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Proton sold 11,025 units in April 2024 – 18.7% market share, X50 regains top spot in B-segment SUV sales
Proton has announced that it sold 11,025 units (domestic and export) in April 2024, a 12.96% decrease (or 1,641 units) from the 12,666 units it delivered in March. The month’s numbers are however a 17.1% improvement over the same month in 2023, when it sold 9,415 units.
Sales for the first four months of the year stands at 50,175 units, higher than the 49,702 units sold in the January to April period last year. The company estimates its market share to be 18.7% in April (and at 19.2%, year-to-date), keeping it firmly in second place in the overall national sales table.
In terms of model specific numbers, the Saga continued to fly the flag for the national carmaker, with the 5,031 units shifted in April making it the top performer for the brand. Year-to-date numbers for the model stands at 23,278 units.
In second place was the X50, with the 1,642 units sold in April helping the model regain the top spot for B-segment SUVs in the country. The third-best performer for the brand was the S70, with 1,635 units of the sedan delivered last month. This is followed by the Persona, which saw 1,429 units shifted in April.
Next was the X70, with 552 units sold, followed by the Iriz, with the 424 units shifted in April bringing sales of the hatchback to 1,958 units for the year. Rounding off things was the X90, with 312 units delivered to customers last month.
“The slowdown in automotive sales in April, where TIV shrank by 16.8% compared to March 2024, can be
attributed to the long holiday period as OEMs, dealerships and other members of the local automotive ecosystem took time off to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri. However, the sustained demand for Proton models is further bolstered by ongoing efforts in quality improvement with better Global Customer Product Audit (GCPA) scores since 2019, instilling greater confidence among drivers,” said Proton Edar CEO Roslan Abdullah. -
Honda Malaysia May 2024 promo – up to RM10k off; MY2023, MY2024; City, Civic, WR-V, HR-V included
With the festivals out of the way, it’s time to knuckle down and hustle. It’s important to have a good partner to go through nice days and the not so pleasant ones – if you need a new ride, Honda Malaysia has some options.
HM’s ‘Paling Meriah Treats’ promo for May 2024 is offering up to RM10,000 off, and you can pick from MY2023 cars of freshly made 2024 stock. Both come with discounts, but you get a better deal with MY2023 cars, of course. Most CKD models are included, except for the new CR-V and the popular City Hatchback.
We’ll start with the 2023 stock. The last of the Accords (HM has decided to not offer the new model, and CKD production for the D-segment sedan has stopped) have been cleared. Discount for the Civic is RM10k across the range. The City Hybrid RS is also yours for a substantial RM10k off.
Click to enlarge If you prefer 2024 on your geran, the discounts are RM3,000 across all variants for the City, and RM2,000 for all Civics except the RS hybrid, which gets RM3,500 off. As for Honda’s SUVs, it’s RM1,000 off for the WR-V and RM1,500 off for the HR-V RS hybrid.
As mentioned, no incentives for the sixth-generation CR-V and the City Hatchback. This Raya promo is for vehicles registered from now till May 31.
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2024 BMW iX2 xDrive30 in Malaysia gallery – 449 km EV range; from RM283k; RM7k more than iX1 xDrive30
Order taking for the BMW iX2 xDrive30 M Sport started in early April this year, and we finally have a full gallery of the stylish sibling to the iX1 – both are fully-imported (CBU) models. The asking price for this electric vehicle (EV) is RM282,800 on-the-road without insurance, which is inclusive of a standard two-year warranty. If you include the optional extended five-year warranty and six-year service package, the figure goes up to RM297,000.
For the money, you get the same powertrain as the iX1 xDrive30, with a dual-motor, all-wheel drive setup rated at 313 PS (308 hp or 230 kW) – 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, 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.
For context, the iX2 is RM7,000 more (with or without the extended warranty and service package) than the iX1 in its top xDrive30 M Sport guise, so you are paying a little extra to get that coupe-inspired design. The premium you’re paying for the iX2 also gets you some features that aren’t found on the iX1 xDrive30 M Sport, starting with larger 20-inch M V-spoke style 873 M bicolour light-alloy wheels – the iX1 gets smaller 19-inch units in style 871 M.
