BYD Sealion 7 - Almost Perfect

03/12/25 • 38 min

Cruise Control returns with the usual mix of news from the automotive industry, topical discussion and a car review. Xpeng joins the luxury MPV market with the Xpeng X9, a futuristic and luxurious 7-seater that’s planning to challenge stalwarts, Toyota Alphard and Vellfire, as well as the newcomer, Denza D9. Can they do it? Harley Davidson Malaysia, meanwhile, is currently offering massive discounts on selected 2024 models. Over in China, FAW, the oldest state-owned carmaker, is partnering up with Leapmotor to develop new energy vehicle (NEV) technology, as well as explore capital cooperation opportunities.

We then spend the middle part of the show talking about booking numbers that are touted by carmakers, and whether these numbers indicate actual sales made by these companies. What’s the best way to go about reporting these numbers, and how should consumers learn to differentiate between the two, in order to make their purchasing decisions?

Last but not least, Daniel shares his thoughts on the Sealion 7, a premium SUV (?) from BYD. With luxurious, practical interior, coupled with a stylish exterior and a very enticing price, is this a perfect car for someone looking to transition to EV? Daniel shares his thoughts on the BYD Sealion 7, including a fascinating feature of the car!

Photo credit: VanderWolf Images / Shutterstock.com

Photo credit: VanderWolf Images / Shutterstock.com

Previous Episode

Mandatory Annual Inspections For Old Cars?

Cruise Control starts the month of March with our usual dose of automotive news, discussion and review. Jaecoo announced the plug-in hybrid variant of their popular J7, and it’s one of the most affordable PHEV in Malaysia at the moment. Sime Motor, meanwhile, launched EV NEXT, Malaysia’s first ever used EV dealership. On the other side of the spectrum, Honda outlined their strategy for 2025, with an ambitious plan to sell at least 83,000 units this year. Can they do it? Last but not least, Tesla's sales dropped in Europe. Will this affect their sales in Malaysia?

In the second part of the show, Daniel and Richard unpack the proposal made in Dewan Rakyat this week by MP Jimmy Puah. Puah suggested that old cars should undergo a mandatory inspection, before being allowed to renew their road tax. How will this work, and which stakeholders will be the most affected by this? Tune in to hear their thoughts.

Finally, Daniel shares his views on a new pick-up truck that’s aiming to challenge the existing players in the market - the JAC T9 2.0L Diesel. Its eerie resemblance to a well-known American pick-up truck aside, how did the vehicle fare both in its handling, and features? Daniel gives us the lowdown.

Photo Credit: Stanick / Shutterstock.com

Next Episode

Denza D9 - The Best Luxury MPV In The Market?

It’s a packed Cruise Control show this week as we welcome Richard Bradbury back to the fore. We start the show by talking about the news - including BYD’s groundbreaking announcement that they’re now working on a new, “megawatt charging system.” They claim that this new system will be able to charge EV as quickly as refuelling a petrol car. Bold claims, but will the existing infrastructure be able to cope with this more power-hungry demand?

In the second part of the show, Daniel talks about the upcoming Jetour Dashing, set to be released in Malaysia soon with a very, very competitive price. Will this SUV disrupt the market and make its mark among the Malaysian consumers?

Daniel also shares his thoughts on the new Denza D9, a luxury EV MPV that’s challenging the usual names in this segment. According to Daniel, despite its EV status, the value-for-money proposition and the quality that it is offering should be seriously considered, especially if buyers are in the market for a luxury MPV and are looking at the grey market. Tune in to hear more!

Photo credit: VanderWolf Images / Shutterstock.com