GWM is set to launch the WEY G9 in Malaysia, directly competing with the Toyota Alphard
[PCauto] Great Wall Motors (GWM) recently officially announced that it will launch the right-hand drive version of the WEY G9 (previously known as WEY 80) in the Malaysian market. This plug-in hybrid MPV is positioned as a high-end luxury model, directly competing with established players such as the Toyota Alphard and Vellfire.
This will be the first locally assembled (CKD) MPV under GWM’s high-end brand WEY in Malaysia.
WEY G9 targeted at high-end family travel and business reception customers
Compared to the version available in China, the WEY G9 in Malaysia features an extended wheelbase to enhance rear-row seating comfort.
In terms of exterior design, the new car continues the high-end route of the WEY brand, with a large chrome-plated grille at the front complemented by sharp LED headlamps. The daytime running lights are integrated with the grille to form a highly recognizable visual signature.
The side of the body is equipped with electric sliding doors, a panoramic sunroof, and large alloy wheels.
At the rear, it features a through-type LED light strip and vertical combination taillights, complemented by a roof spoiler and chrome trim pieces, blending a sense of formality for business occasions with a modern vibe for family use.
WEY G9’s interior will adopt a new design
As for the interior, the Malaysian version has not adopted the dual-screen design used in the Chinese market but still offers a 12.3-inch full LCD instrument panel and a 15.6-inch central touchscreen combination, equipped with GWM’s latest Coffee OS 3 intelligent vehicle system.
The second-row seats have been upgraded to zero-gravity first-class seats, equipped with physical adjustment buttons and a massage function knob, significantly enhancing convenience.
Other premium features include a tri-zone independent air conditioning system, a 12.5-liter onboard refrigerator with a separate compressor, a panoramic sunroof, acoustic noise-reducing glass, and a multi-color ambient lighting system.
The safety features are equally comprehensive, including adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, emergency lane keeping, blind spot monitoring, 360-degree panoramic imaging, and driver fatigue reminders as part of its active safety technologies.
The Powertrain is the Core Competitiveness of WEY G9
WEY G9 is equipped with Hi4 PHEV technology, consisting of a 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine (156 horsepower), a front electric motor (177 horsepower), and a rear electric motor (183 horsepower), with a combined maximum power of 487 horsepower and a peak torque of 762 Nm.
Paired with a dedicated DHT hybrid transmission and a 37.96kWh lithium battery pack, the pure electric range under CLTC conditions is 140 kilometers, and the official 0-100 km/h acceleration time is 5.7 seconds.
Although WLTP condition data for the Malaysian market has not been announced, referring to the updated version for the Chinese market, the long-range version can provide a pure electric range of 201 kilometers (51.55kWh battery pack), demonstrating that this powertrain architecture has strong technical scalability.
Notably, this hybrid system offers various driving modes, including snow and sport modes, and supports energy recovery adjustment functions to balance urban commuting efficiency and long-distance travel needs.
GWM Confirms Local Assembly of WEY G9 at the Melaka EPMB Plant
The EPMB plant is currently also producing the Haval H6 HEV model and has extensive experience in manufacturing hybrid vehicles. Setting up a production base in Malaysia not only helps to reduce tariff costs and improve price competitiveness but also serves as an export hub for the Thai, Indonesian, and other ASEAN markets.
In terms of market positioning, WEY G9 will directly challenge the dominance of Japanese flagship MPVs such as Toyota Alphard and Vellfire, while competing with premium Chinese electric MPVs like the Zeekr 009, Xpeng X9, and Denza D9. However, Malaysia’s premium MPV market is still predominantly led by fuel-based models.
Regarding the price, referring to the pricing range of plug-in hybrid MPVs of the same class in China (178,000 MYR) and the price of the Toyota Alphard in Malaysia (about 548,000 MYR), the starting price of the WEY G9 may be around 250,000 MYR. GWM Malaysia dealers revealed that the new car is expected to be officially launched by the end of 2025, with specific configuration details and pricing information to be announced soon through official channels.
ASEAN NCAP Safety Ratings Update: Malaysian Models Overly Reliant on Touchscreens Should Be Cautious
RobertSep 18, 2025, 11:26 AM
When you drive a car through the morning rush hour traffic in Kuala Lumpur and reach out to the touch screen to adjust the air conditioning temperature, you may not realize that this action is affecting your driving safety—more importantly, it could directly impact the vehicle’s safety rating in the future.
According to industry authorities, following the announcement by Euro NCAP to penalize vehicles overly reliant on touchscreen controls starting in 2026, the ASEAN New Car Assessment Program (ASEAN NCAP) also plans to enhance the evaluation of vehicle human-machine interaction safety in its 2026–2030 upgrade program.
As the largest passenger car market in ASEAN, Malaysian consumers have long considered safety their top priority when buying a car. Research data shows that the weight of safety factors in local consumers’ car-buying decisions far exceeds that of features and price.
The Impact of Touchscreen Operations on Driving Safety
Tests conducted by a professional institution in the United Kingdom found that drivers take an average of 13.6 seconds to complete basic functions through a touchscreen, with even the best-performing models requiring 4.8 seconds. In real driving scenarios, this is equivalent to driving blind for 33 meters at a typical city speed of 60 km/h in Malaysia, and just 2 seconds of distraction is enough to cause a fatal accident.
