China's auto exports are estimated to slow notably this year after holding the export crown for a second year in 2024, with no growth predicted for electric vehicle exports, an auto association official said on Thursday.

China's EV exports seen stalling in 2025 

Asean needs a unified strategy to boost the region’s electric vehicle (EV) industry, said Yinson Holdings Bhd (KL:YINSON) chief executive officer Lim Chern Yuan.

Speaking at the panel discussion titled "Asean EV Implementation Roadmap" at the Asean Economic Opinion Leaders Conference today, Lim said it's important for the region to move beyond assembly-focused models, which are low-value-added and create lower paying jobs.

Asean needs unified strategy to boost EV industry, says Yinson CEO

South Korea's Hyundai Motor Group said on Thursday it planned to boost domestic investment by 19% to a record 24.3 trillion won (US$16.65 billion or RM74.87 billion) this year to ensure growth as it navigates political turmoil as well as US economic unpredictability.

Hyundai Motor Group to invest record US$16.7 bil in South Korea this year

The owners of Northvolt on Wednesday voted to continue operations while the Swedish electric vehicle (EV) battery maker seeks to sort out its finances, it said in a statement.

Northvolt to keep operating while seeking financial rescue

Tesla Inc could collect more than €1 billion (US$1 billion or RM4.49 billion) in compensation from rival automakers that need help meeting tougher pollution standards in the European Union (EU) this year, UBS Group AG analysts said.

Tesla poised for US$1 bil windfall from EU’s emissions curbs

Renault's Dacia brand cut the price of its low-cost electric vehicle (EV) by €2,000 (US$2,086 or RM9,286) in France on Tuesday, part of a wave of expected discounts in Europe this year to boost stagnant EV sales.

Renault slashes price of low-cost electric car as emissions rules tighten

Electric vehicle producer BYD brought hundreds of Chinese workers on irregular visas to build a factory in Brazil, a key labour inspector told Reuters on Tuesday, adding the company has pledged to comply with local labour laws for the workers remaining in the country.

BYD brought hundreds of Chinese workers to Brazil on irregular visas, inspector says

India's markets regulator has warned Ola Electric against sharing company-related information on social media before disclosing it to investors, adding to a slew of problems for the electric two-wheeler maker.

India markets regulator warns Ola Electric for disclosure lapses

Honda Motor Co revealed two electric vehicle (EV) prototypes heralding a wave of new battery-powered models it plans to release in the years ahead, though the carmaker may dial back the pace of its EV investments if demand continues to lose steam.

Honda showcases US-made EVs as it mulls slowing investments

The suspected driver of the Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on New Year's Day used popular chatbot ChatGPT to plan the blast, officials told reporters on Tuesday.

Trump Hotel Cybertruck suspect used ChatGPT to plan blast, police say

Six vehicle inspection officers from the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom) suspected of being involved in a syndicate approving heavy vehicle inspections have been suspended with immediate effect.

Puspakom case: Six vehicle inspection officers suspended with immediate effect

Japan’s biggest automakers pledged cooperation in tech-focused areas to survive in the rapidly evolving global industry, just as two of its largest car brands begin negotiating a deal that would effectively split the country’s industry in two.

Japan’s carmakers vow closer ties to regain ground in China

LAS VEGAS/TOKYO (Jan 6): Tesla supplier Panasonic Energy plans to eliminate its supply-chain dependence on China for electric vehicle (EV) batteries made in the United States, a senior executive told Reuters, calling the shift a "No.1 objective".

Tesla supplier Panasonic Energy says cutting China supply for US business a 'No.1 objective'

Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) achieved record-high vehicle sales and production volumes in 2024, marking an 8.4% increase in sales compared to the previous year, along with its highest production output to date.

Perodua achieved record-high vehicle sales, production in 2024

Target 1 Sdn Bhd, South Malaysia Industries Bhd’s (KL:SMI) largest shareholder with a 30.67% stake, announced on Thursday that the company’s extraordinary general meeting (EGM) proceeded as scheduled on Thursday, with the resolutions to appoint six new directors, including former Perak police chief Datuk Pahlawan Mior Faridalathrash Wahid, being passed.

