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2025 Super GT Malaysia Festival at Sepang – UMWT, Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia as title sponsors
The upcoming 2025 Super GT Malaysia Festival will see UMW Toyota Motor and Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia present as title sponsors, as announced by event promoter and rights holder Haro Sports & Entertainment.
To be held at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit from June 26 to 28, the Malaysian round of the 2025 Autobacs Super GT racing series with the headlining GT500 and GT300 categories will be joined by the inaugural running of the GR86 Cup Malaysia, as well as the Vios Challenge one-make series – which enters the second round of Season 8 – at this event.
The upcoming round of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival that is to be part of the 2025 Super GT Malaysia Festival will showcase not just racing action on-track, but also showcases of race cars and vehicle previews, fan interaction zones, driving simulators, appearances by Toyota Gazoo Racing and brand ambassadors, along with prize giveaways and merchandise for sale.
“This partnership unites the best of Japanese GT racing with the spirit of Malaysian motorsports. It’s a spectacular celebration of speed, culture, and community,” said Haro Sports & Entertainment managing partner Fahrizal Hasan.
The upcoming event will mark the return of the Super GT series after 12 years since the Sepang International Circuit previously hosted the Japanese series from 2000 to 2013. Eight rounds are scheduled for the 2025 Super GT season, starting with the season opener at the Okayama International Circuit in Japan that has run in April.
For the GR86 Cup Malaysia category, the one-make series comprised of track-prepared Toyota GR86 racers now gains Bridgestone as the official tyre supplier; these will be the Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS.
Tickets to the Super GT race weekend can be purchased online through the official Super GT Malaysia website, with tickets starting from RM100 for K1 Grandstand, and RM250 for the Main Grandstand.
For a limited time, the early bird promotion offers tickets to the K1 Grandstand at RM80, Main Grandstand at RM200, GT Suite at RM350, and the GT Club Paddock at RM2,000. As depicted in the promotional images, there will also be the GT Live post-race concert featuring domestic and international artists.
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2026 Toyota RAV4 May 21 reveal confirmed – more teasers show rugged trim level, GR Sport variant
Having attempted to keep us guessing as to which new model it was revealing on May 21 (fat chance), Toyota has finally confirmed that it will indeed be pulling the covers off the new sixth-generation RAV4 this Wednesday. As part of the news, the Japanese giant has released a few more teasers of the car, showing some (slightly obscured) key design cues.
These images confirm that the leaked image from earlier this year was real. Visible here is Toyota’s latest “Hammerhead” front end design with C-shaped headlights, along with angular forms and squared-off wheel arches. We also finally get a glimpse of the rear end, and here we can see a full-width black bar that incorporates the taillights (made up of vertical lines), the Toyota logo and the RAV4 script.
It also appears that the RAV4 will continue to receive different looks depending on the variant. One photo shows a more rugged model with six-spoke black alloy wheels, beefy-looking roof rails and a different front bumper with a black square under the headlights.
There’s also what appears to be a look-faster GR Sport model, a first for the RAV4, featuring a large lower grille with interlocking rectangular bumper corners, similar to the facelifted GR Yaris and Corolla. This variant also looks to feature a rally-style goalpost rear wing.
We’ve already seen bits of the more rugged-looking interior, which takes elements from the Land Cruiser Prado/250. These include the steering wheel with chunky spokes, controls and airbag boss (here with the usual “T” logo rather than the “Toyota” script) and hexagonal shapes in the air vents and the strange protrusions sitting below the centre vents. There’s also a larger infotainment touchscreen and a Qi wireless charger.
The teasers confirm the veracity of this leaked image As per the latest Camry, the new RAV4 is expected to be based on an uprated version of the existing K variant of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA-K), rather than being an all-new car. This means it will likely share the same powertrains as its D-segment sedan sibling, including a 230 PS 2.5 litre hybrid and a 204 PS 2.5 litre Dynamic Force naturally-aspirated petrol engine.
The RAV4 is also rumoured to get an upgraded plug-in hybrid powertrain that boosts the pure electric range to around 130 km. A fully-electric variant could also be offered for the first time since the last Tesla-powered model in 2014.
