Year: 2023

Both Perodua and UMW Toyota have issued their official statements regarding the latest scandal surrounding Daihatsu Motor Company (DMC).

A recent investigation conducted by an independent third-party committee unearthed 174 new issues within 25 test categories from Daihatsu.

This has resulted in delivery suspensions for Daihatsu-developed vehicles within Japan as well as overseas due to “procedural irregularities”. For the Malaysian side, the list of models affected by this latest Daihatsu scandal are:

MODEL
PLANT

Perodua Axia
Perodua Global Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, Rawang

Perodua Ativa

Perodua Bezza

Perodua Aruz
Perodua Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, Rawang

Perodua Alza

Perodua Myvi

Toyota Rush

Toyota Vios
Assembly Services Sdn Bhd, Shah Alam

Toyota Yaris

 

Despite the “procedural irregularities”, Perodua also stated that the affected cars still meet ‘minimum regulations’ but more in-depth discussions will take place to determine the development for all of its affected models.

Below are the official statements from Perodua as well as UMW Toyota.

Media statement by Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad on Daihatsu’s announcement on its “procedural irregularities”.

Pursuant to Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.’s (DMC) announcement today on the suspension of its models due to its “procedural irregularities”.

Perodua’s statement is issued as a response to the third-party committee’s report on the “procedural irregularities” done by DMC when conducting safety tests on vehicles for various OEMs issued earlier today. 

The third-party committee report, confirmed by DMC said: “These verifications and tests confirmed that all 174 irregularities pointed out by the third-party committee satisfied the standards set by laws and regulations”. 

We are doing a detailed assessment on the matter and are currently in discussion with Malaysian authorities as to the impact of this development to our vehicles. 
 
As background, on 28th April 2023, DMC announced of “procedural irregularities” when conducting safety tests on vehicles in Japan. Following that announcement, DMC has established a third-party investigative committee consisting of lawyers and technical personnel.

We sincerely apologise to our valued customers and the general public for any alarm this announcement may bring. Our intent is to reach out and assure our valued customers. 

We will share the outcome of this discussion with the public in due course.

UMW TOYOTA ENSURES TRANSPARENCY AND QUALITY AMID PROCEDURAL IRREGULARITIES

SHAH ALAM, 22 DECEMBER 2023 – In light of recent developments surrounding the safety test at Daihatsu Motor Co Ltd (DMC), a subsidiary of Toyota, Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) ensures customers and the public that it is committed to transparency and accountability.

This follows the statement released by Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) highlighting a procedural irregularity in the testing of models by DMC, impacting three Toyota models distributed by UMWT in Malaysia

President of UMW Toyota Motor, Datuk Ravindran K. said, “We emphasise our dedication to maintaining the highest standards and quality in our vehicles. Rest assured, we are actively working to ensure that all our vehicles in Malaysia strictly adhere to the relevant regulations and rules.”

UMWT is working closely with regulatory authorities to promptly and transparently address this matter, maintaining its commitment to delivering high-quality vehicles to the Malaysian market.

He continued, “We understand the importance of trust, and we want to reinforce the confidence our customers place in us. Our dedication to customer satisfaction has always been and remains our top priority.”

 

BYD Seal is set to enter the Malaysia EV market as early as January 2024, with an estimated price starting from RM180k, slightly lower than the standard Tesla Model 3 Highland.

It’s been a good run for BYD ever since the launching of BYD Atto 3 in Malaysia and they were able to garner 1,000 units of booking in just 10 days. It was an unexpected result for this B-Segment battery electric compact crossover SUV, possibly due to its affordable price, good battery range, and high safety standards from BYD’s blade battery technology. Then comes the BYD Dolphin, launched in July 2023 as one of the cheapest EVs in Malaysia from RM100k.

