UTRECHT, Netherlands: Utrecht energized is Europes first largescale VehicletoGrid (V2G) carsharing service and was launched recently by Renault Group, MyWheels and We Drive Solar, together with the Municipality of Utrecht in Netherlands. V2G allows electric vehicles (EVs) to not only draw energy from the grid but also to discharge electricity back during peak times, turning [...]

RASTATT, Germany: The Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt has started production of the new CLA with a flexible powertrain approach. Several German Mercedes-Benz sites supply the Rastatt plant, where the new electric CLA will initially roll off the production line. Following the gradual ramp-up, Beijing Benz Automotive Co., Ltd (BBAC) will also build the CLA, including [...]

SHENZHEN: Chinese EV (electric vehicle) giant BYD plans to enter Japans microcar market in 2025 with a low-cost electric vehicle as part of its expanding global strategy, noted a carnewschina.com report in quoting a Financial Times article. BYD Japan president Atsuki Tofukuji had confirmed in an interview with the Financial Times that the company will [...]

GOTHENBURG: Volvo Cars has unveiled a world-first multi-adaptive safety belt which will debut in the all-electric Volvo EX60 in 2026. The new safety belt is designed to better protect people by adapting to traffic variations and the person wearing it, thanks to real-time data from the cars advanced sensors. For example, a larger occupant in [...]

KUALA LUMPUR: The Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance has arrived, priced from RM2,168,888 (on-the-road without insurance) and is the most powerful SL ever built. "The AMG SL 63 S E Performance redefines open-top performance with its innovative hybrid technology, seamlessly blending electric boost with V8 power for thrilling acceleration and grand touring luxury," said [...]

KUALA LUMPUR: The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4MATIC+ Coup has arrived, priced from RM1.9mil (estimated, on-the-road without insurance), and armed with the thunderous AMG 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine assembled by hand in Affalterbach according to the "One Man, One Engine" principle. With 585hp and 800Nm under the hood and a blistering 0100kph sprint in just 3.2 [...]

JAKARTA: The construction of an integrated electric vehicle (EV) battery ecosystem in East Halmahera, North Maluku is set to begin in the third week of June, Indonesia's Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia says. Bahlil said on Tuesday that the project, which covers the EV supply chain from mineral processing to battery-cell manufacturing, is [...]

GOTHENBURG: Volvo Cars today unveiled a world-first multi-adaptive safety belt designed to enhance occupant protection by adjusting in real time to crash variables and individual characteristics. Slated to debut on the fully electric EX60 in 2026, the system draws on data from the vehicles interior and exterior sensors to tailor belt load limits according to [...]

Singapore's sixth taxi operator will be launching its taxi services with 40 new fifth-generation electric hybrid Toyota Prius vehicles. ST SINGAPORE: GrabCab vehicles will hit the road from July as Singapores sixth and newest taxi operator launches its services, with 40 cabs in its fleet for a start. Announcing this in a media briefing [...]

TOKYO: Suzuki Motor had suspended production of its Swift car due to China's rare earth restrictions, two sources familiar with the matter said, becoming the first Japanese automaker to be affected by the export curb. The Japanese automaker had announced the planned production stoppage of the Swift subcompact, excluding the Swift Sport model, from May [...]

PETALING JAYA: The percentage of public transport usage in Malaysia has only reached 20% to date, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke. He said the figure remains below the 40% target outlined in the National Transport Policy 2019-2030. "The national transport policy from 2019 to 2030 is already in place. So, our challenge is how to [...]

The burning 'Morning Midas' was carrying 800 electric vehicles among its 3,000-car cargo. Screengrab from Bloomberg TV BENGALURU: The crew of a cargo ship carrying around 3,000 vehicles, including 800 electric vehicles, abandoned it off the coast of Alaska after a fire broke out onboard, its operator Zodiac Maritime said on Wednesday. The 22 [...]

HYBRID is definitely the way to go in enjoying good acceleration without burning a hole in the pocket on fuel bills. Honda is not new to the game having introduced its version of hybrid power in the Civic e:HEV RS range since 2022. To recap, Hondas e:HEV approach to hybrid motoring is that it uses [...]