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April 2025 Malaysian vehicle sales down 16.8% – MAA
The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) has released vehicle sales data for the month of April 2025, reporting that a total of 60,527 vehicles were delivered to customers. This represents a drop of 16.78%, or 12,203 units, from the 72,730 units sold in March (revised from the 72,704 units originally reported last month).
According to the association, the drop in numbers last month stemmed from a long Hari Raya Aidilfitri break from April 1 to 6 and was also due to the high amount of vehicle deliveries made ahead of the festive period earlier in March.
April’s numbers are however a slight 1.05% (or 627 units) improvement over the same month in 2024, where 59,900 units of passenger and commercial vehicles were sold. As for the year-to-date (YTD) figure, the first four months of 2025 has seen 248,730 vehicles sold. This is 5.44% behind the same corresponding period in 2024, when 263,050 units were delivered.
For the month of May 2025, the association said it expects sales to be higher compared to last month, with increased demand from the East Malaysian market due to Kaamatan and Gawai festive celebrations at the end of the month and a higher number of working days in May (compared to April) contributing to this. It added that market response to new models introduced earlier this year would also help push up volume in May.
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BYD e7 launched in China – budget-friendly EV sedan aimed at taxi services, up to 520 km CLTC, from RM62k
The BYD e7 has been launched in China as an affordable electric vehicle (EV) aimed fleet operators (mainly taxi service providers) and possibly younger buyers, according to CarNewsChina. Priced between 103,800 and 115,800 (about RM62k and RM69k), the e7 is offered in three variants.
All three use BYD’s Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery in either 48 kWh (CLTC-rated range of 450 km) and 57.6 kWh (520 km range) capacities. The electric motor is the same across the board: a front-mounted unit that serves up 136 PS (134 hp or 100 kW) and 180 Nm of torque for a top speed of 150 km/h.
Further powertrains are limited, with BYD stating the e7 supports DC fast charging that can get the battery charged in 0.43 (48 kWh) or 0.47 (57.6 kWh) hours – it wasn’t revealed it this is from 10/20/30% to 80%.
In terms of dimensions, the e7 measures 4,780 mm long, 1,900 mm wide, 1,515 mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,820 mm. That puts it in the same ballpark as the Seal that is 4,800 mm long, 1,875 mm wide and 1,460 mm tall, with a 2,920 mm-long wheelbase.
Other features of the e7 include a 528-litre boot, a panoramic glass roof, a 15.6-inch touchscreen with DiLink 100 infotainment, a five-inch digital instrument cluster, LED headlamps, 16-inch wheels, telematics, rear air vents and USB ports.
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Chery Omoda 5 facelift renamed Chery C5 in Australia – multilink rear suspension, 6-speed DCT now fitted
Having made its debut in Russia last year, the facelifted Chery Omoda 5 is now set to hit showrooms in Australia this month – but with a twist. Rather than spinning off the SUV into the separate Omoda & Jaecoo banner (as has already been done in a few other markets), the Chinese carmaker has gone the opposite direction Down Under, ditching the Omoda moniker and badging it as simply the Chery C5.
Beyond the (yet another) confusing rebrand, the refreshed model is exactly as we saw in Russia, sporting new arrow-shaped LED daytime running light “eyebrows” joined by a black bar (hastily Photoshopped with the Chery script in these images), body-coloured grille “pins” and an X-shaped front bumper.
There’s also a new design for the black 18-inch wheels, along with the ditching of the original model’s divisive red highlights on the bumpers, door mirrors, rocker panels, tailgate spoiler and wheels – these have now been refinished in black.
Russian-market Omoda C5 No photos of the interior, but based on images of the Russian-market car, the C5 should carry over its predecessor’s cabin – its full-width air vent design, widescreen display panel with twin 10.25-inch screens, touch-based air-con controls, stubby gear selector and bucket-style seats with integrated headrests are all expected to be carried over wholesale from the original Omoda 5.
In terms of kit, you still get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, front acoustic glass windows, an available eight-speaker Sony sound system, a sunroof, a 360-degree camera setup and a full complement of driver assists.
