There is certainly a whole lot of exciting new car launches to look forward to over here in 2024.
While it may still feel like January to some, another year is however already soon to be drawing to a close. And frankly, what a year 2023 has been for the Malaysian auto industry, with these past 12 months seeing a flurry of new car (as well as brand) arrivals over here.
It was in these past 12 months for instance we’ve seen the numerous attractive EVs landing on the local scene with the launch of the BYD Dolphin and smart #1, not to mention too of course the official arrival of Tesla. There has also been some other high-profile fuel-drinking car launches that took place as well, with everything from the affordable-yet-practical 2nd generation Axia to the opulent new Range Rover finally arriving over here.
Though while 2023 has certainly been a bumper year for the Malaysian auto industry already, a quick look ahead to 2024 shows that this boom is likely to continue. And just to whet the appetite of any Malaysian in the market for a new car next year, here is a list of just 10 of the local arrivals to look forward to over the subsequent 12 months.
Note: Now with Malaysia typically being rather slow on the uptake for new cars, some of the cars mentioned below may not actually be all that “new”. In any case, here goes the 10 new arrivals that most Malaysians should be seeing in showrooms come 2024.
1. Perodua D66B
Arriving as a larger sibling to the Ativa, the big news regarding Perodua’s Proton X50 and Honda HR-V alternative is for it to supposedly be its first-ever electrified production offering. Based upon the newly revised Toyota Yaris Cross, it is currently widely expected for this new local compact crossover to feature its Japanese counterpart’s self-charging hybrid powertrain setup consisting of a 1.5-litre four-pot and electric motor under its boxy body.
Further official details are unfortunately still rather skint regarding this upcoming Perodua model, with not even an official name to go by thus far. If credible rumours are to be believed however, all should be revealed when this compact crossover officially launches locally sometime within the first quarter of next year.
2. Peugeot 408
First bursting onto the global scene way back in 2022, Peugeot’s large crossover-coupe (that frankly has no direct rival in Malaysia yet) looks finally set to become a flamboyantly French alternative to the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class over here next year.
Exact specs for the localised version of this roughly Camry-sized jacked-up fastback is as yet unknown, but is expected for it to arrive featuring a 130 hp 1.2-litre turbocharged three-pot as its base powertrain option, with a hot GT variant powered by a 225 hp 1.6-litre PHEV powertrain (which was spotted locally recently) likely to top off its locally-assembled range.
More excitingly however is that apart from the 408, it is expected for Peugeot to also announce the imminent local debut of its e-2008. Who knows too, with recent news of Stellantis to be taking over distributorship in Malaysia, there might well be a few more (hopefully Italian) surprises to come over for Malaysians to enjoy next year as well…
3. MG4
And while dreams of Alfa Romeo returning to Malaysia may still realistically be rather far off for now, there will nevertheless be another historically European sporting marque making its local comeback next year, in the form of MG.
Having since been bought over by the Chinese automaker SAIC, this once-British byword for lightweight roadsters will soon apparently be making its return over here with its Golf-sized MG4 all-electric hatchback.
Launched in 2022 and spotted testing recently on the roads of KL, this new Ora Good Cat competitor headlines with a WLTP-claimed range of up to 520 km on a single charge from its largest-available 77 kWh battery pack. Those who want a bit more punch with their EVs will instead be happy to learn of the existence of the MG4 XPower, which packs a 435 PS/600 Nm dual-motor powertrain that enables a 0-100 km/h sprint in 3.8 seconds.
It still remains to be seen which variants will be offered in Malaysia, as are the prices for this new MG4. What is however all but confirmed is for this once-British-now-Chinese marque to be arriving under the larger Berjaya distributorship umbrella by the first quarter of next year, with the potential for more than one model to be filling its local showrooms next year too.
4. Haval H6
Among the three (or possibly even four) products that Great Wall Motors plans to launch in Malaysia over the next 12 months is the Haval H6, which will certainly give those currently considering a Proton X70 or Chery Omoda 5 something to think about.
A popular choice of SUV for our neighbours directly northwards from us (where it is locally assembled), the Haval H6 is currently offered with a self-charging and plug-in hybrid options over there. Both powertrain setups net the same 1.5 litre turbocharged four cylinder and 130 kW electric motor under the hood that churns out a combined 243 PS and a whopping 530 Nm of torque, but the latter also nets a larger 41.5-kWh battery which is rated to yield an all-electric driving range of 201 km on a full charge.
It remains officially unknown yet on which variants exactly of the H6 will be offered locally, in addition to which other models the Chinese automaker plans to introduce over here next year. Though if whispers on the grapevine are to be believed, expect perhaps the Haval Jolion and Ora 07 fastback to potentially be popping up in Great Wall Motors showrooms across Malaysia in the subsequent 12 months.
