
Proton's all-new X50 draws 5,000 bookings in 10 days ahead of launch
This accounts for half of the 10,000 early bird units under a special launch promo, which includes a RM1,000 cash rebate, a limited edition Touch 'n Go card and an exclusive 'Gempak! Deal'.
Full pricing will be revealed at the official launch on the evening of July 24, Proton said in a statement today.
Proton Edar Sdn Bhd deputy chief executive officer Zhang Qiang said the strong response underscores Malaysians' enthusiasm for the model.
"To build on this momentum, we'll begin offering test drives at our outlets from July 19 so customers can experience the X50 firsthand," he said.
Zhang said Proton's Tanjong Malim plant has ramped up production to ensure immediate availability.
"Our goal is to have at least 5,000 units ready for registration by end-August to minimise waiting times," he added.
The new Proton X50, aimed at buyers with active lifestyles, features refreshed styling, a more powerful engine, and an upgraded 14.6-inch infotainment display.
It also debuts Bahasa Melayu voice recognition and an enhanced Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance System with semi-autonomous driving functions.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Malaysian Reserve
an hour ago
- Malaysian Reserve
Bossjob Launches in Malaysia: A Smarter Way to Find Jobs through Chat-first AI Matching
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bossjob, Southeast Asia's chat-based AI job platform, today announced its official launch in Malaysia, bringing job seekers and employers a faster, smarter, more human-centric way to connect. The new job platform in Malaysia aims to transform how Malaysians find work—especially among Gen Z and gig economy workers. Why Malaysia, Why Now? Malaysia is in the middle of a digital shift, driven by its mobile-first, youth-dominated population. As demand for flexible, blue-collar, and entry-level jobs surges, Bossjob steps in with a bold promise: faster hiring, AI-powered matchmaking, and instant communication—right from your phone. But this isn't a pilot—it's a proven formula. Bossjob has already helped over 100 million jobseekers globally, with local operations focused on serving the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia and Japan. Since 2023, we've seen a 500% increase in monthly active users in the Philippines alone, while becoming the #1 downloaded chat-first job app in the country. Over 10 million messages have been exchanged between jobseekers and employers, with an average response time of under 10 minutes. Most users complete their job applications in less than 90 seconds. Our AI-matching engine delivers real-time, relevant roles—83% of jobseekers receive a match within 24 hours, and 78% are hired within just 7 days of chatting. That's hiring in under a week—without the waiting game. What Makes Bossjob Different? Chat–first hiring – Message employers instantly, eliminating lengthy application forms and long wait times. AI-powered job matching – Our algorithms understand applicant skills, preferences, and chat behavior, delivering relevant job matches in real time. Simplified profile creation – No more juggling CV formats. Our streamlined profile process means users can apply with one tap. 'We are committed to making job searching more accessible and efficient for job seekers,' said Bernie Goh, Country Manager Malaysia of Bossjob. 'Through this campaign, we aim to connect with job seekers on the go, reinforcing our commitment to simplifying the job search process and empowering job seekers with fast and direct access to employers.' Bossjob is already helping businesses move at the speed of chat. 'Bossjob helped us connect quickly and meaningfully with Malaysia's young talent during our KL launch. Unlike traditional platforms, their chat-first model let us engage candidates instantly—speed made all the difference,' said Chevelle Tham, HR Manager & Hiring Lead at Hvala. Available Nationwide Bossjob's mobile app and web platform are now available nationwide. With job locations initially focused on Kuala Lumpur and Johor, jobseekers in Bossjob Malaysia can: Instantly connect with F&B, logistics, retail, and office employers. Discover AI-curated roles suited to their profile. Skip long registration processes; profile setup takes under two minutes. 'Bossjob isn't just offering a new job search alternative in Malaysia—it's equipping jobseekers with the tools and Gen AI technology to optimise their candidate profiles,' Goh added. 'From fresh graduates to seasoned professionals, we believe every jobseeker deserves not only fast access to opportunities, but also the means to present their best self to employers.' Vision for Southeast Asia Bossjob's Malaysia launch is part of its broader mission: to make job hunting instant, equitable, and accessible across the region. With 8,000+ active employers across Southeast Asia—including brands like Jollibee, Lazada, and Uniqlo—we're already trusted by 60% of SMEs in the Philippines and 40% of Singapore's fastest-growing startups. In Japan, we were the first chat-based platform to enter the gig market, achieving over 90% satisfaction in our pilot phase. Get Started Join over 2.5 million users across Southeast Asia who are transforming their job search with Bossjob. With AI-curated roles, real-time chat with employers, and hiring in under a week, it's the fastest way to get hired in the region. Bossjob has facilitated over 5 million job connections in the Philippines, Singapore, and Japan—making us Southeast Asia and Japan's fastest-growing job-matching platform. Bossjob's AI-driven chat engine is redefining job search—delivering relevant jobs in real-time, not weeks. Bossjob is now live in Malaysia. Download our app from the App Store or Google Play—or sign up online and start chatting. Your next job could be one message away. About Bossjob Bossjob is a chat-first, AI-powered job platform transforming hiring across Blue-collar, gig, and Gen Z sectors. With over 1 million downloads and thousands of successful connections in SEA, Bossjob is on a mission to reinvent job search—one chat at a time.


