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2024 Lexus LM in Malaysia – posh Alphard/Vellfire, 7-seat LM350h and 4-seat LM500h, RM1.2mil to RM1.5mil
Three years since the original rolled onto the scene, UMW Toyota Motor has officially launched the new second-generation Lexus LM in Malaysia. Built on the bones of the fourth-generation Toyota Alphard that debuted in October (alongside the related Vellfire), the über-luxurious MPV comes with even more tech and toys, along with greater differentiation over its more pedestrian siblings.
For the first time, the LM is being offered here in two variants, differentiated not just by the powertrain (now consisting only of hybrids) but also the number of seats. A new seven-seater model joins the lineup in the form of the LM350h, priced at RM1,228,000 on-the-road without insurance, while the ridiculously plush four-seat layout has been retained in the LM500h, now costing a heady RM1,468,000.
The new LM may still be based on the Alphard and share much of that car’s mechanicals, but so much has changed that it now has its own AW10 codename (ironically shared with the original AW10/AW11 Toyota MR2; the current Alphard/Vellfire’s is AH40). Nowhere is this more evident than under the bonnet, where the LM is – in Malaysia at least – the only one of the trio to feature a hybrid-only lineup.
No longer does the Lexus have a six-cylinder engine – instead it’s powered solely by four cylinders. The LM350h uses Toyota’s tried-and-true Hybrid Synergy Drive, consisting of a 2.5 litre A25A-FXS Dynamic Force naturally-aspirated Atkinson-cycle engine producing 190 PS at 6,000 rpm and 239 Nm of torque from 4,300 to 4,500 rpm.
This is connected to an eCVT with twin electric motors, churning out 182 PS and 270 Nm and resulting in a total system output of 250 PS – all sent to the front wheels. So equipped, the LM350h gets from zero to 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds on its way to a top speed of 190 km/h, while combined fuel consumption figure is rated at 5.5 litres per 100 km.
Step up to the LM500h and you get an altogether more serious Direct4 all-wheel-drive parallel hybrid powertrain, lifted straight from the RX500h. This is centred around a 2.4 litre T24A-FTS turbocharged mill that churns out 275 PS at 6,000 rpm and 460 Nm between 2,000 and 3,000 rpm, paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox sandwiching an 87 PS/292 Nm electric motor.
A separate 103 PS/169 Nm motor drives the rear wheels, contributing to a total system output of 371 PS and 550 Nm. This slashes the century sprint time by over two seconds (down to 6.9 seconds), but the top speed also drops to 185 km/h. Given the extra power, it’s no surprise that fuel consumption has also increased to 6.6 litres per 100 km.
The differences between the Lexus and Toyota models extend to the exterior. For the first time, the LM uses bespoke sheet metal, meaning that it will be almost impossible for Alphard owners to make a convincing “conversion” this time around.
The side body panels with their intersecting shoulder lines are unique, as are the blacked-out A-pillars and the inverted body-coloured D-pillar fin. The window line also drops down at the B-pillars (instead of rising upwards on the Toyotas), giving the towkays at the back a better view out.
At the front, you’ll find Lexus’ latest “spindle body” grille (a development of the brand’s trademark “spindle grille”), coming with a hot-stamped satin finish for the silver inlays – a Lexus first. This is flanked by triple-projector LED headlights with upper and lower L-shaped daytime running lights. The intricate multi-spoke alloy wheels, which still feature noise reduction technology, are now an inch larger at 19 inches in diameter – finally on par with the Alphard and Vellfire.
Moving to the rear, the LM gets U-shaped full-width taillights joined by an illuminated bar, along with the Lexus script. As per the Alphard and Vellfire, the tailgate opening and closing buttons have been moved to the side near the taillights, preventing users from being in the way of the massive rear door. Unfortunately, there’s no hands-free opening or closing function whatsoever.
Just like the Alphard, the LM moves onto the K variant of the Toyota New Global Architecture (GA-K), featuring MacPherson strut front and double wishbone rear suspension. For the first time, the LM gets adaptive dampers with frequency-selective valving, plus a unique Rear Comfort drive mode that reduces vibrations in the cabin. Active noise cancellation has also been added.
