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With newly hiked diesel prices being sold at the pumps with the lifting of the blanket fuel subsidy, consumers will need to fork out more to have their tanks brimmed.

We’ve compiled a list of all the current vehicles with diesel engines currently on sale in Malaysia (excluding HGVs) alongside their rated fuel tank capacities to give you a clearer idea how the diesel fuel price increase of RM1.20 from RM2.15/litre to RM3.35/litre impacts the price of a full tank of diesel.

These range from SUVs to MPVs and pick-up trucks as many other passenger car brands have since removed a diesel option from their local offering.

Alongside the lifting of a blanket subsidy for diesel fuel, which for now exempts Sabah and Sarawak, the Malaysian government has also introduced a fuel rebate for eligible Malaysians via the Budi Madani program (Budi Individu for privately owned and operated vehicles and Budi Agro-Komoditi for farmers and smallholders).

Additionally, the MySubsidi Diesel program allows for approved public vehicles and selected goods transport continue to receive diesel subsidies through a designated fleet card.

Proton has revealed e.MAS to the new nameplate in their portfolio of cars, one to be worn the by the national automaker’s first ever fully electric vehicle following public naming contest that ended on June 5th.

With a promised grand prize RM5,000 cash to be awarded to the winner, over 22,000 submissions were received since entries opened, lasting 2 weeks.

While the car itself remains under a shroud of mystery, this new model and Proton sub-brand will be parked under the purview of the Pro-Net (Proton New Energy Technology) subsidiary, currently most known for being the official distributor of Smart vehicles such as the #1 and #3, and is likely to be sold via its dealer network as well.

While not confirmed officially, it is learned that the new Proton EV will be based on the recently unveiled Geely Galaxy E5, identifiable by the car's roof rails and slim headlights in the image teaser of the naming contest.

The E5 had also been widely speculated to be the donor car. It did fit all the correct criteria, especially since it was reportedly designed with right-hand-drive markets in mind.

The E5 utilises the new Global Intelligent New Energy Architecture (GEA), which is an evolution of the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) that underpins vehicles such as the Zeekr 001, Lotus Eletre, Polestar 4, and Volvo EM90.

Larger than the X70, the Galaxy E5 is a C-segment SUV measuring 4,615mm in length, 1,901mm in width, and 1,670mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,750mm. Although specific technical details have not yet been disclosed, reports indicate that the vehicle will be powered by a single motor producing 218 PS (160 kW), allowing a top speed of 175 km/h, and paired with a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery.

This platform supports not only pure electric vehicles but also range extenders, plug-in hybrids, and methanol technologies. It is also expected to include an 800-volt electrical architecture, similar to the E8 sedan, enabling faster charging speeds.

Inside, the E5 features a widescreen digital instrument display, a large infotainment touchscreen, and an in-house developed Flyme Sound system.

China’s state-owned Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC) and its appointed Malaysian authorised distributor, Edaran Otomobil Elektrik (EOE), will be bringing the BAIC BJ30 to the local market in 2025.

Commonly referred to as the brand 'Beijing' in China, BAIC will start making waves in the country with the arrival of the BAIC BJ40 Plus as well as the BAIC X55 II, which will be locally assembled in Pegoh, Melaka.

With prices estimated to be around RM180,000 to RM190,000, they are already planning to make yet another impact in 2025 with a more affordable and fuel-efficient model, the BAIC BJ30.

The second-generation SUV, recently launched in China, comes in two different variants with a total of five model offerings - 2WD and 4WD. As fuel prices are expected to rise in the near future, the top two electrified models might just be the winners, considering they are hybrid models.

All non-hybrid variants of the Beijing BJ30 are powered by the same 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which produces 187 PS and 305 Nm of torque.

The HEV variant of the BJ30 gets its power from the same engine but tuned to produce 157 PS and 235 Nm, paired with a single electric motor on the front for the 2WD version and two electric motors for the 4WD version.

Total power output for the former peaks at 334 PS and 550 Nm, while the latter kicks it up to 409 PS and 685 Nm. Top speed is rated at 170 km/h for the HEVs and 190 km/h for the non-hybrids.

Apart from the BJ30, they are also studying the possibility of bringing in a more premium and luxury model, the BJ60 as well as the U5 for fleet use. Judging by the looks alone, the BJ60 has the potential to be a hot seller if they are able to price it right alongside the BJ40 and BJ30.

Stay tuned for more details, folks.

As you may already know, the price of diesel as of exactly 12:00 midnight last night has increased to RM3.35/litre from the government-subsidised price of RM2.15/litre previously in place since 2021, marking an increase of RM1.20 per-litre.

It’s worth noting that this price adjustment only applies, at least for now, to Peninsula Malaysia, with Sabah and Sarawak (and Labuan) spared the price increase to a later date.

The Ministry of Finance are quick to point out that, even at this elevated pricing of RM3.35/litre, diesel fuel in Malaysia is the cheapest in Southeast Asia, second only to Brunei.

Under Budi Madani, even certain diesel-powered privately owned passenger vehicles are also eligible to receive a monthly cash assistance payout to offset the increase in daily transportation costs following this rationalisation, provided certain criteria are met.

As we have previously covered, this program is split into two catergories: Budi Invididu and Budi Agri-Komoditi, the latter being for farmers, livestock breeders, and smallholders. More information on this can be found at: https://budimadani.gov.my

The Ministry of Finance has also outlined the criteria for diesel vehicles that explicitly do not qualify for subsidised diesel or a monthly cash rebate. These include:

• Vehicles privately registered for companies and organisations
• Luxury vehicles less than 10 years old (think BMWs, Mercedes-Benzes, and Audis)
• Vehicles registered for e-hailing services
• Motorcycles, caravans, motorhomes, tourist vans, and tourist buses.

