For the first time ever, the iconic Toyota Crown nameplate could be fitted to an SUV, a move that was kickstarted by the Toyota Corolla Cross. Though it may sound sacrilegious for Toyota to adopt the Crown nameplate on an SUV, the company has been toying with the idea for a while, as sales of sedans have been dwindling over the past couple of years. The Crown nameplate, according to a report by Chunichi Shimbun back in November 2020, would be fitted to an SUV and go on sale in China and the US.
Feb 8, 2021
The Toyota Crown is one of Toyota’s longest-running nameplates, having been introduced in 1955. Though the name has been applied to a few body styles all these years, including pick-ups and station wagons, the Crown is more familiar on sedans. With sales of sedans dwindling across the globe, there are rumours that could see the royal emblem continue on as an SUV. Previously, we reported that FAW Toyota has registered the Crown Kluger name in China, and now, we found fully revealing images of wha
Apr 14, 2021
UMW Toyota Motor, the sole authorized distributor for Toyota (and Lexus) vehicles in Malaysia ended year 2020 with 59,320 Toyota vehicles sold, a 14.1 percent reduction from 2019. Although the company is still behind Honda Malaysia, which managed to inch just ahead of Toyota with 60,469 units sold to clinch the No.1 non-national brand crown, it was Toyota that weathered the tumultuous year better, seeing a far lower drop in sales. Sales of Honda vehicles dropped by nearly a third, 29.3 percent,
Jan 8, 2021
The Indonesian government plans to use fully-electric vehicles in their fleet by 2021 as reported by Autonetmagz.com. Besides cooperating with EV manufacturers like Hyundai, this is a major step towards electrifying transportation in Indonesia. The idea of replacing the ICE cars in the government’s fleet of vehicles is nothing new. Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, minister of maritime and investment affairs, has proposed the idea previously. The effort aims to encourage the shift to electric vehicles in
Oct 12, 2020
After five years of being placed behind the Volkswagen Group, Toyota Motor Corp has managed to reclaim its place as the world’s best-selling automaker in 2020. This comes after the Japanese giant released its global sales figures. While Toyota had every right to celebrate its comeback podium finish, global sales for the group which also includes sales figures from Daihatsu and Hino fell 11.3% to 9.528 million vehicles compared to 2019. Meanwhile, Volkswagen Group, which includes Audi, Skoda, and
Jan 29, 2021
According to the latest info from the Japan Automobile Dealers Association (JADA), Toyota is dominating November sales with the Toyota Raize (the basis for the Perodua D55L) and Toyota Harrier both topping the SUV best-sellers chart. With 10,627 units and 9,897 units sold for both the Raize and Harrier respectively, both weren't the top 2 best-selling cars in Japan for last month, however. Instead, that honor belongs to the Toyota Yaris with 19,921 units sold. This sales figure includes models t
Dec 17, 2020
This Modellista body kit is designed specifically for the Toyota Raize - aka Daihatsu Rocky - in Japan, but does this mean it will fit on the upcoming Perodua D55L which is based on the Rocky? Wing Hin Motorsports' Facebook page has hinted the availability of the styling package in Malaysia. In theory, the package should allow D55L owners a chance to upgrade the looks of their B-segment SUV. The Modellista Advance Blast Style is an official body kit offered by Toyota for the Raize. It features a
Dec 17, 2020
They look just like any normal car on the road, but with a flip of a switch, they turn into police cars to chase down baddies. These cars are known as unmarked police cars. They are used to keep an eagle eye in the streets of Japan on any wrongdoings that official police cars missed. Another reason why Japan uses unmarked patrol cars is because the standard police cars are just too easy to spot and it is human nature to start looking innocent to prevent yourself from getting into trouble. The To
Apr 15, 2021
Toyota’s small cars family will be next in line to benefit from Toyota’s much vaunted TNGA platform. Short for Toyota New Global Architecture, the all-new TNGA platform has been the key reason why recent Toyota models like C-HR, Camry, and Corolla have been grabbing the title of best-in-class handling away from Mazda. Currently, there are three variations of Toyota’s TNGA platform (actually there are four if you include the Lexus LS’ GA-L). GA-C was the first of the TNGA platform series introduc
Sep 5, 2019
This Kia K9 is one of a kind in Malaysia. Imported from Korea, this left-hand drive flagship Kia sedan is part of Kia Motors Asia Pacific’s headquarters in Malaysia’s company car fleet. The Kia K9 was also sold as the Kia K900 in the US before the model was discontinued there earlier this year. In Korea, the Kia K9 is positioned just below the Hyundai Motor Group’s luxury Genesis marque. Think of it as Korea’s equivalent to Japan’s Toyota Crown – sedans aimed at conservative company management t
Apr 9, 2021
