Weekly wrap-up: Proton e.MAS 7 leads Malaysia’s EV sales, Denza D9 previewed, Jaecoo J7 PHEV assembly kicks off, and more

The Malaysian automotive market had a slow start this week but the momentum built up later when BYD-owned Denza previewed its first EV and Jaecoo rolled out the first locally-assembled unit of the J7 PHEV. Proton e.MAS 7 also grabbed attention by clinching Malaysia's best-selling EV title. In the international market, a few big reveals and major announcements kept the show running. 

In case you missed out on the top auto news of the week, here’s a detailed recap for you.

Malaysia automotive market: Key updates

Denza D9 debuts in Malaysia

BYD’s premium sub-brand, Denza made its local debut this week with the preview of its electric MPV, called the D9. Set to rival the likes of the Zeekr 009, the Denza D9 will be in two pure electric forms locally - FWD and AWD, both powered by a 103.36-kWh Blade LFP battery pack, offering a WLTP-claimed driving range of up to 520 km. The D9 features a distinctive design with π(Pi)-Motion aesthetic and a spacious seven-seater cabin loaded with a bag full of creature comforts. While the EV is expected to launch in Malaysia in Q1 2025, no information is yet available on the price point.

Proton e.MAS 7 leads Malaysia’s EV sales

Launched in December 2024, Proton’s first-ever EV, the e.MAS 7 has become Malaysia's favourite electric car in just two months. In the month of January. Proton EV led the national EV sales with a total of 421 units sold. The e.MAS 7 is followed by BYD Sealion 7 with 151 units, and BYD M6 with 136 units. Factors like affordable price tag, brand legacy, amazing pack of features, and enticing launch package, help the Proton EV to woo Malaysian consumers.

Jaecoo J7 PHEV local assembly begins

Jaecoo Malaysia is geared up to expand its lineup in Malaysia with the launch of the J7 PHEV later this month. Ahead of that, the first locally assembled unit of the plug-in hybrid SUV has been rolled off the production line at the brand’s Shah Alam facility. The vehicle is powered by a super hybrid system, comprising the fifth-gen 1.5TGDI dedicated hybrid engine, an 18.3kW battery pack, and a continuously variable dedicated hybrid transmission. It promises to offer a driving range of 1,200 km on a single tank and charge and 106 km on an all-electric mode.

2025 BMW 530i M Sport, MINI Countryman S ALL4 CKD pricing revealed

BMW Group Malaysia has announced pricing of the all-new BMW 530i M Sport CKD and  Countryman S ALL4 CKD. Priced at RM 399,800, the BMW 530i M Sport CKD can be purchased via Easy Drive Financing Plan with monthly installments starting from RM 4,178 (80% loan, 5-year tenure, 20,000 km/year) or Straight-Line Financing Plan with monthly installments from RM 4,442 (80% loan, 7-year tenure). The locally-assembled Countryman, on the other hand, can be yours by paying RM 258,888. With the Easy Drive Financing plan, the monthly installments start from RM2,338 (75% loan, 5-year tenure, 100,000 km).

Proton e.MAS opens new showrooms in East Malaysia

Proton’s new energy vehicle subsidiary, Pro-Net, has expanded its footprint in East Malaysia with the opening of four new showrooms; two in Sabah and another two in Sarawak. In Sabah, the new facilities are located in Kota Kinabalu and managed by Harapan Maju Sabah and Fook Loi Eurocar, respectively. In Sarawak, we can find Pro-Net facilities in Kuching, which are operated by Melinau EV and Ghee Hua Co., respectively.

First shipment arrives at Stellantis Malaysia parts hub

The world’s fourth-largest automaker and a leading mobility solutions provider, Stellantis, has received the first stock delivery at its India & Asia Pacific Regional Parts Hub in Malaysia. It marks the initial phase of a €10 million total shipment, with €8 million worth of stock currently in transit from North America, France, Italy, and China, comprising 35,000 SKUs. Set to be operational by Q1 2025, the Regional Parts Hub will cater to all Stellantis brands including Peugeot, Citroen, Leapmotor, Jeep, and more, supporting operations across 20 countries in the India and Asia Pacific region. 

