DETROIT: General Motors has spent billions over decades trying to blaze an electric trail, releasing pioneering EVs and hybrids that ultimately failed to achieve mass-market sales before being scrapped. This time might be different. Last year, the U.S. auto-sales leader boosted electric vehicle sales and seized market share from the likes of Tesla despite slowing [...]

STOCKHOLM: Swedish auto supplier Autoliv has sold its Russian business to local automotive group Avtodom, which has already snapped up German carmaker Mercedes-Benzs former plant in the country, Russian corporate records showed on Friday. Autoliv said the transaction had now been finalised, declining to disclose the price. More than a thousand Western companies have exited [...]

DETROIT: President Donald Trumps trade wars threaten to claim a casualty on the home front: the American auto industry. If the president goes ahead with 25% taxes on imports from Canada and Mexico on Tuesday, he will disrupt more than $300 billion in annual U.S. automotive trade with its two neighbors, wreck supply chains that [...]

BRUSSELS: The European Commission will present measures next week meant to boost demand for electric vehicles (EVs)in the European Union, and envisages local content requirements for car battery production, according to a draft of the proposals. The EU executive will publish its automotive action plan on March 5 to help ensure EU car producers can [...]

KUALA LUMPUR: Volvo Car Malaysia will launch two new 90 flagship seven-seater sports utility vehicle models this year. The launch dates for both the EX90 and XC90 will be announced via the brand???s website. The all-electric EX90 was first announced in 2022 and is designed to be the safest Volvo ever made with active safety [...]

INGOLSTADT: The Audi A6 Avant will celebrate its world premiere on March 4. Almost five decades after the debut of the Audi 100 Avant, the new generation of the A6 will be launched, representing first-class travel in the premium full-size segment. A recent Carscoops article said leaked videos circulating online suggest the new A6 will [...]

MUNICH: BMW Group Plant Munich is gearing up to launch the Neue Klasse in summer 2026. During ongoing series operation, three new production halls are currently being built for the body shop, assembly and associated production logistics. ???For the production start of the Neue Klasse, we will have a state-of-the-art plant in Munich that is [...]

TARRAGONA, Spain: Kia Corp has unveiled its EV4 model at the brand???s 2025 Kia EV Day in Tarragona, Spain. The EV4 is an athletic all-rounder that represents Kia???s first electrified sedan (four-door) and hatchback (five-door). The Kia EV4 redefines the C-segment and comes in both sedan and hatchback body styles. Kia president and CEO Ho [...]

TARRAGONA, Spain: Kia Corp has unveiled its Concept EV2 at the brand???s 2025 Kia EV Day in Tarragona, Spain. The Concept EV2 previews an upcoming all-electric B-segment SUV production model. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTpfbp6ljMI The SUV features advanced connected technology, spacious multi-configurable interior, and innovative rear-hinged back doors. ???The Kia Concept EV2 represents a bold step forward for [...]

GUANGZHOU: Chinese automaker Xpeng has taken a major step in its international expansion by shipping 300 right-hand drive X9 MPVs to Thailand. The delivery marks Xpeng???s entry into new Southeast Asian markets. At the same time, Xpeng would also be using Southeast Asia in 2025 as the launchpad to deploy an ultra-fast charging network globally. [...]

SEOUL/TARRAGONA: Kia is teaming up with Samsung Electronics to integrate next-generation Internet of Things solutions into its Platform Beyond Vehicles (PBVs). The deal was formalised at Kia???s 2025 EV Day event on Feb 27 in Tarragona, Spain, where representatives from both companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement sees Kia adopt Samsung???s SmartThings Pro [...]

PETALING JAYA: Heightened competition has softened the outlook at Bermaz Auto Bhd (BAuto), one of the more prominent non-national car distributors and assemblers in the country. Investors have progressively priced these subdued expectations into BAuto???s stock since late last year, which declined 45.9% over the last 12 months. Competition is strong in the RM130,000 to [...]

The crowd of protesters at Teslas New York store on Saturday. ??? Reuters NEW YORK: Nine people were arrested during a raucous demonstration outside a New York City Tesla dealership on Saturday, protesting owner Elon Musks role in sweeping cuts to the federal workforce at the behest of President Donald Trump. The protest, which police [...]