Even more astonishing, research by the Transportation Research Laboratory (TRL) confirmed that the level of distraction from using a touchscreen exceeds that of driving under the influence of alcohol or cannabis, with the time taken to adjust the air conditioning being twice as long as physical buttons and tuning the radio taking up to eight times longer.
ASEAN NCAP stated that the upcoming new safety plan will focus on optimizing the protection system for adult passengers.
Although specific evaluation standards for touch screens have not been explicitly mentioned yet, referring to the pioneering policies of the European NCAP, the ease of use and safety of vehicle control systems will inevitably be included in the scoring dimensions. This means that vehicles in the Malaysian market that have removed physical buttons and rely entirely on touch screens may face the risk of downgraded safety ratings in the future.
Market dissatisfaction with car manufacturers reducing physical buttons has long existed
It is worth noting that signs of reflection have already emerged in the market. Globally, over 90% of drivers express dissatisfaction with pure touch screen designs, prompting some car manufacturers to reintroduce physical buttons.
This trend aligns closely with the practical demands of Malaysian consumers—while pursuing a sense of advanced technology, local users place greater importance on ease of operation and safety during driving.
For consumers, reevaluating the practical value of touch screen configurations when purchasing a car is essential. It is recommended to prioritize models that retain physical buttons for core functions or are equipped with advanced voice control systems to avoid compromising safety for flashy designs.
When reviewing ASEAN NCAP star ratings, in addition to crash test results, attention should be paid to the scoring details related to human-machine interaction (to be released soon).
The development of automotive technology must ultimately be based on safety.
With the upgrade of safety rating standards, the Malaysian automotive market is ushering in a “back to basics” technological reform. Only those models that genuinely balance technology with safety will be able to stand firm in future competition. For consumers, understanding the “safety over coolness” logic of car buying is essential for making wise decisions.
Malaysia’s Driving Test Digital Transformation: Steering Towards Safety and Fairness
JamesSep 18, 2025, 10:54 AM
A profound transformation is quietly underway in Malaysia’s automotive sector—the computerization of driving tests.
This transformation not only is significant for every aspiring driver but is also closely linked to the nation’s road safety and industry standards.
Digitalized Testing: A Powerful Tool Against Corruption
For a long time, the driving test sector in Malaysia has been plagued by corruption issues. Terms like “kopi o licence” (obtaining a driver’s license through bribing instructors or examiners) and “guaranteed pass” (paying a certain amount to ensure a first-time pass) are commonplace, severely undermining the fairness and authority of driving tests.
According to reports, complaints about such practices are rampant, significantly damaging public trust in the Road Transport Department.
To thoroughly address these problems, Malaysia’s transport authorities have introduced the electronic driving test and training system (e-testing). Starting from March 2024, this system was first piloted in certain commercial driving training institutions. Transport Minister Anthony Loke has made it clear that the system is designed to eradicate corruption among road transport officials.
With this system, almost all driving evaluations will be conducted using sensors and cameras, and assessment data will be directly recorded into a database and scored based on existing standards set by the Road Transport Department. This means that once the system is fully implemented, officials will no longer directly grade driving tests, fundamentally reducing the scope for human intervention.
Specific Operating Model of Electronic Testing
For drivers, understanding how e-testing operates is crucial. Under the new examination model, candidates will take the practical test alone. For example, during KPP 02 (Driver Education Curriculum-Field Test), vehicles are equipped with sensors and cameras, while officials from the Road Transport Department remotely monitor candidates’ performance from a control center.
During maneuvers such as hill tests, three-point turns, reverse parking, parallel parking, Z-shaped, and S-shaped turns, the system accurately records the candidate’s actions and transmits this data in real time to the monitoring terminal.
It is worth noting that for the on-road test, an examiner will still be present in the vehicle for safety reasons. Meanwhile, the theory test has also been computerized, allowing candidates to complete it on a computer. This initiative not only improves testing efficiency but also reduces the waiting time for license processing.
Benefits and Advantages for Candidates
Candidates opting for e-testing will enjoy a range of tangible benefits. Firstly, if a candidate fails to pass on the same day, they can retry the failed items a second time free of charge within the same day, eliminating the need to wait for the next examination opportunity, saving significant time and effort. Secondly, such candidates will have priority in the examination appointment list and can also receive a RM 10 discount when obtaining the Learn Driving License (LDL).
From a cost perspective, although driving schools may charge candidates up to 100 ringgit for choosing e-testing, the cost-effectiveness of this fee is quite high when considering the overall benefits obtained. Transport Minister Anthony Loke also emphasized that as the system gradually improves and becomes more widespread, the related fees are expected to be further optimized.
Industry Transformation and Future Outlook
The transport department has provided driving training institutions a grace period of up to six years, until 2030, to facilitate their transition from traditional manual testing to electronic testing. During this period, the department encourages all driving training institutions to actively adopt the e-testing system to enhance the overall standardization and professionalism of the industry. This transformation not only helps improve the fairness and efficiency of the exams but also prompts training institutions to optimize their teaching methods to better serve candidates.
The comprehensive implementation of the electronic exam system is expected to significantly raise the overall standard of drivers in Malaysia.Through standardized and scientific assessments, new drivers will be equipped with more solid driving skills and safety awareness, thereby laying a solid foundation for reducing road traffic accident rates. At the same time, this initiative will further enhance the credibility of the road transport department and reshape the positive image of Malaysia’s driving training and examination industry.
