MAN Truck & Bus hits milestones as electric truck fleet surpasses five million kilometres in Europe

Proton’s new RM82 million EV assembly plant in Tanjung Malim marks a major milestone in Malaysia’s push to become a key regional hub for electric vehicle manufacturing and exports, with rapid production starts and strategic collaborations paving the way for future growth.Malaysia has made quite a big step forward in its plans to become a regional hub for electric vehicles (EVs), with the official opening of Proton’s very first dedicated EV assembly plant. This new facility is located within the Automotive High Tech Valley (AHTV) in Tanjung Malim, and it was recently launched by Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim. As Malaysia’s first-ever exclusive EV production plant, it definitely marks a major milestone in the evolution of the country's automotive industry and its push toward more sustainable mobility options. The project involved a hefty RM82 million investment spread over 5.57 acres, showing Proton’s strong commitment to EV manufacturing. Construction started in early 2025, and impressively, the plant was ready to operate in just about seven months. That quick turnaround really speaks to how urgent and large-scale Proton’s electrification efforts are. At the start, the plant is set up to produce around 20,000 EVs every year, but the infrastructure is designed to eventually ramp up to 45,000 units annually, to meet the increasing demand both locally and hopefully for export markets. This planned expansion aims to make Malaysia more of a key player within regional and global EV supply chains. The plant has already begun production, starting with the Proton e.MAS 7 — which is actually Malaysia’s best-selling EV ever since it was launched in December 2024. This fully electric SUV is at the heart of Proton’s move into zero-emission vehicles and benefits from a modern production line with high-tech features — including advanced chassis assembly, EV-specific electrical testing, and solid quality control measures. These were developed through a collaboration with Geely, Proton’s strategic partner. Up next for production is the Proton e.MAS 5, which targets a slightly broader market segment and is expected to be launched soon. Not only that, but the facility is also poised to assemble premium EVs from Geely’s lineup, like the Zeekr brand, which will boost Malaysia’s role as a regional export hub for innovative electric mobility solutions. During the launch event, senior government officials and industry players emphasized the importance of the plant. Perak Menteri Besar YAB Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad was there, along with ministers from Investment, Trade and Industry, Transport, and Science, Technology and Innovation. Also present were representatives from DRB-HICOM, Proton’s parent company, and Li Shufu, the chairman of Geely. It really highlighted how strategic this collaboration is. Dr. Li Chunrong, Proton’s CEO, pointed out that the plant, equipped with cutting-edge automation and staffed initially by 30 trained operators, is a core part of Malaysia’s automotive future. He also mentioned that as production scales, the plant could create over 200 new jobs — which is pretty encouraging. Supporting the development of this new plant is the plan to establish a dedicated railway logistics hub within AHTV. MoUs have been signed between the AHTV Alliance Sdn Bhd, Railway Assets Corporation (RAC), and Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM), aiming to make rail container transport a key part of the logistics chain to complement road deliveries. This move aligns nicely with the Transport Ministry’s policy to strengthen rail-based cargo movement, helping to lessen the heavy truck traffic, and making supply chains more resilient. Plus, switching to rail logistics is a step toward sustainability goals, and it should enhance the efficiency and reliability of distributing parts and finished vehicles — critical factors in EV manufacturing and export logistics, honestly. The bigger picture here is that the development of AHTV, which is designated as a high-impact project under Malaysia's 13th Malaysia Plan, is meant to turn the zone into a dynamic industrial hub for future vehicle production. Proton’s new EV plant plays a central role in realizing this vision, positioning Tanjung Malim as an important gateway within Southeast Asia’s growing electric vehicle supply network. All in all, Proton’s push, supported by Malaysian authorities, into EV manufacturing really showcases how national policies, foreign investments, and tech innovations are coming together. It’s also a clear reflection of global trends — shifting towards electrification, localizing supply chains, and improving sustainable logistics. It’s pretty interesting, right? I mean, seeing how this all fits together. Source: Noah Wire Services

