Bangkok 2017: A Closer Look at the All-New Honda CR-V

Just last week, Honda Thailand jumped the gun and launched the all-new CR-V in a number of variants and with a variety of powertrain options ahad of the Bangkok Motor Show. But this year's Bangkok Motor Show is the first time we see the CR-V breaking cover and in the metal, and what we have here are photos of the lower grade model- identiifed by its smaller and less snazzy head unit.
As a quick recap, the Honda CR-V is made available in Thailand in 2 different grades, with 2 different engines. There's a 2.4-litre petrol powerplant with 173 hp and 224 Nm of torque, which is a little down on power compared to what we had in the previous generation CR-V, and paired with a continuously variable transmission (which is something the Thais had with their previous generation model as well, but Malaysia had a 5-speed conventional automatic instead). There is also a diesel option in the form of a 1.6-litre turbodiesel with 160 hp and 350 Nm, paired with a 9-speed conventional automatic.
As you can see, in terms of design the front has evolved more in an interative fashion but the rear has taken rather large leaps and bounds- perhaps in order to accomodate the third row seats that have become a major talking point for this all-new CR-V. The design language at the rear is similar to that of the BR-V with its wide, short horizontal tail lamps and overall glass to body proportions.
On the inside things have picked up a great deal courtesy of Honda's new design language that stems from the current-generation Honda Civic. The dashboard is nice and tapered towards the edges providing a sportier feel, while the centre console and dashboard area have been improved for more storage space and a smoother overall flow. Honda once again shows why it is the master of packaging and space.
And of course the third row seats, which may or may not make it to our market, is something that truly brings the CR-V up to standards as a full-on people mover. As you can see in this photo there is even an integrated air-conditioning system for the third row- something that third row passengers can no doubt appreciate as most climate control systems don't work so well for rear seat passengers.


Interstate Travel Allowed Until Friday - But Don't Drag Your Feet

if you're worried that you're going to be stuck in your home town for the next two weeks, don't be. Just be home before Friday.

Despite a more relaxed
introduction of the MCO
 this time around, people are still having to cancel plans or outright return from their hometowns immediately following the new year's celebrations and usual balik kampung periods. With state borders and district borders coming to a close, many were worried that they would be trapped outside of their place of residence or work.

Thankfully though, it seems that you - are - allowed you travel back from your kampung - but you have until this Friday to do so, and it's best that you get police permission ahead of time. You also will need police permission if you need to travel to visit sick family members in hospital or very specific, valid reasons. If you've purchased an air or express bus ticket in advance, you're also exempt from the current rules.

So if you have been wondering whether you'll need to put up with your family or in-laws and risk cabin fever in the next few weeks, don't. Just come back home in the next two days and you'll be fine.


2,000 Unit Proton X70 Special Edition Bakal Dilancarkan Di Malaysia – Warna Ocean Blue, Ruby Red

Ingat lagi tak pada awal tahun ini, kami pernah bagitahu yang PROTON mungkin akan keluarkan model
X70 Special Edition
 dengan dua pilihan warna baharu? Nampaknya hari yang dinanti-nantikan sudah hampir menjelang tiba!

Sebelum ini, telah tular risalah produk Proton X70 SE yang bocor di media sosial. Risalah tersebut menunjukkan model X70 SE yang berwarna biru. Tarikh pelancaran model ini di Malaysia juga semakin hampir apabila pengedar dan jurujual PROTON telah menjalani product training yang diberi nama Proton X70 SE Knowledge Challenge supaya maklumat tentang produk ini lebih difahami oleh mereka sebelum memberi layanan kepada pelanggan.

*Kredit foto: Pad Motors Proton Brunei

Jadi apa yang baru dengan X70 SE ni? Sebenarnya, X70 SE ini dibina menggunakan asas daripada varian
Premium X70
. Berdasarkan varian premium, tiada sunroof pada model SE ini. Kalau nak dilihat daripada sudut spesifikasi pula, Proton X70 SE ini sama sahaja macam
X70 Exclusive Edition (EE)
 yang ditawarkan di Brunei. Bezanya, Brunei hanya tawarkan sebanyak 37 unit model ini manakala pasaran negara ini bakal menerima sebanyak 2,000 unit.

Berikutan risalah produk Proton X70 SE berwarna Ocean Blue ini telah tersebar sebelum ini, ada yang menyatakan kurang berminat dengan warna biru tersebut. Jangan risau kerana anda juga bakal ditawarkan dengan pilihan warna Ruby Red, juga dengan dwi tona berwarna hitam pada bahagian bumbung dan cermin sisi seakan
Proton X70 Merdeka Edition
.

Selain daripada warna yang baharu, model X70 SE ini bakal menerima penambahan seperti lencana SE pada bahagian belakangnya. Tayarnya pula menggunakan rim aloi bersaiz 19 inci yang sama digunakan pada
Geely Boyue Pro
 yang ternyata lebih merecik daripada X70 sebelum ini.

*Kredit foto: Pad Motors Proton Brunei

Bahagian dalaman kereta ini diserikan dengan penggunaan warna gelap yang memukau. Tempat duduknya menerima balutan kulit Nappa berwarna hitam dengan kemasan jahitan halus berwarna hitam dan putih.

Jika anda menjangkakan penambahbaikan dari segi mekanikal, nampaknya anda kena sabarlah. Dari segi mekanikal, tiada perubahan akan dilakukan kepada Proton X70 SE ini. Ia akan tetap menggunakan pacuan roda hadapan dan menggunakan enjin 1.8L dengan pengecas turbo empat silinder yang mampu menghasilkan 184 PS dan 300 Nm tork dan dipadankan bersama transmisi klac berkebar basah tujuh-kelajuan. Kalau nak penambahbaikan yang lebih padu pada X70, kena tunggu
Proton X70 MC1
 lah!

Model ini dijangkakan akan dilancarkan pada bulan Ogos. Menerusi info yang kami terima daripada penasihat jualan PROTON, mereka telah pun memulakan product training mengenai PROTON X70 Special Edition (SE) ini sejak bulan Mei lalu. Jadi memang dah tak lama dah tu!


Volvo Car Malaysia launches Volvo SELEKT, Volvo's certified used-car programme

Fancy a Volvo at a price point you desire? Buyers now have the option of Volvo SELEKT, Volvo's own pre-owned car ownership programme.

Each pre-owned car Volvo chosen under the SELEKT programme is guaranteed to be under five years old with less than 100,000 km in mileage. Each selected car will also receive a 125-point inspection and have its software upgraded to the latest version. Any parts that need replacing will also be replaced with genuine Volvo parts.

Nalin Jain, Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia, said: “Through Volvo SELEKT, we hope to give customers the choice of an alternative option while maintaining all the criteria of excellence, reliability and performance of a premium luxury car. Moreover, we are committed to ensuring that all of our customers experience a seamless and premium journey of acquiring and owning a Volvo car. Volvo SELEKT thereon guarantees that customers will receive the same level of quality and service as that of a new Volvo car, but at a package that fulfils their financing needs.”

Each Volvo car will also come with a minimum 12 months warranty, complimentary 1-year maintenance service package (VSA 1) and 12 months Road Assistance.
For active drivers looking for a more dynamic driving experience, the Polestar optimisation package is an optional add-on to selected Volvo models.

The Volvo SELEKT programme is currently only available at Sisma Auto Glenmarie SELEKT Centre, with more authorised dealers to participate later. For more information on the programme and its offerings, click
here
.


