Month: July 2022

Looking for a first car that looks sporty yet comfortable, and will stand the tests of time? What about this 2022 Toyota Yaris?

This one is the range-topping Toyota Yaris 1.5G variant, which is currently priced at RM87,600 (OTR without insurance). Compared to its closest competitor, the Honda City Hatchback, the Yaris is around RM3,000 cheaper, but is it any better?

Very sporty exterior – 2022 Yaris 

Introduced late last year, the current Toyota Yaris has been slightly refreshed with a new set of LED lights (front and rear) as well as a much sportier-looking front grille and bumper.

For this particular test unit, it had already been kitted with the optional body kit, which further elevates its sporty facade. Some may feel that it’s over the top, but we feel that it adds just a nice dash to further accentuate a more aggressive styling.

You’ll see that its rear wing and diffuser might be a bit much for some, but this is pretty subjective. We think that it goes well with the Yaris’ blacked-out C-pillars, as well as that sexy rear end. Simply put, it’s a car that fits like a glove looks-wise for most folks, no matter the age.

Same (slightly dated) interior

Step inside this range-topping Yaris and you’ll be welcomed with some very comfortable seats and fabric upholstery. That might be strange for a top-of-the-line model, but comfort is the name of the game, and the Yaris has that in abundance.

There is, however, a minor issue. The steering wheel can only be adjusted for tilt and not reach. You’ll need to take some time to find the right driving position for you in order to drive comfortably, especially during those long hauls up and down the highway.

The first impression that we got upon stepping into the Yaris is that it does look a bit dated. It has all its bases covered, and all of them function in a way that won’t distract the driver. The buttons for the AC settings and radio are huge and easy to reach. Again, good for the young and the young at heart but maybe not as future-forward. 

Upon closer inspection, you’ll start to notice some specs that make the Yaris a worthy car to own. Things like its auto-dimming rearview mirror, front dashcam, a seven-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and 360-degree camera certainly made the car more pleasurable to live with.

Apart from the optional body kit, Yaris owners can also opt for other accessories like a rear camera, wireless charging system (stored in the centre storage compartment, a weird place to put that though), and more. Just need to spend a bit more on top of that RM87k price tag.

Superbly comfortable seats – 2022 Toyota Yaris

No matter where you’re seated, the Yaris offers plush seating for both the driver and its occupants. Its fabric upholstery doesn’t look too bad and feels nice no matter the driving distance. That’s very important to take advantage of as those sitting at the back won’t get any AC vents, just some good headroom and two USB charging ports. Ok, what.

286-litre boot space enough for what?

We’ve tested this out, and you can actually fit a number of bags and a stroller without too much of a hassle. A weekend getaway for a young family of five shouldn’t be too much of an issue.

You might have to ‘Marie Kondo’ a few things here and there, but 286 litres is doable, certainly more so than what you would expect by just reading about it in a brochure.

1.5-litre four-cylinder banger

All variants of the Toyota Yaris are fitted with the same 2NR-FE 1.5-litre four-cylinder DOHC engine with dual VVT-i that produces 107PS and 140Nm of torque. These figures might be slightly lower than the Honda City Hatchback, but they are adequate for your daily drives.

Mated to a seven-speed CVT transmission with Sport Sequential Shiftmatic mode, you can choose between three driving modes – Normal, Sport, and Eco. Weighing in at 1,140kg on the scales, the Toyota Yaris is a sporty machine that’s tuned more on the comfort side of things.

The steering might feel a bit sluggish at first, which is pretty noticeable during fast turns, but as stated above, the Yaris is all about comfort. With that being said, it still can handle corners fairly well even though you will feel the body roll at times.

Chucking it into the bends, you’ll surprisingly find that the front of the car wants to go into the turn, which is confidence-inspiring. Despite having a CVT transmission, you can actually have some fun up and down roads like Genting, certainly more so than its sedan cousin, the Toyota Vios, which wallows quite a degree more than the Yaris.