Measuring 5,125 mm long, 1,890 mm wide and 1,955 mm tall, the new LM is 85 mm longer, 40 mm wider and 45 mm taller than before, although the 3,000 mm wheelbase is retained. Against the Alphard, the Lexus is 115 mm longer, 40 mm wider and five millimetres longer. Boot space is quoted at 752 litres on the LM500h and 1,191 litres for the LM350h, the latter presumably with the folding third-row seats tipped up to the side.
Inside, the LM features Lexus’ Tazuna infotainment interface first seen on the second-gen NX, incorporating a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, a 14-inch centre touchscreen, physical climate control dials and the jettisoning of the awful Remote Touch pad.
At the back, the four-seater LM500h still features two business class-style seats with an ottoman and heating, ventilation and massage functions (now operable through two removable smartphone-like tablets), but they now get access to a much larger 48-inch widescreen display, replete with a split-screen function and twin HDMI inputs to facilitate this. The LM350h instead receives a 14-inch roof monitor.
The LM500h’s massive screen is mounted on a massive partition between the front and rear cabins, featuring a retractable electrochromic glass screen and die-cast magnesium frame for increased rigidity. Also unique to the more expensive model are a fridge, large twin storage compartments and an umbrella holder on either side. Both variants come with twin glass roof panels, magnesium folding tables with leather surfaces and powered sunshades on all windows.
Standard kit includes keyless entry, push-button start, the Lexus Climate Concierge with four zones, a Mark Levinson Reference sound system (with 21 speakers for the LM350h and 23 speakers for the LM500h) and a 360-degree camera system with a “see through” function. Unlike the previous model, you no longer get a front sunroof, and while Qi wireless chargers are still available, they are now only found at the rear.
Safety-wise, all models get the Lexus Safety System+ suite of driver assists, including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centring assist, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert with auto brake. New for 2024 is a camera-based driver attention monitor, park assist and front cross traffic alert, also with auto brake.
GALLERY: Lexus LM500h
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SKDS Subsidised Diesel Control System 2.0 – five oil companies issue 90,000 fleet cards for subsidised fuel
The implementation of the subsidised diesel control system 2.0 (SKDS 2.0) has seen the handing over of 90,000 fleet cards issued by five petroleum companies, namely BHPetrol, Petron, Caltex, Shell and Petronas, to eligible transport companies in a ceremony last week.
As of May 22, a total of 28,000 land transport companies have registered for, and received approval under the implementation of SKDS 2.0, and 90,000 fleet cards have been issued by the five major petroleum companies to eligible transport companies, according to minister of domestic trade and cost of living (KPDN) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.
Table of vehicles eligible for Subsidised Diesel Control System 2.0 (SKDS 2.0) A total of 33 types of land transport vehicles eligible to receive subsidised diesel under the SKDS 2.0 scheme, the minister said. The nine types of eligible land transport vehicles include general cargo lorries, bottled drinks lorries, refrigerated lorries, luton lorries, prime movers, flour tankers, water tankers, panel vans and window vans, as listed on the KPDN website.
Companies which have been approved for the SKDS 2.0 scheme may apply for the fleet card through petroleum companies such BHPetrol, the company said in a statement, and companies may apply through its website once approval from KPDN has been received.
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Honda Malaysia Q1 2024 sales up 23% YoY – 21,500 units; 2 new models launching this year, Civic facelift?
At the recent launch of the facelifted Honda City Hatchback, Honda Malaysia revealed it managed to deliver 21,500 vehicles in the first quarter of 2024. This represents a 23% year-over-year (YoY) increase compared to the first three months a year ago.
Earlier in March, the company revealed that it had set a sales target of 95,000 units for 2024, which is 19% more than the 80,000 units set for 2023 (the company exceeded this target). With the Q1 2024 sales tally, Honda Malaysia is now 73,500 units shy of this year’s goal with several months to go.
In terms of models, it was already announced that two new Honda models will be launched this year, with the refreshed City Hatchback being one of them. According to the company, 28,700 units of the B-segment model have been sold since its initial introduction back in December 2021.
The second model – though not mentioned – is very likely the Civic facelift, which made its debut in the United States in January this year – the HR-V facelift is another possibility. Honda Malaysia said in March that it wants to place a greater emphasis on e:HEV hybrid models here, suggesting more variants with an electrified powertrain are coming our way.
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Chery Malaysia signs MoU with MoF’s Technology Depository Agency, to promote ESG practices
Chery Auto Malaysia recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Technology Depository Agency (TDA), a government agency under the finance ministry. Chery says the collaboration signifies a significant commitment to promoting environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices within the Malaysian automotive sector.