The presence of Dolphin and Atto 3 in Malaysia has gotten people wondering – will BYD bring their Seal, the archrival of Tesla Model 3 Highland, into Malaysia? Based on what we saw during the preview of the Seal in BYD Malaysia’s 1st Anniversary celebration in early December 2023, the answer is almost certainly Yes. 

BYD Seal Price in Malaysia

The BYD Seal price in Malaysia is predicted to be around RM181,000 for the base variant and up to RM224,000 for its range-topping variant. It should be around this price range, positioning above the BYD Atto 3 extend-range spec at RM168,000 and within the range of the base specification Tesla Model 3 Highland starting at RM189,000.

BYD Seal Malaysia Launch Date

The BYD Seal release date is expected to be in Q1 2024 or could be as soon as January 2024 if we are lucky. On the other side of the fence, our neighbors Singapore, Thailand, and Australia have already gotten their Seal in 2023 and we are excited to have one on our ‘porch’ real soon. 

 

BYD Seal Malaysia Specs

Based on the specs of the BYD Seal released in Thailand, it is safe to say that we will be seeing the same 3 variants coming into our country. Below are the expected BYD Seal Malaysia specifications:

BYD Seal Dynamic RWD
BYD Seal Premium RWD
BYD Seal Performance AWD

All variants are equipped with a front Double Wishbone suspension and a rear Multi-link (5 links) suspension system, keeping the car ride smooth and comfortable, yet agile. For camping lovers, we heard you! The BYD Seal does come with a Vehicle to Load (V2L) function which can support up to 3 kW.

BYD Seal Dynamic RWD Specifications

The base variant of all three BYD Seal variants is the Dynamic RWD with 61.44 kWh LFP Blade battery capacity. The single rear-mounted 203 HP/310 NM electric motor can provide a max driving range of 510 km or 460 km in the NEDC and WLTP cycles respectively. The Dynamic spec supports 7 kW AC charging capabilities, the same for the Premium and Performance variants, while DC charging is at 110 kW. The wheels are equipped with an 18-inch alloy rim together with 225/50 tyres, combined with front-ventilated disc brakes attached to a floating caliper, and rear-ventilated disc brakes.

BYD Seal Premium RWD Specifications

Coming up next is the Premium RWD with a bigger 82.56 kWh LFP Blade battery capacity. It is also a rear-mounted electric motor but this time, it can generate a more powerful 313HP and 360NM of torque. The max driving range is 650 km in the NEDC and 570 km in the WLTP. Charging capabilities are 7 kW for AC and 110 kW for DC charging. The wheels are slightly wider and larger than the Dynamic RWD variant with 19-inch alloy rims with 235/45 tyre profile. The brake system is different as well with front-ventilated and drilled disc brakes, fixed brake calipers, and rear-ventilated disc brakes.

BYD Seal Performance AWD Specifications

The top-of-the-line Performance AWD spec is predicted to be priced at RM224,000 or slightly more. Equipped with a dual-motor system for all-wheel-drive capability, it utilizes the same 82.56 kWh battery, producing an impressive output of 530 HP/670 Nm and boasting a range of up to 580 km in the NEDC or 520 km in the WLTP. Charging capabilities are the same as the Premium RWD variant with 7 kW AC and DC charging at 150 kW. Braking systems are the same as Premium, but on the other hand, this top variant has been equipped with additional Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) adaptive shock absorbers. As claimed by BYD, these absorbers are designed to hug corners with ease, providing a high-quality and comfortable ride.

 

BYD Seal Malaysia Interior

Step inside the Seal and you’ll be greeted by their signature rotating touchscreen infotainment system that supports both wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity. The screen size is 15.6-inch with a high-definition resolution of 1920 x 1080, as well as a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and a heads-up display on the driver’s side. The car also comes with a 12-speaker Class-HiFi customized Dynaudio surround sound system, keyless entry and start, ventilated and heated driver or passenger-powered seats, dual-zone air-conditioning, and lastly an NFC card that opens the door and starts the car.

