Weekly wrap-up: BYD Seal 6 launched, GWM Wey G9 MPV previewed, New Chery Tiggo 7, Tiggo 8 PHEVs bookings open, and more

The past week was a bit of excitement for the Malaysian automotive industry as the BYD SEAL 6 EV made its international debut in Malaysia with an attractive price tag of RM 100k. Adding to the buzz, GWM previewed the Wey G9 MPV, while bookings opened for the new Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV, Tiggo 8 PHEV, all-new Subaru Forester, and the facelifted Xpeng G6.

In the meantime, the global market also enjoyed a bunch of debuts along with snippets of the upcoming models. Here, we bring a quick recap of all the top auto news that stole the spotlight during the week.

Malaysia automotive market: Key updates

BYD Seal 6 EV launched in Malaysia at RM 100k

BYD Sime Motor has rolled out a brand new EV in Malaysia, called the Seal 6. Positioned beneath the Seal in the brand’s local lineup, the Seal 6 is a C-segment sedan, comparable in size to the Honda Civic. It is offered in two versions - Dynamic and Premium, priced at RM 100,000 and RM 115,800, respectively. Despite having a similar name, the Seal 6 is absolutely different from the Seal (a D-segment fastback); the EV made its international debut here in Malaysia and focuses on affordability, comfort, and practicality. 

GWM Wey G9 MPV previewed in Malaysia

Great Wall Motors Malaysia is set to introduce a new premium plug-in hybrid MPV soon, called the WEY G9. The automaker gave us a detailed preview of the upcoming model this week, showcasing its bold styling, luxury-focused interior, and the advanced Hi4 plug-in hybrid drivetrain (combining a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine with dual electric motors) ahead of its official launch. The GWM Wey G9 will be locally assembled in Malaysia, with pricing expected to come in below RM 300,000; it will rival the likes of the Toyota Alphard and Vellfire.

2025 Subaru Forester bookings open in Malaysia

Subaru has started accepting orders for the all-new sixth-gen Forester in Malaysia, expected to launch later this year. The Japanese automaker held an exclusive preview session of the upgraded SUV at the Subaru Petaling Jaya outlet last weekend, giving potential buyers an early look at the upcoming model. Globally revealed in November 2023, the sixth-gen Forester underpins an enhanced Subaru Global Platform and boasts a bolder and boxier appearance. The Malaysia-spec model is expected to come with a 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder boxer petrol engine, generating 185 PS of maximum power and 247 Nm of peak torque. 

2025 Xpeng G6 facelift launching in Malaysia on Oct 1

Xpeng Malaysia is set to bring a significant upgrade for its striking EV, the G6, in the country. Bookings for the Xpeng G6 facelift are now underway, with the official launch slated for October 1, 2025. The new Xpeng G6 will be offered in three new variants - RWD Long Range Pro, AWD Performance, and AWD Black Edition. As seen in Thailand and Indonesia, the upgraded G6 will feature significant cosmetic updates, additional features, more powerful drivetrain options, and “ultra-fast” charging capabilities.

New Chery Tiggo 7, Tiggo 8 PHEVs bookings open in Malaysia

Chery Malaysia is finally ready to launch the PHEV versions of its striking SUVs, the Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8, powered by Super Hybrid system (CSH). Introduced earlier this year, the said platform combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged Dedicated Hybrid engine and a high-efficiency e-motor, delivering 347 PS and 525 Nm. It offers up to 44.5% thermal efficiency, a pure electric range of over 90 km, and a combined driving range of up to 1,200 km. Visually, the PHEVs will distinguish themselves from the non-hybrid models with a few elements; as far as pricing is concerned, a higher price is expected.

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia welcomes Takashi Sakamaki as new CEO

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia, the official distributor of Mitsubishi vehicles in Malaysia, has appointed Takashi Sakamaki as its new Chief Executive Officer. He succeeds Shinya Ikeda, who has led the company since October 2021. With over 20 years of international experience in the industry, Sakamaki has expertise in business strategy, export operations, and market development across key countries, including China, Indonesia, and Mexico. He has held several senior positions at Mitsubishi Corporation, contributing significantly to the company’s global growth.

