WapCar News

Kia is the fourth best-selling brand in Australia in 2023 behind Toyota, Mazda, and Ford but with its upcoming model designed for Down Under, it might get a chance to reach the podium. Set to launch in 2025, Kia’s first-ever pick-up truck will aim squarely at the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux which are the top two best-selling cars in Australia. The Korean carmaker recently revealed that it will be named the Kia Tasman after years of speculation. The name itself follows Kia’s tradition of naming

CY Foong

Apr 16, 2024

After facing backlash from the Italian government for using the name 'Milano', Alfa Romeo has renamed its first compact BEV SUV model to "Junior" - no less bringing back a much-loved nameplate from the mid-60s. Following its recent debut, the Alfa Romeo 'Milano' nameplate - intended to pay homage to the city where Alfa Romeo was founded - drew ire from Italian officials for having a decidedly Italian name but will be produced in Poland, specifically at the Stellantis Tychy plant. Italy's Industr

Arvind

Apr 16, 2024

With demand for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) growing significantly in Malaysia in 2023, Smart’s Malaysian distributor Pro-Net announced that the Smart #1 has cemented its position as the 3rd best-selling model in the premium BEV SUV segment priced above RM 180k. Smart is also ranked among the top 4 best-selling BEV brands in Malaysia last year. Zhang Qiang, Chief Executive Officer of Smart Malaysia said, “This milestone reflects the growing demand for urban mobility solutions in the region a

CY Foong

Apr 16, 2024

Chery is in talks to license its battery EV platform to European brands, including one brand from the premium segment, confirms Chery’s chairman Yin Tongyue. "Two premium European marques want to use our platform and a deal will be signed with one of them, a more premium brand than us," Yin told Reuters. Yin said this during a livestream event for the Exeed Exlantix ET’s pre-sales in China. Marketed under Chery’s upscale Exeed brand, specifications of the Exlantix ET have yet to be announced but

Hans

Apr 16, 2024

If you're in the market for a reliable and stylish compact SUV in Malaysia for around RM 150k, you might be looking at the usual suspects – the Honda HR-V or the Mazda CX-30 for a bit more exclusivity. While they’re all great choices, you could be totally different and pony up your cash for a recond Toyota Yaris Cross, but not the ASEAN market ‘D03B’ version, the 'real' (XP210) Yaris Cross that is sold in Japan, Europe and Australia. Browsing WapCar’s new ‘Cars for Sale’ page conveniently throws

Arvind

Apr 16, 2024

Neta primarily produces battery electric vehicles (BEV) but its upcoming model will be launched with a combustion engine. Still, the engine that will be powering the Neta L, which will make its Chinese debut on 20 April isn’t going to be powering the car per se. That’s because the 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engine under the hood of this SUV will work as a range extender for the electric motor (EREV). According to preliminary information by Chinese automotive analyst, Tycho de Feijter on his Twitter (c

CY Foong

Apr 16, 2024

EP Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd. (EPMB) and China-based BAIC International Development Co. Ltd. (BAIC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) spanning 10 years to locally-assemble (CKD) a range of the brand's vehicles here. In Berita Harian's report dated 16-April 2024, the terms of the agreement will see EPMB through its wholly-owned subsidiary Peps-JV (Melaka) Sdn Bhd will carry out the local assembly (CKD) of BAIC vehicles. The first step will see the production of cars like the BAIC BJ40P

Sanjay

Apr 16, 2024

Following the spate of announcements made by Chinese carmaker GAC at its recent tech day, the company has unveiled one more advancement – the Trumpchi E9 PHEV MPV with a twist to the usual 'welcab' formula. Unlike most welfare vehicles (usually known as 'welcab' in Japan, a portmanteau of 'welfare' and 'cabin') which just have a rear seat that pops out to allow the mobility-challenged to ease onto, this E9 employs the world's first detachable electric wheelchair. Now, other carmakers in the welc

Sanjay

Apr 16, 2024

China’s Global Times, a newspaper owned by the Chinese Communist Party’s main newspaper People’s Daily, recently published an op-ed that says Tesla’s intention to invest in India will struggle to succeed because of the South Asian country’s poor charging infrastructure, adding that its weak supplier base cannot support Tesla cars. Since the article was published by a government-owned newspaper, the article is a reflection of China’s opinion on Tesla’s attempt to forge closer ties with India, a c

Hans

Apr 15, 2024

BMW's strategic pivot towards BEVs in the coming years may spell the end for the conventional ICE-powered BMW 4 Series due to model consolidation in preparation for the much-anticipated Neue Klasse BEV lineup. Sighting internal sources, BMW Blog reports that "there are currently no plans to develop a CLAR-based BMW 4 Series” when the 2-door Coupe/Cabriolet and 4-door Gran Coupe models come up for replacement; a decision that “dates back to when the (battery) EV market appeared highly promising,