2020 turned out to be a good year for the Isuzu D-Max in Thailand as it managed to overtake the Toyota Hilux to become not only Thailand’s best-selling pick-up truck but also its best-selling car. Based on the sales figures for the first two months of 2021, it might retain the crown. During the first two months of the year, Thais bought 52,182 units of pick-up trucks. Leading the way for both months and capturing 50.3% of market share is the Isuzu D-Max with 26,313 units sold. February saw sales
Mar 30, 2021
Recently, an account known as “Hongqi Japan” has surfaced on Chinese social media site Weibo with the picture of a Hongqi H9 captioned “launching in Japan on February 2021”. This has caught the attention of many who started wondering if the Chinese car brand Hongqi is planning to join the Japanese market to compete with cars like Toyota, Nissan, and Honda? Many of you probably have never heard of the brand Hongqi, but if you’re savvier with Chinese manufacturers, you would know that Hongqi is Ch
Jan 30, 2021
Following news of the 2021 Honda City Hatchback heading to Indonesia, it's now seemingly confirmed that its sedan counterpart, the Honda City, is also heading towards the archipelago. You may be wondering why it's the hatch that was confirmed earlier. One factor is taxation: sedans are taxed around 20 percent higher than MPVs, SUVs or hatchbacks there - even with the same engine capacity and drivetrain. As such, hatchbacks are more popular than sedans there. Back to the City sedan, small details
Jan 6, 2021
Last week, we showed you ten expensive-looking cars under RM 100k and some of you think those selections don’t quite shout ‘appearing rich’. Indeed, the Proton X50 and X70 may feel expensive but they’re still a Proton (or Geely) underneath. For this week’s Top Rank Millionaire-Looking Motors (MLM), we’re bumping up the budget to RM 200,000 and unlike the last list, we’ll be focusing only in the used car market. We’ve selected 8 for this list and you can be certain these fine cars will make you g
Feb 7, 2021
The facelifted 2020 Toyota Hilux is upon us (we’ve given you a round-up here). Of which, the star of the show is the new 2.8-litre Rogue. At RM 146,880, it's RM 13,000 more than the current next-best spec (2.4 V at RM 133,888). It's also an RM 7,000 increase from the pre-facelift flagship, the Hilux Black Edition. What's new? Are the additions worth it? Let's go over them, and we'll wait for your arguments in the comments. Exterior – bulkier bits for a tougher outlook Whatever you say, it's unde
Oct 10, 2020
The hottest car segment is undeniably the B-segment sedans. You can’t talk about the Honda City without mentioning the Toyota Vios and likewise. But have you ever compared the two cars’ equipment list side by side? For this comparison, we compare the range topping Toyota Vios G variant against the Honda City V variant and City Hybrid as well. Toyota made a huge mark when they debuted the Vios in 2003, but the third generation, unfortunately, let the model down allowing the City to take home the
Jan 29, 2020
The Volkswagen Golf has once again proved to be a hit with buyers in Europe and Germany last year. The Mk8 VW Golf retains its crown as the best-selling car not just in Europe - where 312,000 units were delivered, but also in its home ground in Germany - delivering 133,900 units. These numbers are across all Golf variants. According to Ralf Brandstätter, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, whilst the Mk8 VW Golf had its launch interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, sales really gathered momentum in
Jan 14, 2021
UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) unveiled the facelifited version of the locally-assembled (CKD) Toyota Hilux pick-up truck range in October 2020. We've said much about the new looks - imposing, intimidating, sharper, take your pick. But beside the reskin, there's a new variant too: the range-topping, RM 150k Rogue, now fitted with a beefier engine and a bunch of goodies. With this, Toyota goes for the jugular of the Ford Ranger Wildtrak and Mitsubishi Triton Adventure X, both long-time competitors in th
Jan 6, 2021
You’re not reading the headline wrongly. The Ford Ranger is indeed the best-selling car in Vietnam for the month of March with 2,171 units sold. That is slightly more than the second best-seller, the Hyundai Accent (2,094 units). In fact, the Ford Ranger has been dominating pick-up sales in the country so far with a combined total of 3,873 units sold during the first 3 months of 2021. March was definitely a month of madness for the Blue Oval as the Ranger took nearly 75% market share in the pick
Apr 15, 2021
Tonight at 8.30 pm, UMW Toyota Motor will be live streaming (in 8D audio, a first for a local car launch) the launch of its Toyota Corolla Cross, the company’s most important new model for 2021. To be priced not too far away from a Corolla Altis, the Corolla Cross will fill the void left behind by the now-discontinued (in Malaysia) Toyota C-HR. UPDATE: Toyota Corolla Cross has been launched, priced from RM 124k, details here. Curiously, the Corolla Cross’s mechanicals are almost identical to the
Mar 25, 2021