Additionally, the M high-gloss Shadowline package comes with extended content that sees the front grille, tailgate logo and mirror caps finished in black. No roof rails for the iX2 unlike the iX1, but the former does gain the Iconic Glow illuminated front grille, acoustic comfort glazing and M sport brakes with dark blue metallic-pained calipers.
Comparing spec sheets further, the iX2’s upholstery comes in Veganza synthetic leather or combination Alcantara/Veganza, paired with aluminium ‘Hexacube’ light interior trim finishers. The iX1 xDrive30 M Sport come with either Vernasca leather or Alcantara/Sensatec upholstery, along with the same ‘Hexacube’ interior trim finishers, but in a darker finish.
Beyond these differences, the iX2 xDrive30 M Sport is pretty much identical to the iX1 xDrive30 M Sport. Both come with adaptive M suspension, adaptive LED headlamps, 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.
The list continues with 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 comes with ConnectedDrive services and Connected Package Professional (support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay).
2024 BMW iX2 xDrive30 M Sport spec sheet; click to enlarge Both EVs also come 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 standard too, with 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 being included.
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. With more range, additional kit and a distinctive design, would you pay RM7,000 more to get the iX2 instead of the top-spec iX1?
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2024 BMW iX1 eDrive20 in Malaysia full gallery – 475 km EV range; from RM250k; RM26k less than xDrive30
Here’s a full gallery of the BMW iX1 eDrive20 M Sport, which is a new entry-level variant of the iX1 introduced just last week. With a standard two-year warranty, the eDrive20 M Sport is priced at RM249,800, but add on the five-year extended warranty and six-year service package and the price goes up to RM264,000.
These figures are RM26,000 less (with or without the extended warranty and service package) than the iX1 xDrive30 M Sport, which was the initial variant of the iX1 launched in Malaysia in May last year – both iX1 variants are fully-imported (CBU) models.
For the money, the eDrive20 uses the same lithium-ion battery as the xDrive30 with a gross energy capacity of 66.5 kWh (64.7 kWh net). The former offers more range at 475 km following the WLTP standard, while the latter is at 438 km.
The range advantage is due to the eDrive20 having just a front-mounted electric motor rated at 204 PS (201 hp or 150 kW) and 250 Nm of torque with the temporary boost feature engaged. By comparison, the xDrive30 has a dual-motor setup 313 PS (308 hp or 230 kW) and 494 Nm.
With higher outputs, the xDrive30 needs 5.6 seconds to get from 0-100 km/h on its way to a top speed of 180 km/h. The eDrive20 and its single electric motor is slower in a century sprint at 8.6 seconds and has a slightly lower top speed of 170 km/h.
No difference in terms of charging, with the eDrive20 supporting a max AC input of 11 kW that sees a full charge from 0-100% in 6.5 hours. DC fast charging up to 130 kW is also included, just as it is in the xDrive30, and gets the battery from a 10-80% state of charge in 29 minutes.
Visually, the eDrive20 M Sport is identified by its closed-off kidney grille that features a triangle-themed pattern for the insert, while the xDrive30 M Sport’s snout has vertical slats. Both come with the M Sport package that includes more aggressive bumpers, along with 19-inch M double-spoke style 871 M light-alloy bicolour wheels, the M high-gloss Shadowline package and M roof rails high-gloss Shadowline.
Other shared items on the kit list include adaptive LED headlamps, adaptive M suspension, two-zone climate control, an M leather steering wheel, powered front sports seats, an anthracite headliner, a wireless charging pad, BMW Live Cockpit Professional (10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.7-inch infotainment touchscreen), Connected Package Professional (Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support), IconicSounds Electric and a Harman Kardon sound system.
Upholstery for the eDrive20 M Sport is either Veganza synthetic leather or a combination of Alcantara and Veganza, paired with aluminium ‘Hexacube’ interior trim finishers in a light finish. The xDrive30 M Sport gets the option of Vernasca leather or a combination of Alcantara and Sensatec, while its interior trim finishers, which are in the same ‘Hexacube’ design, come in a darker finish.
As for driver assistance features, the eDrive20 M Sport comes standard with the Driving Assistant package as standard that includes functions such as lane change warning, rear cross traffic alert with brake intervention, exit warning, rear collision prevention and autonomous emergency braking.