BYD is going to make EV supercars & SUVs?

BYD has unveiled the first two models under its new premium EV brand called Yangwang, and the cars do look banging.

One of them is an all-electric supercar dubbed the U9 sports coupe and the other (and complete polar opposite) is the U8 - a hardcore 4x4 off-roader. And yes, they will go on sale in China later this year.

Yangwang U9 EV supercar - 0-100km/h in less than 2 seconds?

Not a lot of details have been shared about the Yangwang U9 EV supercar. What we do know is that it'll most likely be an all-wheel-drive beast with four individual electric motors for each wheel and that'll launch it from 0-100km/h in less than 2 seconds, according to BYD (or Yangwang).

Looking at the photos, the U9 does share some exterior similarities to an Audi R8 that has been mashed together with Bumblebee from Transformers. Those DRLs might be a bit extra, perhaps it'll look better in a different exterior colour.

Yangwang U8 EV off-roader - 1,100hp of clean muscle

The Land Rover Defender-looking Yangwang U8 has slightly more details to share like its ladder-frame chassis with four electric motors that are said to punch out over 1,100hp. Being a slightly bigger beast than the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, Yangwang also stated that it can do 0-100km/h in less than 3 seconds.

Big words for a big car, and a fancy-looking one too thanks to BYD's head of design, Wolfgang Egger. Those who are familiar with that name should also know that Egger is a former head of design for Audi and Alfa Romeo. BYD is moving up in the EV world, and they're definitely doing it with style.


Detroit 2017: This Vmotion 2.0 Concept Is Hiding The Next Nissan Teana Underneath

This is the Vmotion 2.0 concept that was just unveiled at the 2017 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. At a glance, it might appear to be yet another concept car that will never make it into production, but Nissan says the concept signals the new direction for an upcoming Nissan sedan, which we believe is referring to the next generation Teana.
Peel away the sci-fi movie style user interface and backward opening ‘suicide’ doors, and dial the radical exterior a couple of notches down, and you will get a rough idea of what the next generation Nissan Teana will look like.
First launched in 2013 as the Nissan Altima in the US, the Teana is due for a replacement sometime around 2018, although markets like Malaysia might only see the car a year later. The current generation Teana was launched in Malaysia in 2014, so we don’t expect an all-new Teana to appear in local showrooms until 2019.
Measuring 4,860 mm long, it’s slightly shorter than the current generation Teana but its 2,850 mm long wheelbase (75 mm longer than the current Teana) hints to significantly larger interior. It is 105 mm lower (1,380 mm tall) and 60 mm wider (1,890 mm wide).
A highlight feature of the Vmotion 2.0 is its Nissan Intelligent Driving function, an umbrella that covers various advanced driving assistance technologies including the semi-autonomous ProPILOT, which has already been introduced in the
all-new Japanese market Nissan Serena
. When equipped, ProPilot allows the vehicle to drive in autonomous mode, limited to between 30 km/h to 100 km/h.
There are many other advanced user interface features previewed in the Vmotion 2.0 concept and you view them in the video below but none of these are likely to be included in the production car.


2017 Infiniti Q60 Set For Malaysia Debut Next Month

Infiniti Malaysia is set to debut the all-new Q60 very soon. The new model from Nissan's premium arm aims to challenge the BMW 4 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe.
According to sources, the upcoming compact executive coupe from Infiniti is expected to arrive in one trim level, very likely powered by a
Mercedes-sourced
 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine that sends 208 hp and 350 Nm to the rear wheels via a seven-speed automatic. 0 - 100 km/h is dispatched in just 7.4 seconds. The larger 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 could be offered later.
Equipment is unknown at this point of time, but looking at Infiniti Singapore's offering, their sole Q60 2.0t variant offers keyless entry and start, LED headlights and tail lights, LED front and rear fog lights, Around View Monitor, cruise control, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), 6 airbags and 19-inch alloy wheels. Elsewhere, the Infiniti Q60 2.0t also gets Infitini Drive Mode Selector, Active Noise Cancellation and Infiniti Intuition individual intelligent keys. It is possible that Malaysia-bound units could receive similar kit.
Seeing that its key rivals, both the BMW 4 Series Coupe and Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe is sold around the RM300,000 to RM388,000 mark, it is safe to assume that the new fully-imported Infiniti Q60 will have a price tag that is in the same ballpark. The previous Q60 retailed for RM411,138. On top of that, Infiniti Malaysia is likely going to back the Q60 with its
7-year warranty program
.


Hyundai unveils 'world domination' plans using Software Defined Vehicles

Hyundai Motor Group
 made one heck of an announcement yesterday detailing its future roadmap that includes
Sofware Defined Vehicles
 or SDVs.

We know that the title states 'world domination' but Hyundai's plans to transform all of its vehicles into Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs) by 2025 is indeed an industry-leading initiative that also signifies an 'unprecedented era of mobility'. In other words,
Hyundai
 is prepping for some exciting times in the industry.

Over-The-Air (OTA) software updates for all models by 2025

State-of-the-art software will be Hyundai's key in its promise to offer Over-The-Air (OTA) updates for all models by 2025. That is estimated at around 20 million vehicles to be registered to Hyundai's Connected Car Services (CCS) which has the ability to offer the latest performance updates and functions no matter the time and place.

This will be done via Hyundai's internally-developed Connected Car Operating System (ccOS) paired with a new Global Software Center and R&D headquarter where they're planning to invest a whopping 18 trillion won or RM59 billion 'bolster software capabilities' for SDV development. In other words, performance and even safety upgrades can be done with just a few clicks without having to go to the service centres.

Next-gen EV platforms in 2025

Hyundai Motor Group will also introduce new vehicles in 2025 based on the company's latest EV platforms, the eM and eS. To be created under the HMG Integrated Modular Architecture (IMA) system, it carries the promise of 50% all-electric driving range improvement compared to the EVs of today.

Apart from longer distances and the ability to be constantly upgradeable, these platforms will also offer reduced time for mass-production processes from planning to manufacturing whilst carrying some very important abilities like component sharing, vehicle development efficiency, and greater cost reductions just to name a few.

With the combination of mass data collection and state-of-the-art software plus hardware implementations, Hyundai will also look into other mobility solutions that include Purpose Built Vehicles (PBVs), Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), robotaxis, and robots.

If you think that the
Hyundai Ioniq 5
 is already hot right now, wait until you see what they have in store in the coming years. Brace yourselves, a new mobility powerhouse is coming, and it's from South Korea.


Toyota Just Put 100 Million USD Into Three Disruptive Technology Startups

Artificial Intelligence is going to become pretty big in the next few decades, along with robotics and autonomous technology. Toyota wants to get in on the game early- but sometimes it's better to let someone with expertise handle the research and development in these particular specialized fields. For this, the Toyota Research Institute (TRI) has launched Toyota AI Ventures- a new corporate venture capital firm that will specialize in providing early stage financing for start-ups.
Jim Adler, TRI's vice president of data and business development, takes the role of managing director of Toyota AI Ventures.
"We realize that we don't have all of the answers. A lot of disruptive technologies come from startups and we want to help them be successful," said Adler. "One of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face is knowing if they're building the right product for the right market. We can help them navigate that uncertainty, and we're committed to doing so in a founder-friendly way because their success is our success."
They've started with 100 million USD, spread across three tech companies: Nauto, SLAMCore, and Intuition Robotics. Unlike traditional venture capital firms, the objective isn't purely a return on investment but rather the solving of particular challenges that Toyota will be facing in the future. It's a clever way to combine traditional venture capital principles with internal research and development, and there will no doubt be careful contracts regarding what these start-up companies produce.


