Latest news with #OICA
Irish Times
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Times
BYD Sealion 7 should make a splash in Ireland's hottest EV segment
BYD Sealion 7 Year : 2025 Fuel : Electric Verdict : Spacious and stylish, leaning more to comfort than performance. Definitely worth the test-drive shortlist if considering a crossover EV. BYD just dropped another EV into the mix – time to check how China's car game is basically running the world. Remember, it's only two years ago last month since the brand arrived in Ireland with its Atto 3 . This year it is outselling Tesla and sitting between Opel and Volvo on the sales tables. Globally, China produced 31.3 million vehicles last year, ahead of 19.2 million for all of the Americas, and 17.2 million for all of Europe. BYD Sealion 7 Narrow that down a bit, and the US produced 10.6 million, Japan 8.2 million, while Germany made just over four million cars, according to figures compiled by the OICA (International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers). Admittedly, most of that Chinese production goes to the home market and, for all its modern plants, it is still some way behind South Korea in terms of automation in its production processes. The Chinese production is also spread across more than 100 companies, weakening the impact of its volume. READ MORE You can see why Europe's auto executives are worried – and encouraging EU officials to stem the tide. The problem is that many of the arrivals are just very good. BYD's Seal is a sleek saloon, not without flaws, but certainly capable of challenging what Europe has to offer. Its Sealion 7 enters one of the toughest segments of the market, up against the bestselling EV out there at present, the Volkswagen ID.4 , plus pitching against the likes of the Hyundai Tucson and Toyota RAV4 . Yes, it's a silly name, but not much sillier than the rest of the coterie that's out there. BYD's naming department may be watching Blue Planet on a loop, but is that any different from VW's previous focus on winds and weather, from the Scirocco and Bora to the Passat? BYD Sealion 7 The Sealion 7 is basically an SUV crossover version of the Seal saloon. It comes in three flavours: single-motor rear-wheel-drive Comfort and dual-motor all-wheel-drive Design. Both use the 82.5kWh battery pack, delivering a claimed range of 482km for Comfort and 452km for Design. Then there is the Excellence version we tested, with its 91.3kWh battery pack and a claimed range of 502km. The smaller battery can take a charge at speeds of up to 150kW, while the larger battery can cope with 230kW. All versions have pep, but the larger battery and AWD set-up give the Excellence a 0-100km/h time of just 4.5 seconds. That means it will outrun most of its EV rivals, never mind the regular or hybrid set, even leaving many premium counterparts in its rear-view mirror. BYD Sealion 7 That figure might suggest a taut racer, but this is anything but: it's soft and pliable, tending towards comfort over outright performance. Getting that balance of power and comfort right is really hard, and it's where the Sealion 7 shows some weakness. By keeping the steering and suspension soft and gentle, it can't deliver the confident handling to make the most of those performance stats. Which is why the Sealion 7 is better suited to the comfort of everyday motoring. This is a natural cruiser, not an edgy racer. If you manage the range – in reality closer to the low 400km than the stated 502km – this can have you complete cross-country runs with little effort. That level of comfort is reflected in the cabin, which is whisper quiet. Material choices match the likes of Tesla, if still not quite on a par with some Europeans, but they are getting close. BYD Sealion 7 Meanwhile, the big talking point as you waft along in this electric-powered livingroom on wheels will be the rear legroom, which is so spacious that it would seem a viable option for taxi drivers. Inevitably we turn to the electronics and gadgetry, and