Tesla Malaysia achieves 10,000 sales milestone

Tesla achieved a significant sales milestone this week in Malaysia by delivering its 10,000th electric car. To commemorate this achievement, the American EV giant has announced the “Tesla 10,000 Delivery Week” from now until Sept 30, offering new Tesla owners a unique handover experience filled with rewards, activities, and memorable moments. The event will be held across the automaker’s major outlets, including the Cyberjaya Experience Centre, Johor Service Centre, and Penang Service Centre. 

Proton X50 theme song gets Chinese version

Proton released the Chinese (Mandarin) version of the X50 theme song - “Ready, Set, Roar” this week to connect better with the large Chinese-speaking community in the country. The Mandarin version, sung by Malaysian artist Suki Low, is now available on Spotify, YouTube Music, and Apple Music. The original version, released in July, was composed in Bahasa Melayu and English, with popular singing group De Fam providing the vocals.

Charge+ and XPENG to build ultra-fast EV supercharging network

XPENG Motors has teamed up with Charge+ (one of Southeast Asia’s biggest EV charging operators) to build a cross-border network of high-powered supercharging hubs across the region. Under this collaboration, at least 20 Direct Current (DC) supercharging stations will be installed in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, delivering charging speeds of up to 480 kW DC. The first four sites include Royal Square Novena and Downtown East in Singapore, KL Eco City in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and One Bangkok in Thailand.

Global automotive market: Key international launches and updates

Volvo EX90 gets an update for 2026

Volvo’s flagship electric SUV, the EX90, received a significant round of tweaks this week. The SUV benefits from upgraded hardware and software, including a brand-new 800-volt electric system, more computing power under the hood, and additional safety features, ensuring peace of mind. Thanks to these updates, the EV can now support DC fast-charging at speeds of up to 350 kW that add up to 250 km of range in just 10 minutes. Another notable highlight is the Emergency Stop Assist that brings the vehicle to a halt if the driver becomes unresponsive.

2025 GWM Tank 400 PHEV debuts in China

The all-new 2025 GWM Tank 400 has made its official debut in the Chinese market ahead of the official launch. Slotted between the Tank 300 and Tank 500, the new Tank 400 boasts a refreshed design with large bumpers, chunky wheel arches and aggressive design elements. The Chinese-spec Tank 400 comes in two plug-in hybrid drivetrain options - Hi4-Z and Hi4-T, mated to a 59.05 kWh or 37.1 kWh ternary lithium pack. The off-road SUV has a thoughtfully laid out cabin equipped with premium materials and advanced technology, including the brand’s third-generation Coffee Pilot Ultra ADAS pack backed by a roof-mounted lidar.

Ora 5 debuts as the brand’s first electric SUV

Great Wall Motor’s sub-brand Ora also unveiled its new compact all-electric SUV this week, named Ora 5. It is the brand’s first mass-production SUV, featuring Ora’s signature “Cat Family” design language. The Ora 5 is equipped with an electric motor, delivering a maximum output of 150 kW. Feeding the motor is an LFP battery pack supplied by SVOLT, though the battery capacity and range figures have yet to be disclosed. The new Ora 5 will compete against the BYD Yuan Plus and Geely Galaxy E5  in China’s growing compact electric SUV segment.

Leapmotor B10 EV launching in Thailand next month

Stellantis-backed Leapmotor launched the B10 electric SUV in China earlier this year, which became an instant hit by securing over 15,000 bookings within an hour. This popular EV is now set to make its way to Thailand on October 10, 2025 in a CBU form imported from China. It will be offered in three variants -  Life 56.2 kWh, Style 67.1 kWh and Design 67.1 kWh, with a starting price of THB 6xx,000. The Leapmotor B10 is also earmarked for Malaysia; however, unlike Thailand, here the EV will be offered as a locally assembled model.

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

Also read: 5 things to know about the upcoming Suzuki Fronx