Another highlight is the Seal’s “Heart of the Ocean” – not the one tossed into the Atlantic Ocean by a 100-year-old. We’re referring to the BYD Seal’s Crystal gearshift lever. According to BYD, the outstanding and elegant Crystal gearshift lever is inspired by water droplets, which suits the interior’s overall ocean theme. The push start button, power mode selection, air conditioning, and audio control are conveniently placed around the lever, ensuring the driver’s easy access to these common functions.

BYD Seal Malaysia Colour

There is no confirmation on the color options for the BYD Seal that will be introduced in Malaysia, however, looking at the options given in Thailand and Singapore, we should be getting the same 4 colours such as Polar White, Cosmos Black, Atlantis Grey, and Arctic Blue.

Arctic Blue appears to be the default BYD color, easily recognizable from a distance, while some claim that the Polar White gives the Seal a resemblance to a Model 3 at a glance. However, the BYD Seal in black color, we must say, imparts a more furious and menacing appearance, as if it could devour more than just fish and squid.

BYD Seal Malaysia Electric Range

Looking at the specs provided by Sime Darby during the preview night, different variants offer different driving max ranges. Below is the max electric range of each variant:

BYD Seal Dynamic RWD max range: 510 km in the NEDC and 460 km in the WLTP 
BYD Seal Premium RWD max range: 650 km in the NEDC and 570 km in the WLTP
BYD Seal Performance AWD max range: 580 km in the NEDC and 520 km in the WLTP

 

BYD Seal Malaysia Dimension

Below is the BYD Seal’s dimension:

Wheelbase: 2,920 mm (115-inch)
Length: 4,800 mm (189-inch)
Width: 1,875 mm (73.8-inch)
Height: 1,460 mm (57.5-inch)
Curb weight: 1,885–2,150 kg

 

BYD Seal Malaysia 0 to 100

The BYD Seal’s top speed is up to 180km/h only (110mph), and its 0 to 100 km/h clocked at 7.5 seconds for the Dynamic RWD variant, 5.9 seconds for the Premium RWD variant, and 3.8 seconds for the Performance AWD variant.

 

So what do you think about the BYD Seal? Does it have what it takes to take on the Tesla Model 3? Stay tuned to our Carlist.my news and Wapcar.my for more updates, thoughts, and reviews about BYD Seal. 

Not a fan of sporty EV cars or prefer cheaper options of BYD’s latest models? Check out our list of New and Used BYD cars right here!

The 2023 Toyota Vios (AC100) launched back in March marked a significant milestone for what’s arguably UMW Toyota’s most important model offering to date.

With more than 500,000 units sold to date across three generations, the 2023 Toyota Vios was set to ‘defy expectations’ yet again with an all-new model unveiled earlier this year.

Breaking grounds as the latest and most sophisticated Vios yet, the fourth-generation model is proudly assembled locally at the brand’s state-of-the-art assembly plant located in Bukit Raja.

With that being said, let’s dive further into the main reasons why the Toyota Vios continues its reign as one of the most anticipated sedans in 2023 and beyond.

Sporty ‘Fastback’ Design

The all-new Fastback design for the 2023 Toyota Vios certainly took the B-segment sedan game to a whole new level. Its sleek exterior facade is further enhanced with the additions of 17-inch alloy rims, sharp-looking LED headlamps with L-shaped DRLs, rear LED combination lamps with sequential turn signals, and more.

With a much closer resemblance to the Corolla and Camry, the new Vios further stamps its mark as a status symbol when it comes to owning a car from a reputable non-national brand that is Toyota.

Despite being a core product that has been heavily influenced by Daihatsu, the overall quality, durability, and reliability are most certainly up to Toyota’s standards in ensuring that the Vios not only delivers in terms of looks but also the entire driving experience as a whole.