Southern Company and Ford Pro have completed a six-month project demonstrating efficient EV fleet charging, while Volkswagen and Audi accelerate North American manufacturing investments to mitigate tariff impacts and boost market share amidst a changing trade landscape.Southern Company and Ford Pro have wrapped up a six-month pilot project aimed at optimizing how fleets charge their electric vehicles (EVs). By blending Ford Pro’s cutting-edge software platform with real-time data pulled from vehicles and chargers, the program showed it’s possible to cut down on energy demand—without messing with the fleet’s ability to operate smoothly. According to what they found, managed charging schedules can really help boost energy efficiency. This offers some useful insights for fleet managers who are either planning or speeding up their switch to electric vehicles. Basically, this project is a good example of how the commercial aftermarket is evolving—trying to balance sustainability goals while still meeting the strict demands of fleet operations, which, you know, can be quite rigorous. At the same time, the larger automotive aftermarket scene is going through some significant shifts, especially as tariffs become more of a concern. Volkswagen, for example, has reported that tariffs in the U.S.—which are currently at 27.5%—have hit their bottom line pretty hard. CEO Oliver Blume shared that the company’s paid several billion euros extra this year because of these tariffs, with brands like Porsche and Audi feeling the pinch the most. The lack of local U.S. manufacturing facilities in those brands has made things worse—they’ve absorbed most of the burden. This tariff burden has led to earnings pressures, with Audi taking a €600 million hit in the first half of 2025 alone and Porsche losing about €300 million during the spring months. It’s kind of a tricky situation, because Volkswagen is now weighing whether to make more investments in the U.S., including expanding manufacturing facilities—something that might get a boost with upcoming tax incentives being discussed by the government. Volkswagen’s broader plan for the U.S. aims to counteract declining sales in China and Europe. They’re aiming for some pretty bold growth targets—trying to bump their U.S. market share from around 4% up to 10% by 2030. Part of that strategy involves investing heavily, like their €4.8 billion battery plant in Ontario, Canada, which is meant to supply EVs for North America. But of course, there’s some uncertainty because tariffs could be extended to add taxes on imports from Mexico, Canada, and Europe. That could make supply chain planning quite complicated. Still, Volkswagen expects its profit margins to stay stable this year. They’re also getting ready to roll out new EV models, including an electric version of the Scout pickup truck—an important move into the U.S. market’s popular SUV and electric segments. Audi, which is part of the Volkswagen Group, is also working to deal with tariff-related issues by expanding its production facilities in North America. They’re expected to decide on exactly where to build these plants sometime this year. The idea is that increasing local manufacturing will help soften the blow from tariffs, especially since they’re supported by incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act. This move is also in line with broader market trends, where demand is shifting toward electric and SUV models—so Audi’s strategy is really trying to adapt to those changing preferences. All these tariff pressures and strategic shifts highlight a pretty complex environment for automakers and parts suppliers alike. Companies are juggling evolving trade policies, the need for investment, and the push toward electrification—all at once. The Southern Company and Ford Pro pilot adds to this narrative by demonstrating how tech can improve fleet efficiency operationally, while Volkswagen and Audi’s moves reflect the geopolitical, economic, and market forces reshaping how vehicles are made and sold in North America. It’s definitely a busy space these days, and it’ll be interesting to see how everything unfolds. Honestly, these developments—both technical and strategic—are pretty fascinating, don’t you think? Source: Noah Wire Services

Kia prepares to expand its European EV lineup with the debut of the EV5 at IAA Mobility 2025, showcasing innovative features and a versatile model range amid a competitive market landscape.Kia is gearing up to boost its footprint in the European electric vehicle scene with a big showcase at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich. The event will see the company revealing several new and existing EV models to the public. As the company announced, this will mark the European debut of the Kia EV5—a fully electric SUV in the C-segment, designed to appeal to modern families and people with active lifestyles. This launch is part of Kia’s broader plan to expand its EV lineup across different segments, highlighting the EV5 alongside concepts like the EV2, EV3, EV4, as well as the new EV6 GT, EV9 GT, and the PV5 light commercial vehicle. Visitors attending the event can actually test drive some of these models, including the EV3, the latest EV6 versions, and the EV9. Kia’s display will feature an innovative outdoor setup, called 'Windows of Inspiration,' with mirrored pillars and zoned areas that aim to blend with Munich’s city environment—showcasing the brand’s vision for sustainable mobility. At the heart of Kia’s reveal is the EV5, which, according to the company, combines a bold SUV look with a practical interior. It features full-flat folding seats in the second row and rear-seat back tables, adding to its functionality. Built on the E-GMP platform, the EV5 is said to have a range of up to 530 km, and it supports fast DC charging—replenishing from 10% to 80% in about half an hour. It also comes with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capabilities, a towing capacity reaching 1,200 kg, and a panoramic wide display inside, designed to give a lounge-like vibe. The global launch is scheduled for late 2025, initially in South Korea and Europe, with North American availability expected early next year. Power-wise, the EV5 is equipped with a front-mounted 160 kW motor, which provides around 217 PS, and it can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just over eight seconds. Its top speed is approximately 102 mph. There will be three trim options, with the top-tier 'GT-Line S' offering features like a sunroof, ventilated seats, and a 360-degree camera system. Alongside the EV5, Kia is also previewing the EV2—a compact urban SUV made for city driving, which should start production sometime next year. The EV4 is another addition that emphasizes long-range capability, offering up to 625 km (WLTP), along with fast-charging tech. It’s really targeted at consumers who want a reliable, electrified C-segment model. On top of that, models like the new EV6 GT and EV9 GT highlight Kia’s focus on blending electrification with sporty performance. The EV6 GT outputs 650 PS and can go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds, while the EV9 GT offers 508 PS and features electronically controlled suspension for a smoother ride. There’s also the PV5, Kia’s new entry into the light commercial vehicle market. This model is built on a modular platform that can be adapted to up to 16 different variants, giving it a lot of flexibility whether used for passengers or commercial purposes. This signals Kia’s strategic move to grow beyond traditional passenger cars and into emerging mobility sectors. The EV market in Europe is getting more competitive all the time. Manufacturers are racing against each other to meet stricter emissions rules and rising consumer demand for clean, electric options. Kia’s aggressive push and multi-model EV strategy seem to be in line with these industry trends. Still, some analysts warn that the success of these new models will depend heavily on things like charging station availability, battery costs, and whether consumers across Europe are ready to adopt electric vehicles. Kia’s global brand head mentioned that major shows like IAA Mobility are crucial for boosting the brand’s image and presence in the European market—after all, Europe’s a pretty key battleground for EV adoption these days. As EVs continue transforming the automotive landscape, Kia’s approach—offering multiple models suited for urban drivers, families, or commercial users—sends a clear message: they want to be part of this electric future. But whether they’ll succeed long-term remains to be seen, especially as industry watchers will keep a close eye on how well Kia’s tech, infrastructure support, and regional strategies perform in real-world conditions. References: - Paragraph 1 — [1], [4] - Paragraph 2 — [1], [2], [3], [5], [6], [7] - Paragraph 3 — [1], [4], [2], [3] - Paragraph 4 — Industry insights sourced from [1] and broader automotive sector analysis. Source: Noah Wire Services