Toyota Safety Sense full suite

Here’s where the Toyota Yaris trumps its rival – safety. The range-topping 1.5G variant comes with the full safety suite courtesy of Toyota Safety Sense, which includes:

Pre-Collision System
Lane Departure Alert
3D Panoramic View Monitor
Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Hill-Start Assist Control
7 SRS airbags
ABS, EBD, BA
Vehicle Stability Control & Traction Control

The camera feed from its 3D panoramic view monitor might be a bit hazy, but it’s so much easier to park and manoeuvre in tight places like my usual rooftop office parking at Mid Valley Megamall. Simply adored this feature on the Yaris.

Worth the price tag?

If comfort and safety are your main priorities when it comes to a car, but you also want something that looks quite sporty, the Toyota Yaris definitely feels like a win. Considering that you’ll get the entire Toyota Safety Sense in a hatchback that costs under RM87,000, it’s worth the money.

Parents will appreciate the comfort it provides, and the youths of the family won’t mind driving the car to their hangout spots or even car meets in the Yaris. Yes, it does have its setbacks, but most of them are easy to put at the back of your head. So, thumbs up from us.

 

Kia Malaysia Sdn Bhd has officially assembled the first CKD Kia Carnival at the Inokom plant in Kulim, Kedah.

This new joint-venture between Kia Corporation and Bermaz Auto Berhad will see the locally-assembled Kia Carnival being launched for the local market soon (bookings already opened). And there will be two configurations – seven-seater and eight-seater.

2.2-litre turbodiesel with 199hp & 440Nm – 2022 CKD Kia Carnival

The CKD Kia Carnival will be powered by the same 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine that churns out 199hp and 440Nm of torque. This unit is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Other notable specs and features include heated and ventilated seats for front and rear, Premium Relaxation seats for the second row, 12-speaker Bose sound system, ambient lighting, a 12.3-inch infotainment display, one-touch power sliding doors, smart power tailgate, and a host of safety features under the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

According to Ted Lee, President and CEO of Kia Asia Pacific, “The roll-out of the Kia Carnival in CKD form was an important milestone in the marque’s renaissance in Malaysia. We are delighted to welcome the first Kia model produced here at Inokom for the Malaysian and ASEAN markets.”

“The Kia Carnival marks a new beginning for the Kia brand and showcases all the hallmarks of our products, superior design, smart technology and an impressive driving experience,” added Mr Lee.

 

If you’re interested in a brand-new Beemer that also happens to be the cheapest, the 2022 BMW 218i Gran Coupe M Sport LCI might be the one for you. Is it any good, though?

Launched initially back in 2020, BMW Malaysia decided to ‘amp up’ its overall ownership experience in 2022. This 218i LCI model (Life Cycle Impulse or more commonly known as a minor facelift) now comes with one major update and a number of missing minor specs.

Same exterior, no difference

For the 2022 model, nothing has changed visually on the outside. However, when I got to test the previous 218i last year, that model was fitted with some optional M Performance Parts, which made the 218i look more ‘garang‘.

That one came with the high-gloss black mesh kidney grille, carbon fibre side mirror caps, carbon fibre exhaust pipe tip, and black rear spoiler. Those ‘upgrades’ were close to RM9,000 back then, and it certainly took the 218i’s visuals to a whole new level.

This one, in its stock state, doesn’t look too bad. The Melbourne Red is a bit strong in my opinion, but it somehow works well even without those added accessories. Having said that, the colour did grow more on me the longer I had the car in my possession, but I still prefer the Storm Gray.

Just like before, this also comes with frameless windows for all four doors, which are indeed very sporty-looking. Since it’s an M Sport model, it comes standard with the 18-inch M double-spoke alloys, and I like them a lot. Hiding behind these are a set of M Sport Suspension, which I have mixed feelings about.

Bigger screens thanks to the BMW Live Cockpit Plus

Those who are familiar with the 218i when it was launched back in 2020 should quickly notice the new interior setup inside the 218i LCI. Previously, this BMW 2 Series came with an analogue instrument plus a 5.5-inch multi-info display and an 8.8-inch centre touchscreen.

Those are gone in the 218i LCI as they’ve been replaced with a couple of 10-25-inch displays for its instrument cluster & centre touchscreen. They run on the BMW Operating System 7, which smoothens things out in terms of operation.

This makes the 218i LCI a more ‘complete’ car interior-wise, which also puts it on par with its closest rival from the three-pointed star camp. We also adore that fat M Sport steering wheel, which felt super nice to drive on all occasions.

