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PROTON has established PROTON International Sdn Bhd (PICSB) as a wholly-owned subsidiary to spearhead its global expansion and enhance market flexibility. Led by CEO Lim Ming Thong, the new company will focus on expanding overseas, entering the “Global South” and optimizing sales strategies. PROTON aims to grow exports tenfold in five years to solidify “Made in Malaysia” status. In 2025, it exported 20,169 units to 19 countries, topping Malaysian OEMs, with eMas 7 leading export growth. PICSB’s 2025 export target is 6,000 units, doubling in 2026 and achieving tenfold growth by 2030.

Ford and W+K São Paulo/Buenos Aires unveil “Action Wedding” to launch the refreshed Territory SUV. Shot in Chile by Immigrant and directed by Kayhan Ozmen, the film stars a bride who drives herself to the ceremony, turning wedding-day chaos into a celebration of autonomy—mirroring the new Territory’s upgraded design, technology and refined, class-leading cabin. The campaign airs across Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile and Peru on TV and digital platforms.

Honda plans to source around 400,000 hybrid vehicle batteries from Toyota’s North Carolina plant to circumvent tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. Toyota’s $14 billion factory, its first battery plant outside Japan, will begin production next month. This move is part of a broader trend among Japanese automakers to restructure supply chains in response to US tariffs. Demand for efficient hybrids is rising in the US, while President Trump plans to scrap his predecessor’s initiative to promote electric vehicles. By 2030, hybrid vehicle sales in the US are projected to double last year’s figure to 4.12 million units, accounting for a quarter of new car sales. Honda aims to sell 1.3 million hybrids globally (excluding China) by 2030, a 50% increase from last year. However, Trump’s trade policies pose challenges, with a 20% tariff on Chinese imports and plans to raise tariffs on Japanese car imports from 2.5% to 25%. Japan exports 1.3 million cars to the US annually, and the tariff hike is expected to cost Japan’s six major automakers approximately $20 billion.

Tesla has launched the refreshed Model Y with two configurations: the Rear-Wheel Drive Launch Edition priced at 263,500 RMB and the Long Range All-Wheel-Drive Launch Edition at 303,500 RMB. The refreshed Model Y features significant updates in design, interior, rear seating, range, and suspension. The exterior includes a new front end with split headlights and a full-width taillight bar, reducing the drag coefficient to 0.22 for improved range. The interior offers two color options with increased Alcantara coverage and a 15-inch central touchscreen powered by an AMD Ryzen chip. The vehicle also introduces a new Glacier Blue color option.

Wuling has released official teasers of its new electric compact SUV, Bingsuo S. The vehicle features a sleek design with wing-like LED headlights and a pulsar ring tail light. It measures 4265/1785/1600mm in length, width and height with a 2610mm wheelbase. Equipped with a single motor of 75kW power and a phosphate iron lithium battery pack, the Bingsuo S is set to hit the market in Q3.

Toyota has updated the third-generation Sienta in Japan, with the introduction of the Juno variant jointly developed with Modellista. The regular Sienta now features standard electronic parking brakes, automatic air-conditioning, and front and rear driver recorders (except for the base X grade). All grades are equipped with adaptive cruise control and Toyota’s Proactive Driving Assist. Two powertrains are offered: a 1.5L naturally-aspirated engine (120 PS, 145 Nm) and a hybrid system (171 PS combined). The Juno variant, based on the Z grade, is a two-seater with a modular rear cabin that can be configured with “furniture modules” to create different living spaces, such as a café area or mobile workspace. The modules are priced from RM599 to RM2,080, with the vehicle itself costing between RM105k and RM110k.