Inilah King Sebenar! Karlmann King SUV Termahal Dunia

Karlmann King dilaporkan mencecah harga 2 juta USD (RM8.4 juta) yang boleh dikatakan sebagai kenderaan utiliti sukan (
SUV
) paling mahal di dunia.

Raja SUV itu dimiliki oleh sebuah syarikat dari China, International Automotive Technologies (IAT) namun King tidak dibina di sana, sebaliknya sebuah kumpulan kecil dari Itali telah ditubuhkan khas untuk pemasangannya.

Tujuan IAT adalah membina sebuah
SUV
 yang mempunyai identiti tersendiri dan tidak sama dengan SUV lain. Rekaan luarannya yang berbucu dan kelihatan seperti berlian pasti menarik perhatian.

Casisnya diperbuat dari casis sama yang digunakan oleh
Ford
 F-550. Untuk pengetahuan anda, Ford F-550 merupakan trak besar yang mempunyai rangka yang tahan lama, tahan lasak dan mampu menampung berat yang banyak.

King menggunakan
enjin V10
 berkapasiti 6.8 liter dan menggunakan suspensi dan transmisi Ford F-550 dengan beratnya hampir mencecah 5 tan. Jika memilih yang mempunyai ciri kalis peluru, beratnya mencecah 6.6 tan atau 13,000 paun.

Oleh kerana badannya yang agak berat, SUV itu mempunyai daya pecutan yang agak mengecewakan. Kelajuan maksimum King hanyalah 140km/j.

Raja SUV ini menarik perhatian jutawan dunia bukan kerana kelajuannya, namun lebih kepada nilai estetika. Pembeli boleh
custom make
 King mengikut keperluan (dan kedalaman poket) masing-masing. Antaranya kerusi kulit Alligator, kemasan bertatah emas dan upholsteri istimewa.

Pengarah Pemasaran Karlmann King, Michael Nothdurft, memberitahu media bahawa seorang klien mereka di Afrika pernah menempah SUV khas dengan ciri-ciri tambahan tersebut pada harga 3.5 juta USD (RM15.3 juta).

Nothdurft turut memberitahu setiap pembeli perlu menunggu sembilan hingga 15 bulan sebelum kereta diserahkan.

Ciri paling menarik pada Karlmann King adalah
lapisan perisai kalis peluru
 pada badan SUV ini yang menjadi pilihan mogul hartanah sehinggalah pedagang jam mewah di Amerika Syarikat.

Setakat ini, dikhabarkan hanya 100 unit terjual di seluruh dunia. Ini kerana pihak IAT ingin memastikan nilai eksklusif King dikekalkan dan hanya segelintir individu yang boleh memilikinya.

Agaknya,
kerabat Raja
 atau jutawan Malaysia berminat tak dengan Karlmann King? Teringin juga penulis nak tengok King ‘sebenar’ di jalan raya kita!


The All-New 2021 Audi RS3 Sedan And Hatchback Are Loaded Guns Aimed At the AMG A45

As the race of supercar-killing hot hatches heats up, Audi has now revealed its latest and greatest hand – the latest generation Audi RS3 Sportback and Sedan models. Packing 400hp and Audi’s newest drivetrain technologies, both models promise mega performance and have their crosshairs aimed firmly at cars such as the
Mercedes-AMG A45
 and
BMW M2
.

Both the
third-generation Sportback
 and second-generation sedan (the sedan came later) RS3 models are powered by the latest generation of Audi’s 2.5-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder engine which outputs 400hp and a whopping 500Nm of torque.

Those figures represent a 5bhp and 20Nm increase over the outgoing model, and
Audi claims
 the powerband is substantially wider thanks to a new engine control unit that also increases the speed at which all of the drive components communicate with each other.

However, the peak power is still lower than that of the Mercedes-AMG A45S which offers 415hp and the
BMW M2 CS
 which offers 444hp from its turbocharged inline-six engine.

The engine is mated to a 7-speed Dual-Clutch automatic that has been updated with even faster shift times and a sportier gear ratio spread. From the transmission, power is routed to all four wheels through Audi’s trademark Quattro AWD system. In terms of performance, the RS 3 models sprint from 0-100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds.

Their top speed is limited to 250 km/h, but 280 km/h is also available as an optional upgrade. With the RS Dynamic package and ceramic brakes, they can even reach a top speed of 290 km/h.

A major highlight is the all-new RS Torque Splitter and specific RS 3 modes. The new Audi RS 3 is the first Audi model that comes standard-equipped with a torque splitter. It replaces the rear axle differential and the previous multiple disc clutch package on the rear axle. Instead, an electronically controlled multiple-disc clutch is used on each of the drive shafts. This ensures that the right amount of torque is optimally distributed along the rear axle. During more dynamic driving, the torque splitter increases the drive torque to the outer rear wheel with the higher wheel load, which significantly reduces the tendency to understeer.

For instance - in left-hand curves, it transmits the drive torque to the right rear wheel, in right-hand curves to the left rear wheel, and when driving straight ahead to both wheels. The new technology also makes controlled drifts possible – in this case, the torque splitter is able to direct all engine power to only one of the rear wheels if needed.

Audi even developed a driving mode specifically for the RS 3 for this purpose – “RS Torque Rear” – as a drift mode with its own characteristic curve for the torque splitter. The RS Performance mode, created specifically for the racetrack, is another first. It uses a specific engine and transmission configuration and is precisely tailored to the semi-slick tires that are, for the very first time, available for the RS 3 as a factory option.

Elsewhere, the standard-fit RS sports suspension features newly developed shock absorbers and a valve system both specific to the RS 3. The absorber valves are set up to ensure that the shock absorbers exhibit a particularly sensitive response as part of the rebound and compression characteristics. This allows the suspension to respond to the respective driving situations even faster and more effectively. An adaptive damper system is also optionally offered.

Compared to the regular Audi A3, the wheels on the front axle of the new RS 3 have additional negative camber for greater steering precision and response. To achieve this, the pivot bearings were modified and the lower wishbones were equipped with stiffer bearings, subframes, and stabilizers. The rear axle features a four-link design with a separate spring/ damper arrangement, subframe, and tubular stabilizer bar. Even the wheel carriers are stiffer than those of the Audi A3 and S3, to absorb the increased lateral forces generated by the torque splitter.

The RS 3 comes standard-equipped with larger and newly developed six-piston steel brakes to keep the power of the five-cylinder engine in check. A ceramic brake system measuring 380mm in diameter is optionally available. Standard brake discs measure 375mm at the front and 310mm at the rear. This makes them larger and more stable than in the previous model. Separately, air control elements further improve brake cooling by 20 percent according to Audi.

In terms of aesthetics – the RS 3 for the first time sheds its understated looks in favour of more aggressive design details over the regular A3 and S3 models. In the front, the wide RS bumper, the redesigned Singleframe with its distinctive honeycomb grille wedge-shaped LED headlights demarcate the RS 3 from the rest of the range. There is also a new design element behind the front wheel arches: an eye-catching additional air outlet. The rocker panels with black trim have also been redesigned, in combination with the flared wheel arches.

