Cruise Control

Getting into gear with automotive headlines, Richard, Ali, and Daniel dive into the fresh facelift of the reliable Mitsubishi XPANDER MPV, get a taste of Mercedes' 2025 GLC350e 4MATIC PHEV and discover the rest of their EV range, and peek at Honda Malaysia's special edition of the Honda City.

Then, they ask: What exactly is a mild hybrid engine? Daniel takes us under the hood to reveal why MHEVs might be the practical solution you've been searching for to answer those electric car woes.

And finally, Daniel tells us how he's been bitten by the Volvo EX30 bug. Find out how this hothatch is delivering on all fronts in this week's car review.

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This week on Cruise Control, Ali, Richard and Daniel are here to talk about recent news in the car world, starting off with Proton’s recent partnership with Geely and the start of CKD operations in Egypt. Then comes the recent news regarding EV number plates - from the new requirements for new EVs’ registration and the introduction of EV plates. 

The recent introduction of the BYD SEAL Dynamic variant in Malaysia, which aims to compete with the Tesla Model 3 also pops up as a topic for our hosts, prompting a discussion on BYD's strategy to enhance its market presence in Malaysia. There are also updates regarding the BYD Atto 3 in terms of its specifications, design and features.

Commemorating 31 years of Perodua, our hosts talk about the different Perodua models through history, and their experiences with these cars throughout the years, from the Perodua Rusa to the Perodua Myvi and more! They wrap it up with Volvo's XC90 and the EX90; tune in to find out more about the updated XC90 plug-in hybrid, market trends, design differences and details about its future launch!

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This week in automotive headlines, it's all about EVs. Ali and Daniel get into the shocking price cuts from Tesla, Chinese battery maker Zhuhai CosMX setting up shop in Kedah, rumours of Chinese automaker Changan about to make a splash in Malaysia, and the debut of the smart #5 and when we can expect to see them on the roads.

With EVs still on the brain, they turn to the race towards a more electrified car market as China still seems to come out on top in EV sales ahead of the US and the EU as both markets have shown a decline as drivers switch to hybrids. Turns out, China's high EV numbers might be thanks to FCEVs, REVs, PHEVs, and BEVs being given the EV label. Ali and Daniel break this down.

Then, a car review! For fans of the BMW X2, BMW has taken it up a notch with the iX2 XDrive30 - a mid-sized crossover that's larger than the iX1 but smaller than the iX3 (Hello, Goldilocks). Tune in to find out everything you need to know about the compact electric SUV.

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Ali and Daniel get your favourite car show rolling this week with some news, with the Proton X70 getting a 2025 facelift already looking at some fierce competition in the form of the MG HS SUV already hitting showrooms. On the EV front, find out how XPENG are taking on the market with the G6, all about the EQS SUV, Mercedes-Benz's luxurious yet powerful seven-seater, and how Chinese automaker Dongfeng is speeding into the Malaysian market with the Box.

Then, Daniel calls on the powers to ensure Singaporean motorists with unpaid traffic summonses in Malaysia pay up! They unpack how the new Vehicle Entry Permit system coming into effect soon will help address the accumulated 35,011 outstanding traffic fines estimated to total around RM3.5 million.

Finally, a car review! Plug-in hybrid tech has evolved, and the Mercedes C-Class 350e Plug-In Hybrid is the perfect example of why it's time to get rid of the hybrid woes of yesteryear. Daniel takes us behind the wheel and under the hood.

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The Chinese auto invasion hits Cruise Control this week as Ali, Richard, and Daniel get into the biggest headlines from Chinese automakers. This week, GAC is set to make a mark in the local market with its first CKD factory in Segambut, Chery Omoda 5 earns the Prestigious ASEAN NCAP 5-star rating, and- you heard it here first- the latest EV landing on our shores is the Zeekr X from the premium Chinese automaker.

Then, an appeal from Cruise Control: Protect kids in your neighbourhood if you see them behind the wheel! They unpack the news of a 12-year-old who was charged this week after a video of him driving a car in Puchong went viral.

Finally, they drive us home with a car review! This week, it's all about the Chery Omoda E5 Electric SUV. Tune in to find out why Daniel thinks that, if you're looking for an EV, the electric version of the popular Chery Omoda might be the one for you.