According to the press release, TDA plays a pivotal role in fostering Malaysia’s economic and tech advancement. Through its Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP), TDA acts as a bridge, connecting local industries with world-leading technology partners. ICP empowers Malaysian companies to acquire critical knowledge and enhance their global competitiveness through government procurement.
The MoU between Chery and TDA marks a new chapter in promoting sustainable practices within the Malaysian automotive industry. This collaboration will focus on developing and implementing innovative ESG initiatives that will benefit the nation, the organisations say.
The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro e+ PHEV was previewed at the Malaysia Autoshow 2024 “This MoU signifies our dedication to exploring, extending, and enhancing collaborative efforts, which will not only strengthen our interactions but also drive meaningful impacts among stakeholders, professionals, and staff,” said Chery Auto Malaysia president Leo Chen.
“Through this partnership, we will explore solutions for environmental concerns and social well-being. Our aim is to develop and implement innovative programmes that address both environmental and social issues,” said Dr. Sharoul Jambari, CEO of TDA.
The two parties say that the initiatives planned include reducing waste, promoting cleaner production processes, and exploring responsible battery management practices within the EV industry. Additionally, the collaboration aims to improve working conditions within the automotive supply chain, foster diversity and inclusion within the workforce, and contribute to local communities through social responsibility programmes.
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2025 Honda Civic facelift in the US – 2.0L hybrid and non-hybrid trims; 1.5L VTEC Turbo engine dropped
Honda has revealed more information about the facelifted 2025 Honda Civic in the United States, which will get the refreshed model in four trim levels. These include two hybrid options, and customers will be able to get the Civic in sedan and hatchback body styles.
The two hybrid trims are the Sport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid, with both expected to receive an EPA combined fuel economy rating of nearly 50 mpg (21.3 km/l). Details of the electrified powertrain are limited for now, but the company says the two-motor setup paired with a 2.0 litre Atkinson-cycle inline-four petrol engine will generate 200 hp and 315 Nm of torque. It added that 40% of all Civic sales are expected to be hybrid trims.
The hybrid system comes with four levels of regenerative braking that are selectable via paddles on the steering wheel. Active Noise Control is also standard on hybrid trims, with the Sport Touring gaining additional wheel resonators to further reduce NVH.
With these outputs, American Honda Motor Company says the hybrid trims are the most powerful non-Type R Civics ever. The pre-facelift Civic Si packs 200 hp and 260 Nm by comparison, although that uses a 1.5 litre VTEC Turbo four-cylinder engine.
On that mention, the 2025 Civic will not be offered with said VTEC Turbo engine, which means the previous EX has been dropped from the line-up. What’s left (discounting the Si) are the LX (sedan only) and Sport trims which continue to use a non-electrified 2.0 litre engine, presumably with the same 158 hp and 187 Nm outputs. Pricing for the updated Civic in the US have yet to be announced.
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KTM announces extra ETS trains for Hari Raya Haji
Click to enlarge KTM has announced extra ETS train services for next month’s Hari Raya Aidiladha a.k.a. Hari Raya Haji holidays. If you take the train back to your hometown, you skip the trouble of spending hours on the road, getting stuck in the jam.
There are nine extra trains from KL Sentral to Padang Besar from June 13-18 and 21-23, and another nine from Padang Besar to KL Sentral. ETS train 9286 departs the capital city daily at 5pm and will reach Padang Besar at 10.20 pm. The 9283 train heads south from Padang Besar at 11.05 am and will reach at 4.30 pm daily.
As for the KL Sentral to Butterworth route, there will be six extra trains up and six extra trains down from June 13-18. The northbound train 9188 departs KL Sentral at 4.30 pm (you’ll reach Penang at 8.49 pm), while train 9187 departs Butterworth at 11.20 am for KL Sentral. Ticket sales opened yesterday afternoon.
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GAC Aion Hyper HT previewed in Malaysia – EV SUV, Tesla Model X-style “falcon” doors, end-2024 launch?
Aion, GAC’s electric vehicle sub-brand, may have taken off in Malaysia with the launch of the Aion Y Plus, but at the Malaysia Autoshow, the company is showing another car that will bring it to new heights. This is the Aion Hyper HT, part of a new crop of Hyper models (a sub-brand within a sub-brand) tasked with lifting this mainstream EV maker further upmarket.