Are the seats any good?

The sports seat is a bit snug in my opinion (since I’m slightly overweight according to my doctor, boo), but a few adjustments here and there were all I needed to make things comfortable for the drive. No lumbar adjustment, but it does come with side bolsters adjustment.

Rear seats are okay for most Asian adults, but anyone who’s taller than 175cm could find it a bit cramped. They’re good for a couple of kids, which is what the 218i is intended for, but ferrying more than two tall adults full-time might be a bit of an issue (if they’re 170cm or shorter, then it’s not going to be a problem).

Is there anything missing?

A few features have been removed in the facelifted 218i. These things are the BMW Digital Key for iPhone users, Qi wireless charger, and powered bolster adjustment for the front passenger seat.

Will we miss them? Not really, I don’t mind them not being there at all since I don’t really use these features in any car, but some folks might make a bit of noise. Just a bit. Shouldn’t be too much of a deal-breaker, if you ask me.

Driving impressions

As stated above, the 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine produces 140hp and 220Nm of torque. Paired to a seven-speed DCT gearbox, the 218i can hit 0-100km/h in 8.7 seconds before reaching its top speed of 213km/h.

Not the fastest Beemer, but efficiency-wise, BMW states that it can do 5.9L/100km. Achievable, but more often than not, it’s going to be slightly higher. That’s the case for me thanks to my slightly heavier right foot.

Turbo lag is noticeable, but once it kicks in, getting it up to highway speeds is a breeze. That, however, shouldn’t be too much of a problem as the 218i was designed to be more on the comfort side (with a dash of sportiness). NVH levels are good, good enough that you’ll barely notice any outside noise even when travelling beyond 110km/h.

More comfort the faster you go

Let’s go back to that M Sport Suspension on the 218i LCI. Going slow, you will feel all the bumps and road imperfections. The 218i is one of the cars that if you want to be comfortable with, you have to go a bit faster.

With that being said, it is an agile car to drive. The electronics in the 218i help to minimise the understeer if you go a bit hard but mostly smooth on all occasions. Cornering feels planted with little to no drama, which is another thing that I really like about the 218i.

Just a bit of advice on my part, turn off the ‘Stop & Start’ function, it can get a bit rough, especially in traffic jams. Such is the nature of a three-cylinder engine.

Conclusion – Worth the money?

At the end of the day, the BMW 218i Gran Coupe M Sport LCI is a decent buy with decent levels of performance and overall comfort. For a brand-new BMW that costs just under the RM230,000 mark, it’s a good car for all occasions and a good starting point for those looking to get into the BMW brand.

If you have that kind of money to spend, do splurge a bit more to get those optional M Performance parts. With those extra bits and pieces, the BMW 218i Gran Coupe M Sport LCI can truly be a beauty that you just have to stop and have another look at after parking it.

 

Malaysia’s Transport Minister, Dr Wee Ka Siong, has blasted back at DAP chairman, Lim Guan Eng, over his statement regarding the Mat Rempits and illegal motorcycle racing.

Following the unfortunate illegal racing incident that happened in Penang earlier this month which led to five deaths, Guan Eng stated that more fatal accidents were caused by Mat Rempits compared to drunk driving, but the punishments by law are not equal and no major actions have been taken by the Transport Ministry to address this issue.

*Image credit: NST

Act 333 already amended in 2020

Dr Wee fired back at the DAP chairman, stating that the DAP chairman is not aware of the amendments made by Dr Wee on Act 333 back in 2020. In fact, two major amendments were introduced. These are: 

Act 333, Section 41 – Punishment for deaths caused by reckless driving, minimum jail sentence increased from two years to five years, fine increased from RM5,000 to RM20,000.
Subsequent offences – Minimum jail sentence increased from two years to 10 years, fine increased from RM5,000 to RM50,000, 10-year driving license ban.

*Image credit: Gempak

Long-term plan to tackle ‘mat rempits’ & illegal racing

There were also some amendments to Section 42 which covered reckless and dangerous driving, which saw the driving license ban increased from two years to five years. To add salt to the wound, Dr Wee stated, “It shows that Lim wasn’t serious and he did not look at the amendments on Act 333 that was passed and gazetted.”