Premium Comfort

The same levels of enhancements on the outside are also replicated for the interior. For a sub-RM100,000 B-segment sedan, the Toyota Vios gets a cleaner yet more sophisticated cabin space that exudes premiumness and comfort.

Step inside and you’ll quickly find a multitude of great examples like the sleek dashboard that houses a 7-inch TFT multi-info display digital meter, a 9-inch centre touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and ergonomic seats just to name a few.

Other noteworthy mentions in ensuring that the Vios remains a front-runner within its segment are the Electronic Parking Brake with Auto Brake Hold, Auto Air-Cond, 64-colour Ambient Light Switch, rear air-conditioning vents, and perhaps best of all, the amount of work Toyota has put in to guarantee that the new Vios offers the best levels of cabin quietness for a car that’s reasonably priced.

Exciting performance (and fuel-efficient!)

Toyota’s latest and most advanced platform for the 2023 Toyota Vios offers enhanced rigidity as well as stability. This resulted in a massive weight cut of 110kg and when this is paired with the 1.5-litre four-cylinder DOHC engine with Dual VVT-i, the Vios gets improved performance, fuel efficiency, and driving dynamics.

Even its 7-Speed CVT with Sequential Shiftmatic plays a part in improving the Vios’ power-to-weight ratio making it a darling to drive daily in terms of acceleration and top speed thanks to 121PS and 145Nm of torque to play with. When driven sensibly, the Vios can go as low as 5.2L/100km.

With a fuel tank capacity of 40 litres, it’ll be a while before you’ll need to stop by the petrol station for a fill-up all while enjoying the comfort and dynamics of driving it anywhere and everywhere with your friends and family.

Practicality for the whole family

Storage is always an important necessity when travelling with the family. With a boot capacity of 475 litres, it’s more than enough for a weekend away from the city and ‘balik kampung’ trips.

Need to store something that’s a bit more ‘secret’? Just lift the covers in the boot and there you’ll find several hidden compartments, perfect when you want to keep that surprise gift hidden before the birthday, anniversary, or other events come around.

You’ll also find the tyre repair kit instead of a spare tyre, which further amps the performance, responsiveness, driving dynamics, and even fuel consumption for the latest and greatest Vios yet by cutting down on weight.

Class-leading Safety

Compared to the third-generation model, the 2023 Toyota Vios comes ready with the latest rendition of the Toyota Safety Sense that includes Lane Departure Prevention, Front Departure Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Control, and Auto High Beam.

Together with the Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), and more, the new Vios is very near to the stage of semi-autonomy as it can assist in steering, acceleration, and even braking in certain situations.

With the combination of both active and passive safety features (like six airbags), safety is one of the key pillars for the new Vios where anyone and everyone can truly appreciate and have elevated peace of mind.

It also helps to know that the new Toyota Vios scored an impressive five-star rating from the New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP).

Best ‘value for money’ combination

Priced from RM89,600 to RM95,500, the 2023 Toyota Vios offers all the right things when looking at technology, safety, and more. That in itself is just the things you can find on paper. What’s more remarkable are the things that are not.

Things like comfort, convenience, the feeling while driving, and Toyota’s legendary ‘bulletproof’ reliability can be found not just in the Vios, but all UMW Toyota models on offer despite factors like currency exchange as well as the rise of costs for materials affecting price.

For an even better proposition, UMW Toyota is currently offering an RM5,000 cash rebate for a limited time together with low monthly installment repayment of as low as RM688 per month.

To know more, head over to the nearest authorised dealer or check out Toyota Malaysia’s official website.

More than being just another hatchback on the road, the Yaris stands out not only for its abilities as an all-rounder nor merely for its bold styling, but how the car balances the exuberance of urban driving with the best of what Toyota has to offer.

Its two-tone exterior colour combination very establishes the car’s edgier side, making it a quick eye-catcher, but the visual treats flow into its fetching 16-inch alloy wheels and new aerokit additions that lend the Yaris some real presence on the road. 

