Q1 2024 major auto events in Malaysia - Part II

Continuing the Part I series, here are the rest of the major auto events that took place during Q1 2024. 

Without wasting any more time let’s get started -

Auto Bavaria Balakong is now open

The oldest BMW dealership established in 1997 has been relocated to Balakong. The new Auto Bavaria Balakong 4S center is one of largest of its kind in the country and the first Retail.NEXT dealership in the Klang Valley. It houses vehicles from BMW, MINI, and BMW Premium Selection. Spread over 240,057 sq. ft. area, the facility enjoys a lush facade that includes a courtyard garden, an outdoor terrace, and ‘cutting-edge’ digital sales tools along with BMW Geniuses.

New Peugeot franchise begins operation

Stellantis Malaysia is Peugeot’s new distributor in the country and it recently commenced operations on March 1.

Stellantis Malaysia managing director Jamie Francis Morais on the occasion said, “Stellantis Malaysia is an exciting start and new business chapter for us here in Malaysia. Our priorities are four-pronged – accelerating market growth, expanding product portfolio, creating new dealership opportunities nationwide, and subsequently providing improved customer experience. This includes expanding our dealer network nationwide and building a stronger presence in East Malaysia.”

Honda Malaysia Raya 2024 promo

Honda Malaysia’s ‘Lebih Meriah Rewards’ promo for March 2024 is out now and is offering up to RM8,500 off to customers. It allows buyers to pick from MY2023 cars or freshly made 2024 stock, both come with discounts, but a better deal is available with MY2023 cars. All CKD models are included, except for the recently launched CR-V.

Suzuki Malaysia brings Jimny Rainforest & Black edition

Naza Eastern Motors has introduced two special edition models for Suzuki Jimny called, the Rainforest and Black Edition. The former is painted in Jungle Green tone with camouflage graphics on both sides (camo grille, roof rack, door visors, and front and rear mudflaps). On the inside the model features a camo rear-view mirror cap, tailgate trim, and load sill plate along with brown leather-wrapped grab handles.

The Jimny Black Edition features a faux carbon fiber grille, spare tire cover, door mirror, and tailgate hinge caps. On the inside, the special edition features grab handles wrapped in black cover and bright green stitching and a free two-tone Nappa leather upholstery.

As for pricing figures, both the special edition Jimny cars are cheaper than the standard model which is priced at RM 174,900. While the Black Edition costs RM 171,900, the Rainforest retails for RM 168,900.

GWM Tank 300 previewed

GWM Malaysia recently surprised everyone by previewing the upcoming Tank 300 which is scheduled to arrive in Q3 2024. For now, we are not aware of its price, number of variants, and detailed specs; all of which are expected to be revealed at the time of launch.

2024 Ora 07 previewed

GWM Malaysia previewed its upcoming EV, the Ora 07 ahead of its launch. Also known as the Grand Cat or Lighting Cat, the EV will be offered in two trim options called, Long Range and Performance. While the base option comes with a front-mounted electric motor churning a max power of 204 PS and 340 Nm of torque. The Performance model houses a dual-motor, all-wheel drive setup offering 408 PS and 680 Nm,

The EV comes loaded with features such as oval-shaped LED lighting units, an active rear spoiler, 18- or 19-inch wheels, frameless door windows, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.

Mitsubishi Motors 3S center in Kuching relocated

The Kuching Mitsubishi Motors 3S center has been relocated to Lot 852, Section 64, Kuching Town Land District. The new facility is Mitsubishi’s largest showroom in Sarawak’s capital city. The 3S center is open from Monday to Friday between 8.30 am to 7 pm; Saturday, 8.30 am to 5.30 pm; and Sunday, 8.30 am to 5 pm.

Built over 18,000 sq. ft, the new 3S center comes with a comfortable customer lounge with WiFi, a kid’s corner, and a fully-equipped service center with nine service bays.

Volvo C40 Recharge updated for 2024 model year

Volvo Car Malaysia has given a comprehensive update to the C40 Recharge. The refreshed coupe-style electric SUV now features an enlarged battery from 78 to 82 kWh), enhanced range (up by 100 km), reconfigured powertrain layout (159 PS motor at the front and 249 PS motor at the rear), new 19-inch aero-optimized alloy wheels, new Vapour Grey paint, and matrix LED projector headlights.

Despite all the revisions, the car continues to retail for RM288,888 on the road without insurance.