Round the back, the rear bumper incorporates an integrated diffuser, and the RS exhaust system (with two large oval tailpipes) and slim LED taillights further give the RS 3 an aggressive stance. The RS 3 is standard-equipped with 19-inch cast wheels in a 10-Y spoke design, a ‘5-Y spoke’ rim with
RS branding
, and the aforementioned Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R semi-slick tyres are optionally offered as well. The RS 3 models can also be ordered in two exclusive RS colors: Kyalami green and Kemora gray.

On the insider, the RS 3 models feature a carbon-fiber instrument panel and RS sport seats with RS embossing and anthracite contrast stitching as well as a unique three-spoke RS Sport multifunctional ‘flat bottomed’ leather steering wheel with a flattened bottom die-cast zinc shift paddles. Elsewhere, special floor mats with contrast stitching and RS embroidery, as well as seatbelts with colored edges are included as well.

In terms of instrumentation – the RS 3s sport 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus which accompanies a 10.1-inch Touch Display includes a specialised “RS Monitor” that displays the coolant, engine, and transmission oil temperatures as well as tire pressures. Separately, an RS-specific blinking shift indicator in manual transmission mode changes the rpm display from green to yellow to red, blinking in a manner identical to that used in motorsports, to indicate the ideal time to change gears.

The Audi RS 3 Sportback and Sedan will be available to order in Europe starting in mid-July 2021 with a base price starting from EUR 60,000 for the Sportback and EUR 62,000 for the sedan.


POSTPONED: MazdaSports Advance Driving For Mazda CX-5 Owners

Mazda Malaysia has just announced that this second round of MazdaSports Academy "Advance Driving" programme has been postponed.
Originally scheduled to take place on the 13th and 14th October 2018 (this weekend) at MAEPS, Serdang, Mazda Malaysia has informed the reason for the postponement was due to the venue provider (MAEPS, MARDI) placing concrete barricades at the activity area. As the safety of all participants is of utmost importance, Mazda Malaysia cannot proceed with the programme.
Mazda Malaysia will announce the new date once the venue provider has completed the necessary clearing activities.
We suspect it will be at least two weekends from now, as the concrete barricades are placed to facilitate a temporary car racing circuit that is scheduled to take place on the weekend of 19th to 21st October.
While registration for this event has closed due to limited capacity, Mazda owners who wish to join future events may do so by registering their interest via
this link
 that is found in
Mazda Malaysia’s Facebook Page
.
With the “ Advance  Driving” programme, participants will learn to
experience being one with their Mazda
 and discover ones driving potential. They will learn to find their perfect driving position and enhance their driving ability through a dynamic driving practical course.


Honda Offers Free 32 Point Inspection from 1st to 3rd July

It’s that time of year again, when people are preparing to make the long trip home for the Hari Raya holidays. Once again, Honda is offering free inspections- and this time, the 32 point check extends to all vehicles. Each inspection takes a mere 10 to 15 minutes, with free gifts and prizes as well for those who choose to get their vehicle checked out. Honda will be holding these inspections at various Petron stations around Malaysia, as well as EMart in Kuching. More details are provided in the flyer below.


Honda Is Number One In Thailand – 2 Years In A Row, 107,342 units sold

After a stellar year in 2016, Honda Automobile Thailand has once again galvanised its position as the number one carmaker in the passenger car market with a total of 107,342 units being sold between January and December 2016.
Honda’s market share rose to 32.7% from 31.5% in 2015 making the company the undisputed leader in Thailand for 2015 and 2016.
Total passenger car sales in Thailand in 2016 were 328,053 units which are 7.9% lower than the total sales in 2015 of 356,065 units. Overall automobile market sales (including commercial and passenger cars) in Thailand in 2016 were 768,788 units, a 3.9% decline from 2015 with sales in that year of 799,632 units.
Mr. Pitak Pruittisarikorn, Chief Operating Officer, Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd., said, “In 2016, Thailand’s automotive industry faced another challenging year due to slowdown in the domestic economy. However, Honda’s market share grew and we have been ranked no. 1 in the passenger car market for two years in a row. This represents another significant success for Honda and derives from customer trust and strong feedback about products that we launched last year such as
Honda BR-V
,
Honda Civic
, Honda Accord and Honda Accord Hybrid.”
The sales performance of Honda in Thailand is also echoed in the Malaysian market as well.
In 2016, Honda Malaysia sold 91,830 vehicles, a 3.3 percent decline from 2015’s 94,902 units – nonetheless, securing its position as the number 1 non-national carmaker two years in a row, edging out even Proton and rivals Toyota. Honda commanded a 15.8 percent overall market share in 2016.


Proton Iriz proves 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating as all occupants emerge with minor injuries after car plunges down hillside into a tree

The Proton Iriz is mainly known for its affordability, practicality and somewhat good driving dynamics. However, many people forget that it also has a five-star rating from the ASEAN NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) for its safety performance.

Thanks to this, three youngsters cheated death recently as they walked away with minor injuries after their Iriz plunged down a hillside after trying to avoid a dog crossing their path at Jalan Lendu, Alor Gajah.

Picture credit: The Star

According to The Star, Alor Gajah OCPD Supt Arshad Abu identified the three as 25 year old Aizat Affandi Saufi Affandi,23 year old Muhammad Arif Zawaluddin, and Muhammad Zairul Faizri Bin Mohd Fairuz who is 21.

The superintendent said the weather was good along the curvy road where the car plummeted and rammed into a tree.

He confirmed that the driver, Aizat Affandi, lost control when he tried to avoid hitting the dog on the road.

The three
Proton Iriz
 occupants were rushed to Alor Gajah Hospital in ambulances once rescued, but they only had minor injuries.

A five-star rating from the ASEAN NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) means the Iriz comes with safety features such as electronic stability control, traction control, and multiple airbags - which is probably one of the reasons why the three youngsters walked away with just light injuries.


8 Tips Halau Lipas Daripada Membiak Dalam Kereta

Siapa yang tak stress bila nampak anak lipas berlari-lari di dalam
kereta
? Bila dah ada anak lipas, mesti ada mak dan bapak lipas sekali. Kat mana pula sarang mereka? Inilah persoalan yang mungkin bermain dalam fikiran anda apabila dilawati oleh seekor lipas di dalam kereta. Apa yang perlu anda lakukan agar lipas ini tidak terus bersarang dan membiak dalam kereta anda?

Pertama sekali, anda perlu tahu apa punca yang menyebabkan lipas tertarik untuk mendiami kereta anda tanpa membayar sewa. Sekiranya anda seorang yang gemar untuk makan dan minum di dalam kereta, sisa-sisa makanan yang tidak dibersihkan sepenuhnya akan menjadi tarikan utama kepada makhluk ini.

Tidak dinafikan, menggunakan semburan racun lipas pada kenderaan merupakan cara yang paling mudah untuk membasmi pembiakan lipas. Malah boleh bunuh on the spot. Tapi kalau lipas dah selalu sangat muncul walaupun dah spray berkali-kali, maknanya dia dah bersarang dalam kereta. Takkan setiap kali nak pandu kereta kena sembur racun dahulu. Takut boleh memudaratkan penumpang pula tambah pula kalau ada kanak-kanak.

Oleh itu, ada beberapa petua semulajadi dan tips untuk menghalau lipas daripada terus bermahajaralela di dalam kereta anda yang boleh anda ikuti di bawah ini.

1. Daun Pandan

Haruman semulajadi yang terhasil daripada daun pandan amatlah dibenci oleh lipas. Ambil beberapa helai daun pandan dan basuh terlebih dahulu sebelum dihiris kecil. Kemudian, masukkan daun pandan yang telah dipotong ke dalam beg kain yang berjaring halus untuk membebaskan baunya. Jika anda malas nak potong, ikat sahaja beberapa helai daun pandan dan letakkan di dalam kereta. Daun pandan perlu ditukar dan dibuang apabila sudah kering dan reput.