5. Jaecoo J7
Just continuing further regarding the continued onslaught of Chinese automakers attempting to gain a foothold over here too, another new name that is set to enter the Malaysian market next year is Jaecoo. The upmarket subsidiary of Chery, its debut J7 SUV will certainly be trying to sway local buyers away from the usual Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V choices.
Among the highlights of this new Jaecoo are its imposing rectangular slatted front grill and pixelated LED rear light bar on the outside, while a 14.7-inch portrait-oriented central infotainment screen is to be found within its leather-lined cabin. Under the hood meanwhile of this new J7 is set to be a 1.6-litre turbocharged four pot and 7-speed dual-clutch transmission as found in the Tiggo 8 Pro, which should output 186 PS and 275 Nm of torque to all four of its wheels.
It is currently not exactly certain when exactly in 2024 this new brand will make its debut, but more information should be available when the Malaysian Jaecoo site goes live next month. And as for those who instead prefer something a little more electric, just know that the Chery Omoda E5 is also coming next year too.
6. Kia Sportage
Another contender vying to draw attention away from the newly-launched CR-V will likely to be the Kia Sportage, which allegedly will finally be arriving on our shores in 2024.
Initially introduced way back in 2021, the distinctive exterior aesthetics and refined cabin of this 5th-generation Sportage has certainly earned plenty of acclaim (as well as sales) in the markets which it is currently being offered. Due to the various complications behind Kia’s local distributorship over here however in the past couple of years, this South Korean SUV has so far eluded Malaysians.
In fact, this Sportage was supposed to arrive over a year ago now back in 2022. So while Kia Malaysia has hinted at a locally-assembled launch next year, it remains to be seen whether in actuality this sharply-styled SUV will be making an appearance in Malaysia over the next 12 months.
7. Volvo EX30
Already making waves in Europe and North America since its international introduction earlier this year, the EX30 is set to be first of Volvo’s next generation EVs arriving over here, before the eventual local debut of bigger EX90 brother.
A slightly smaller-sized crossover to the already compact XC40, what will be piqueing the interest of local buyers regarding the EX30 is for it to likely be the most affordable Volvo in its current lineup. Exact prices are unfortunately still to be unknown until its supposed local arrival sometime late next year, but a good guesstimate for it will be nevertheless be just slightly above the aforementioned MG4 and smart #1.
And while not exactly pertinent too (for a Volvo especially), the dual-motor powertrain featured in the EX30 is touted as the fastest accelerating car produced by the Swedish automaker, with a quoted century sprint time of 3.6 seconds. In its more sedate extended range form instead, its single rear-mounted motor setup will provide an impressive range of up to 480 km from its 69 kWh NMC battery pack while still capable of 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds.
8. Mitsubishi Triton
Now for something a little bit more macho than the other cars on this list here, pickup lovers over here would be pleased to hear of the imminent local debut of the 6th generation Mitsubishi Triton next year.
Sporting a more boxy look this time round relative to its prior curvaceous iterations, this latest Triton boasts a completely new ladder-frame chassis and reworked suspension setup that supposedly improves ride comfort and on-road handling. There is also now a boatload more active safety tech too on this pickup, to complement the wholly-redesigned interior
Though the target buyers will likely be more interested in the new 2.4-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel that outputs 204 PS and 470 Nm of torque, not to mention also the arrival of Active Yaw Control (plucked straight from the Lancer Evolution) on this new Triton.
9. BYD Seal
Arriving within the first quarter of next year, the recently-previewed BYD Seal is set to take direct aim at the Tesla Model 3 with an alleged comparative price tag ranging from RM 180k to RM 220k.
Three variants are currently expected for this all-electric four-door fastback, with the base trim netting a single 204 PS rear-mounted electric motor and 61.4 kWh Blade battery pack that should net 460 km of WLTP-claimed range. The mid-range trim meanwhile is tipped to offer up to 570 km of range from its larger 82.5 kWh battery, while the headline for the flagship dual-motored Seal is a combined power and torque figure of 530 PS and 670 Nm of torque.
10. Tesla Model Y
While this is not strictly a launch considering that it was announced in June of this year, the first local deliveries of Tesla’s Model Y is nevertheless earmarked for early 2024 and hence this rather hot topic technically does earn its place on this list. Though in lieu of having to repeat the same information that most will already have been bored to death by this all-electric crossover already, here are some links to the prior articles regarding its price and its specs.
For those however who are looking to go for something a little bit more offbeat, the word on the street is for UMW Toyota to also finally soon be launching its bZ4X e-SUV over here next year too. Essentially an all-electric Harrier with a bit of quirkiness added into the mix, expect its local arrival to potentially be just around the corner in the new year.