New nine GAC dealerships in Peninsular Malaysia

Warisan Tan Chong Automotif, the official distributor of GAC cars in the country, has recently appointed nine new dealerships in the Peninsular Malaysia region. The list includes - Evolution Autotech Gem Utara, Ju Brothers Motor, Klinik Kereta Tampin, Kuantan Motor, Mercu Usaha Automobile Motion Beyond, Sincere Scope, and SV Auto Selection.

Penang gets Tesla Destination Chargers

Two destination charging stations have been introduced in the inland region of Penang. They are located at The Ship Campus, Batu Kawan and All Seasons Place at Lebuhraya Thean Aik in Air Itam respectively. While the former has a total of 8 AC chargers, the latter features four AC chargers.

2024 Mercedes-Benz C350e launched in Malaysia

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia lineup now includes the all-new C350e AMG Line. The new plug-in hybrid model is locally assembled in Pekan, Pahang, and retails for RM355,000 on the road without insurance. Powering the car is a 2.0 liter turbocharged inline-four petrol engine that serves up 204 PS and 320 Nm of torque. The setup also includes an e-motor that makes 129 PS and 440 Nm, which is integrated into the nine-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels.

BYD Seal EV launched

Sime Darby Beyond Auto, the official distributor of BYD cars in Malaysia, has launched the all-new Seal EV in the country. The car is offered in two variants - Premium and Performance. The former is powered by a single motor making 308 hp and 360 Nm; the latter gets a dual motor setup wherein the front motor makes 215 hp/310 NM and the rear motor puts up 308 hp/360 Nm; total output boils down to 523 hp and 670 Nm.

2024 Peugeot E-2008 facelift teased

The upcoming Peugeot E-2008 was first teased a year back and now it seems the car’s arrival is very near. The compact electric crossover has been spotted undisguised at the Gentar XPark Sunway Serene charging station by a member of the Malaysian Electric Vehicle Owners Club Facebook group.

2024 Range Rover Evoque facelift in Malaysia

Land Rover has finally launched the facelift Range Rover Evoque in Malaysia. The brand's stylish entry-level SUV is offered in a total of three variants, namely P200 Dynamic SE (M Spec), P250 version (H Spec), and P250 Dynamic HSE (Lux Spec). The three trims retail for RM 498,800, RM 529,800, and RM 565,800 respectively.

2024 Mazda CX-5 facelift arrives in Malaysia

The all-new Mazda CX-5 was launched in Malaysia recently with its price ranging from RM 144,469 - to RM 188,760. The car is offered in five trim options.

Rolls Royce Phantom Series II launched in Malaysia

The Rolls Royce Phantom Series II has finally rolled into Malaysia with an official price tag of RM 2.5 Million.

Toyota Alphard Hybrid, Vellfire Hybrid, & Camry Hybrid previewed by UMWT

At Toyota’s Beyond Zero event, the automaker showcased hybrid versions of the Alphard and Vellfire along with the Camry Hybrid sedan. The arrival of these three cars supports Malaysia’s goal of becoming a carbon-neutral nation by 2050. While the MPV duo features a 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated inline-four petrol unit along with a 5 NM electric motor. The electrified version of the D-segment sedan is powered by a 178 PS/221 Nm generating Atkinson-cycle version of the 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated inline-four petrol engine seen in the currently on sale Camry.

Tesla Model 3 Highland EV body displayed in Malaysia

Last week we all got a chance to check out the Tesla Model 3 closely, as the car was on display at the IOI City Mall till 26th Feb. The EV is primarily made up of stamped steel of various strengths which makes the car low-priced compared to cars made using aluminum castings.

2024 Subaru Forester GT Wild Lite ROI open in Malaysia

Motor Image Malaysia, has started accepting registration of interest for the new Forester GT Wild Lite SUV. Compared to other Forester variants, the GT Wild Lite comes with a distinct accessory kit.

Perodua D66B coming soon to Malaysia

The Perodua B-segment SUV, the D66B, is anticipated to launch in Malaysia by April 2024. The car will sit above the Ativa in the company’s line-up and information about it is still scarce.

Price confirmed for all-new 2024 BMW X5

Introduced in Malaysia in earlier Jan, BMW has finally announced the SUV's price tag which reads RM 528,100 (including a 5-year extended warranty and service package).