Global automotive market: Key international launches and updates

Volvo EX30 Cross Country breaks cover

Volvo introduced the Cross Country version of the EX30 this week, called the Volvo EX30 Cross Country. This all-road electric SUV features rugged design elements, increased ground clearance, and a retuned suspension setup, enabling the vehicle to tackle rougher and muddy terrains and ankle-deep snow. It is powered by a dual motor all-wheel drive powertrain, kicking out 428 PS of maximum power and 543 Nm of peak torque. The motor is fed by a 69kWh battery pack, offering a driving range of up to 427 km. The EX30 Cross Country is now available to order in selected markets, with deliveries starting later this year. 

BYD Atto 2 launched in Europe

Positioned between the Dolphin and Atto 3, the BYD Atto 2 (known as Yuan Up in China) is now available in the European market. It is built on the e-Platform 3.0 modular architecture and targets urban buyers who want a car with a raised ride height in an affordable package. The Euro-spec BYD Atto 2 features a 174 hp/290 Nm single electric motor and a 45.12 kWh Blade Battery, enabling the EV to cruise up to 312 km on a single charge. It competes against the compact electric SUVs like the MG4, Kia EV3, and smart #1. 

Kia EV2, EV4 and PV5 EVs teased ahead of debut

Kia has recently teased not one, not two, but three all-new electric cars that are set to make their world premiere at the brand’s EV Day, slated to be held on February 27. The list includes -

• Production-spec Kia EV4: Earlier previewed as the Concept EV4 at last year’s EV Day, the EV4 is expected to be offered in hatchback and fastback body styles, as per the reports. It underpins the E-GMP platform and an 800V architecture.
• Kia PV5: It is an all-electric van featuring a neo-retro design and flexible interior layouts. Part of the brand’s electric commercial range, the PV5 is expected to debut in the production form.
• Kia Concept EV2: As the name suggests, the EV2 will be a concept vehicle. It is touted as Kia’s smallest global electric car that might share components with the India-spec Syros.

BYD introduces God’s Eye ADAS pack

The Chinese EV giant, BYD, has rolled out an all-new DiPilot pack of advanced driver-assistance features in the home market, called the “God’s Eye.” It is based on the company’s Xuanji AI architecture, which integrates DeepSeek AI, 5G, satellite networks, and multiple data chains, offering enhanced AI-assisted driving. Set to be deployed in all new BYD models for free, the BYD God’s Eye comes in three tiers - 

God’s Eye A (For group’s luxury brand Yangwang)	DiPilot 600 and three lidar units	Support navigation-on-autopilot functionality in cities and on highways
God’s Eye B (For Denza & BYD flagship models)	DiPilot 300 and lidar sensors	Support navigation-on-autopilot functionality in cities and on highways
God’s Eye A (For BYD)	DiPilot 100, 12 cameras, 5 mm-wave radars, and 12 ultrasonic sensors	Supports navigation-on-autopilot functionality on highways only

Honda-Nissan merger officially canceled

On December 23, 2024, Nissan and Honda signed a MoU to begin discussions on a potential merger, aimed at the integration of two Japanese marques and go operational by 2026. Well, after a few weeks, the Japanese news agency reported that Nissan is backing out from the deal on the grounds of not making a consensus on financial-related terms. Well, the deal is officially off the table now. The companies have issued official press notes mentioning that the merger talks are over.

VinFast VF 3 EV arrives in Indonesia

The Vietnamese EV maker VinFast launched the VF 3 at the Indonesia International Motor Show 2025, It is an all-electric mini-SUV, powered by a permanent magnet synchronous motor tuned to deliver 40 hp and 110 Nm of torque. Feeding the motor is an 18.6 kWh battery, offering a NEDC-claimed range of 215 km. This highly compact EV is priced at IDR 227.65 million (approx RM 62k) in the Indonesian market. 

That's a wrap for now. For all the latest updates on the automotive industry, stay tuned with us.

Also read: Breaking down Malaysia’s automotive trends: Top cars, brands, and EVs