2. Daun Durian Belanda

Selain daun pandan, daun durian belanda juga boleh digunakan untuk menghalau lipas. Caranya sama sahaja seperti penggunaan daun pandan di atas. Perbezaannya, daun ini dikatakan lebih berkesan apabila daunnya sudah betul-betul kering. Oleh kerana tidak semua ada pokok durian belanda atau teh daun durian belanda di rumah, daun pandan dilihat sebagai pilihan yang lebih mudah.

3. Semburan Serai Wangi

Sekiranya anda mempunyai alahan terhadap
racun
 serangga, semburan serai wangi adalah pilihan semulajadi terbaik yang anda ada untuk menghalau lipas. Cara buatnya mudah sahaja, kisarkan serai wangi hingga halus (seeloknya kering). Campur hasil kisaran tersebut dengan 250ml air dan biarkan semalaman. Tapis hampasnya dan masukkan air rendaman tersebut di dalam botol penyembur. Anda boleh terus sembur sahaja selepas itu. Kosnya lebih murah dan lebih selamat kerana memang diperbuat 100% daripada tumbuhan tanpa sebarang campuran bahan kimia.

4. Baking Soda

Baking soda juga berguna kerana sifat toksiknya terhadap lipas. Tidak cukup dengan itu, baking soda ini juga boleh menyerap dan menghilangkan bau yang terhasil daripada sisa makanan yang berpotensi untuk memanggil lipas untuk terus bermastautin di dalam kereta anda. Untuk menggunakan cara ini, anda cuma perlu taburkan baking soda ke atas karpet kereta anda dan tinggalkan untuk beberapa hari. Kemudian, vakum semula karpet kereta anda.

5. Perangkap gam

Anda boleh mendapatkan perangkap gam atau glue trap ini di mana-mana kedai dengan harga yang berpatutan. Perangkap ini perlu ditinggalkan di dalam kereta semalaman kerana lipas dipercayai aktif pada waktu malam. Jangan pula biar perangkap ini dalam kereta sampai
berminggu-minggu
. Seeloknya, ganti lah secara harian sampai lipas-lipas tersebut lenyap daripada kereta anda.

6. Perangkap Lipas

*Kredit foto: Ridhwan Rashid

Anda juga boleh membuat perangkap lipas DIY yang mudah ini.

Bahan-bahannya:

Marjerin

Minyak masak

Susu pekat manis

Cara-caranya:

Campur semua bahan dan letakkan dalam satu bekas.

Simpan dalam kereta semalaman dan anda pasti terkejut dengan hasilnya apabila mendapati hampir kesemua lipas akan masuk dalam perangkap yang anda buat itu.

Ini kerana majerin bertindak menarik lipas untuk makan kemudian susu pekat manis secara tidak langsung akan memerangkap lipas itu daripada lari ke tempat lain.

Begitu juga dengan minyak masak yang akan melemaskan lipas dan seterusnya mati.

7. Bau-bauan aromaterapi

Lipas amat sensitif dengan deria bau. Sebab itu mereka boleh jejak sisa makanan yang tertinggal dalam kereta anda. Oleh kerana deria bau lipas yang kuat, makhluk ini tidak suka akan bau-bauan aromaterapi seperti daun pudina, peppermint atau lemongrass. Walaupun teknik ini tidak akan membunuh telur lipas, tapi sekurang-kurangnya bau aromaterapi ini mampu menghalau lipas keluar daripada kabin.

8. Vakum bawah karpet sekali

Kebanyakan lipas membiak di dalam rangka kereta anda dan menjadikan ia sukar untuk dicapai oleh tangan manusia. Tetapi, untuk kotoran yang boleh di bersihkan seperti di dalam kabin, anda seharusnya vakum permukaan alas kaki serta bawahnya sekali untuk memastikan kebersihan yang lebih menyeluruh. Kalau dah parah sangat, bawa sahaja kereta ke
carwash
 untuk dicuci. Ada sesetengah carwash yang menawarkan
cucian
 yang lebih terperinci.

Langkah utama dalam mengelakkan kereta anda daripada menjadi pusat pembiakan lipas adalah dengan menjaga kebersihan kereta sepenuh masa. Tak salah nak makan dalam kereta, tapi pastikan anda bersihkan segala sisa makanan yang tinggal!

For more latest car news, reviews, car buying guides and videos visit us at Carlist.my
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.

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Carlist.my.

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.

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Honda Engineer Buys Civic Type R, And Waits In Line For It

The surest way to express pride and confidence in one’s own creation is to actually buy and own the said product.
Hideki Kakinuma is the Assistant Large Project Leader of the
FK8 Honda Civic Type R
, a car which he is rightly and unsurprisingly proud of, so much so that he ordered one on the day which the car was launched in Japan.
An obvious driving enthusiast, Kakinuma-san confesses to have hardly owned many Honda cars in the past, have instead preferred to drive BMW and Mercedes-Benz models.
With the FK8, however, Kakinuma-san reveals that, “I have created the car that I want to drive, and that’s why I bought it.”
Being the number two man in the FK8’s development team, however, has not afforded Kakinuma-san any privileges in cutting the order queue.
Since the FK8’s Japan market launch in July, Kakinuma-san has been waiting for the delivery of his black FK8 Civic Type R which he expects to arrive sometime next month.
Great to see the man not abusing his company privileges; hopefully he got a generous employee discount.


VIDEO: Man Uses His Super Strength To Lift Away Car Blocking A Crosswalk

Practicing calm in the face of obstructions is something that comes from maturity - we think. And that virtue is perfectly exemplified by this bicyclist who encounters a car parked by a selfish driver on a cycle lane. Not content with standing by while crime is at hand, he saves the day.
The video itself hails from Brazil, from what we can tell. A country that really
doesn't like bad parking
. The onlookers couldn’t quite believe the spectacle and only just managed to capture the moment on their phone cameras. The cyclist, by some Herculean feat of strength, lifts the hatchback clean off its rear wheels and moves it off a cycle lane leading to a crosswalk.
You’d usually need a forklift or some other kind of machinery to
move a foolishly parked car
, but this big guy only needs his considerable brawn.
Mind you, he did not even appear angry or bothered. He just did what needed to be done, but nobody (except him, obviously) had the ability to. The entire time, bystanders were cheering him on. But needing no credit, he gets back on his bicycle and pedals away. Slowly. Casually. Calmly.
Just another day for your friendly neighbourhood
real-life
Mr. Incredible.