SMI’s EGM proceeds with resolutions to appoint six new directors passed — Target 1

The United States has no current plans to increase its military presence in Greenland, the US embassy in Copenhagen said on Thursday, after President-elect Donald Trump expressed renewed interest in acquiring the vast Arctic island.

Trump, who takes office on Jan 20, said this week that US control of the strategically important island was an "absolute necessity" and did not rule out using military or economic action such as tariffs against Denmark to make it happen.

US says it has no plans to increase military presence in Greenland

As tensions between the US and China escalate, experts are urging Malaysia and other Asean nations to explore new trade partnerships.

Elina Noor, senior fellow of Carnegie Endowment for International Peace's Asia Programme, said there is a need for Asean to diversify its collaborations, citing the growing concerns of the Global South.

Malaysia urged to diversify trade partners as US-China tension escalate

The pound fell to its lowest since late 2023 on Thursday, under pressure from a selloff in global bonds that has driven the UK government's borrowing costs to their highest in over 16 years, which has reignited concern about Britain's finances.

Pound slides to 14-month low as gilt pain intensifies

SWA Shipping Sdn Bhd is facing a deadline of February 25 as Pos Logistics Bhd is considering terminating the RM123.21 million deal for the acquisition of PNSL Bhd.

The deadline marks the point at which SWA Shipping has failed to meet its obligations under the sales and purchase agreement (SPA), said Pos Malaysia Bhd in a filing with Bursa Malaysia on Thursday.

SWA Shipping faces Feb 25 deadline as Pos Logistics may terminate RM123.21 mil PNSL acquisition deal

Public Bank Bhd's (KL:PBBANK) conditional mandatory takeover offer for the remaining shares of insurer LPI Capital Bhd (KL:LPI) that it does not own has lapsed, as it did not secure sufficient acceptances by the close of the offer on Thursday.

Public Bank's MGO for LPI Capital closes without fulfilling 50% acceptance level

A total of 87% of individuals aged 16 to 60, including parents, agree that the implementation of the National Service Training Programme (PLKN)  should be extended.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said a public survey conducted by the Malaysian Institute of Defence and Security (Midas), which involved 3,092 respondents, showed that parents also want their children to have a clear direction in life.

87% of respondents, including parents, agree National Service should be extended — Johari

Ukraine’s leader made a plea to press on with support for his war effort 11 days before the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged a swift end to the fighting.

Zelenskiy warns it’d be ‘crazy to drop the ball’ on war effort

Los Angeles plunged into its worst natural disaster in decades as wildfires driven by hurricane-strength wind gusts tore through prosperous neighbourhoods, killed at least five people and forced more than 100,000 residents to flee.

Los Angeles struggles to battle fires as Pentagon offers aid

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability is in the midst of improving the Strata Titles Act 1985 (Act 318) to address issues related to strata housing, particularly for low- and medium-low-cost units.

Govt strengthening Strata Titles Act, says Nik Nazmi

There is a possibility for Public Bank Bhd (KL: PBBANK) to offer "more than biannual" dividend payments, despite not having the highest dividend yield, according to Kenanga Investment Research.

Kenanga sees possibility for Public Bank offering 'more than biannual' dividends, cites synergies from LPI acquisition

Malaysia’s technology stocks broadly fell on Thursday following news reports that the US is planning to impose further export curbs on artificial intelligence (AI) chips to keep them out of the hands of China and Russia.

Malaysia's tech stocks broadly lower amid news of US export curbs on AI chips

The worst is over for Malaysian banks’ asset quality, and investors should take the opportunity to buy during near-term profit-taking for their solid loan growth and dividend yields, said MIDF Amanah Investment Bank.

Worst is over for banks' asset quality, buy into selldown — MIDF

Malaysian construction stocks extended their decline on Thursday, amid wider market selldown sparked by worries of escalation in global trade tensions.

The retreat followed strong rallies of builders last year, which continued into the first week of 2025. “After having a good run, a healthy correction is expected, and any noise will trigger a pullback,” said Danny Wong, who manages assets worth over RM5 billion as the chief executive officer of Areca Capital.

Malaysian construction stocks extend decline on data centre concerns

Some European firms are sacrificing efficiency and losing their global edge as they wall off their operations in China and come under pressure to produce more locally, according to a business group whose members include many of the continent’s biggest companies.