Russian-market Omoda C5 At launch, the sole engine option remains the 147 PS/230 Nm 1.5 litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, but the CVT has been ditched in favour of a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. There’s another mechanical change in the shape of multilink rear suspension (shared with the electric Omoda E5, now also rechristened the Chery E5), replacing the much-maligned torsion beam setup.
Bucking conventional wisdom, the switch doesn’t appear to have impacted boot space – in fact, cargo room has increased by 45 litres to 370 litres. The C5 will be priced starting at AU$29,990 (RM82,700) driveaway for the base Urban trim, rising up to AU$34,990 (RM96,500) for the top-spec Ultimate.
The reengineering of the facelifted Omoda 5/C5 explains why it has taken this long for the car to reach right-hand-drive markets. Will the new nomenclature come to Malaysia, too? It would certainly help with the streamlining of the Omoda and Jaecoo brands, as the car’s entry-level positioning is at odds with the duo’s more upmarket aspirations.
GALLERY: Omoda C5 facelift, Russian market
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ASEAN Summit 2025 – KL road closures, diversions for six highways and 25 major roads; May 23-28
Malaysia is the ASEAN chair this year and we’ll host the Asean Summit 2025, which will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) on May 26 and 27. As such, there’s a long list of highways and major roads that will be closed from May 23-28 as heads of states fly in, move around and depart. It’ll probably be like when Chinese president Xi Jinping was in town last month, but with many different convoys.
According to Bukit Aman traffic investigation and enforcement department (JSPT) director Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan, 789 traffic police officers will be on duty throughout this period, handling tasks such as VVIP motorcade escorts and traffic control.
“Our assets are already on standby, including 36 cars, 313 high-powered motorcycles, 190 normal motorcycles, and tow-trucks,” he said at a press conference today, adding that a dry run will be conducted on Wednesday and Thursday (May 21-22).
Road closures will happen between 8am and 8pm. “Routes affected include those to Kuala Lumpur city centre, KLIA, Subang Air Force base, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Istana Negara, and hotels for foreign delegates,” he said, advising the public to avoid routes involved and use public transport.
The JSPT chief also warned that commercial vehicles are prohibited from entering the city centre during peak hours and vehicles parked haphazardly will be towed away. “We hope for public cooperation to avoid blocking traffic with their parking. Otherwise, we will have to tow the vehicles,” he warned. The affected routes are:
May 23-26 – Arrival of foreign delegates: KLIA/Subang Air Force base to Lebuh KLIA, Elite Highway (KLIA to Putrajaya), NKVE (Subang to Jalan Duta), Guthrie Expressway, North-South Expressway (Sungai Buloh to KL), MEX Highway, KL-Seremban Highway, Lingkaran Putrajaya, Jalan Istana, Jalan Damansara, Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Imbi, Jalan Parlimen, Jalan Kuching.
May 26 – From hotels to KLCC (8am until arrivals are completed) and from KLCC to hotels (5.30pm until departure to hotels is completed): Junction of Jalan Ampang/Jalan P Ramlee, junction of Jalan Sultan Ismail/Jalan P Ramlee, junction of Jalan Perak/Jalan P Ramlee, junction of Jalan Perak/Jalan Pinang, junction of Jalan Stonor/Jalan Kia Peng, junction of Jalan Stonor/Persiaran KLCC.
May 27 – 8am-10.30am (from hotels to KLCC): Junction of Jalan Ampang/Jalan P Ramlee, junction of Jalan Sultan Ismail/Jalan P Ramlee, junction of Jalan Perak/Jalan P Ramlee, junction of Jalan Perak/Jalan Pinang, junction of Jalan Stonor/Jalan Kia Peng, junction of Jalan Stonor/Persiaran KLCC
May 27 – 11.45am-1pm (KLCC to Istana Negara): Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Mahameru, Jalan Sultan Abdul Halim
May 27- 1.45pm-3pm (Istana Negara-KLCC): Jalan Parlimen/Jalan Kuching, Jalan Sultan Ismail, junction of Jalan Sultan Ismail/Jalan P. Ramlee, junction of Jalan Perak/Jalan P Ramlee, junction of Jalan Perak/Jalan Pinang, junction of Jalan Stonor/Jalan Kia Peng, junction of Jalan Stonor/Persiaran KLCC.