Penangites, You Can Now Buy And Service Your Porsche In Penang

In the past, if you live somewhere in the Northern region of Peninsular Malaysia and wanted a Porsche, there are only two options – you can either buy a reconditioned parallel-imported unit with questionable history and take your chances with after-sales, or you drive down Kuala Lumpur and make a trip there again every time your Porsche needs some maintenance work done.
That sort of hassle is now a thing of the past because Sime Darby Auto Performance, the authorized distributor of Porsche vehicles in Malaysia, has today officially launched Porsche Centre Penang - its third 3S centre in the country after Porsche Centre Glenmarie and Porsche Centre Sg. Besi.
Located along Jalan Baru in Seberang Perai, the RM 15 million facility is built on 102,524 sq ft of land, out of which 35,575 sq ft is the build-up area.
“We are thrilled to be moving into Penang with our third Porsche Centre in Malaysia," said Arnt Bayer, Chief Executive Officer of Sime Darby Auto Performance. "This new 3S Porsche Centre will enable us to deliver a higher level of customer satisfaction and a unique ownership experience for all Porsche owners and enthusiasts in the northern region.”
The new Porsche Centre Penang is designed to display as many as 10 cars in the showroom. The new facility has two air conditioned dialogue bays and a spacious after sales reception, integrated with the exclusive Carrera Lounge, which offers luxurious comfort and modern conveniences to customers during their visit. The state-of-the-art workshop features 9 service bays as well as a warehouse for spare parts. In addition, Porsche customers can browse through the Porsche Driver’s Selection shop in shop with a selection of the latest apparel, personal accessories and toys from Porsche.
Martin Limpert, Managing Director of Porsche Asia Pacific, said: “SDAP has been our sole and exclusive importer in Malaysia since 2010 and continuously invested into the Porsche brand, with special dedication to state-of-the-art facilities and best skilled people. The new Porsche Centre Penang marks another milestone for the Porsche growth in Malaysia and is a bold statement of SDAP’s commitment. I strongly believe in the long-term potential for Porsche in Malaysia and I am convinced that this latest addition to the Porsche dealer network will support our growth path and assure an outstanding customer experience.”


ASEAN NCAP – 0 Stars for Kia Morning and Hyundai EON

The results of seven car models tested by the New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP) has just been announced at the fourth ASEAN Automobile Safety Forum (AASF) 2016 that is being held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Models tested this round consist of the Hyundai EON,
Isuzu MU-X
, Kia Morning,
Nissan NP300 Navara
,
Nissan X-Trail T32
, Suzuki Ciaz, and Suzuki Ertiga.
The representatives from Korea performed disappointingly; both the Hyundai EON (Philippine-spec) and Kia Morning (Indonesian-spec) attained shocking 0-star rating for Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and meagre 1-star rating for Child Occupant Protection (COP). Neither vehicle came fitted with airbags.
This is not the first time which a Korean marque was tested offering vehicles with below-par safety in the region. The first round of testing in 2013 found the
Hyundai i10
, a vehicle rated with four stars in Euro NCAP, scoring only two in the ASEAN equivalent. A repeat test in 2015 saw the i10 pick up a solitary star for Adult Occupant Protection and four stars for Child Occupant Protection.
The Kia Morning featured in this round of testing is essentially Indonesia’s version of the
Picanto
, which has been tested previously by ASEAN NCAP in two guises. The Malaysian version, which comes fitted with six airbags and electronic stability control, was rated four stars for both its Adult and Child Occupant Protection ratings. The Thai variant, on the other hand, which similarly had neither airbags nor ESC, fared no better than its Indonesian counterpart.
The Hyundai EON is not currently offered in Malaysia. It makes unwanted history by actually scoring 0.00 out of 16.00 points for Adult Occupant Protection, the first vehicle in ASEAN NCAP’s short history to do so.

“The Kia Morning and Hyundai EON, respectively are the second and third 0-Star cars in the history of ASEAN NCAP, after the non-airbag version of Kia Picanto tested in 2014 for the Thailand market. The Hyundai EON’s result comes alongside the latest results released for popular Indian cars by Global NCAP in New Delhi on 17 May 2016. The 0-Star result of the Morning and EON shows it is important that the cars are not only fitted with at least frontal airbags but it is also crucial that the structure of the car remains stable in a crash,” said ASEAN NCAP Secretary-General, Mr. Khairil Anwar Abu Kassim.
Of the remaining vehicles, the
Nissan X-Trail
 secured a five-star Adult Occupant Protection rating whilst all others achieved four stars. For Child Occupant Protection, the
Navara
 and both Suzukis attained two stars whilst the
X-Trail
 and
MU-X
 were both rated four stars.
ASEAN NCAP revealed that scores for the MU-X were extrapolated from test results obtained when testing its pick-up equivalent, the
D-Max
, back in 2013, with adjustments based on technical evidence provided by
Isuzu
. The MU-X’s Child Occupant Protection score of 73% is, in fact, an improvement over the
D-Max
’s 71%.
Latest results of ASEAN NCAP are summarized below:


Proton’s Market Share Close To 12% In July With Over 8,000 Sales

Proton started the second half of 2018 by posting its strongest sales numbers for the last 30 months (traces back to December 2015), registering 8,102 sales. Based on internal estimates, Proton is expected to achieve a market share of 11.7 per cent for the month of July.
Sales were driven by Malaysian customers who took advantage of the zero-rated GST pricing together with very attractive rebates together with the resumption of export activities.
The Saga and Persona models continue to lead sales, with the former breaking through the 3,000-unit barrier for the first time in 2018.
The Persona model meanwhile also achieved its own “barrier-breaking” feat, registering 2,221 units of sales, a feat (over 2,000 units) the company last achieved back in May 2017.
“July was a very good month for Proton as we had achieved our highest volume not just for 2018 but also for the last 30 months. We know that a big factor in boosting sales is the current tax holiday period with zero-rated GST prior to the implementation of SST in September but the numbers also prove that Malaysians are opening their eyes to the attractive buying proposition offered by the current range of Proton cars,”
“We are therefore hopeful of carrying over this momentum even after SST has been introduced as we gear up for
the launch of our first SUV later in the year
,” said Abdul Rashid Musa, CEO of Proton Edar.
With the strong sales achievement in July, Proton will be contributing RM81,020 to the Tabung Harapan Malaysia, a fund set up by the government for the public to contribute to settling the national debt.
On the topic of
exporting vehicles
, Proton plans to resume sales in Egypt by the final quarter of the year as the country recovers from the currency crises that had hampered their automotive industry over the last few years.
In July, Proton exported a total of 517 cars to Jordan, Iraq, and Iran.
Proton is also having an internal after-sales service competition to further improve the technicians’ skills. This will, in turn, drive the after-sales and service quality to a higher level, a key parameter that the new Proton management has stressed to improve.
“The improvement in service quality is crucial for Proton as we lay the groundwork for the introduction of the SUV and other products developed together with Geely in the future. We are also in the midst of making a big investment with our partners to upgrade our outlets to 3S and 4S status so the addition of more highly skilled technicians to serve our customers better is a timely development,” said Abdul Rashid.


Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia Announces Field Fix For ASX, Lancer, Outlander, Pajero Exceed Models

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), the official distributor of Mitsubishi Motors vehicles in Malaysia, has requested for owners of imported Mitsubishi Lancer and Outlander, and the locally-assembled ASX models to
replace the engine control relay
 of their vehicles. Overall affected cars are about
5,000 units
.

Vehicles

Period of Manufacture

ASX (CKD)

March 2015 – November 2016

Lancer (CBU)

December 2014 – February 2016

Outlander (CBU)

December 2015 – June 2016

The relay protects the engine’s ECU from any sudden surge of voltage. If it is not replaced, the internal parts of the relay may fail and subsequently affect the engine’s ECU function.

Separately, MMM will also be conducting a Field Fix Campaign to replace the
 passenger side airbag inflator
 for 115 units of
Pajero Exceed manufactured from March 2010 – July 2012
.

Some of the passenger side airbags may release metal fragments when deployed causing injuries to the occupants. This exercise is part of the Takata airbag recall campaign worldwide.

“Safety is our utmost priority thus MMM is taking this initiative to assure customer’s safety and regrets the inconvenience caused to the affected customers,” said Tomoyuki Shinnishi, Chief Executive Officer of MMM.