once more the Chinese have thrown every whizz-bang feature at this car. Some are useful, some smart, many irrelevant. It's confusing at first, but give it five minutes and you'll be swiping like a Gen Z on TikTok. One admirable feature is the ability to turn off the speed-limit alert with the touch of a little icon on the top right of the screen. However, it's going to be a steep learning curve for many motorists getting out of older cars, and many will be driven demented by the multiple safety warnings and beeps for relatively inconsequential risks. BYD Sealion 7 BYD Sealion 7 The infotainment system, controlled from the 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen, remains overly complex for simple features. Take the sliding cover for the panoramic roof. You need to engage the car feature from the menu, then rotate the admittedly smart graphic of the car until a small dot appears above its roof; touch on that, and then when a new graphic of the roof appears, you get the option to open or close the roof. Seriously: would one actual button kill them? It makes you wonder whether the software engineers who devise these sleek graphic controls spend much time on the road, driving a family around and having to open or close the roof blind while on the move. These are minor gripes, but ones to consider when you weigh the price against rivals: starting at €45,435 for the Comfort version and rising to €56,490 for the Excellence we tested. Tesla's Model Y with 500km range starts at very nearly the same price – €45,058 – while the long-range AWD version – claiming 586km – tops out at €52,990. BYD Sealion 7 Meanwhile, the VW ID.4 starts at €39,675 for the 52kWh battery with a range of 360km, while the 77kWh GTX comes in at €56,385, with a claimed range of 526km. Going up against the ID.4 means the Sealion 7 is now swimming with the big fish, but it's no minnow. It could get a better balance between performance and comfort, but none of its rivals have really managed to nail that either. There are better-handling crossover EVs out there for this money, but weighing up the ample space, smart interior and comfort, if you're EV-curious and tired of the usual suspects, the Sealion 7 deserves a spin. Lowdown: BYD Sealion 7 Excellence Power 390kW from dual e-motors developing 690Nm of torque, taking power from a 91.3kWh battery pack capable of 230kW DC charging and 11kW AC. CO2 emissions (annual motor tax) 0g/km (€120). Electric range 502km (WLTP) 0-100km/h 4.5 sec. Price €56,490 as tested, Sealion 7 starts from €45,435. Our rating 3/5. Verdict Spacious and stylish, leaning more to comfort than performance. Definitely worth the test-drive shortlist if considering a crossover EV.
The Sun
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
M'sia ranks 2nd in Asia for car ownership—right behind Japan
IN Malaysia, owning a car is more than a milestone—it's often a necessity. From the moment Malaysians get their licence or land their first job, buying a car becomes a natural next step. But as more wheels hit the road, the cracks in our infrastructure are beginning to show. ALSO READ: Malaysia shines as 5th most affordable country globally, 4th in Southeast Asia According to a recent report by Malaysia now holds the second-highest car ownership rate in Asia, with 535 vehicles for every 1,000 people—only behind Japan. 'Malaysia ranks second in Asia for the highest car ownership rate from 2015 to 2020! 'Based on data from OICA, which releases car ownership data in the Asian continent calculated from the number of registered cars per 1000 people, including both passenger and commercial vehicles. 'Japan tops the list in Asia with a ownership rate of 612 per 1000 people, followed by Malaysia in second position with a ownership rate of 535 units. 'Other Southeast Asian countries included in the list are Thailand at seventh place, Indonesia at twelfth place, Vietnam at thirteenth place, and the Philippines at fourteenth place,' the report read. This brings forth the question.