Based on these preclusions, your typical Ranger or HiLux would be eligible to receive a monthly RM200 cash assistance (limited to the first 167-litres of diesel for that month). Successful applicants of the Budi Madani program approved by June 3rd shouldn’t have to wait long to receive their first payout.

Remember, those who are applying for a fuel rebate through Budi Individu or Budi Agri-Komoditi cannot be the recipient of existing fuel subsidies under SKDS 1.0 or SKDS 2.0. Should the vehicle registration number in question is found in the SKDS 1.0 or SKDS 2.0 records, these applications will be denied.

SKDS 2.0

On the other side of the coin, those operating a few or more diesel vehicles in a commercial or logistics capacity can lean on the Sistem Kawalan Diesel Subsidi (SKDS) 2.0 (or Subsidised Diesel Control System 2.0) announced by the Ministry of Finance Malaysia on May 29, 2024.

This was implemented to address issues of leakage and diesel smuggling, and to ensure that only eligible groups can benefit from subsidised diesel.

To minimise the cost increase on the transportation of goods and therefore keep impact to Malaysian consumers low, fleet cards would be issued to appropriate parties that would allow them to continue to enjoy a subsidised diesel price of RM2.15 at the pumps (SKDS 2.0).

There are 23 types of diesel vehicles eligible for subsidies. These are:

• Rigid Trucks - General Cargo
• Prime Movers
• Rigid Trucks - Refrigerated
• Rigid Trucks - Flour Tankers
• Rigid Trucks - Luton/Box
• Window Vans
• Rigid Trucks - Water Tankers
• Panel Vans
• Rigid Trucks - Bottled Beverages
• Rigid Trucks - Curtainsiders
• Catering Trucks
• Rigid Trucks - Agricultural Products
• Rigid Tanker Trucks - Beverages
• Rigid Trucks - Animal Pens
• Semi-Panel Vans
• Rigid Trucks - Combination
• Mobile Service Buses
• Rigid Trucks - Open Platform
• Mobile Service Vans
• Catering Buses
• Catering Vans
• Rigid Trucks - Mobile Services
• Rigid Garbage Trucks

SKDS (1.0)

The original SKDS (1.0), which employs a similar mechanic, has 10 vehicle types for land public transport use eligible for targeted subsidy, which remains at RM1.88/litre, and these includes:

• Express Buses
• School Buses
• Stage Buses
• Rental Cars
• Mini Buses
• Feeder Buses
• Fire Engines (NGOs)
• Ambulances (NGOs)
• Hearse Vans/Trucks
• Taxis

Over the past weekend, on June 8th specifically, Zeekr - Geely’s premium EV brand - announced it had signed a cooperation agreement with Malaysia's Sentinel Automotive Sdn. Bhd. in Kuala Lumpur, marking its official entry our local market.

Its Malaysian plans seem to be fast-tracked with the inaugural store to be opened in Kuala Lumpur in the coming months with plans to expand to other locations such as Selangor and Penang by the end of this year.

Zeekr’s Southeast Asian plans also include a heavy focus on capturing the Indonesian market as well which, alongside its nomination of a local distributor for Malaysia, has also named Indonesia's PT Premium Auto Prima.

We've tried to dig up more on Sentinel Automotive Sdn Bhd but, for now, have not turned up any strong leads as to their prior history or ties to the automotive market. More information will be forthcoming as this comes to light.

The right-hand drive (RHD) versions of the Zeekr X SUV and Zeekr 009 MPV are confirmed to be the initial flagship models to be introduced. Reportedly, the first right-hand drive Zeekr X units have rolled off the production line in China on Friday June 7th, with overseas deliveries expected to start in the third quarter of this year.

This tracks almost in lockstep with the increased sightings of undisguised units of the Zeekr X, a compact fully electric crossover related to the Volvo EX30 and smart #1, around Klang Valley. However, the larger 009 MPV, if it similarly reached our shores, has so far eluded the public eye.

Currently, Zeekr operates in more than 25 markets globally and aims to expand to over 50 international markets this year, including regions in Europe, Asia, Oceania, and Latin America.

Zeekr’s own materials surrounding this announcement describes the Southeast Asian market, with a population of 700 million, as poised to become a new battleground for automakers, and a strategic staging ground to further their plans for expansion in Australasia and the Middle East.

This year, with the X being available for pre-order in Thailand since March, Zeekr has already expressedly entered the Philippines, Laos, and Myanmar, and has begun deliveries to RHD markets like Singapore, Hong Kong, and Macau.

In May, Zeekr delivered 18,616 vehicles, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 115% and a month-on-month rise of 16%. From January to May, Zeekr's cumulative deliveries reached 67,764 vehicles, achieving 29.46% of its annual sales target of 230,000 vehicles.

By the end of May, Zeekr had opened 392 stores worldwide, built 1,076 charging stations, and launched 487 ultra-fast charging stations, totaling 2,615 ultra-fast charging piles. The number of ultra-fast charging stations is projected to rise to 1,000 in 2024 and 10,000 by 2026.

Geely’s plans also seem to be two-pronged, seeing how Proton are also confirmed to be fielding their own EV model some time in the near future. That said, how much this is a ground-up effort or one related to an existing model remains to be seen.