailing provider, is investing $60 million in remote-driving service Vay to add to its bets in technologies for driverless vehicles.

The funding, which is subject to regulatory approval, could increase to a total of $410 million within a year after the initial investment if Vay hits certain milestones, the companies said in a joint statement on Monday. The deal is likely to close in the fourth quarter.

Vay’s service is a business model between a regular human-driven taxi and a fully autonomous one. It allows users to order a car, which is then operated remotely and delivered to the customer. Once it’s arrived, the remote operator disconnects and the customer takes over to drive the vehicle where they want to go.

Grab’s outlay adds to a string of similar investments into mobility startups. The ride-hailing and food delivery firm last month put in an undisclosed amount in US-based driverless technology developer May Mobility Inc., and in August said it plans to invest in Chinese robotaxi operator WeRide Inc. to offer driverless rides across Southeast Asia.

Grab isn’t the only ride-hailing platform to prepare for a future where driverless rides are the norm. US counterparts Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. have similarly partnered with technology providers and fleet operators for global deployments, while positioning themselves as platforms that can efficiently inform where robotaxis should be placed to keep them busy.

Vay, with its main offices in Berlin and Las Vegas, will use funds to scale and expand its operations in the US, while enhancing Grab’s mobility offerings. —BLOOMBERG

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HONDA Motor Co. slashed its annual profit guidance as a shortage of critical semiconductors hurts production, with the Japanese carmaker also warning of a turbulent outlook for electric vehicles. 

The carmaker sees ¥550 billion ($3.6 billion) in operating profit for the fiscal year ending March 2026, it said Friday. That’s down from a previous forecast of ¥700 billion and missed analyst expectations that Honda would lift the outlook to ¥869 billion.

The chip shortage and a slump in demand in Asia saw Honda reduce its global autos sales forecast to 3.34 million units from 3.62 million. The carmaker has previously said it’s curbed or suspended output at some of its North American plants after Beijing blocked Nexperia, which is based in the Netherlands but owned by a Chinese firm, from exporting from its facilities in China.

Still, there are signs the supply crunch is easing. Honda has been told Nexperia’s chip shipments in China have resumed, and the carmaker aims to get disrupted production back on track during the week of Nov. 21, executive vice President Noriya Kaihara said.

“The downward revision to full-year guidance was large and somewhat surprising,” said Bloomberg Intelligence senior auto analyst Tatsuo Yoshida. “That said, the company may have lowered the bar by fully incorporating adverse factors and cut the full-year plan, leaving room for upward revisions.”

Beyond the near-term chip issues, Honda highlighted the longer-term hit it’s facing from a slowdown in EV demand. It now expects the ratio of EVs in its global sales to drop to 20% in 2030 from a previously announced target of 30%. 

That’s in line with Honda’s previous warnings that it is scaling back investment plans and anticipating lower EV sales targets, particularly with the end of tax credits in the US. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on imports of cars and parts have also hurt the company’s outlook.

Honda also spoke to the challenges foreign automakers face in China, where they are losing ground to domestic rivals. 

The Japanese marque has indefinitely postponed the further rollout of its Ye Series — an EV lineup geared for the Chinese market — after it found its price and software weren’t competitive enough. The Ye Series GT’s debut had been planed for the fiscal year ending March 2027.

“It has no cost competitiveness and, while other companies all have autonomous driving technology, we do not,” Kaihara said. Honda will work with China’s Momenta to implement those features in its vehicles. 

The EV slowdown will see the carmaker stop the development of a model it didn’t identify, and it will discontinue and reduce the manufacturing of models jointly developed under a particular alliance agreement.

Honda’s motorcycle business continues to be a bright spot. The unit posted record sales volume and operating profit during the first half of the fiscal year, even as Vietnam weighed on volumes.  –BLOOMBERG

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PARIS — French carmaker Renault has signed a deal with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group to sell a 26.4 per cent stake in its Brazilian subsidiary, the firm announced on Monday, German Press Agency (dpa) reported.

As a minority shareholder, Geely will have access to Renault do Brasil’s industrial and commercial resources, allowing it to accelerate its expansion in the region’s automotive market.

Renault do Brasil will make Geely Auto-branded vehicles alongside Renault vehicles at the Ayrton Senna plant in São José dos Pinhais, Paraná.

Renault will utilise Geely’s Global Intelligent New Energy Architecture (GEA) to extend its line-up with zero-and-low-emission vehicles for the Brazilian market.

Renault do Brasil will also distribute Geely Auto’s portfolio of zero-and-low-emission vehicles in Brazil. — BERNAMA-dpa

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KUALA LUMPUR — Proton Holdings Bhd (Proton) has appointed Datuk Abdul Rashid Musa (picture) as its deputy chief executive officer (CEO) effective Nov 1, 2025.

The company said Abdul Rashid, who will report directly to Proton CEO Li Chunrong, returns to the company bringing more than 30 years of experience in engineering, manufacturing, and product development.

“During his previous tenure with Proton, he served as chief technical officer before being appointed CEO of Proton Edar, where he oversaw several key milestones in the company’s growth, including the launch of the Proton X70 in 2018,” it said in a statement today.

Following his time at Proton, Abdul Rashid held major portfolios within UMW Holdings Bhd, including heading the aerospace division and leading initiatives in mobility, innovation, and sustainable development aligned with the national agenda, further reinforcing his commitment to advancing Malaysia’s automotive ecosystem.

Li said Abdul Rashid’s extensive experience and deep understanding of the Malaysian automotive industry, along with his familiarity with Proton’s operations, will play a crucial role in supporting the company’s transformation and future growth.

Li also conveyed the company’s gratitude to Ainol Azmil who served as covering deputy CEO from June 10 to Oct 31 this year.

Ainol will resume his role as vice president, corporate strategy, as well as oversee Proton’s group technical procurement division as its senior director. — BERNAMA

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