Image credit: Chery

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Revving things up this week with some big news: Proton's long-awaited first electric vehicle has been announced - tune in to find out what we can expect once it launches. In other local and regional news, Daniel gives the lowdown on the X70, Proton's next big thing, gets into the rumours we've been hearing about a new Citroën SUV that's poised to make waves in the Malaysian market, and speculates why we might not see Audi's impressive new debuts, the A6 and the S6, on our roads.

In part two, Ali, Richard, and Daniel unpack Toyota's ongoing safety scandal that has seen models of the Toyota Noah, Toyota Voxy, and Suzuki Landy being recalled and sales being halted in Japan. Malaysian drivers, this is an issue you don't want to ignore.

And finally, mud-plugging fans, boy, do we have the tank for you! Daniel gives us a look behind the wheel of the GWM Tank 300 4x4 doing exactly what it was designed to do - going crazy both off-road and in the city.

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Richard, Ali, and Daniel get into some heavy hitters in local launches and regional headlines this week: Suzuki's exciting, new 5-door 4x4 version of the popular Jimny, the brand new price war-inducing Neta X EV out of Thailand, Kawasaki Motors venturing into hydrogen-powered motorbike engines in Japan and how long it'll be till we see them on our roads, Volvo sticking to producing plug-in hybrids and hybrid engines in a world moving into the EV game, and Indonesia's plan to roll out incentives for cars with hybrid engines.

Then, a look at Thailand's overstocked EV market. Daniel breaks down the domino effect of high incentives for EVs that first led to ICE factory closures and has now resulted in over 49,000 unsold EVs sitting idly in Thai dealerships. What does it mean for car buyers in Malaysia?

And of course, winding down with a used car review! The gang shows a little love for the much-forgotten 3rd-gen 2014 Nissan Sylphy. Find out why it's a secondhand car you need to check out for yourself!

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It wouldn't be Cruise Control without some automotive news to rev things up. Daniel fills Richard and Ali in on Porsche's new Taycan-shaped EV, the Macan, and the J7 from Chery sub-brand Jaecoo making their debut on our streets. In regional news, tune in to find out which brand new releases we'll be seeing in Malaysia soon: the K4, Kia's fourth-gen compact sedan, or the ID. UNYX by Volkswagen that made a splash in China this week.

In part two, the gang breaks down the reports that predict fewer than 20 major Chinese EV brands will survive the tariffs being applied on Chinese-made EV vehicles globally. Could this signal the end of the Chinese auto invasion?

Then, they throw it back to that all-important first car. With many young first-time car buyers opting for the shiny, new car that eats up paychecks, they ask: What should your first car be? Take it from Daniel - it should be used, cheap, and with zero depreciation.

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Ali, Richard, and Daniel kick things into gear with the launches of the brand new models of the smart #3, and the new EV on the block (and in the Mini family), the Mini Countryman SE All4. In Thailand, Chinese EV automaker Wuling has entered the ASEAN market with the launch of the incredibly affordable Binguo. They also check out the latest Alfa Romeo to hit European roads, the Junior Veloce EV, that could hark their potential return to Malaysia.

Then, they explore the question: "Are almost half of American EV owners switching back from Electric to ICE?" based on a recent survey that highlighted concerns among EV owners globally. The Cruise Control gang go behind the numbers and find out if this might be signalling a shift in the EV game.

And to drive us home, Daniel gives us his review of the recently launched Chery Tiggo 7 Pro that's already populating Malaysian highways in droves. We find out why Chery might have the competition beat when it comes to product, quality, price, warranty, and a commitment that says they're here to stay.

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In local headlines this week, Mercedes revealed the AMG C63 - a sports car made even more powerful with F1 technology. And from around the region, Kia's EV3 makes waves in South Korea as we anticipate its Malaysian launch, confirmation of the return of the Prelude from Honda, and it's finally official - the EU increase Chinese-made EVs with tariffs. Tune in to find out more!

In part two, with news of the World Economic Forum ranking Malaysia number 21 globally in road quality out of 144 countries - the second best in Southeast Asia and ninth in Asia, Daniel gives his two cents and reminds us why we might want to take the ranking with a pinch of salt.

Then, we cross over to the GAC GS3 EMZOOM 1.5T! Daniel gives us his glowing review of the brand new, locally-assembled crossover (Spoiler: it's comfortable, decked out, and eye-catching) and trust him - it's a car you don't want to miss.

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