Author: Jonathan James Tan

In keeping with the Malaysian finance ministry‘s ‘Fiscal Outlook and Federal Government Revenue Estimates‘ report, total government revenue from vehicle import duties, excise duties and sales tax this yr is estimated to be RM11.1 billion, and this is anticipated to rise 4.5% to RM11.6 billion next yr. The 2025 estimates may be broken down into RM630 million in import duties, RM3.97 billion in CKD excise duties (cars plus motorcycles), RM3.27 billion in CBU excise duties (cars), RM2.11 billion in CKD sales tax (passenger vehicles plus industrial vehicles) and RM1.13 billion in CBU sales tax (also passenger vehicles plus industrial vehicles).…

Over two million vehicles are expected to take to the roads this Deepavali, reports The Star, with Ops Lancar, geared toward keeping traffic flow smooth, to be conducted from October 17-21. Bukit Aman traffic investigation and enforcement department director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri told the English-language day by day that Ops Lancar will see some 500 personnel deployed across hotspots and black spots nationwide. “We’re also waiting on further instructions whether there shall be a selected period for industrial vehicles to be on the road. We’re still waiting for announcements from the transport ministry on that matter.…

Launched in July, the 2025 Proton X50 facelift has wasted no time finding buyers. With sales now well over the 5,000-unit mark, the heavily-facelifted model is Malaysia’s hottest SUV at present. And why wouldn’t it’s? Attractively priced between RM86k and RM109k (inclusive of a RM4,000 early-bird rebate), the brand new automotive looks set to emulate its predecessor‘s runaway success, with a brand new BHE15TD i-GT 1.5 litre turbo four-cylinder engine, latest front and rear ends, an all-new and unique interior, and latest technology. Proton calls it ‘all-new’, and so they’re really not incorrect there. Same platform, yes, but many improvements…

Hot on the heels of the third-gen Audi Q3, which was revealed in June, is the version with the sportier roofline – the Audi Q3 Sportback. Technically in its second generation, the ‘coupe SUV’ offers the identical petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains as its more upright sibling. Which means a 150 PS/250 Nm 1.5 litre TFSI mild-hybrid with cylinder deactivation, a 2.0 litre TFSI in 204 PS/350 Nm and 265 PS/400 Nm states of tune (each with quattro all-wheel drive), a 150 PS/360 Nm 2.0 litre TDI and a PHEV (branded ‘e-hybrid’) that brings together a 130 PS/250 Nm…

The transport ministry has directed Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to constantly monitor and maintain Kuala Lumpur International Airport’s (KLIA) aerotrain following a couple of disruptions shortly after its July 1 relaunch, reports Bernama. “Any technical disruption will directly impact passengers. As a critical service at KLIA, the aerotrain must maintain a high level of reliability to make sure uninterrupted passenger movement. The rail system can sometimes face technical issues involving mechanical, electrical and software components. “Due to this fact, we’ve got instructed MAHB to perform each day monitoring and ensure proper maintenance,” transport minister Anthony Loke said today, adding…

You saw it on the Malaysia Autoshow 2025 and at paultan.org‘s Premium Auto Automobile Expo (PACE); now the Zeekr 7X has finally landed in Malaysia officially, in RM179,800 RWD Standard Range, RM190,800 RWD Long Range and RM226,800 AWD Performance variants. Prices are OTR before insurance. Over 1,000 bookings have been received for the 7X up to now, in line with Zeekr Malaysia, and the waiting period is now 3-4 months. Customer deliveries are to begin mid-September. Its competitors are the likes of the Tesla Model Y (RM195k-242k), BYD Sealion 7 (RM188k-204k) and Xpeng G6 (RM169k-189k). The 800-volt Zeekr 7X is…

Owners of seized luxury vehicles must first settle all dues, including road tax, insurance and saman, before they’ll get their cars back, transport minister Anthony Loke has said, in response to a Bernama report. On reports that some owners were willing to pay the (minimum) RM300 positive because it was cheaper than the annual road tax, Loke said: “Vehicles which can be seized as a result of expired road tax and insurance will only be released in any case payments are settled. This includes road tax, insurance coverage and compound fines. There are not any shortcuts,” adding that many homeowners…

That is the brand new Xpeng G7 EV SUV, a longer-than-G6 Tesla Model Y– and Zeekr 7X-fighter that’s just opened for pre-sale in China from 235,800 yuan (RM139k), as reported by Automobile News China, which also posted these photos. Measuring 4,892 mm long (+139 mm over G6), 1,925 mm wide (+5) and 1,655 mm tall (+5), with a 2,890 mm wheelbase (same as G6), the G7 has Level 3 autonomous driving (which Xpeng calls XNGP, or eXtreme Navigation Guided Pilot) that’s fully camera-based – no LiDAR. There are Max and Ultra variants – the XNGP on the highest Ultra is…

The recent bus accident that tragically killed 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students and injured 33 continues to be weighing heavily on the nation’s minds, and besides speed limiters, the transport ministry is looking into making on-board video cameras and seat belt buzzers mandatory for buses as well, Bernama reports. In accordance with transport minister Anthony Loke, it’s currently compulsory for all buses built from 2020 onwards to have seat belts for all passengers, however the bus that crashed on the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding, Gerik was in-built 2013 and didn’t have seat belts. “Even though it is…

That is the Nissan Frontier Pro, a product of the Zhengzhou-Nissan joint-venture that’ll launch in China later this yr before going to other markets, which shall be announced later (fingers crossed for Malaysia). Nissan’s first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) can also be its first hybrid pick-up truck. ‘Rugged Tech’ is what Nissan calls the styling, and the Shanghai-based designers were inspired by the Eighties Nissan D21 Hardbody pick-up truck‘s three-slot bonnet opening, reimagined here because the frontal lighting signature. The Nissan logo is illuminated and 18-inch alloys wrapped in 265/65 rubber are standard, as are five-link rear suspension and intelligent AWD.…