26/04/2026

theSunday Special XV ON SUNDAY APR 26, 2026

Progress comes in many forms

It is cheaper than Langkawi in many ways, has nicer hotels and it has more character for those looking to have some fun. And let’s admit it, we all like to have some fun, it is just our definition of fun that can differ. Thailand though, has it all. Langkawi will never be able to match Thailand’s character. Our “holier than thou” attitudes will never let Langkawi be a fun place that can match Thailand. Perhaps we don’t want to, and that’s fine. We are at the liberty to spend our money wherever we want. So, when Langkawi’s duty-free status was removed, no one had any reason to go there anymore. The wealthy took their money and their car purchasing power elsewhere. Reinstating the island’s duty-free status may help. The powers that be will find a different way to tax the rich for sure, but not at the expense of Langkawi. Someone should build a high-end driving track in Langkawi. Something like the Magarigawa Club of Japan; a high-end private driving circuit that charges its members upwards of US$230,000 for membership. We Malaysians seem to have all the right cards in hand, but sometimes we just can’t seem to play it right when it comes to clear cut decisions.

HAVE we taken protectionism too far? And are we punishing the rich for their hard work? Judging by what has been happening lately with BYD and the redesignation of Langkawi as a duty-free island and cap ping duty-free cars at RM300,000, I cer tainly think so. I understand what the government is trying to do. We need to protect the companies that have invested hundreds of millions into the national automotive landscape. They created jobs, indirectly gave birth to supporting industries, and helped produce vendors with world class capabilities. But should we not produce more? By protecting those that already are, we are denying a chance to what could be. The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) explained that it set some conditions for BYD and what was reported was not entirely correct. But that created more questions than answers. So much so that a minister who is also a member of the Perak state govern ment has taken initiatives to help BYD and the Malaysian government strike a deal to help BYD achieve its goal of local assembly. I applaud that. It is good that both par ties are working towards a mutually beneficial outcome rather than entirely

by storm. It has forced giants of the industry to take notice of it. So, the fact that the company is interested to set up shop here, should be taken positively.

dropping the idea. What is the worst that can happen if BYD is allowed to continue with its plans? Those that have been in the market for years will surely have to up their game, but is that a bad thing? Innovation strives when there is pressure to perform. For how long will Perodua and

Then there is the topic of Langkawi wanting its duty-free status to be reinstated. The island has long been a tax-free haven for the wealthy. Why pay full price for a car when you can very well have it for close to half the price in Langkawi? Of course, it comes with a condition. Buyers can only drive their tax-free cars around the Peninsular for three months a year. But for those who can afford it, they buy four cars in Langkawi and rotate them to drive around in KL. Brilliant! Why buy one car when you can buy four? And it is all perfectly legal. Of course there are some that over stay their car’s welcome, but for every cheapskate, there are those who have worked hard to be there. So, what is so wrong with reinstating Langkawi’s duty-free status? The island has been largely neglected by Malaysian tourists. Thailand is quite close to either fly to, drive or take the train.

WRITTEN BY KESHY DHILLON

Proton be protected? The rakyat needs options when it comes to purchase options and companies should be kept on their toes. BYD and any company that is willing to have a local assembly programme will create job opportunities, they will need local vendors, their presence will increase the value of the property mar ket surrounding their plant. If given the right deal, BYD will be a good thing for the country. But there is no doubt that it needs to be kept in check. Malaysia cannot be a dumping ground for cars that don’t sell in other markets. We must have the best and nothing less, and more importantly, we need high value jobs and clear-cut conditions that are not lopsided. BYD is an innovative company. Its battery technology has taken the world

Yaris Cross teased Perodua Traz twin to lunch soon with hybrid powertrain

THE launch of the Toyota Yaris Cross in Malaysia is around the corner as UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has dropped a teaser of the B-seg ment SUV on its social media channels. However, the twin to the Perodua Traz will likely be better equipped when launched here and might even have a hybrid power train under its Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform. It should be noted as well

Yaris Cross will likely be priced higher to reflect its more premium positioning. The local B-segment SUV market is already filled with options, making the Yaris Cross’s late entry a challeng ing one but something that UMWT has definitely pre pared for. Among its chief challeng ers will be the Proton X50, Honda HR-V, Cherry Tiggo Cross, Jaecoo J5 and the recently launched Mitsubishi Xforce.

On its own, it makes 91PS and 121Nm of torque, helped by an electric motor deliver ing 80PS and 141Nm of torque for a total system out put rated at 111 PS. Sending power to the front is a CVT. Once here, the Yaris Cross should be equipped with Toyota Safety Sense suite of Adas functions. These func tions are glaringly omitted from the Traz, likely to not cannibalise Toyota sales. In a similar vein to the Veloz and Alza twins, the

rated inline-four petrol mill with 106PS and 138Nm of torque, sent to the front via Daihatsu’s D-CVT (Dual-Mode CVT). Over in Indonesia, the Yaris Cross gets the same powertrain but with a five speed manual option as well. Aside from that, Indonesia also gets a hybrid powertrain for the Yaris Cross. Here, the setup is powered by the 2NR VEX naturally-aspirated Atkinson-cycle 1.5-litre engine.

that the Yaris Cross slated for Asean will be a different model than the one sold in Europe. The Yaris Cross measures in at 4,310mm long, 1,770mm wide and 1,615mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,525mm. These figures are identical to the Traz save for the height, which the latter is 40mm taller. Apart from the teaser, little is known about the Yaris Cross, especially its power trains. The Traz gets the 2NR VE 1.5-litre naturally-aspi