MMM will issue notification letters to all affected Mitsubishi owners and request all affected customers to make an appointment at any of the Mitsubishi Motors authorized service centres for the replacement of the above. The
full cost of the replacement will be borne by the company
.

For the list of service centres and further information, visit
here
 or contact MMM Customer Careline at 1800 18 8161 (9 am – 5 pm, Mondays to Fridays excluding public holidays).


VIDEO: Hackers Can Remotely Hijack A Car While You Sit Helpless To Stop It

Car hacking could have been a plot line in Knight Rider, but with more and more computing power being squeezed into even merely average cars these days, it’s really not that surprising. A pair of such hackers were able to exploit a vulnerability within a 2014
Jeep

Cherokee
 to essentially bring it fully under their control.
It’s a truly scary thought that someone sitting on their couch at home, armed with a computer, an internet connection, and the right know-how could remotely control a car and completely lock you, the driver, out.
In a special feature by
Wired
, senior writer Andy Greenberg collaborated with the two hackers, Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek, to show off just how deep their ability to remotely hijack a car goes. Greenberg had previously written about the hacking duo before, when they took control of a
Toyota

Prius
 and
Ford

Escape
 via their computers. Only, that attempt involved a wired connection via car’s diagnostics port.
It wasn’t enough to get the automotive industry to stand up and pay attention given that it involved physical access to the vehicle, and Miller says they needed to find a way to gain control remotely to spike the levels of concern.
This time, Miller and Valasek have returned with just that and have devised a demonstration involving Greenberg driving normally down a highway in St. Louis, Missouri. The duo will remotely hack the vehicle through a cellular connection via Chrysler’s on-board Uconnect system.
Once a connection has been established. They could toggle in-car functions, display content on the dash-mounted screen, turns on the wipers, mess with the stereo, even disable the transmission. All this while the driver can desperately press all the buttons and push all the pedals he wants, to no avail.
This is exactly what happened to Greenberg, and he was left on the highway with an unresponsive car, slowly coming to a halt with no hard shoulder to safety stop, with the stereo blaring and the windshield drenched in washer fluid. He hackers then instructed him to turn off the ignition and then back on again. From there, the hackers stopped their attack and Greenberg was able to drive the car away normally.
The demonstration was not over, though. In a parking lot after the rather tense ordeal, Greenberg met up with the hackers to show how they could, when the car is travelling at a low enough speed, disable the car from braking when the pedal is pushed, or when in reverse, to control the steering too. This allowed them to drive the car into a ditch with Greenberg, in the driver’s seat, helpless to stop it.
What’s more concerning is that they say it is possibly that all recently sold cars under the Fiat Chrysler umbrella have this vulnerability as they all share the Uconnect feature. Hundreds of thousands of Chrysler vehicles are at risk, between those manufactured after later 2013 and presently, with the hacker only needing the car’s IP address to exploit the vulnerability and begin the attack.
By Miller’s projections, around 471,000 vehicles in the United States are vulnerable to these attacks via the Uconnect system.
Miller and Valasek have been sharing their research with Fiat Chrysler for almost nine months now, which allowed them to silently develop a fix. However, the patch itself has to be installed manually, either at the dealership or via a USB drive. Given the glacial pace at which vehicles actually receive in-car infotainment system updates, the majority of at-risk cars will likely remain as such.
They have not attempted remotely hacking into other car makes, but it’s not inconceivable that, given enough time, any car with the right internal computer network, or CAN bus, could be hijacked in a similar way.
Which brings us squarely into the debate surrounding the increasing complexity of cars as we build in more computerized features and connectivity, thereby also making them very susceptible to cyber-attacks. Typically, the security aspect of a car’s computer system takes a back seat to make way for user-facing features that can marketed to the customer.
Perhaps that order of importance needs a very urgent shuffle. You can watch the entire video below.


ERL Fare Hike Justifiable? Deputy Transport Minister Says KLIA Express Fares Stagnant For 14 Years

For the past 14 years, the to/from fare for the Express Rail Link (ERL) or KLIA Express as it is known more commonly, has remained unchanged. Since then, operational costs and other factors have played a role in necessitating the RM20 rise announced on December 1st - or at least that’s about as close as we have to verbal justification. Fares will rise from where they stand currently, RM35, to RM55 for a one-way trip between KL Sentral to KLIA/KLIA2 or vice versa.
Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Aziz Kaprawi cited this as a large portion of the reason why the hike was announced, writes The Star. The ERL fare increase comes into effect on January 1st, 2016, and was made known only shortly after chatter of the possible hikes for the PLUS highways were heard, and just two months after more than
17 highways within the Klang Valley
 saw toll hikes in near-unison.
It’s a very frustrating time to be living as a Malaysian who needs to get to places, which can be said for pretty much everyone especially within the Klang Valley. The Government, said Aziz, had only now approved the hike because ERL’s previous applications were met with rejection.
“They were making a loss all this while, and after 14 years, operational costs have also gone up,” Aziz told reporters at the Parliament lobby. He added that operational costs had also doubled in recent years, explaining why the hike was not implemented in stages.
The RM55 one-way fare would not apply for all commuters, however, as is primarily meant for foreigners and non-frequent users. There will be three travel card packages offered by ERL that can offer up discount of up to 40 percent off the usual price, theoretically taking it down to a minimum of RM33 per journey.
ERL, in its defence, has said that the latest revision was in accordance with the Land Public Transport Act and was given the green light by SPAD and the Government. Apparently, the new prices were originally authorised to be raised to RM64 per journey. Yes, now we are grateful.
Other measures would also be undertaken by ERL to provide commuters with discounts such as offering a 10 percent discount for ticket buyers making their purchase through their mobile app or ERL kiosks, as well as offering a 17-83 percent discount for those who purchase a 44-trip monthly TravelCard.


BMW Preps M4 DTM For Zanardi, Hand Operated Clutch, Brake, and Throttle

With Alessandro Zanardi preparing for a guest appearance at the upcoming round of the DTM championship in Misano, BMW has also made modifications to suit Zanardi as he is a paraplegic, and this year sees some changes that focuses more on hand operation than a solid connection between the pedal and his prosthetic appendages. Testing continues as he familiarizes himself with these new controls, although paraplegics in racing is nothing new as there are even paraplegic drifters (both local and abroad).
Modifications to the M4 DTM are largely to do with control relocation. With only the use of his hands, paddle shifters are a must - although they've been standard on DTM cars for the last few years. The shift paddles have seen some modifications as well, with an additional lever mounted to the brake lever system.
The hand-operated brake system will be something new to Zanardi, and it requires less effort making it easier to operate. The brake lever is to the right of the wheel in the centre console, and the introduction of this system meant the pedal box was no longer necessary. The mechanical advantage of the system increases braking force by roughly 30% over the standard system, needing just 70 kilograms of force to operate versus 100 kilograms to 120 kilograms.
In addition to this, the clutch is swapped out for a drag-racing style centrifugal clutch rather than a foot-operated system. The clutch automatically engages above a certain engine speed allowing for quick starts and immediate engagement - perhaps a mild advantage for Zanardi when getting off the line. The throttle is par for the course with cars adapted for Zanardi in the past, essentially being a ring that is tugged on to manipulate the throttle.


Beauty On A Budget – Five Cars That Still Turn Heads For Under RM50k

It’s possibly the oldest and most contentious argument out there.