May 28 (8am onwards, from hotels to KLIA/Subang Air Force Base): Lebuh KLIA, Elite Highway (KLIA to Putrajaya), NKVE (Subang to Jalan Duta), Guthrie Expressway, North-South Highway (Sungai Buloh to KL), MEX Highway, KL-Seremban Highway, Lingkaran Putrajaya, Jalan Istana, Jalan Damansara, Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Imbi, Jalan Parlimen.
Too much to take note of? You probably shouldn’t bother about the specific roads because it sounds like the whole of KL city centre will be affected and there will be a spillover effect too. Heed the advice and take public transport if you’re working in KL. The trains will be packed, so just rough it out for a few days. If you’re driving, expect delays.
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KL Monorail – lift upgrades at five stations complete, those at remaining six stations to be ready by end-May
Rapid Rail has announced that eight lifts at five KL Monorail stations are now fully operational after undergoing upgrades and passing safety inspections by the relevant government agencies. The rail operator said that the stations involved in the upgrading exercise were Imbi, Maharajalela and Medan Tuanku, with two lifts each, and Hang Tuah and Raja Chulan, with one lift each.
In a statement, the company said that the upgrades were being carried out to provide greater comfort and accessibility for all users, especially the elderly, persons with disabilities and families with young children or using baby strollers.
Rapid Rail added that the remaining eight lifts and one escalator at six other stations are currently undergoing final commissioning tests and the process of obtaining lifting machine permits, and are expected to be fully completed by the end of May, Bernama reports.
The project is part of a phased upgrade of all 11 monorail stations that was announced last year. In November, the transport ministry said that RM16.81 million had been allocated to carry out various improvement initiatives at all monorail stations. Besides the repair and maintenance of lifts and escalators, the upgrade exercise will also see the installation of automatic platform gates (APG) at all stations.
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2025 CFMoto 250NK Lite for Malaysia, RM9,888
For the budget conscious motorcycle rider in Malaysia, the 2025 CFMoto 2150 NK is available, with a RM9,888 price tag. Pricing excludes road tax, isurance and registration and there are four paint schemes offered – Zephyr Blue, Bordeaux Red, Nebula White and Nebula Black.
Targetted towards the daily commuter, the 250NK Lite comes with a 249 cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled power plant. Power is rated at 27.4 hp at 9,750 rpm with a maximum torque of 22 Nm at 7,500 rpm, with power going to the rear wheel via six-speed gearbox and chai final drive.
Suspension uses a 37 mm diameter telescopic front fork with 120 mm of travel and a preload-adjustable monoshock at the back with 146 mm of travel, while ground clearance is measured at 150 mm. Braking is with single hydraulic disc in front with four-piston opposed calliper, and single floating piston calliper at the rear, with two-channel ABS coming as standard.
Wheels for the 250 NK Lite are aluminium alloy, measuring 17-inches, shod with 110/70 front and 140/60 rear tyres. An LCD instrument panel shows all the information the rider needs and LED lighting is used throughout, while two USB charging ports – Type A and Type C – are provided for the rider’s electronics.
Fuel is carried in a 12.5-litre tank and weight is claimed to be 158 kg, with seat height set at 795 mm. A two-year unlimited mileage warranty is provided for the 250NK Lite against manufacturing defects.
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Polestar 6 could be made at Lotus plant in Hethel, UK
The Polestar O2 Concept (pictured) will come to life as the Polestar 6 Lotus is aiming to broaden the range of vehicles produced at its production plant in Hethel, United Kingdom and include a broader range of models from the wider Geely group, Autocar has reported. One such model that could be built at Hethel is the Polestar 6, according to the report.
“I think we could build it. There is an element of transition, because at the moment it’s just [ICE models being produced at Hethel] but we’re going to have to go on that journey,” said CEO and president of Lotus Cars Europe Matt Windle.
Windle arrives at his role as Geely merged Lotus UK, the United Kingdom-based manufacturing operation with Lotus Tech, the group’s R&D and design arm for the brand’s electric vehicles.