Arvind

Apr 15, 2024

China's GAC Group has showcased its latest advancements in autonomous driving technology by unveiling its Garcia OS; a map-free pure-vision intelligent driving system that uses visual recognition to functions rather than relying purely on maps, reports news portal Gasgoo. Unlike traditional systems reliant on high-precision maps or LiDAR, Garcia OS boasts a simpler hardware setup while offering extensive coverage across diverse scenarios with its three pivotal visual recognition capabilities. Us

Sanjay

Apr 15, 2024

XPeng has announced a new variant for the G6 – the 580 Long-range Plus – in China. The company introduced this variant with a limited-time promotional price tag of CNY 179,900 (around RM 118k). This latest addition to the G6 series follows a trend of price reductions. The XPeng G6’s initial price ranged between CNY 209,900 (around RM 138k) to CNY 276,900 (around RM 182k). However, the company announced a time-limited discount of CNY 20,000 across all G6 variants until 31-March 2024, effectively

Shaun

Apr 15, 2024

During the recent GAC Tech Day held on 12-April 2024, the Group unveiled its breakthrough all-solid-state battery technology slated for integration into Hyper-branded models by 2026, reports news portal Gasgoo. The battery employs a 100% solid-state electrolyte, offering ultra-high energy density and robust intrinsic safety at the cell level. Transitioning "from the lab to large-scale production application," it signifies a significant milestone in battery technology. With advancements in sponge

Sanjay

Apr 15, 2024

The Alfa Romeo Milano has made its official debut as the brand's inaugural BEV model and its most compact SUV, positioned below the Stelvio and middle-child, Tonale. Measuring 4,170 mm in length, 1,780 mm in width, and 1,500 mm in height, the Milano – named after the city where Alfa Romeo was founded – is a compact SUV that goes up to other compact BEV SUVs such as the Smart #1, Volvo EX30 and Peugeot e-2008 in the European market. Also read: Introducing the Alfa Romeo Tonale in Malaysia: Not th

Arvind

Apr 13, 2024

The Mazda 6 is perhaps one of the most classy and beautiful D-Segment sedans to ever come out of Japan. Beyond design, the Mazda 6 also blends astute driving dynamics and superb build quality and trademark Japanese reliability, albeit at higher maintenance costs than its rivals from Honda and Toyota. In this guide, highlighting used Mazda 6 models from WapCar’s new Cars for Sale page, let’s take a closer look at this seminal D-Segment sedan. A brief introduction of the Mazda 6 The GJ Mazda 6 was

Arvind

Apr 13, 2024

Chery Auto Malaysia has provided its latest update to a widely circulated video uploaded by an owner of a Chery Omoda 5, alleging that problems with her car’s brakes remain unresolved despite repeated visits to Chery’s authorized service centre. Chery press statement reads: “Since then (6 April 2024), our customer care team has been in close contact with the customer and have kept her updated while our highly skilled technical team conducted a thorough investigation on her vehicle which she clai

Hans

Apr 12, 2024

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where the car you're fond of is owned by someone you don't particularly like? It's an odd scenario, somehow making you reluctant to desire the car because of the association. It's a bit like my feelings towards Tesla – not that I'm particularly fond of it, but the fanatics can be off-putting. Overview: Tesla Model 3 Highland SR RWD Price RM 189,000 Segment Compact executive Powertrain Single-motor RWD Battery capacity 57.5 kWh Charging 11 kW AC, 170 kW

Shaun

Apr 12, 2024

After the XPeng G6, which is set to be the company’s first right-hand drive (RHD) model and likely the first to make its way to Malaysia, the next confirmed RHD model from the Chinese BEV maker is the XPeng X9. Prices for the XPeng X9 in China ranges from CNY 359,800 (around RM 237k) to CNY 419,800 (around RM 276k). The XPeng X9 is built on the SEPA 2.0 platform, its dimensions stand at 5,293 mm long, 1,988 mm wide, 1,785 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3,160 mm. Despite its size, the X9 is said to

Shaun

Apr 12, 2024

Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim has made history by being the first overseas individual worldwide to own a Hongqi H5. His Majesty received the luxury Chinese sedan after a meeting with China's ambassador to Malaysia, Ouyang Yujing, focusing on bilateral relations and current affairs between these two countries. Adding to the royalty's diverse car collection, the Hongqi L5 is the current flagship vehicle of the brand, and continues the trend of being

Sanjay

Apr 12, 2024

When it comes to falls from grace, millennial automotive enthusiasts would often mention one example – the death of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. From the 1990s to the 2000s, the Three Diamonds transformed an otherwise anonymous front-wheel drive (FWD) sedan into a gravel-spitting four-wheel drive (4WD) monster. The Lancer Evolution went through ten generations but throughout most of its 14 years, it was proving its excellence in the World Rally Championship (WRC). It may have only won 1 manu