Whereas Aion cars – which include the S sedan and the LX and V SUVs – have rather funky angular designs, the Hyper HT features a sleek, streamlined “coupé” SUV look reminscent of the Tesla Model Y. But the inspiration from the Silicon Valley carmaker doesn’t stop there.
You see, just like the Model X, you can spec the Hyper HT with “falcon” rear doors, replete with hinges near the roof that fold slightly as the doors go upwards, enabling them to open in tighter parking spaces. Measuring 4,935 mm long, 1,920 mm wide and 1,700 mm tall, it’s actually closer in size to the Model X (5,057 mm long) than the Model Y (4,751 mm), although this car is still resolutely a five-seater.
Inside, the Hyper HT features a minimalist cabin typical of many Tesla-aping Chinese EVs, dominated by a massive 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen. The driver environment, however, takes a leaf out of the Peugeot book, with a small steering wheel sitting below an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster. Both run on Qualcomm’s ubiquitous Snapdragon 8155 flagship automotive chip.
Despite its premium positioning, the Hyper HT is only available in rear-wheel-drive form, its single motor producing either 245 PS (180 kW) and 355 Nm of torque or 340 PS (250 kW) and 430 Nm. The zero-to-100 km/h sprint is completed in 6.8 seconds and 5.8 seconds respectively.
Four sizes of battery are available – the less powerful motor can be had with either a 70 or a 72.7 kWh battery providing a CLTC-rated range of 550 km and 600 km respectively. Meanwhile, the high-powered version can be specced with either an 80 or 99.5 kWh pack that can travel up to 670 km and 825 km respectively.
Interestingly, only the more powerful versions have an 800-volt electrical architecture for faster DC charging, with Aion claiming that the Hyper HT can gain up to 425 km of range with just 15 minutes of charging. The 400-volt versions, on the other hand, receive up to 140 km of range with ten minutes of DC charging.
No details on Malaysian availability have been released just yet. However, dealers at the show have let slip that distributor Warisan Tan Chong Automotif (WTCA) may be looking at bringing the Hyper HT in as early as the end of the year. No surprise, given that the car is already open for booking in Thailand with an introductory price of around 1,999,900 baht (RM257,000).
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Targeted diesel fuel subsidy implementation date, mechanism to be announced soon: PM Anwar Ibrahim
The implementation date and mechanism for the targeted fuel subsidy in Malaysia will be announced soon, Bernama has reported.
According to prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the matter will be explained by finance minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, because the prime minister has given an overview and follow-up action is to come. “Some people ask why? Not all prime ministers do it. I give the big picture and framework, then there will be follow-up action,” the prime minister was quoted as saying.
From a separate Bernama report last week, minister of domestic trade and cost of living Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said that all ministries involved are ready, and are only waiting for the government’s announcement of the implementation date before the fuel subsidy rationalisation is carried out.
The other ministries involved include the finance ministry, the transport ministry, the agriculture and food security ministry, the plantation industries and commodities ministry, and the entrepreneur development and cooperatives ministry, Armizan said.
Meanwhile, the ministry of domestic trade and cost of living (KPDN) will implement several measures to ensure no parties take advantage of price gouging on price-controlled goods after the diesel fuel adjustment has been announced.
Last week, the prime minister announced that the government will proceed with the implementation of targeted fuel subsidies, with the Cabinet having agreed to the move. This will begin with diesel subsidy rationalisation in the peninsula, with that for Sabah and Sarawak to be set aside until later.
The prime minister has also said that the government does not intend to introduce a new taxation system, and instead implement a fairer targeted subsidy mechanism that meets the needs of the people.
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Government has no intention to introduce new taxes – targeted subsidies better to meet needs of the people
The government has no intention of unveiling a fresh taxation system but will instead implement a fairer targeted subsidy mechanism that meets the needs of the people, according to prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“The implementation of targeted subsidies will impact the affluent, big industries and foreign nationals while e-hailing and taxi drivers, fishermen and smallholders will all be exempted,” Anwar said after opening the International Madani Convention recently.
“The issue with the diesel subsidy is the loss of billions of ringgit where wealthy and mega industries benefited from,” he added, as reported by The Star. It was recently announced that the government will proceed with the diesel subsidy rationalisation programme which is expected to save about RM4 billion annually.