MARANELLO: Ferrari has been honoured with the Red Dot: Best of the Best awards in the Product Design category for three models: the F80, the 12Cilindri and the 12Cilindri Spider. Now in its 71st year, the German Red Dot Award recognises industrial design excellence and innovation; this years ceremony will take place on July 8 [...]

SHANGHAI: Tesla Inc's vehicle shipments from its China factory fell for an eighth straight month, extending a global sales slump as Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk pledges to renew his focus on the automaker. The EV maker shipped 61,662 Model 3 sedans and Model Y sport utility vehicles from its Shanghai plant in May, down [...]

PARIS: Dutch car sharing firm MyWheels will plug in the first of 500 grid- connectable Renault EVs to its fleet in the Netherlands this week, expanding the number of vehicles in Europe capable of strengthening the power grid as the technology gains traction. Vehicle-to-grid technology, known as V2G, allows electric vehicles to store power and provide [...]

DETROIT: U.S. auto sales for Ford Motor and South Korea's Hyundai Motor rose in May, the companies reported on Tuesday, as concerns over potential tariff- related price hikes prompted buyers to act fast on their purchases of cars and SUVs. U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policies have fueled uncertainty across the auto industry, driving up supply [...]

NEW DELHI: Hyundai Motor sold its entire stake in Ola Electric, while rival South Korean carmaker Kia trimmed its holding, in a combined share sale worth 6.89 billion rupees (US$80 million), according to exchange data. Hyundai, which held a 2.47% stake in the company, sold shares at a price of 50.70 rupees, while Kia offloaded [...]

LONDON: The enhanced 2026 Kia Sportage offers an electrified lineup including a diesel-powered mild hybrid (MHEV), petrol hybrid (HEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV). Powertrain options also include a 1.6-litre turbo petrol direct injection (T-GDI) with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission (7-DCT). Its Opposites United design offers a shortened European wheelbase, while the new front and [...]

AFFALTERBACH, Germany: The Manufaktur Arctic Silver edition can be ordered now in all Mercedes-AMG GLE and GLS versions, limited to 450 units worldwide. With the new Manufaktur high-tech silver magno finish, an AMG and edition-specific matte finish is available for the first time, with black and red accents delivering attractive contrasts. There are wheels in [...]

BERLIN: Established Western carmakers, including Germany's auto giants, are falling dangerously behind fast-moving Asian competitors, with some potentially facing questions over their long-term viability, according to consultancy EY. Carmakers face a crisis that EY expects to intensify this year and for some legacy manufacturers, their entire business model is at stake, said EY automotive expert [...]

ROME: Nissan has contributed to a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) for Aeroporti di Romas (ADR) Fiumicino Airport Italys largest international transport hub. The Japanese automaker supplied 84 second-life Nissan LEAF EV (electric vehicle) batteries totalling 2.1 MWh of energy storage to system integrator Loccioni, which is responsible foradaptingthem for Enels Energy [...]

Scorpion ADX 2. KUALA LUMPUR: Qbee Group is now the official and exclusive importer and distributor of Scorpion helmets in Malaysia. The role was previously held by Motoworld Malaysia. With this new addition, Qbee Group further cements its position as the largest motorcycle helmet importer and distributor in the country. The group already handles a [...]

CAMBIANO, Italy: The Battista Novantacinque is a one-of-a-kind hyper GT crafted to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the legendary Italian design house, Pininfarina. This bespoke model was recently presented at the Mauto in Turin the birthplace of Pininfarina. Its rarity is underscored by its singular commission and the conclusion of Battista production at the [...]

KLUANG, Johor: The new Nissan showroom in Kluang, Johor reflects Edaran Tan Chong Motor's (ETCM) commitment to increasing accessibility to the Japanese marque. The new showroom spans 6,400 sq ft and prominently features Nissans bold new logo, embodying the brands refreshed corporate identity. The facility offers a welcoming environment for vehicle viewing and consultations, and [...]

PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Transport has instructed Prasarana Malaysia Bhd to install passenger platform doors or platform screen doors at all Light Rail Transit (LRT) stations as part of efforts to enhance passenger safety. Its minister, Anthony Loke, said that he has instructed Prasarana Malaysia to install such doors at all LRT stations, especially those [...]