The Vauxhall VX220 and Tesla Roadster were previously also produced at Hethel “I think it’s better for the business. It gives us a solid link between manufacturing and commercial on sports cars but allows me to work wider across the business as well,” Windle said of the merging of Lotus UK with Lotus Tech. The new head of Lotus Cars Europe is keen to increase production at the brand’s Hethel site, which sustained a cut of 270 jobs earlier this year, according to the report.
Windle cited the example of Hethel having produced other non-Lotus models in the late-1990s and early 2000s, such as the Vauxhall VX220 and the Tesla Roadster, both based on the Lotus Elise, and this is a business model that Lotus is exploring, he said.
Separately, Lotus’ own electric sports car, the Type 135 is reportedly on hold as the carmaker is assessing potential demand for the electric sports car model. “Is the market ready for an electric sports car? I don’t really know the answer to that yet,” Windle said.
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No more China production for Jaguar Land Rover models soon – switch to Chery-based Freelander
Will the next Jaecoo J7 be also badged as a Freelander? Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is going to stop manufacturing all Jaguar- and Land Rover-branded models in China in the next year-and-a-half, switching instead to Freelander-branded vehicles underpinned by Chery’s T1X platform, reports Automotive News Europe.
The 13-year old Chery Jaguar Land Rover JV, which lost US$18.7 million (RM81 million) in the last fiscal year, has been making cars in Changshu since 2014, currently outputting the XE L, XF L, E-Pace, Range Rover Evoque and Discovery Sport. According to ANE, the Jags will stop production this September; the Land Rovers in end-2026.
Licensed to Chery last year by Land Rover, the Freelander brand will have China at its core, with Chinese engineering and Chinese tastes, but it could also go global. The first product will be a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) that shares the modular T1X platform – ironically developed with JLR’s help in 2016, ANE says – with many Tiggo, Omoda and Jaecoo SUVs, although JLR could have input in terms of design.
The end of Chinese production of JLR’s ‘house of brands‘ this may be, but bigger and more expensive models such as the Range Rover and Defender are likely to continue to be sold in China as imports.
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Geely Galaxy PHEV sedan spied in China – lower-priced model, coming to Malaysia as a Proton?
An interesting new Geely Galaxy model has cropped up, with images of a camouflaged prototype posted on Autohome. It’s a sedan that looks to be smaller than the recently-launched D-segment Starshine 8 and therefore cheaper, making a case for it to come to Malaysia as a Proton.
The as-yet-unnamed four-door looks to be a C-segment model, with features such as a full-width light bar, a six-window glasshouse and full-width taillights with central vertical segments, similar to other models in the Galaxy stable. Unlike many of its other siblings, the car does not have split headlights (the lamps are instead integrated into the light bar) and features conventional pull-type door handles rather than hidden ones, adding to its more budget-friendly nature.
Printed on the side of the car is the claim it has a total range of over 2,100 km and a fuel consumption of around 2.0 litres per 100 km even when the battery is low. This suggests that it uses Geely’s efficiency-biased EM-i powertrain, which pairs a 111 PS/136 Nm 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine with a 218 PS/262 Nm electric motor integrated into the electrified dedicated hybrid transmission (E-DHT).
The same unit fitted to the Starshine 8 is capable of up to 1,600 km, so perhaps some efficiency gains, a lower weight and/or a larger fuel tank or battery (the Starshine 8 has a 18.4 kWh CATL battery) helped this new sedan achieve those figures.
While the car is being tested in China at the moment, Proton has teased an eMas sedan before. Back in July, the company showed the silhouettes of three models – an SUV (the eMas 7), a hatchback (the recently revealed eMas 5) and a sedan with a similar side profile to the S70. Could we see the arrival of a new PHEV four-door to join the oft-rumoured Proton eMas 7 PHEV?
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Chery Omoda E5 gets huge price cut in Thailand – C5 EV SUV up to 27.8% less; now starting from RM84k
Less than a year after its launch in Thailand, the Omoda C5 EV (we know it here as the Omoda E5) has now received a price adjustment for the 2025 model year.