There’s also a long-term plan being concocted by a special team formed by the Transport Ministry, which will look at the current rules, technical components, and advocacy activities. Dr Wee will be presenting the details soon.

Sebanyak 100 stesen pengecas kenderaan elektrik (EV) bakal dipasang di lokasi yang strategik di sepanjang Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan (PLUS) menjelang tahun 2024.

Perkara ini didedahkan oleh pengarah urusan PLUS sendiri, Datuk Azman Ismail berdasarkan laporan The Edge.

100 Pengecas EV Menjelang 2024

“Di bawah pelan hala tuju PLUS EV Charging Station, kami akan bekerjasama dengan beberapa pemain industri untuk memasang 100 pengecas ini secara kumulatif menjelang 2024,” kata Azman.

Menurut Azman, PLUS sedang bekerjasama dengan rakan strategik termasuk Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) dengan objektif untuk menyediakan fasiliti yang diperlukan khususnya untuk pengguna EV di lebuhraya mereka.

Ketika ini, sebanyak 29 stesen pengecas EV telah diletakkan di kawasan Rehat dan Rawat (R&R) dan stesen minyak di sepanjang lebuhraya PLUS.

8 Stesen Pengecas Pantas (DC) Bakal Dipasang

Berdasarkan statistik yang dikeluarkan oleh Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC), setakat Mac lalu, terdapat 600 stesen pengecas EV awam di seluruh Malaysia.

Melalui kerjasama antara PLUS dan TNB, pengecas pantas (DC) akan dipasang di sepanjang Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan serta Lebuhraya Pantai Timur 2 (LPT2).

Meskipun lokasinya belum didedahkan, namun berdasarkan dokumen yang telah ditandatangani, terdapat lapan stesen pengecasan pantas akan dipasang di kedua-dua lebuhraya terbabit (enam di Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan, dua lagi di LPT2) yang merentasi enam buah negeri.

Melalui kerjasama ini juga, sistem solar photovoltaic di atas bumbung bangunan R&R Ayer Keroh (Arah Utara) dan R&R Tapah (Arah Utara) akan di pasang dengan jumlah keseluruhan bagi kapasitinya adalah melebihi 360 kWp (kilowatt peak).

Peugeot produced a video to showcase how their cars that are assembled here in Malaysia can withstand the ASEAN road and weather conditions.

In a bid to showcase the longevity and durability, the Peugeot SUVs Made in ASEAN video was released to showcase its manufacturing processes in its Gurun plant, particularly regarding the 2008, 3008, and 5008.

500,000km of combined distance testing

To ensure that these Peugeot SUVs are built to last in the very demanding ASEAN road conditions and unpredictable weather, Peugeot puts its entire CKD model line-up to some very harsh tests to ensure that the cars are indeed reliable for the ASEAN market.

From manufacturing, and quality control, to endurance testing of around 500,000km combined, the Peugeot and the Stellantis plant in Gurun really went to town to ensure that their SUVs can handle all sorts of driving conditions, no matter rain or shine, empty or fully loaded.

Reliability ensured for all ASEAN countries

This is not only vital here in Malaysia, but also in other ASEAN countries like Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines, Cambodia, Myanmar, Singapore, and Brunei.

According to Linda Jackson, CEO of Peugeot, “We are proud to manufacture Peugeot vehicles with high-quality standards in ASEAN for our customers across Southeast Asia. Excellence is a fundamental brand value for Peugeot. The internationalization strategy is my priority for the brand and customers are at the centre of all our actions.”

 

Tempahan kenderaan Perodua kini mencecah 243,000 unit dan syarikat tersebut kini mensasarkan lebih 280,000 unit kenderaan terjual untuk tahun ini, berbanding sasaran awalnya sebanyak 247,800 unit yang disasarkan pada awal 2022.  

Jika nak ikut pada sasaran awalnya sebanyak 247,800 unit, ia merupakan rekod tertinggi dalam sejarah penubuhan Perodua sekiranya angka itu tercapai. Namun kini angka itu telah ditambah lagi ekoran jumlah tempahan tertunggak mereka ketika ini sedang menghampiri sasaran yang dibuat pada awal tahun ini.