SUBANG JAYA: Proton has unveiled its Buka Lembaran Baharu promotion with Duit Raya cash rebates worth up to RM10,000. The promotion is also supplemented by overtrade support packages from its used car division at participating outlets. For the Proton X50 sports utility vehicle (SUV), buyers will receive a rebate of up to RM9,000, and trade-in [...]

BANGKOK, Feb 27 (Reuters) Thailand is in early discussions with car makers to introduce a car trade-in and scrapping scheme in a bid to revive an industry hit by its biggest crisis in decades, three industry officials and two sources said. Output in the Southeast Asian automobile hub, besieged by a flood of new [...]

MIAMI, Florida: This month, as car enthusiasts converge on Florida for two weeks, theyll find 14 Porsches with estimates straddling the $1 million mark-two more than the dozen Ferraris with the same distinction and far more than any other brand among the 405 total lots being offered across three auction houses. Million-dollar Porsches are creeping [...]

LONDON: A new ultra-compact Dacia electric model will join the firm???s ranks in the next two years. Made in Europe, the new A-segment EV will be developed in 16 months and will be sold at less than ???18,000. Confirmed in a Renault Group results conference, the new vehicle is likely to sit on the same [...]

LONDON: Drivers tend to be wary of the dangers of icy roads and foggy conditions but wind? How often are you likely to consider the risks of sudden gusts before setting off in the car? When severe winds have been forecast, there are indeed several factors drivers should be considering. Before anything, consider whether [...]

The e:N1 was on display at the Honda media gathering this evening. SHAH ALAM: Honda Malaysia targets to sell 83,000 cars in 2025, aiming to strengthen its market presence with a projected market share of 10.6%. This target is driven by the company???s strategic business direction for the year, which involves the introduction of three [...]

TOKYO: Toyota Motor said on Friday it plans to pay more for the domestic components so that suppliers can raise wages which in turn will help it maintain a stable supply base. Japans policymakers have said they want to see small firms join larger companies in offering big pay increases in this years annual wage [...]

BRUSSELS: More than 500 doctors have called on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to uphold the planned 2035 phase-out of combustion engines, warning of serious health risks if the policy is weakened. In an open letter seen by dpa, the doctors criticized efforts to soften carbon dioxide (CO2) emission limits, arguing that delaying [...]

KUCHING: Peugeot Malaysia is expanding its reach in Sarawak with the launch of its first 3S centre here. Operated by Heng Lian Enterprise, the outlet is strategically located in the heart of Kuching City Centre. Spanning 4,200sq ft, Peugeot Kuching promises a comprehensive range of services to both new and existing Peugot owners, reinforcing the [...]

Photos: ART CHEN/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: The Jaecoo J7 PHEV (plug-in hybrid) sport utility vehicle (SUV) has been launched at RM158,800 on-the-road without insurance. It comes with a seven-year/150,000km warranty for the engine and eight-year/160,000km warranty on its battery, power motor and power motor controller unit. The eight-year warranty provides a one-to-one exchange when the [...]

Lei Jun unveiling the SU7 Ultra in Beijing on Oct 29, 2024. ??? Reuters BEIJING: Xiaomi on Thursday slashed its initial sticker price for its luxury electric sedan SU7 Ultra by over a third to 529,900 yuan (RM326,000), mounting a bigger challenge to the likes of Tesla and Porsche in the worlds largest auto market. [...]

HAMBURG: Motorists in Germany can drive fast and furious on the large stretches of the highway, which have no fixed speed limit. And yet it seems the majority of them prefer to stay in the slow lane. In most countries, cars have theoretical top speeds well in excess of legal limits, but in Germany most [...]

Photos: RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: Leading automotive player Sime Motors has introduced EV Next, Malaysia???s first used electric vehicles (EV) dealership. In a statement, the company said EV Next offers customers a wide selection of used EVs with attractive trade-in values. Sime Motors managing director Andrew Basham said, ???We are proud to introduce [...]