Stepping inside, the cabin definitely feels spacious beyond its stated measurements but also manages to feel cozy and secure, a sense of assuredness that is further bolstered by the car’s advanced suite of safety features courtesy of Toyota Safety Sense.

This includes Pre-Collision (also known as Autonomous Emergency Braking, or AEB), Lane Departure Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Blind Spot Monitoring. Most convenient of all, though, is the inclusion of a 3D Panoramic View Monitor that literally gives the driver a 360-degree of view of the car’s immediate surroundings, making tight manoeuvring a breeze – all easily viewable on the 9-inch central touchscreen infotainment display. 

That term – ‘a breeze’ – can also be said about so many other aspects of the Yaris, from its smooth ride to the balanced performance from its 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine that delivers outstanding fuel economy and bulletproof reliability.

The daily commute will seem like less of a grind while you can rest easy knowing the car you drive is the result of so years of refining the ideal hatchback formula. As fast-paced and exciting as our lives are, traffic will mean you’re not always in the literal fast lane, but that only means you can more easily catch more glances as the Yaris catches the eye of onlookers. 

Whether you’ve got things to carry or your family and friends to join you, the Yaris is designed and engineered to be a car to handle modern life in the way Toyota do best. 

Head over to Toyota Malaysia’s website now to learn more about the hatchback to amp up your vibe, or speak to a sales advisor at your nearest Toyota showroom. There are currently promotions running worth RM7,500 and instalment plants from as low as RM658 to be enjoyed! 

Just a month after the official launch of the smart #1 here in Malaysia, smart Malaysia hits a new milestone – the delivery of the first 100 units to customers.

With over 1,000 bookings already collected by smart Malaysia’s dealer network across the country, the delivery process is a crucial point to ensure smooth streamlining as well as customer satisfaction.

Having adequate stock ahead of the official launch was also important to keep the waiting time low but the folks over at smart Malaysia are still on their toes to ensure that all bookings are honoured as soon as possible.

According to Zhang Qiang, CEO of smart Malaysia, “As we deliver 100 smart #1 EVs in record time, we are thrilled to see our cars resonating with a segment of buyers who prioritize style and individuality. They aren’t merely seeking mobility; they appreciate the fusion of technology, safety, and connectivity that our smart #1 offers. We are delighted that our customers find these qualities in our car.”

To recap, the smart #1 EV is available in three different variants – smart #1 Pro, smart #1 Premium, and the range-topping smart #1 Brabus.

The base smart #1 Pro comes in at RM189,000 with a range of up to 315km thanks to its 49kWh battery pack. The smart #1 Premium priced at RM219,000 extends the range to 440km due to its bigger 66kWh battery pack.

Both variants come with a single electric motor with 275hp and 343Nm of torque powering the rear wheels.

As for the range-topping smart #1 Brabus, the RM249,000 asking price gives you a slightly lower 400km driving range but power output is increased to a more exhilarating 430hp and 543Nm of torque thanks to its dual-electric motor setup.

 

The Jaecoo J7 SUV is inching closer to its official Malaysian debut in 2024 that’ll rival the likes of the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5.

Two units of this premium off-road SUV were already here in the country earlier this month for local testing and now, more details have been revealed regarding some of its specs and features.

Marketed as a versatile off-road vehicle that’s durable, the Jaecoo J7 is said to perfectly embody the brand’s philosophy “From Classic, Beyond Classic”. In other words, a mixture of ‘traditional automotive excellence’ and ‘contemporary innovation’.

With that being said, the Jaecoo J7 will feature the All Road Drive Intelligent System (ARDIS) for superior off-road performance, an energy-absorbing cage body, high-strength steel construction, and advanced ADAS systems.

Other advanced features that have been highlighted by the company for the Jaecoo J7 are the cutting-edge 7 nm Qualcomm 8155 chip for lightning-fast computing prowess, a 14.8-inch panoramic screen, a full LCD dashboard, and an ‘innovative’ W-HUD head-up display.