Hasilkan 26,000 Unit Sebulan

Menurut Presiden dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Perodua, Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad, penyelarasan semula angka jualan akan dibuat pada Ogos ini berdasarkan:

Jumlah tempahan semasa
Kemampuan sistem pengeluaran vendor
Kapasiti serta pengenalan Perodua Alza serba baharu

Perkara ini sedikit sebanyak didorong oleh Perodua Alza 2022 yang sudah mencapai lebih 30,000 tempahan buat masa ini.

Jelas Zainal, mengikut pengiraan awal bagi mencapai sasaran 243,000 unit tempahan, Perodua perlu mengeluarkan 26,000 unit sebulan bagi tempoh Julai hingga Disember. Jumlah jualan bagi Januari hingga Jun pula adalah 127,000 unit.

“Jika digabungkan angka sasaran dan jualan enam bulan pertama, ia pasti akan melebihi 247,800 unit. Berdasarkan asas perkiraan kami, jumlah jualan mungkin lebih 280,000 unit tahun ini,” kata Zainal.

Pada tahun lalu, Perodua menjual 190,291 unit kenderaan, merosot 13.6% berbanding 220,154 unit yang dicatatkan pada 2020 ekoran kesan daripada:

COVID-19
Gangguan bekalan cip semikonduktor
Banjir

Perodua Tiada Masalah Besar Hasilkan Kereta

Menurut Zainal, isu kekurangan pekerja, komponen vendor dan bekalan cip semikonduktor tidak akan memberi kesan besar kepada pengeluarannya untuk tahun ini.

Ketika ini, isu kekurangan pekerja asing yang dihadapi oleh vendor mereka juga semakin pulih manakala bagi isu cip komputer, Perodua mengambil langkah pengurusan risiko dengan mengambil pembekal alternatif.

Kereta Elektrik Perodua

Sementara itu, Zainal berkata, Perodua masih menjalankan kajian daya maju mengenai kerjasama dengan syarikat nasional lain untuk meneroka peluang baharu seperti menghasilkan kenderaan elektrik berkualiti tinggi.

“Masih dalam perancangan dan sebarang pengumuman akan dibuat dari semasa ke semasa. Kita akan menjadi antara syarikat untuk bergabung mencapai sasaran neutral karbon menjelang 2050 dapat dicapai,” katanya.

Ah, the age-old question that pops up every single year – how to stop illegal racing on the streets?

Every year in Malaysia for how many decades now, there’s always a story of illegal street racing that ended in tragedy. The recent incident in Penang concluded with five deaths, which, unfortunately, went viral on the internet.

Illegal street racing – falling on deaf ears?

All the steps and measures that have been taken by the authorities in recent years have not shown signs of slowing down, and the chase for speed down the wrong rabbit hole is getting more dangerous than ever.

It’s a known fact that these illegal racers modify the heck of their machines in the name of speed – to a point where ridiculous amounts of power, together with forgoing some very important safety aspects like removing the rear brakes and running on skinny tyres with little rolling resistance all in the name of chasing thrills. 

And for what? Bragging rights and possibly a big payday from illegal bettings (and most of them don’t even do it for the money, just the ‘fun’ in chasing speed with huge risks).

*Image credit: The Sun

Stop the selling of performance parts?

Since major modifications are already very illegal here in Malaysia, are the authorities doing anything about the importation of performance parts into the country? The business is obviously out there in the open, so why not just deal with that from the source?

On the other hand, the selling performance parts can be argued for the use of track racing, but even that is carried out within a certain limit. That, we can get behind. But, there must be a way to regulate the production as well as selling of these parts to ensure that they won’t be used and abused on the public roads.

*Image credit: Autofun

This is where the authorities need to step in. We can understand that in most cases, a shortage in manpower is unavoidable. But with proper planning and allocation at the right place and time, especially during the weekend nights, increases the possibility of nipping the night in the bud (or at least slow things down substantially).

We know that things are easier said than done, but no matter how many rules and regulations (old or new) have been introduced, they won’t really matter until the proper amount of enforcement is carried out (both quantity and quality).

But enforcement too while playing a vital role, can only do so much. It’s the policymakers that need to step up on their game.

*Image credit: Bernama

Heavier fines PLUS jail time?

In the case of illegal racing (as well as jeopardising the public’s safety), stiffer penalties should be imposed (we know we sound like a parrot, but it’s true).