CY Foong

Apr 12, 2024

In a strategic move aimed at reducing its reliance on China for BEV battery technology and production, BMW Group has announced a significant long-term partnership with Croatian BEV hypercar manufacturer Rimac. Forming a European alliance of sorts for battery technology and production, BMW’s tie-up with Rimac will give BMW access to the brand’s high-performance batteries, and in turn allow Rimac to ramp us its battery production. Also read: The Olympics of EVs: After Toyota's 'Team Japan', Chines

Arvind

Apr 12, 2024

Brakes are a critical safety feature in your car and are commonly overlooked. Besides having good tyres, ensuring your car's brakes are well maintained and performing optimally is paramount to your safety on the roads. Essentially, there are two main types of braking systems found in vehicles: drum brakes and disc brakes. What you need to know about braking systems The drum brake system encases the brake components within a drum that rotates with the wheel. When the brake pedal is pressed, brake

Arvind

Apr 12, 2024

At the recently concluded 2024 Bangkok Motor Show, 53,438 cars have been reserved in the two-week event. According to data published by the event's organiser, Grand Prix International, Toyota dominates with 8,540 reservations but what is interesting is the meteoric rise of Chinese brands in the Kingdom. BYD takes second place with 5,345 orders, ahead of Honda in third with 4,607 reservations placed. MG, Changan, GAC Aion, and GWM are ranked fourth, sixth, seventh, and eighth respectively. Isuzu

CY Foong

Apr 12, 2024

Later this month, Toyota is expected to announce a record high profit of USD 30 billion for its financial year ending March 2024. This comes after Toyota hit a record high sale of 11.2 million units (including Lexus, Daihatsu, and Hino) in the last calendar year. But this was not the outcome many number-crunching, future forecasting financial analysts predicted. Toyota started 2023 facing a series of intense public relations attacks from the Western media calling it an anti-BEV lobbyist. They pr

Hans

Apr 12, 2024

Mercedes-Benz has announced an update to its flagship electric sedan, the EQS. The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS’ update focuses on enhancing range, comfort, and driving experience. One of the highlights in the updated EQS is the new grille design. It now sports a redesigned cover with chrome applications and an upright Mercedes star – a hood ornament. Next up is its extended range. Thanks to an increased battery capacity from 108.4 kWh to 118 kWh, the EQS now offers up to 82 km more range. The EQS 450

Shaun

Apr 12, 2024

Martin Eberhard, the co-founder and former CEO of Tesla said it’s a “shame” that Tesla is cancelling plans for a low-cost Model 2 and replacing it with a Robotaxi. Eberhard was speaking at the HSBC Global Investment Summit in Hong Kong. "We have both read in the news, Tesla delaying or eliminating their low-end Model 2 program, which is a shame for them, but it's a sign that China has a chance to really spread there," said Eberhard, as reported by Reuters. Although Elon Musk is synonymous with T

Hans

Apr 12, 2024

The real Chinese rival to Tesla, XPeng is planning to expand into right-hand drive (RHD) markets in 2024. It made its ASEAN debut at the recent 2024 Bangkok Motor Show though the models on display were left-hand drive units. Besides Thailand, Malaysia and Hong Kong were among the markets XPeng stated it would like to enter. An agreement with Bermaz has been signed for the Mazda and Kia distributors to be the Chinese BEV maker’s representative in Malaysia. Another Malaysian representative has als

CY Foong

Apr 12, 2024

The Bangkok International Motor Show is Thailand’s biggest and most important car sales event. Held between 29-March to 11-April, sales figures at the motor show are often used as an indicator of the pulse of Thai car buyers, thus setting expectations for the rest of the year. A total of 53,438 vehicles were sold (booked) during the two-week long event, according to figures released by the motor show organizer Grand Prix International. As expected, Toyota leads the sales chart, with 8,540 bookin

Hans

Apr 12, 2024

WapCar’s newly minted ‘Cars for Sale’ page now allows you to conveniently browse great deals on new, used and recond vehicles sold nationwide. Perhaps one of the best deals out there, especially for those looking for a great family vehicle is the Proton X70. First introduced in 2018, the Proton X70 quickly set the benchmark for what consumers could expect from a homegrown SUV. With two substantial updates, the first in 2020 with the introduction of a 7-speed DCT transmission, followed by a signi

Arvind

Apr 10, 2024

Ralliart is a name synonymous with Mitsubishi Motors’ epic motorsports heritage. Its exploits on gravel, tarmac, snow, sand, and a trail mix of everything began in the 1970s and continues today. In its latest video, Mitsubishi interviewed engineers from its humble beginnings in the World Rally Championship (WRC) to the present team behind the successful Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) outfit. Mitsubishi’s rise in international rallies started 50 years ago when Kenyan Joginder Singh took part in

CY Foong

Apr 9, 2024