Cruise Control BFM Media

Kicking things off on Cruise Control with our biggest news this week, Ali, Richard, and Daniel get into the newly announced road tax structure for zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) coming into effect in 2026. Next, with the possibility of a lemon law finally being introduced next year, we find out what it means to the country's car landscape and why we need it pronto. Then, some car launches already making waves fresh off the production lines: the Ford Ranger Stormtrak 2024 and the Peugeot 408 Hybrid.

In part two, Daniel unpacks the Chinese auto invasion in ASEAN that began in 2022 and its impact on the region, the first effects of which we're possibly seeing with the Subaru Corporation as they phase out the assembly of all Subaru vehicles in South East Asia - a move that might be the first casualty of this wave and possibly the first of many.

And to round things up, we've got a used car review! This time, it's all about the BMW 118i 2014 - the 10-year-old BMW filling up the classifieds that might surprise you.
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On Cruise Control this week, Ali and Daniel rev things up with the biggest highlights from the Malaysia Autoshow 2024: Perodua's first EV prototype in the form of the eMO-1 Myvi conversion, Neta Auto's latest offerings, and the brand new smart #3.

Next, from four wheels to two wheels, they get into the new models rolling into our showrooms from two motorcycle icons; Vespa's Sprint and Primavera, to Triumph's upgraded Scrambler 1200 X and XE, the Tiger 900, and the Daytona 660. Then, it's all about the new players in the Malaysian market hailing from China- GAC Group and BAIC Motor- and the models they're making a splash with.

Finally, if you've got your eyes on a pre-owned Renault, you're in luck. Find out why you should definitely consider a Renault Captur in this week's used car guide.

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It's double trouble on the show this week as Daniel and Ali steer us through the latest in the automotive world.

Starting things off with a couple of luxury new additions hitting our showrooms, the gorgeous, all-new Aston Martin Vantage model that's straight off the silver screen, and the elegant and athletic Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 Coupé. Then, a pick of the headlines in the auto world: Celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint in Malaysia, and the announcement of the brand new bespoke Automobili Pininfarina Battista. 

Next, it's undeniable that the influx of Chinese brands entering local markets have been shaking up the automotive scene, but it's time for pickup trucks to get the same treatment. Daniel gives us the run of the situation.

Finally, Daniel gives us a taste of what it felt like behind the wheel of the Peugeot 408 GT. Tune in to hear his review of the beautiful, new age Peugeot that conjures comparisons to a Lamborghini Urus.

Image credit: Peugeot
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This week, Daniel is back from China to regale us with the latest from the 2024 Beijing Auto Show. But first, some news from the auto world.

We get a peek at the newest cars hitting our roads: the Peugeot 408 that inspires comparisons to a Lamborghini in Malaysia and Kia's all-new big, bold, beautiful EV9. Next, switching over to two wheels, the all new lighter, more powerful Harley-Davidson Street Glide that's the size of a car, and the Triumph's new T-series roadster, the Speed 400, the UK-owned manufacturer's newest addition to their modern classic lineup. Finally, some good news for anyone vying for a Tesla: The EV leader has dropped their prices again in response to the electric car price war.

Then, Daniel shares with us everything that caught his eye at the 2024 Beijing Auto Show. Starting things off with the cars we'll be seeing on our roads soon - from the XPENG G6 SUV, an SUV to rival the Tesla, coming soon to Malaysia under Bermaz Auto, to Chinese automaker Leapmotor's C10 EV SUV that looks like a Porsche Cayenne from Stellantis Malaysia, and the new rugged SUV sub-brand from Chery, the iCAR. Then, we round things up with some EVs from the Auto Show that are possibly coming to Malaysia: the Mazda EZ-6, Yuanhang's sports car, the Y7, and Honda's e:NP2. All this and more on Cruise Control.

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Our Cruise Control trio returns this week bearing news, views and reviews of the local and regional automotive market.

First, we look at the Jaecoo J7, China's long-awaited luxury off-roader SUV, currently available in our local markets, then turn to electronics manufacturer Xiaomi, which debuted the SU7 this month, an all-electric sedan that's unfortunately already plagued with accounts of crashes and delays. We find out why we probably won't be seeing the award-winning Geely Yinhe E8 as a rebadged Proton, and dive into Alfa Romeo's first ever EV: the Milano. Finally, the launch of the iCar V23, a small compact SUV from Chery-Smartmi, a joint venture between the carmaker and a Xiaomi subsidiary.

From new releases to viral news, we investigate the troubling story of the Chery Omoda 5's failing brakes after a video of a Malaysian woman's experience with the car on our highways made its rounds on social media. And of course, sightings of the Tesla Cybertruck have already sparked stories of use and abuse in the name of online clout before it has even rolled into local showrooms.

To round up the show, in our used car review this week, we polish off and shine a spotlight on the Alfa Romeo 147 Manual as Daniel shares why you might want to take a second look at the hatchback.

Image credit: The TMPGS Journal
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This week on Cruise Control, we're talking car launches, a shocking MotoGP deal, and a gorgeous brand new Ferrari.

First up, we discuss Chinese manufacturers GAC Motors, the company behind the love-it-or-hate-it GAC EMZOOM, who have announced their partnership with CKD to assemble their vehicles in Malaysia. Then, we look at the new kid on our block, MG, whose award-winning MG4 is making a big splash as it finally enters our markets and is set to intensify the Chinese EV price war. Next, it's all about the Kia EV5 hitting our showrooms, before we round up with a lament as Volvo has announced that they've manufactured their last diesel powered XC90 in their commitment to going fully electric by 2025.

Then, Daniel brings news that might raise eyebrows of motorsports fans: F1 owners Liberty Media are nearing a $4 billion deal to buy MotoGP. We ponder what the move might mean, the impact it'll have on ticket prices, and whether we'll be seeing MotoGP get the F1 treatment. 

Finally, we hear of Daniel's escapades with the brand new Ferrari Roma Spider when he took it for a spin on the roads of Penang and through a Bazar Ramadhan, before he dives into his review of the new classic from the Italian carmaker.

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