2024 BMW iX1 eDrive20 M Sport spec sheet; click to enlarge You can get the Driving Assistant Plus package – standard with the xDrive30 M Sport – too, but this is offered as an on-demand feature via the Connected Drive store. On the official website, Driving Assistant Plus is listed as being available as a subscription (RM167.55/month, RM1,675.51/year, RM2,606.35/three years) or as an unlimited (no subscription) package for RM3,273.36 – there’s also a three-month trial for free.
Pay for the cost option and you gain Steering and Lane Control Assistant, Speed Limit Info, Automatic Speed Limit Assist, Lane Departure Warning as well as Active Cruise Control with stop and go function. Parking Assistant Plus is standard on the eDrive20 and includes a 360-degree camera and Reversing Assistant, again, like with the xDrive30 M Sport.
Each purchase is accompanied by an eight-year, 160,000-km battery warranty, BMW roadside assistance and accident hotline as well as BMW Service Online. Would you save RM26,000 by going for the eDrive20 M Sport over the xDrive30 M Sport?
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JPJ eBid: MDX and VMN number plates up for bidding
JPJ has announced that MDX and VMN are the next number plate series to go up for bidding on its online auction platform, JPJ eBid.
Melaka’s latest running number series is ‘MDX’, and it was open for tender on May 4. The bidding period on JPJeBid is five days, ending 10pm on May 8. As usual, the results will be out the following day. The whole process is online now, as it has been for some time, and bidders will get the good (or bad) news via email.
Also available on JPJ eBid is the WP Kuala Lumpur series ‘VMN’. The bidding period started on May 3 and will close at 10pm tomorrow, May 7. Results will be out the day after the auction closes.
New car coming soon and want a nice number plate for the new ride? Why not DIY and skip the reseller’s markup and runner fees? If you have never bid for a number yourself, check out our step-by-step guide on how to navigate JPJ eBid and the techniques needed to get your preferred number at “retail price”.
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Chery Malaysia Omoda 5 recall – root cause of axle welding issue identified; new recall website now online
Chery Malaysia has issued yet another statement on the Omoda 5 rear axle case. This is the company’s third public statement after the case exploded on social media on April 28. The initial statement was released the day after, acknowledging the issue, with a second one following soon after on April 30, officially issuing a recall on 600 units of the Omoda 5.
The third statement – released today, May 4 – offers a few interesting insights on the issue. Chery Malaysia says it is “working closely with the Ministry of Transport (MOT) to ensure the rectification of all affected vehicles to the highest standards of safety.” It voluntarily arranged a meeting with the MoT to brief them on the matter, according to Lee Wen Hsiang, Chery Auto Malaysia Vice President.
The root cause of the issue has also been identified following a thorough investigation. “Following a comprehensive investigation, the vendor reported that the issue was due to a facility upgrade during which a worn-out tip of the automated welding machine was replaced by a new welding tip. The replacement of the new welding tip resulted in a miscalibration of the equipment,” said Lee.
A total of 60 units of the Omoda 5 in Malaysia has been identified to be using the affected parts, produced on August 15, 2023. Chery Malaysia then decided to cast a wider net and recall vehicles with parts made between August 14 and 17, totalling 600 units. As of yesterday (May 3), Chery Malaysia has contacted 32 of the initial 60 affected owners.
A new website has also been created for owners to confirm whether or not their car is affected by the recall. Chery Malaysia also pledges to release a weekly update to the public on this matter to provide ongoing information about the status of the recall programme.
Statement by Chery Malaysia in full:
Chery Auto Malaysia mobilises precautionary measures to uphold customer safety
Automaker takes responsibility, ensures accountability and transparency in managing the campaignKuala Lumpur, 4 May 2024 – Chery Auto Malaysia is striving to keep customers informed about the recent incident involving the axle of an OMODA 5 vehicle. Following a detailed internal investigation, the automaker has recalled a batch of 600 Omoda 5 vehicles and is working closely with the Ministry of Transport (MOT) to ensure the rectification of all affected vehicles to the highest standards of safety.