As for exterior design, you’ll be looking at a rugged SUV that will also come with split-type headlights, a floating roof design, and hidden door handles.

We know that the two test units that arrived here in Malaysia are the AWD versions, which made sense when the company mentioned the All Road Drive Intelligent System (ARDIS). This will most likely be paired with a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

More details to come, so stay tuned!

 

The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) has projected that the county’s new car sales figure for 2023 will end with yet another new record that will surpass 2022’s figure of 720,658 units.

With Malaysia’s new car sales number sitting at 718,748 units as of November 2023, it’s already showing a lot of positive signs considering that it’s 12% higher compared to the same period back in 2022.

Despite a slight slowdown of 4% from October to November, that’s 71,908 units in November, and MAA projects that that figure won’t be too far off at the end of December. With that being said, let’s look at the most popular brands and models so far in 2023.

According to www.data.gov.my and its data collected from the Road Transport Department (JPJ), it’s no surprise that the top three car brands here in Malaysia belong to Perodua, Proton, and Toyota.

As for the most popular models in the country (figures updated last on 1 September 2023), the top three spots on the podium are a clean sweep by Perodua and three of its model offerings – Bezza (56,735 units), Myvi (45,014 units), and Axia (44,722 units).

The top 10 models are unsurprisingly dominated by Perodua and Proton with a total of eight cars in the list. The only two non-national brands that broke into the top 10 are the Honda City sitting in P8 (18,647 units) and the Toyota Hilux in P9 (17,148 units).

 

The 2024 Honda CR-V was officially launched last week and Honda Malaysia announced that they’ve received over 2,000 bookings for its latest SUV offering.

With prices starting from RM159,900 to RM181,900 for the three non-hybrid variants, the sixth-generation Honda CR-V is certainly kicking off strong going into the new year.

To recap, below are the variants and official selling prices:

Honda CR-V 1.5T S (2WD) – RM159,900 (RM157,900 for first 750 units)
Honda CR-V 1.5T E (2WD)- RM169,900
Honda CR-V 1.5T V (AWD) – RM181,900
Honda CR-V 2.0 e:HEV RS (2WD) – price TBA

As stated above, the price tag for the range-topping Honda CR-V e:HEV RS will only be revealed by Honda Malaysia early next year. This, by default, makes the CR-V V variant the most expensive variant for now. With that being said, let’s have a deeper look at which variant received the most bookings so far, shall we?

You would think that the base Honda CR-V S would get the most hype thanks to its sub-RM160,000 price tag. That, however, is not the case. In terms of percentage taken from the 2,000+ bookings, only 5% was for the base Honda CR-V S variant.

The RM169,900 Honda CR-V E variant contributed to 27% of the total bookings so far and this is closely followed by the range-topping Honda CR-V e:HEV RS at 28%. That’s quite impressive considering that the official price is not even out yet, and rumours have indicated that it might be close to the RM200k mark.

As for the most popular variant, the Honda CR-V V contributed around 40% of the total initial bookings despite being the most expensive variant for the sixth-gen SUV (before the hybrid e:HEV model comes into the picture). Plus, it’s also the only CR-V variant with AWD.

Performance-wise, all three of the non-hybrid CR-V variants (S, E, and V) get the same 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol unit that churns out 193PS and 243Nm of torque. The only hybrid CR-V, the e:HEV RS, gets the 2.0-litre i-MMD petrol-electric hybrid with a combined power output of 184PS and 335Nm of torque.

Honda Malaysia is looking at a sales target of 1,000 units monthly for the newly launched Honda CR-V. The market indicates that 2024 will be an even tougher year for the automotive industry compared to 2023, but with these initial figures coming from Honda Malaysia, the Honda CR-V will most likely be on the green side of things thanks to its strong nameplate as well as a large following of loyal customers here in the country.