For now, it is not confirmed when the targeted fuel subsidiy programme will begin, nor has a mechanism for how the subsidies will be distributed been revealed. RON95 petrol will join diesel in the programme, although this is slated to take place sometime in the second half of this year.
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JPJ eBid: ANN and TCX number plates up for bidding
JPJ has announced that ANN and TCX are the next number plate series to go up for bidding on its online auction platform, JPJ eBid.
Perak’s latest running number series is ‘ANN’, and it opened for tender on May 23. The bidding period on JPJeBid is five days, ending 10pm today, May 27. 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 Terengganu series ‘TCX’. The bidding period started on May 26 and will close at 10pm on May 30. 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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PDRM adds Honda City sedan to its patrol vehicle fleet
Honda vehicles have proved to be a popular choice for patrol vehicles with the Royal Malaysian police (PDRM) in recent times, with the force first utilising 435 units of the Honda Civic FC 1.8L for the job back in 2020 before switching over to the Civic FE 1.5L Turbo earlier this year.
Now, the department looks to be adding the Honda City to its patrol vehicle fleet, if the sighting of a trailer load of the facelifted sedan, all kitted in PDRM livery, is any indication. A video clip uploaded on the Paultan.org Automotive Discussion Group page on Facebook shows six City sedans, complete with roof strobe lights, being moved on a transporter.
The petrol City sedan is powered by a 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated inline-four DOHC i-VTEC engine that delivers 121 PS (119 hp or 89 kW) at 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm, with drive going to the front wheels via a CVT.
Expect to see posts about the new City patrol vehicle units, sourced by government vehicle fleet supplier Spanco, making the rounds on social media in the near future.
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Chery Tiggo 8 Pro e+ PHEV previewed in Malaysia – 326 PS, 545 Nm, up to 80 km EV range, launch soon?
While Chery’s stand at the Malaysia Autoshow wasn’t exactly a hubbub of activity (the real action for the company was happening elsewhere), the Chinese brand still had something to show at the event. As promised, it debuted the plug-in hybrid version of the Tiggo 8 Pro, the e+, albeit only as a preview and in left-hand-drive form.
At the heart of this particular Tiggo 8 Pro sits the Omoda 5’s 156 PS/230 Nm 1.5 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, here paired to twin electric motors integrated into the three-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT). Total system output is rated at 326 PS and an impressive 545 Nm of torque.
In China, the Tiggo 8 Pro e+ is available with two battery sizes – the smaller one delivers a pure electric range of 42 km on the WLTP cycle, while the larger 19.27 kWh unit stretches this to 80 km. All models support up to 29 kW DC fast charging and up to 6.6 kW AC charging; the bigger battery also enables a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function at up to 3.3 kW.
Chery says that its PHEV has nine operating modes – single-motor pure electric, dual-motor pure electric, series and extended range mode, direct engine drive mode and parallel drive mode. Despite differentiating between single- and dual-motor operation, the Tiggo 8 Pro e+ is resolutely a front-wheel-drive vehicle.
The other four are related to energy recovery – parking and charge mode, driving and charge mode, single-motor brake energy regeneration and dual-motor brake energy regeneration. This is par for the course for PHEVs, with the exception of the aforementioned single- and dual-motor modes.
There’s little that differentiates the e+ on the outside, unlike in China where it gets an entirely new front end. That means you’ll still find a massive Audi-style “galaxy” front grille, trapezoidal LED headlights with twin L-shaped daytime running lights, chrome door and window strips and full-width taillights. Even the 19-inch two-tone alloys are identical to the petrol version’s.
Just three items are actually different – the charging port door on the front left fender, the blue ring around the fuel filler cap and a new diffuser that dispenses the real quad exhausts for twin fake ones. That’s not surprising, given that you also see this on the Omoda 5 with the same engine.
The same can be said about the interior, which carries over the seven-seat layout, Mercedes-inspired dashboard (replete with a widescreen display panel with twin 12.3-inch screens) and even the black-and-brown colour scheme. The only visible difference is the blue trim on the electronic gear selector.
No details about local availability have been revealed, only that the car will arrive in CKD locally-assembled form. The car was initially scheduled to arrive early this year, and that deadline has long since passed, so your guess as to when it will actually come are as good as ours. Are the specs good enough to tempt you into one when it eventually arrives here? Sound off in the comments after the jump.