Summons won’t do any good in this case. Those with money will just pay them off, those who don’t will just throw them away and ‘act don’t know’. Perhaps, confiscation of such illegal race machines (on the spot) paired with them being scrapped should do the trick?

That’s probably the fastest way to get these bikes off the public road, but a final nail in the coffin is needed. To ensure that these habits are nipped in the bud, the promise of jail time should be highly considered.

Why not? We’ve seen heavier punishments being handed down for stealing a few packets of Milo and donation boxes out of desperation (jail time AND heavy fine), so why not for those who are actively and knowingly endangering society on the public roads weekend in and out?

Again, we are fully aware that these things are easier said than done, but this ongoing crap is just getting more and more ridiculous. And we’re even promoting some of these fools as ‘motoring icons’? Bruh…

Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic is launched in Malaysia, estimated pricing at RM390,000 and is expected to be available in Malaysia from October 2022. 

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia surprised everyone earlier today with the launch of not just one Mercedes-EQ model, but three – the EQS, EQB, and EQC.

For the EQC, the first model that’s going to be offered in the Malaysian market is the Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic. This fully-electric compact luxury crossover SUV is estimated at RM390,000 (including 10% sales tax).

And it comes with the AMG Line exterior and body styling as standard. This includes the 20-inch AMG multi-spoke light-alloy wheels, aluminium-finished running boards, Multibeam LED headlights, and more.

Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic: 408hp twin electric motor setup

The EQC 400 4Matic carries the brand’s EV ‘dynamic performance’ thanks to two electric motors mounted on the front and rear axles. Combined output is set at 300kW or 408hp and, get this – 760Nm of instant torque.

This translates to a 0-100km/h time of only 5.1 seconds before arriving at its limited top speed of 180km/h. If the range is of concern, the new EQC carries an 80kWh battery pack that offers a range of between 373km to 437km (WLTP cycle).

In terms of charging, the EQC is fitted with the standard 11kW onboard charger and it supports up to 110kW DC fast-charging. 10%-100% using the AC charger can be done in 7 hours 30 minutes, while 10%-80% using the 110kW DC charger can be completed in just 40 minutes.

AMG Line interior – Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic

The overall AMG Line theme continues to the interior of the EQC, which includes the Interior Light package, aluminium-look trim, multi-function sports steering wheel wrapped in Nappa leather, dashboard wrapped in man-made Nappa leather, and black leather upholstery.

Comfort is the name of the game as the EQC also features electrically-adjustable front seats with memory function and four-way lumbar support, noise-insulating acoustic glass, as well as the Keyless-Go Comfort package.

Other highlights include:

Thermotronic automatic climate control
Ambient lighting
AMG floor mats
Roller sunblinds (for rear passenger windows)
MBUX multimedia system
Burmester® surround sound system
Head-up Display
MBUX Interior Assistant
Wireless charging system + two USB ports (rear)
Stowage Space package & more

Driving Assistance Package

The new EQC is also packed with some smart driving aids which are Active Distance Assist, Pre-Safe system, Active Steering Assist, Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus, Urban Guard vehicle protection, 360-degree camera, Active Parking Assist with Parktronic, TPMS, knee airbags, and more.

Samsung SDI Energy Malaysia Sdn Bhd (SDIEM) is developing an RM7 billion EV battery plant in Negeri Sembilan, and that’s no joke.

Looking to pioneer EV battery cell production in Malaysia, Samsung SDIEM plans to have its second plant up and running in 2025. The news was announced by our prime minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, during the new Perodua Alza launch.

Samsung SDI to develop EV battery plant in Malaysia

800 million battery cells production capacity

This will be a major step for the country’s EV production portfolio as Samsung SDI is targeting to create around 1,300 job opportunities for this upcoming plant. A lot of manpower is needed with plans to have the capacity to produce a whopping 800 million battery cells every year.

Datuk Seri Ismail also stated that this project will be a part of the country’s goal of becoming a carbon-neutral nation by 2050. This has already been mentioned in the 12th Malaysia Plan.

So far, Samsung SDI (South Korea) has pumped RM3.8 billion into its Malaysian unit (Samsung SDIEM). They’re halfway there already, folks.