European firms say China’s pressure to go local is raising costs

BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, expects Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s reform agenda to be hindered by ongoing signs of friction between the component parties of the unity government.

BMI: Political tensions within unity govt may slow down Anwar’s reform agenda

President Joe Biden’s administration plans one additional round of restrictions on the export of artificial intelligence (AI) chips from the likes of Nvidia Corp just days before leaving office, a final push in his effort to keep advanced technologies out of the hands of China and Russia.

Biden to further limit Nvidia AI chip exports in final push

Palm oil could hit as high as RM5,000 per tonne over the next few months, though the high prices are unlikely to be sustained beyond the first quarter, Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) flagged.

Palm oil could hit RM5,000 in next few months but unsustainable beyond 1Q — HLIB

Malaysia’s stock market will have little upside ahead following strong run-up even as economic growth remains intact, HSBC flagged on Thursday.

Valuations are not as appealing, especially when compared to elsewhere in Asean, HSBC said in a note.

Malaysia stocks have little upside ahead after recent rally, says HSBC

Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) (KL:TENAGA), Malaysia's largest utility company, views data centres as highly attractive customers for its infrastructure projects, offering excellent returns on investment (ROI).

TNB: Data centres 'best customers' for infrastructure investment

Malaysia's neutral stance&nbsp;in the US-China tech cold war faces growing challenges moving forward, according to Professor Dr Chris Miller.

As the author of Chip War: The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology, Miller notes that Malaysia has benefited from trade diversion due to its neutrality, but sustaining this position will become more difficult.

Expert warns of rising challenges to Malaysia's neutrality in US-China tech conflict

Malaysia’s upcoming five-year development plan, the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), has been moulded in a “globalist lens”, according to Minister of Economy Rafizi Ramli.

Rafizi: 13MP will adopt globalist stance against protectionism, isolationism

The takeover offer of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd or MAHB (KL:AIRPORT) by Gateway Development Alliance (GDA) marks a critical inflection point for Malaysia’s aviation sector and its future in the hyper-competitive Asean region. With GDA securing 84.1% of MAHB shares and extending the offer period to Jan 17, the stage is set for a seismic shift in how Malaysia’s airports are managed. If the consortium achieves the 90% threshold required for delisting, MAHB will transition from the scrutiny of public markets into the hands of private ownership, enabling GDA to execute a bold, long-term restructuring strategy without the burden of quarterly earnings pressures.

Can Gateway Development Alliance help MAHB take flight again?

Major shareholders of NPC Resources Bhd (KL:NPC) are in talks for a proposal that could lead to the&nbsp;Sabah-based palm oil producer being taken private at RM2.82 per share.

NPC Resources' major shareholders in talks that could lead to privatisation — statement

The 20-year Treasury bond offered a grim warning as a selloff fuelled by inflationary angst gripped global debt markets: 5% yields are already here.

Treasury market gets first 5% yield in sign of what could come

Former Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Samad has filed an application to disqualify the law firm of Messrs Lee Hishammuddin Allen &amp; Gledhill (LHAG) from representing Felda and its subsidiary Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd (FIC) in its RM2 billion suit against him and 28 others, in relation to the KL Vertical City (KLVC) project.

Shahrir wants law firm representing Felda and FIC to be disqualified; trial postponed

Malaysia's property sector will be mainly driven by the completion of mega infrastructure projects and the transition to new technologies this year, according to CBRE | WTW group managing director Tan Ka Leong at the media launch of the real estate consultancy's 2025 Market Outlook Report earlier on Thursday.

CBRE | WTW: Mega infrastructure projects, new technologies to shape Malaysian real estate industry in 2025

BIMB Securities expects Bursa Malaysia Bhd (KL:BURSA) to report strong double-digit growth for its final quarter and FY2024 earnings, driven by a robust securities trading segment.

BIMB expects Bursa to report double-digit earnings for 4Q and FY2024

Billionaire Elon Musk has held private discussions with allies about removing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer from his position before the next general election, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.

Musk discussed ways to oust British PM Starmer before next election — report

（吉隆坡9日讯）新闻报道称，美国拟进一步限制人工智能（AI）晶片出口，以防止其落入中国和俄罗斯之手，大马科技股周四应声走低。

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