2024 BMW iX updated

BMW Malaysia has updated the iX EV with the changes consisting of a revised specs list and variant line-up. The automaker has dropped the xDrive40 and xDrive40 Sport variants, leaving us with just two options, the xDrive50 Sport and M60

GAC GS3 EMZOOM previewed and open for booking

WTCA, a subsidiary of Warisan TC Holdings, opened booking for the GAC GS3 EMZOOM. With an RM1,000 booking fee, the first 100 bookings will get an invitation to a special event by the automaker. The car is offered in two trims, namely Exclusive and Premium-R which are likely to be priced below RM130,000. Powering the car is a 3rd Generation 1.5T GDI engine, producing 177PS at 5500 rpm and 270 Nm at 1,400 rpm.

MG is back in Malaysia

The iconic British brand, MG, re-enters the Malaysian auto market, it now revs under China's SAIC Motor. The automaker is gearing up to drop some electric cars in the country.

2023 Mazda CX-5 facelift launched

The official distributor of Mazda cars in Malaysia, Bermaz Motor has launched the revamped Mazda CX-5 in the local market. For 2024, the CX-5 gets fresh design highlights, tech upgrades, and several new features. The 2024 facelift Mazda CX-5 ranges from RM 144,469 - RM 188,760.

Color update for Modenas Kawasaki Z900 and Ninja ZX25R SE

Edaran Modenas Sdn Bhd (EMOS), the wholly-owned subsidiary of Modenas Bikes in Malaysia, has introduced fresh color schemes and new graphics for the Kawasaki Z900 and Ninja ZX25R SE. While the 2024 Kawasaki Z900 SE is available in a new Metallic Spark Black/Metallic Matte Dark Gray paintwork, the Z900 ABS is offered in a new Candy Persimmon Red/Ebony combination. The 2024 Ninja ZX25-R SE, on the other hand, comes in a new Metallic Phantom Silver X Ebony tone with subtle blue accents.

2024 VW Golf GTI facelift launched

Malaysia now gets an enhanced version of the popular Golf GTI. The car now features several luxurious features like a Harman Kardon audio system and a state-of-the-art Head-up Display, thus enriching the overall driving experience.

Peugeot Malaysia teases e-2008

One of the exciting launches on the horizon for the Malaysian market is the Peugeot e-2008. They even pooped on Peugeot’s social media page. Once launched, it will be positioned as an entry-level electric crossover with an affordable price point.

New Kawasaki 4S center opens in Kuching

Edaran Modenas Sdn Bhd (EMOS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Modenas, has recently inaugurated its third flagship 4S center, Kawasaki Kuching, in Kuching, Sarawak. Operated by Ghee Hua Co Sdn Bhd, one of the brand's longest and most significant authorized dealers in the region, the center offers an extensive collection of Kawasaki bikes.

2024 Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 facelift launched

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia officially launched the new 2024 GLA. The updated model will be available in a sole GLA 200 version for the time being. It will be locally assembled in Pekan, Pahang, and is priced at RM 258,888 on the road, without insurance – an RM4k hike over the outgoing model.

Limited Edition Mitsubishi Triton AT Premium unveiled

Priced at RM 135,900, the limited-edition Triton AT Premium is all about the sporty vibe. It's available exclusively in a sleek White Diamond color that's sure to turn heads. Powering it is a 2.4-litre MIVEC turbo diesel engine making 180 PS and 430 Nm of torque.

2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron launched

The more performance-oriented 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron has arrived in Malaysia. It is offered in two body styles, the SQ8 e-tron, and the SQ8 Sportback e-tron with prices starting from RM533,790, OTR, inclusive of the Audi Assurance Package (AAP).

2024 Yamaha Y16ZR launched

Hong Leong Yamaha Motor introduced the all-new 2024 Y16ZR. Touted as the most advanced sports moped in Malaysia, the new Yamaha Y16ZR benefits from a few cosmetic tweaks, new bold colors, and an improved braking system.

WMoto Malaysia launches two new models in Malaysia

WMoto Malaysia has added two new models to its local lineup - the RT1 and the SM125i, thus providing customers with an extended range of budget-friendly options. The all-new WMoto RT1 hails from the popular 150-cc scooter category and is priced at RM 9,888. The WMoto SM125i, on the other hand, is an affordable underbone motorbike that carries a price tag of RM 5,888.

Overall, Q1 2024 added a lot of value to the Malaysian auto industry with a bunch of new and updated models, new dealerships, promos, and whatnot. We hope the same from the Q2 as well.

Also Read: 2024 SYM Maxsym TL508 maxi-scooter launched in Malaysia at RM 46,888