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April 2024 Malaysian vehicle sales down by 18%: MAA
The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) has released vehicle sales data for the month of April 2024, announcing that a total of 57,991 vehicles were delivered to buyers last month. This is 13,061 units less than the 71,052 units reported by the association for March, representing a 18.4% reduction in volume.
The association said that the drop in numbers last month was due to a short working month as a result of Hari Raya festive holidays.
Compared to the same month in 2023, April’s total was 21.3% (or 10,189 units) higher than the 47,802 units achieved last year. As for the year-to-date TIV numbers for the year, the first four months of 2024 has seen 260,236 units delivered, which is 8.3% (20,019 units) higher than the 240,217 units managed in the same period last year.
The association added that vehicle sales in May are expected to be slightly higher compared to April.
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Kineta, ChargEV sign MoU to further develop Malaysia EV charging network, bid for large ASEAN tenders
Electric vehicle charging solutions provider Kineta has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ChargEV to further enhance and expand the electric charging network in Malaysia. The wholly-owned subsidiary of Sime Darby Berhad said the strategic partnership is in line with its goal of providing “the most comprehensive EV charging solutions and EV charging network” to customers and business partners.
In addition, the deal will enable the two entities to jointly bid for selected large tenders in Malaysia and the region. Kineta says it has one of the largest Energy Commission (ST)-certified teams, with 40 electrical engineers ensuring safety and regulatory compliance of all installations, as well as fully-fledged in-house customer service, after-sales, technical support and warranty teams.
Meanwhile, ChargEV is a leading charging network provider in Malaysia and Singapore, and it also helps businesses electrify their sites and onboard them to its network.
“With our combined forces, we can certainly accelerate the government’s aspirations to have 10,000 chargers within the next few years,” said Kineta managing director Sunny Lee. “We believe this partnership represents a major milestone in our EV industry, merging ChargEV’s extensive charging infrastructure network between Malaysia and Singapore and KINETA’s total EV charging solutions to ease the transition to electric vehicles for all drivers.”
ChargEV managing director Seng Teong Chua added: “Battery Electric Vehicles only made up 1.45% of new car sales in 2023, but as demand for fully electric vehicles grows, so will the demand for easily accessible, reliable, and seamless charging infrastructure. With KINETA’s solid track record in delivering high-quality installation, customer-centricity, and an innovative approach to product development, we believe this is just the start of an electrifying partnership.”
The two companies say they are committed to supporting the country’s aspirations of having a 15% EV market share by 2030, aligning with the government’s Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint and the National Transition Roadmap. Kineta recently debuted a new one-stop Kineta Charge app, so perhaps the partnership means the ChargEV network will now be integrated into this app.
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Mercedes-Benz Malaysia sets out to elevate customer experience with Star Elegance lifestyle retail concept
Yesterday’s launch of the Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ SUVs and sedans also saw Mercedes-Benz Malaysia introducing Star Elegance, a new lifestyle retail concept offering a host of experiential services, all aimed at elevating the customer experience in the brand’s showrooms.
Making its debut with a luxury nail spa at Hap Seng Star’s Bukit Tinggi facility, the range of wellness services available under Star Elegance will be expanded over several phases, with new brands and collaborators offering a repertoire of luxury retail services set to be enlisted in the near future.
“Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is pioneering an industry-first by integrating a wellness-centric approach into our retail environment. The Star Elegance concept seamlessly blends innovative retail experiences with meticulously curated lifestyle elements, creating a holistic and unprecedented luxury experience for our customers,” said Mercedes-Benz Cars Malaysia CEO and president Amanda Zhang.
The company added that the introduction of Star Elegance is strategically aligned to insights gleaned from focus groups involving nearly 400 MBM customers, where 94% of the customers said they find the idea of a lifestyle retail concept interesting, and 91% said they would patronise a lifestyle shop while their vehicle was being serviced.
“Star Elegance epitomises our commitment to delivering the pinnacle of customer experience and setting new standards in luxury automotive solutions. This initiative underscores our unwavering dedication to meeting the diverse and sophisticated needs of our esteemed customers, solidifying Mercedes-Benz as the premier choice in the luxury automotive segment,” said Mercedes-Benz Cars Malaysia’s VP of customer services, Edmin Naidoo.
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