“Chery Auto Malaysia is committed to providing safe and reliable transportation solutions, and we are dedicated to ensuring that all our vehicles meet the highest safety standards. In line with this commitment, Chery Auto Malaysia voluntarily arranged a meeting to brief the Ministry of Transport (MOT) on the current product inspection status and the root cause involving the Omoda 5 axle incident,” Chery Auto Malaysia Vice President, Lee Wen Hsiang, explained.
The automaker conducted a thorough investigation into the isolated case and reached out to the parts vendor for further clarification. “Following a comprehensive investigation, the vendor reported that the issue was due to a facility upgrade during which a worn-out tip of the automated welding machine was replaced by a new welding tip. The replacement of the new welding tip resulted in a miscalibration of the equipment,” said Lee.
As a direct result, the automaker says that there are a total of 60 units of Omoda 5 vehicles with the affected parts in Malaysia, produced on 15 August 2023. Chery Auto Malaysia has since taken additional precautionary measures by casting a wider net by implementing a special service campaign to call in and inspect OMODA 5 vehicles with rear axles produced between 14 to 17 August 2023, totalling 600 units.
“Chery Auto Malaysia views this matter most seriously as customer safety is our utmost priority. We are in the process of reaching out to customers of the affected Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) to request them to bring their vehicle to our authorised service centres for a detailed inspection.
“We have also set up a website for Omoda 5 users to confirm their vehicles are not affected which can be done by simply keying in their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Our authorised service centres and technicians are well prepared to serve our customers
potentially affected by this,” Lee concluded.Chery Auto Malaysia has confirmed that no other vehicles by the brand are affected.
Owners of Omoda 5 can check if their vehicles are affected by keying in their VIN number at https://www.chery.my/chery-product-update
As of 3 May 2024, Chery Auto Malaysia has contacted more than 53% (32/60) of the affected owners.
To ensure Chery customers are well informed, a weekly update will be publicly shared to provide ongoing information about the status of the recall programme.
Chery Auto Malaysia thanks all our customers for their patience, understanding and cooperation, and the Ministry of Transport for its advice and guidance in this matter.
For queries kindly contact the Chery Malaysia Customer Careline at +603 – 2771 7070 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm).
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GWM Tank 300 to debut in Malaysia in Q2 – 2.0T, 220 PS off-road SUV expected to be priced from RM258k
Ahead of Auto China 2024, Great Wall Motor (GWM) held its GWM Global Conference, and it was during the event that the automaker provided Malaysian journalists the opportunity to briefly sample the Tank 300, which was previewed in Malaysia during the launch of the Ora 07 in March. Initially slated to arrive here in Q3, the timeline for its introduction has now been pushed up to Q2, according to GWM Malaysia representatives.
This means that its market introduction should be very soon, given that it’s already nearing halfway into the quarter. Its impending arrival also sees a change in the market deployment of the Haval H6 Hybrid. Originally, the H6 was set to get here first, followed by the Tank 300, but things have now switched around, with the H6 set to only appear in Malaysia sometime in the third quarter.
The stint made with left-hand drive examples in China was aimed at highlighting the SUV’s off-road and terrain tackling abilities. The entire course – located on a 5,000 acre park leased by GWM from the government – comprised a mix of large uneven surfaces, a (rather gentle) gradient climb and negotiating concrete stairs, with a run on sandy (if not exceptionally challenging) ground at a separate location to boot making for the “off-road” element.
The exercises were basic, and brief, and as expected, didn’t faze the Tank, which performed as a good off-road capable vehicle should, although the constant switching between two- and four-wheel drive by the instructors did throw the system off kilter in one situation, where selection wasn’t briefly possible. What was noted was the very decent level of in-cabin comfort as the 300 went about its business.
As is usually the case, no technical details of the vehicle were highlighted during the session, nor were specifications of the mules handed out, but as indicated by the heavily-weathered engines on them, the Tank 300s on call during the event were all of the non-hybrid 2.0 litre turbocharged inline-four petrol engine variety, similar to the RHD showcased in Malaysia.
In this case, the powertrain offers 220 PS (217 hp or 162 kW) and 380 Nm in the way of output, and delivers drive via an eight-speed automatic transmission and a part-time four-wheel drive system, the latter with 2H, 4H, 4L functions as well as front and rear differential locks. Relevant numbers include a ground clearance of 224 mm and a water wading depth of up to 700 mm.