When the C5 EV was introduced in August 2024, it was offered in two variants. The base option was the Long Range Plus priced at 899,000 baht (about RM116k), while the top-spec option was the Long Range Ultimate at 949,000 baht (RM123k).
With the recent revision, the Long Range Plus gets renamed to the Long Range Dynamic and now retails at 649,000 baht (RM84k). As for the Long Range Ultimate, it is now known as the Long Range Max and sells for 699,000 baht (RM91k). This represents a price reduction of 250,000 baht (RM32k) across the board. The E5 here also got a substantial promo earlier this month.
Referring to the electric vehicle’s (EV) official brochure, there appears to be some changes to the C5 EV’s specifications. The front electric motor is now rated at 211 PS (208 hp or 155 kW) and 288 Nm of torque – previously 204 PS (201 hp or 150 kW) and 340 Nm – with the 61-kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery remaining unchanged.
The 0-100 km/h time of 7.2 seconds and top speed of 172 km/h are also the same as before, as is the WLTP-rated range of 430 km (505 km NEDC). No changes in terms of charging either, with the C5 EV supporting a max AC input of 9.9 kW, while DC fast charging at a peak of 80 kW gets the battery from a 30-80% state of charge in just 28 minutes. A vehicle-to-load (V2L) system will still deliver up to 3.3 kW.
The standard kit list includes automatic projector LED headlamps with LED DRLs and fog lamps, powered tailgate, auto wipers, side mirrors with defogger, remote opening windows and AC, 18-inch wheels with 215/55 profile tyres, ventilated electric front seats, dual 12.3-inch screens, synthetic leather upholstery, dual-zone auto air con with PM2.5 dust filter, auto-dimming rearview mirror, wireless charger and a head-up display.
The Max adds on sequential rear turn signals, acoustic glass for the front windows, rear privacy glass, sunroof, puddle lamps, roof rails, a V2L cable, a ‘540-degree’ surround view camera (360 with under-car view) and eight Sony speakers.
An eight-year, 200,000-km warranty covers the vehicle, drive system and EV battery, and buyers will also get five years of roadside assistance, free one-year insurance and a free wallbox charger with installation (Max only).
GALLERY: Chery Omoda E5 in Malaysia, Aqua Green
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2025 QJMotor AX200S scooter in Malaysia, RM7,988
Joining the SYM ADXTG 400 in Malaysia is the 2025 QJMotor AX200S scooter, priced at RM7,988. There are three colour schemes offered – Sand Brown, Moon Blue and Grey, and pricing does not include road tax, insurance or registration.
Motive power for the AX200S comes from a liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine displacing 175 cc. Producing 17 hp at 8,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 15.2 Nm at 6,500 rpm, power for the AX200S goes to the rear wheel via automatic CVT gearbox and belt drive.
Wheel sizing for the AX200S is identical front and rear at 14-inches, with 100/80 and 120/70 rear tyres. Braking is done with single hydraulic discs front and rear, with two-channel ABS and switchable traction control fitted as standard equipment.
Suspension uses telescopic forks in front and preload-adjustable twin shock absorbers in the rear. Inside the cockpit, the AX200S comes with a TFT-LCD screen showing all the necessary information and LED lighting is used throughout.
Riding conveniences include a smart key system with a storage compartment found under the seat large enough for a single helmet. Weight for the AX200S is listed at 127 kg with 10-litres of fuel in the tank and seat height is set at 780 mm.
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KG Mobility, formerly SsangYong, in JV with Indonesia for ‘national car and bus project’ – CKD Rexton SUV
We’ve just heard about Chery powering a ‘Thailand National EV Brand’ and now is the turn of Indonesia’s ‘National Car and & Bus Project’, and behind this venture is KG Mobility (KGM), formerly known as SsangYong.
KGM has announced that it will pursue a joint development project for a national car and electric buses with Pindad, a state-owned defense company under the Indonesian Ministry of Defense. On May 8, KGM chairman Kwak Jae-sun and Pindad CEO Sigit Santosa signed a heads of agreement for the expansion of Rexton local assembly sales, supply and business in Bandung.