Mint
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Indian student Vanshika Saini found dead in Canada, police investigation on, Embassy says ‘in close contact…'
An Indian student Vanshika Saini, who had gone missing in the province of Ottawa, has been found dead, according to the Indian High Commission in Canada. No details about how she died were available at time of writing. In a post on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) by the official Embassy account on April 29, it said: 'We are deeply saddened to be informed of the death of Ms. Vanshika, student from India in Ottawa. The matter has been taken up with concerned authorities and the cause is under investigation as per local police. We are in close contact with the bereaved kin and local community associations to provide all possible assistance. (sic)' According to a Facebook post by the Ottawa Indo-Canadians Association (OICA), Vanshika Saini had left her house at around 8-9 pm on April 25, to look for rental rooms and did not return home. 'Her phone has been switched off, and she missed an important exam today, which is very unusual for her. Vanshika is usually in regular contact with her family and friends every morning, but since last night, no one has heard from her. All her friends are unaware of her current location,' the post added. It further solicited information from anyone with knowledge via email and phone number. According to reports, Vanshika Saini was 21-years-old, and had moved to Canada around two and a half years ago for a two-year health diploma course after completing Class XII in her home town. She was through her final exams on April 18 and started working part-time with a call centre in Ottawa. She is reportedly the daughter of Davinder Saini, a local Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, bloc president, and party MLA Kuljit Singh Randhawa's close aide incharge of his office. He resides at Saini Mohalla, Dera Bassi — a satellite city of Chandigarh and a municipal council in Mohali district, Punjab. Davinder reportedly suspects foul play in his daughter's death and came to know of her disappearance on April 25 when her friend got in touch with the family. He last spoke to Vanshika on April 22, after which her phone had been switched off. Earlier on April 16, 21-year-old Harsimrat Randhawa, a student at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario was killed by a stray bullet while waiting at a bus stop, and shots were fired from a passing car, PTI reported. Harsimrat Randhawa was hit in the chest and rushed to a nearby hospital, but succumbed, it added. The Punjab native was on her way to work when the incident happened. During investigations, Hamilton Police called her an innocent bystander affected by the shooting incident near Upper James and South Bend Road streets at around 7.30 pm local time.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Time of India
Who was Vanshika Saini? 21-year-old Indian student found dead at Ottawa beach in Canada
A 21-year-old Indian student from Dera Bassi, Punjab, was found dead under mysterious circumstances at a beach in Ottawa, Canada. The deceased, identified as Vanshika Saini , was the daughter of Davinder Saini, an aide to AAP MLA Kuljit Singh Randhawa, and had been studying in Ottawa for the past two and a half years. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Her body was found on an Ottawa beach, with authorities yet to determine the precise cause of death as investigations are underway. The Ottawa Indo-Canadians Association (OICA) issued a missing person alert for Vanshika in a Facebook post on Sunday. Who was Vanshika Saini? Vanshika moved to Canada after finishing Class XII to pursue a two-year diploma course and had been studying there for the past two and a half years. She had completed her final examinations on April 18 and had begun working part-time. On April 22, she went for work but never returned home. Vanshika was due to take an IELTS examination on April 25. When her friends attempted to check on her after the exam, they learnt she had been absent for three days. All attempts to contact her proved futile as her mobile phone remained switched off. Alarmed by her disappearance, Vanshika's friends informed local authorities and reached out to the Indian community, leading to a search operation by local officials and the Indian High Commission. Her family in India strongly believes there was foul play involved and maintains she was murdered. They are requesting Canadian authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation into her death.
Indian Express
29-04-2025
- Indian Express
4 days after she went missing, Indian student found dead in Canada; police probe on, says Embassy
An Indian student, missing for the past four days, was found dead in Ottawa, the Indian High Commission in Canada confirmed on Tuesday. An extensive search operation was underway after Vanshika went missing on April 25. On Monday, the Indian Embassy said that it was in touch with local Indo Canadian community associations and concerned authorities. We are deeply saddened to be informed of the death of Ms. Vanshika, student from India in Ottawa. The matter has been taken up with concerned authorities and the cause is under investigation as per local police. We are in close contact with the bereaved kin and local community… — India in Canada (@HCI_Ottawa) April 28, 2025 A day later, the Embassy, in a post on X informed: 'We are deeply saddened to be informed of the death of Ms. Vanshika, student from India in Ottawa. The matter has been taken up with concerned authorities and the cause is under investigation as per local police.' The Ottawa Indo-Canadians Association (OICA), in a Facebook post on Sunday, made a missing person alert for Vanshika. It said that she left her house around between 8 and 9 pm on Friday (April 25) to look for a room to rent and was missing since. 'Her phone has been switched off, and she missed an important exam today, which is very unusual for her,' the post read.