PUTRAJAYA: Full enforcement of the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) scheme for foreign-registered vehicles entering Malaysia from Singapore by land will start on July 1, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke. Loke said that a RM300 summons would be issued to foreign vehicle owners who have not registered or activated their VEP by this date. "We began [...]

CAIRO: Volkswagen AG is considering producing cars in Egypt, part of plans to tap new African markets as it grapples with weaker demand at home. "We are very interested in Egypt as a production hub and hopefully we can announce a business case anytime soon," Volkswagen Group Africa's managing director, Martina Biene, said in an [...]

A labourer working at a site of a rare earth metals mine at Nancheng county, Jiangxi province in March, 2012. Reuters BEIJING/NEW DELHI: Diplomats, automakers and other executives from India, Japan and Europe were urgently seeking meetings with Beijing officials to push for faster approval of rare earth magnet exports, sources said, as shortages [...]

BEIJING: Xiaomi Corp. founder Lei Jun expects its year-old EV business to turn profitable in the second half, a milestone for the billionaire's US$10 billion (RM43bil) endeavour in a cut-throat market. Lei delivered his forecast during a Tuesday investor event without specifying the type of profit. His company has enjoyed strong sales of its SU7 [...]

ROME: It measures just 3.17 metres in length, weighs a light 1,025kg and has a payload of up to 540kg. Fiat has revealed one of its smallest electric vehicles with the Tris three-wheeled pick-up truck. Under the bonnet, there is a tiny 6.9kWh lithium battery pack and electric motor, which Fiat claims will last for [...]

LOS ANGELES: Some senior Tesla executives were alarmed last year when Elon Musk denied a Reuters report that the company had killed a planned all-new $25,000 EV that investors had expected to drive explosive vehicle sales growth, according to people familiar with the matter. "Reuters is lying," Musk had posted on X, minutes after the [...]

NEW DELHI: India is rolling out a new flagship electric vehicle policy that aims to lure global automakers into making cars locally. It knows Tesla Inc. may still not bite. The Narendra Modi-led government will soon start accepting applications under the EV incentive program that was unveiled in March last year, HD Kumaraswamy, India's heavy [...]

KUALA LUMPUR: The complacent attitude of motorcyclists towards tyre safety, whether in terms of tread condition, air pressure, or wear level, could significantly increase the risk of road accidents. Universiti Putra Malaysia's Head of Road Safety Research Centre, Associate Professor Dr Law Teik Hua, said public awareness on tyre safety remains low, with many unaware [...]

HELSINKI: Harvia Plc and Toyota Motor Corp have teamed up to produce a concept model for what is believed to be the world's first hydrogen-powered sauna. Harvia is one of the leading companies operating in the sauna and spa market globally. In a statement, Toyota said the collaboration represents a step toward a more sustainable [...]

LONDON: With just 50 cars being built, the 750S Le Mans is set to be one of the most sought-after McLaren series production supercars. McLaren Automotive celebrates the 30th anniversary of its winning debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans completing a unique Triple Crown achievement - and McLarens return to the top [...]

INGOLSTADT: Audi Sport is collaborating with partners to explore the future of the picking process in automotive manufacturing using a new approach. The manual picking process in automotive production involves the targeted retrieval and collection of vehicle components from various logistics containers in an area known as the supermarket to supply the assembly line. Audi [...]

OSLO: Tesla's car sales fell sharply in several European markets including Sweden and Portugal in May, a fifth consecutive monthly decline that has been blamed on CEO Elon Musk's political activities and an outdated model lineup. However, Norway, where Tesla has started delivering revamped versions of its midsize SUV Model Y, provided a lone bright [...]

LONDON: Collecting Cars has sold its 1,000th Ferrari via online auction, marking a major milestone for the platform. The 1,000th car sold was a bespoke Ferrari FF, commissioned by Ferrari Chairman John Elkann, with a discerning specification including cloth seats. Demonstrating that online auctions are now the trusted route for selling the worlds most desirable [...]

LONDON: The Toyota Aygo and Suzuki Swift are ranked as the most reliable used superminis or subcompacts in the United Kingdom (UK). Leading UK used car warranty provider Warrantywise said the rankings were based on data from 2022-25. With subcompacts continuing to dominate the UKs used car market, Warrantywise has revealed which models are the [...]