“Through cooperation with Pindad, KGM will support the review of vehicle competitiveness, technology, and engineering for models such as the Rexton. Through this, the company plans to actively cooperate to expand the scale of the Indonesian national car and electric bus local production project led by Pindad to a total of 200,000 units,” the South Korean carmaker said.
This won’t be the first of the Rextons assembled in Indonesia; note the word ‘expansion’. Last year, KGM exported 1,060 Rexton knocked down (KD) units to the ASEAN country and plans to ship another 3,000 units this year.
“Musso Sports and Rexton have already been recognised for their excellence in the global market and have been supplied as official vehicles to countries such as the UK, Bulgaria, and Peru. Indonesia, in particular, is an attractive market with high growth potential as the largest automotive market in Southeast Asia. We will focus all our efforts on expanding sales volume with KGM’s differentiated product competitiveness and marketing strategy,” Kwak said.
KGM has form on this. In March, the company signed an MoU with a state-owned enterprise under the Peruvian Army for expanding the supply of official vehicles to the South American country, plus technical cooperation. This is also not Indonesia’s first stab at a national car – back in the 1990s, they had Timor, which first car was a rebadged first-generation Kia Sephia called the S515 (the bug-eyed Sephia Malaysians are familiar with is the second-gen liftback).
It has been some time since we last heard of SsangYong, so here’s a brief recap. Indian automaker Mahindra saved SsangYong from insolvency with a deal in 2010 but failed to make it healthy, and in 2020, SsangYong filed for bankruptcy. A takeover bid by bus maker Edison Motors fell through. South Korean chemical-to-steel chaebol KG Group saved the carmaker in 2022 and named it KG Mobility.
The Rexton name would be familiar to some Malaysians as it was once a relatively popular SUV here. Today’s Rexton is available with five or seven seats, powered by a 2.2-litre turbodiesel with 202 PS and 441 Nm of torque from 1,600 to 2,600 rpm. The gearbox is an eight-speed automatic, and buyers can choose from 2WD or part-time 4WD. At 4,850 mm long and 1,960 mm wide, the KGM is 20 mm longer than the Proton X90 and is 60 mm wider.
Interestingly, last month KGM signed a deal with Chery to jointly develop mid-to-large SUVs for global markets, including South Korea. Through this partnership, KGM aims to accelerate the development of a mid-to-large SUV that ‘inherits the legacy of the Rexton’. The project, codenamed SE-10, is expected to be completed by 2026. So, the next Rexton will be a reskinned Chery. All roads lead to Wuhu indeed.
GALLERY: KGM Rexton
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Geely EX5 EV trial production starts in Indonesia – mass CKD of Proton eMas 7 twin to start in Q4 2025
Trial production of the Geely EX5 has begun in Indonesia, with the first unit of the electric vehicle (EV) recently rolling off the line at the PT Handal Indonesia Motor (HIM) plant in the Purwakarta regency, according to a report by CnEVPost.
Following this milestone, mass production of the EX5 will officially start in the fourth quarter of this year, with the plant expected to have an annual production capacity of 20,000 units. Geely plans to launch between five and seven models in Indonesia over the next three years, including pure EVs, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and petrol-only (ICE) vehicles.
The Chinese automaker’s production base in Indonesia will make cars for both the local Indonesian markets as well as those in the ASEAN region. At present, there are 15 Geely dealerships across Indonesia, with the figure expected to increase to 100 locations in the next three years.
The EX5, which is the twin to the Proton eMas 7, was launched in Indonesia in January 2025 after going on sale in Thailand earlier in November last year. Two variants are offered, including the EX5 Pro that is priced at 475 million rupiah (about RM124k) and EX5 Max at 515 million rupiah (RM135k). As part of a special introductory promotion, both are available with a discount of 10 million rupiah (RM2.6k).
In terms of specifications, the EX5 is equipped with a front electric motor rated at 218 PS (215 hp or 160 kW) and 320 Nm of torque, paired with a 60.22-kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. The Pro takes 6.9 seconds to get from 0-100 km/h and offers a NEDC-rated range of up to 495 km, while the Max needs 7.1 seconds and provides up to 490 km.