Regular service is part and parcel of car ownership, UMW Toyota (UMWT) aims to make servicing Toyota cars easier with the introduction of the Toyota Service Savers package. Toyota Service Savers (TSS) is a maintenance package that new Toyota owners can opt to purchase when they collect their new cars. UMWT has also made the package part of the Toyota EZ Beli Plan as an option. The TSS package covers all costs of the service in advance for the first 5 years from the time of purchase. This means a
Aug 4, 2020
A source has told BBC that the Renault F1 Team will soon be announcing Fernando Alonso’s return to the French team. Rumours of the two-time World Champion’s return have been circulating since 2019 when the media caught wind that Alonso is in talks with Renault in November. It didn’t help that the Renault F1 Team started uploading photos of Alonso in his glory days onto their various social media platforms. The rumours were further fuelled when Alonso’s adviser and former Team Principal of the Re
Jul 8, 2020
UMW Toyota Motor hari ini melancarkan Special Service Campaign (SSC) yang melibatkan pemilik Toyota Fortuner dan Toyota Hilux. Pemanggilan semula ini adalah untuk memeriksa dan mengganti penguat brek (brake booster). Komponen injap brek di dalam booster ini boleh mengurangkan prestasi pemberhentian kenderaan. Menurut UMW, sebanyak 1,426 unit Toyota Fortuner dan 11,571 unit Toyota Hilux terlibat di dalam pemanggilan ini. Walau bagaimanapun, unit yang terkesan adalah keluaran dari Julai 2018 hingg
Dec 2, 2020
Yes, believe it or not, the best-selling MPV in the world is an MPV from China named the Wuling Hongguang. According to Focus2Move, this is the fourth year running the Hongguang took the crown as the best-selling MPV in the world, selling over 100,000 units more than the second place MPV, the Honda Odyssey in 2020 alone. The Wuling Hongguang is produced by SAIC-GM-Wuling, it is currently in its second generation launched back in 2018 and sold only in China. We’re not pulling your leg. Only the f
Feb 4, 2021
The Honda HR-V has received several notable updates across the board in Malaysia today, encapsulating a new colour, exterior updates, and a new touchscreen infotainment system. Now with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay! All four variants of the B-segment SUV will now come with a 7-inch Display Audio touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. Every variant will also get 2 additional USB ports in the centre console for added convenience. Meanwhile, the HR-V Sport Hy
Jan 13, 2021
Proton sebenarnya adalah akronim untuk Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional. Sebagai sebuah jenama kereta nasional, kita patut berbangga dengan kewujudannya. Jerman ada Volkswagen, Jepun ada Toyota, dan Korea pula ada Hyundai. Jenama-jenama ini diketengahkan kerana ia memenuhi permintaan dengan “kereta rakyat”. Proton kini sudah berusia 35 tahun (dikira dari tarikh kelahiran Saga pertama). Toyota dan Volkswagen pula berumur 83 tahun manakala Hyundai 53 tahun. Proton dikira masih muda jika dibandingkan d
Aug 6, 2020
Tempoh hari, kami telah memuat naik imej intipan SUV ini di Malaysia, kini UMW Toyota (UMWT) telah mengesahkan pelancaran Toyota Harrier 2021 yang baru di laman web rasmi serta Facebook Toyota Malaysia. Juga baca: Spyshot: Toyota Harrier 2021 serba baru telah tiba di Malaysia, pelancaran sah Jika anda ada niat untuk membeli SUV ini, pendaftaran minat untuk Harrier serba baru kini dibuka di laman web Toyota. Toyota Harrier membuat debut dunia tahun lalu, dan sejak itu, SUV mewah ini menjadi keret
Apr 6, 2021
Toyota has quietly registered the GR Hilux name in Australia, hinting that the company could be injecting its Gazoo Racing goodness into the Hilux. While Australia is no stranger to high-performance pick-up trucks (much of the Ford Ranger Raptor’s development work was done in Australia), could the GR Hilux find its way to Malaysia? After all, Toyota Malaysia is promoting the Gazoo Racing brand aggressively, which started with the Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) Racing Festival back in 2017. Then there
Apr 9, 2020
The Toyota Corolla nameplate is one of the most famous, longest-running, and best-selling nameplate in Toyota’s history, spanning a history of over 50 years. Currently on the 12th generation model, the Corolla name has its humble beginning in 1966 as a small, low-cost, and reliable family sedan, bearing the chassis code KE10. Two years later, the KE10 Toyota Corolla made its way to Malaysia, where it was assembled by Champion Motor Berhad located in Shah Alam, which subsequently renamed as Assem
Apr 9, 2020
The problem with Facebook’s newsfeed’s algorithms is that it feeds you what other like-minded people are seeing, rightly or wrongly. Worse, many see the comments section as a source of information. Very quickly, our society has become one that is fragmented into groups that speak only within each other’s echo chambers – each seeing what they want to see and hearing what they want to hear, with Facebook serving as a massive amplifier of confirmation biases. This is why fringe beliefs are becoming
Jun 14, 2020
Honda HR-V
Perodua Alza
Honda City
Honda City Hatchback
Toyota Yaris