Design-wise, the SUV, which measures in at 4,760 mm long, 1,930 mm wide and 1,903 mm tall, with a 2,750 mm-long wheelbase, has the visual signature of classic 4×4 vehicles with its boxy design and chunky cladding. Some elements will look familiar, like the front fascia, with its circular headlights (take a guess as to where you’ve seen it), but on the whole there’s nothing wrong with the generic elsewhere along the body, including the swing-out tailgate and spare wheel bolted on to it.
Inside, there’s a cabin showcasing design cues very much inspired by the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, complete with an upright dash profile and turbine-look air vents. The display screens consist of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch touchscreen, and the centre console houses a robust-looking gear selector along with controls for the four-wheel drive system, electronic parking brake and driver assistance systems.
With GWM Malaysia having stated that detailed specifications for the Tank will be revealed only during launch day, everything to sight doesn’t really deviate from that seen on the MY-preview unit, which likely has the exact specifications for our market.
As mentioned previously, there’s automatic air-conditioning (with rear vents), powered front seats, leather upholstery, an Infinity sound system, a powered sunroof, a wireless charging pad and paddle shifters. Meanwhile, driver assistance kit includes items such as adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking.
Aside from the moved up introduction timeline, what we did get from the session in China is an indicative price for the Tank 300. According to GWM Malaysia folk, estimated pricing for the off-road SUV will start from RM258,000, a fair bit higher than that seen in Thailand, where prices of the SUV start from 1.649 million baht (about RM218k). What do you think of the price?
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2024 GWM Haval H6 Hybrid set for Malaysian launch in Q3 2024 – full local specification units previewed
Great Wall Motor Malaysia has revealed a new timeline for the introduction of the Haval H6 Hybrid, which was announced as one of the models due in when the brand made its debut in Malaysia back in 2022. Originally slated to debut here in Q2 (which is almost midway done), the SUV is now due to arrive sometime in the third quarter, after the Tank 300.
The H6 was of course previewed here in May last year, but the units shown then were not representative of the final version buyers here will be getting. However, the vehicles you see here are. Presented during a brief preview session in China, the SUVs in these images are pretty much kitted to what we can expect for our market.
As is to be expected with previews in China, specifications were not presented, but aside from the different coloured trim and upholstery as well as two new exterior colours, virtually everything else remains. In any case, it was previously stated that the tech and features wouldn’t be very different from that seen on the 2023 examples.
Here’s a recap of what to expect. The H6 measures in 4,683 mm long, 1,886 mm wide and 1,730 mm tall, putting it in the same size group as the Honda CR-V, Proton X70 and Mazda CX-5, albeit with a longer wheelbase than the aforementioned trio.
The H6 Hybrid is powered by a 1.5 litre turbocharged inline-four petrol engine offering 150 PS (148 hp or 110 kW) and 230 Nm of torque, and this works in combination with an electric motor rated at 177 PS (174 hp or 130 kW) and 300 Nm to offer a total system output of 243 PS (240 hp or 179 kW) and 530 Nm.
Power is transferred to the wheels via the automaker’s two-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT). During operation, the electric motor provides the main means of propulsion, with the engine coming into play at higher speeds; the system chooses which to use depending on the situation.
Available equipment for the H6 includes 19-inch wheels wrapped with 225/55 profile rubbers, matrix-type LED headlamps, LED tail lights and powered front seats as well as a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Also making its way on is ambient lighting and a sunroof, among other things.
Safety and driver assistance kit includes six airbags, a 360-degree camera, a parking assist system and an ADAS suite offering items such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB), full-speed adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, rear cross traffic alert, lane change assist and the Wisdom Dodge System, which actively maintains a safe distance from large vehicles.
While there’s still no indication of pricing, it was reiterated that the H6 Hybrid will initially go on sale here as a fully-imported (CBU) model, with CKD local assembly eventually set to follow at EP Manufacturing’s (EPMB) plant in Melaka.
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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 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 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.
Click to enlarge 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.
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.
An inspector showing defects on an Proton X50 undergoing a GCPA audit 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).
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.
A Proton X70 undergoing dynamic testing in a GCPA audit 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 a sole option (the variant formerly known as the 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 Atto 3 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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