The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Price of scan to pay
THE pandemic brought many things with it, mostly bad, but it also paved the way forward for others, such as how it radically changed consumer habits by triggering a huge shift towards digital payments. In Malaysia today, a quick scan of a QR code can pay for anything from a small pack of nasi lemak to a full-blown car wash. Platforms such as Touch 'n Go (TNG) e-wallet, GrabPay, Boost and MAE by Maybank are well on their way to becoming a crucial part of everyday life. However, the adoption of digital wallets is not an exclusively positive phenomenon. In a country where cash was king for a long time, are e-wallets truly a superior option? The case for e-wallets ➤ Convenience at scale Scan-to-pay has taken hold in urban areas, especially among younger consumers. The TNG e-wallet, for example, claims to have over 400,000 merchant touchpoints nationwide. From paying for parking to transferring duit raya, the reach is undeniable. ➤ Cashback, coins and perks Digital wallets are not just functional – they are rewarding. Boost Coins, GrabRewards and the occasional 20% cashback deals have normalised gamified spending. For high-frequency users, especially in Klang Valley, these incentives offer tangible savings. ➤ Built-in transaction records E-wallets log every transaction automatically, even if the in-app records are not automatically updated. This is not just helpful for budgeting, it also serves as a quiet nudge toward financial accountability, especially for younger Malaysians managing freelance or gig-based incomes. ➤ Reduced theft risk Cash is vulnerable. Lose it and it is gone. E-wallets, on the other hand, are protected by PINs, biometrics and in most cases, remote lock features. Bank Negara Malaysia's Risk Management in Technology policy also requires service providers to meet certain security standards. The catch ➤ Rural disconnect Pushing an agenda for a cashless society first requires everyone to have similar easy access to the infrastructure required, which may not be the case in rural areas, where infrastructure can vary greatly not only between each other, but with cities. More often than not, cash still dominates in smaller towns and pasar malam stalls. ➤ Dependency on connectivity E-wallets are only as reliable as your internet connection. Payment failures due to weak signal or app downtime remain a frustration. Offline QR payment options exist but are not widely implemented. ➤ Easier to overspend Tap, confirm, done. The physical 'pain' of handing over cash disappears with digital payments. That psychological distance can lead to impulse spending, which is an issue particularly relevant for teens, students and even adults with weak willpower. ➤Data is not just yours E-wallets track when, where and what users spend their digital currency on. That data can be used for targeted ads or internal analysis. Malaysia's Personal Data Protection Act provides some protection, but concerns have been raised over its effectiveness. Middle ground In a top-down structured environment with streamlined digital payments from cities, chain retailers, parking systems and toll booths, to name a few, going cashless makes sense. For everything else, cash remains almost as essential. Additionally, the government is not pushing to eliminate cash, with Bank Negara Malaysia's agenda being a cashless-ready society, where digital tools are an option, rather than a be-all, end-all mandate. It allows room for further tech adoption without necessarily alienating older users, low-income earners or communities without the proper infrastructure in place. E-wallets are without a doubt useful and efficient. It has evolved fast in the past six years and will continue to do so, but in Malaysia, where the digital divide is still real, they work best as a supplement, not a full replacement, for cash. The smartest move for most? Use both. Let digital tools make your life easier but do not get rid of the backup plan in your wallets and purses just yet.


Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
EU, US strike ‘biggest-ever' trade deal
President Donald Trump and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen seal a trade deal with a handshake at Trump Turnberry golf resort in Scotland. (AP pic) TURNBERRY : The United States and European Union on Sunday clinched what President Donald Trump described as the 'biggest-ever' deal to resolve a transatlantic tariff stand-off that threatened to explode into a full-blown trade war. Trump emerged from a high-stakes meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at his golf resort in Scotland to announce that a baseline tariff of 15% would be levied on EU exports to the US. The deal, which the leaders struck in around an hour, came as the clock ticked down on an Aug 1 deadline to avoid an across-the-board US levy of 30% on European goods. 'We've reached a deal. It's a good deal for everybody. This is probably the biggest deal ever reached in any capacity,' said Trump. Trump said the 15% tariff would apply across the board, including for Europe's crucial automobile sector, pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. As part of the deal, Trump said the 27-nation EU bloc had agreed to purchase 'US$750 billion worth of energy' from the United States, as well as make US$600 billion in additional investments. Von der Leyen said the 'significant' purchases of US liquefied natural gas, oil and nuclear fuels would come over three years, as part of the bloc's bid to diversify away from Russian sources. Negotiating on behalf of the EU's 27 countries, von der Leyen had been pushing hard to salvage a trading relationship worth an annual US$1.9 trillion in goods and services. 'It's a good deal,' the EU chief told reporters. 'It will bring stability. It will bring predictability. That's very important for our businesses on both sides of the Atlantic,' she said. She said bilateral tariff exemptions had been agreed on a number of 'strategic products,' notably aircraft, certain chemicals, some agricultural products and critical raw materials. Von der Leyen said the EU still hoped to secure further so-called 'zero-for-zero' agreements, notably for alcohol, which she hoped to be 'sorted out' in coming days. Trump also said EU countries – which recently pledged to ramp up their defence spending within Nato – would be purchasing 'hundreds of billions of dollars worth of military equipment.' 'Best we could get' The EU has been hit by multiple waves of tariffs since Trump reclaimed the White House. It is currently subject to a 25% levy on cars, 50% on steel and aluminium, and an across-the-board tariff of 10%, which Washington threatened to hike to 30% in a no-deal scenario. The bloc had been pushing hard for tariff carve-outs for critical industries from aircraft to spirits, and its auto industry, crucial for France and Germany, is already reeling from the levies imposed so far. 'Fifteen percent is not to be underestimated, but it is the best we could get,' acknowledged von der Leyen. Any deal will need to be approved by EU member states – whose ambassadors, on a visit to Greenland, were updated by the commission Sunday morning. They were set to meet again after the deal struck in Scotland. German chancellor Friedrich Merz rapidly hailed the deal, saying it avoided 'needless escalation in transatlantic trade relations'. But German exporters were less enthusiastic. The powerful BDI federation of industrial groups said the accord would have 'considerable negative repercussions' while the country's VCI chemical trade association said the accord left rates 'too high'. The EU had pushed for a compromise on steel that could allow a certain quota into the US before tariffs would apply. Trump appeared to rule that out, saying steel was 'staying the way it is', but the EU chief insisted later that 'tariffs will be cut and a quota system will be put in place' for steel. 'The big one' While 15% is much higher than pre-existing US tariffs on European goods, which average around 4.8%, it mirrors the status quo, with companies currently facing an additional flat rate of 10%. Had the talks failed, EU states had greenlit counter tariffs on US$109 billion (€93 billion) of US goods including aircraft and cars to take effect in stages from Aug 7. Trump has embarked on a campaign to reshape US trade with the world, and has vowed to hit dozens of countries with punitive tariffs if they do not reach a pact with Washington by Aug1. Asked what the next deal would be, Trump replied: 'This was the big one. This is the biggest of them all.'