GOTHENBURG: Volvos new 800V technology makes its debut in its latest all-electric model,?? the upcoming ES90. Volvo said the ES90 can add 300km of range in just 10 minutes at 350kW fast-charging stations and offers a driving range of up to 700km (WLTP). Volvo noted that the WLTP driving range of up to 700km translates [...]

DIEPPE??(France): To celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2025, the Alpine brand is updating its A110 range with two new models: the A110 R 70 and A110 GTS. A 770-unit limited edition A110 R 70 will be sold, marking the final production of the R versions. The A110 R 70 offers 300hp, 340Nm torque, carbon fibre [...]

LONDON: The new Atelier Edition for Bentayga offers a combination of limited-edition exclusivity, contemporary design and cosseting luxury. Complementing a package of exterior and interior features, the Atelier Edition is offered in six colour combinations. These include five Mulliner Legacy colours and feature exterior detailing finishes that are unique to this model. The new Atelier [...]

BUDAPEST: KAMManufaktur celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Porsche 912 with its most collectable model yet, the KAMM 912c full carbon 60th Edition. ???The 912 has always been my passion,??? says KAMManufaktur founder Miki K??zm??r. ???Being able to create a model that celebrates 60 years since this iconic sports car made its debut, is a [...]

Papin could become the next Nissan CEO, according to a Japanese business publication. LONDON: Nissan Motor Co. is drawing up plans to replace its chief executive officer following another dismal set of earnings and the collapse of talks to combine with Honda Motor Co., according to people familiar with the matter. Nissan directors are gauging [...]

HIROSHIMA: Mazda Motor Corporation successfully operated a cupola melting furnace at its Hiroshima plant using 100% biomass fuel, marking a global first for this type of casting facility. The trial replaced fossil fuels with bio-coal briquettes derived from coconut shells, demonstrating stable operation without CO2 emissions from combustion. The achievement is the result of Mazda???s [...]

KUALA LUMPUR: George Town in Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru are the three cities identified for the initial rollout of proposed congestion charges, the Dewan Rakyat heard. Minister in the Prime Minister???s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the proposed charges are still being studied by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research [...]

TOKYO: Toyota Motor said today its worldwide production rose for the first time in a year in January, as it ramped up output in Japan after recovering from last years certification scandal in its home market. The worlds biggest automakers global output for January increased 6% year-on-year to 781,729 vehicles, with domestic production up 22%, [...]

LONDON: The construction phase of the new landmark extension of the Rolls-Royce headquarters at Goodwood has begun, with the pouring of the first concrete foundation pads on the site, next to the marque???s existing plant. At over ??300 million (RM1.7bil), the extension project is the largest investment Rolls-Royce has made since the plant opened in [...]

Rise and shine. It was one of those days where we had to wake up early for a day-long trip to the Selangor and Pahang hinterland. The ride of choice: the new Kia Sportage. Its distributor was eager to get the press and YouTubers to try out its latest product and let them do what [...]

STUTTGART: Mercedes-Benz Group AG is developing a new combustion engine, becoming the latest automaker to slow its electric-car push in response to sluggish sales. The German company???s AMG performance division is working on a next-generation V8, changing course on a previous decision to stop developing engines running on fossil fuels. It will be accompanied by [...]

MILAN: Stellantis gave a cautious outlook for 2025 after its annual results took a hit from a slump last year in its US business that led to the ousting of Carlos Tavares as CEO. The group expects a return to revenue growth and positive cash generation this year along with steady margins. But, it warned [...]

LONDON: Britains Aston Martin will cut 5% of its workforce to save ??25 million (RM141mil), its chief executive said on Wednesday, after a sharp rise in the luxury carmakers losses and debt and as sales volumes forecast missed expectations. Shares in the company famous for being fictional secret agent James Bonds car of choice, tumbled [...]

LUSAIL, QATAR: Next weekend, British ultra-luxury performance brand Aston Martin will give the Valkyrie hypercar its debut in the opening round of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), the Qatar 1812km at Lusail International Circuit. The first ???Le Mans Hypercar??? (LMH) to be produced by Aston Martin, Valkyrie is the only car in the [...]