Does a prospective buyer purchase a new but in many cases unremarkable appliance that simply gets you from A to B, or do you bite the bullet and live some part of your own success story by buying a used vehicle that costs the same money, but exudes class, presence, pizazz, and delivers on that oh-so-important quantum: driving exhilaration.

On the one hand, no one, no matter how much of a gearhead you consider yourself to be, no one wants an unreliable money pit which you would think twice to take down to a nearby
mamak
 for fear of breaking down, but, if you’re going to spend all your hard-earned money, so why not stand out a little more?

So let’s say you have RM50,000 cold hard cash just laying around and you’re looking to get some nice wheels, you could get a brand new Perodua Myvi (H - AT), or you could drive home in any one of the following five head-turning rides below.

But, to qualify the argument, we would have to overlook the overall costs of vehicle ownership, financing options, and maintenance and simply focus on their intrinsic values of premium style, power, driving performance, and luxury.

In no particular order...

1. Alfa Romeo 159

Why it’s here

The Alfa Romeo 159 was one of the last models to be released by the company before the merger of the Fiat Chrysler Automotomobiles group in 2014. Hence, it’s one of the last “old-guard” Alfa Romeos and the spiritual successor of the legendary 155 model. Penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro in collaboration with the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, the 159 features the trademark V-Shaped grille and bonnet, which is flanked by cylindrical headlight clusters that still turns heads today. Locally sold models included the 2.2L JTS SeleSpeed variant that featured a direct-injected 2.2L, which produced 185 hp, and 230 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

One we found

We found a superb condition
Alfa Romeo 159
 on our Carlist.my website in menacing black no less. It retails for little over RM60k with room to negotiate but we have found examples for as low as RM40k so it is best to look around for the best bargain and ascertain the overall condition with an experienced mechanic.

2. BMW (E92) 325i Coupe

Why it’s here

What would a list like this be without a BMW to spice things up? The (E92) 3 Series Coupe was produced between 2007 and 2013 and was the last Coupe bodystyle to bear the 3 Series nameplate, a legacy that started with the E21-generation back in 1975. Sporting aggressive styling and a svelte silhouette, the E92 still can hold its own in terms of design and performance in a sea of newer machinery. Like any BMW, there is always an assortment of drivetrains and trim levels to choose from – from the humble 2.0-litre (156 hp/200 Nm) four-cylinder 320i to the full-blown 3.0-litre turbocharged 335i with 306 hp and 400 Nm.

One we found

In our opinion the 325i Coupe is the sweet spot between performance and reliability. Though not common, prices start at just above RM50k. Prices vary depending on condition and model year, so conduct a proper diagnostics prior to purchase.

3. Lexus IS250

Why it’s here

The second-generation (XE20) IS250 debuted in 2005 (until 2013) and further built on the reputation of being Lexus’ answer to the likes of the 3 Series and Audi A4. Sleek proportions and angular design elements give it a strong aggressive road presence even after all these years. The interior exudes premium style and comfort, and Lexus’ trademark build quality, which will last years if cared for nicely. The IS250 is powered by a 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated V6 which outputs 208 hp and 252 Nm of torque and is arguably the most bulletproof car on this list. The engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

One we found

There are plenty of choices between the RM40k and RM60k mark on
Carlist.my
,
 so take your time to source for the best one. Pay special attention to signs of abnormal wear and tear especially on the interior. Also, ensure the car comes with comprehensive service records.

4. Volvo C30

Why it’s here

The most unique car on this list is also the rarest of the lot. If you would like to stand out, especially in Malaysia, you cannot do much better than a Volvo C30. Volvo's take on the hot-hatch genre was first introduced in 2006 (until 2013) and incorporated familiar design cues from the V40 at the front but retrospectively borrowed the rear styling and proportions from the iconic P1800 ES. The interior is pretty much the same as the S40/V50 models, which features simplistic architecture and Volvo’s trademark “Waterfall” centre console. Drivetrains mirrored that of the period S40 with a (170 hp/ 230 Nm) 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine; paired with a 5-speed automatic.

One we found

Finding one is like finding a needle in a haystack, but here's one from
Carlist.my
 which starts off at just over RM40k, not a lot for a stylish little two-door premium hatchback. We recommend getting a thorough diagnostics done by a Volvo specialist or authorised sales centre prior to purchasing.

5. Jaguar XF 3.0 V6

Why it’s here

Yes, we could have added an Audi or Mercedes-Benz to this list, but let’s be honest – the Jag is just so much cooler, and cheaper! The XF came in the twilight of Jaguar’s styling renaissance in 2007, and incorporated familiar design elements of yore – such as the mesh front grille – and newer cues such as the swanky headlights, a higher waistline, and more angular overall proportions. Possibly the coolest features of the XF are on the inside, where flush fitted air-con vents rotate open along with the rotary gear selector, which rises out of the centre console when the car is started. How’s that for cool? Most commonly found XFs are powered by a 3.0-litre naturally-aspirated V6 which produces 238 hp and 293 Nm of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic for effortless cruising.

One we found

Jaguar XFs are not hard to come by but good condition ones are harder to find. There’s no doubt repairs are not cheap, so your best bet is to source one from a Jaguar enthusiast or collector who would have known how to maintain and care for the car. Prices range between RM45k to RM130k depending on condition and production year. Here are a
few we found
.


Fuel Price: Government Sets New Fuel Price Ceiling For RON95 and Euro2M Diesel

The Government has announced a marginally lower price cap for RON95 petrol and Euro 2M diesel fuels; with immediate effect, RON95 fuel will be capped off at RM2.05 per litre, while Euro 2M diesel’s ceiling price is set at RM2.15 per litre.

The price cap is 3 sen lower respectively than the price ceiling set by the previous ruling government, of RM2.08 for RON95, and RM2.18 for Euro 2M diesel.

Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz said that with the new ruling, consumers would only have to pay the ceiling price, regardless if international market prices force the price of fuel upwards beyond the mandated price, in which case, the government will bear the difference with subsidies.

Conversely, if global market prices go down, then pump prices will follow accordingly – which will be announced through the Automatic Price Mechanism (APM), on the Friday of every week.

The statement adds, “This decision was taken based on the rising market price trend of petroleum products following the increase in world crude oil demand which was also influenced by the reopening of various economic sectors around the world. The global oil price trend is also influenced by the COVID-19 vaccination plan, which is starting to be rolled out gradually around the world. Malaysia itself will launch its National Immunization Program starting at the end of February 2021,”

Fuel prices for the
current week 6th-12th February 2021
 are as follows:

RON95 – RM 1.93 per litre (up by 0.03)

RON97 – RM 2.23 per litre (up by 0.03)

Diesel – RM 2.11 per litre (down by RM0.02)

For more latest car news, reviews, car buying guides and videos visit us at Carlist.my
Auto News
.

Check out all the best new & used car deals in Malaysia at
Carlist.my.

Sell your car fast with the best offer? Visit us at
CarlistBid.my
.


No Data? No Problems. Nokia 'Here' Is Now Available For Both Android And iOS

We’re sure many of you are already familiar with Waze, the handy smartphone app that provides great information on traffic as well as directions to get us to our destination. However, one of its drawbacks is its dependency on mobile data, which in certain locations, is a pretty difficult signal to obtain. Happily though, there’s a solution and it's called '
Here' from Nokia
.

The premise of the app is simple enough. It provides voice guided navigation with estimated time of arrival, adjusted for the current traffic situation along the way. The highlight of the app though is the ability to download offline maps before setting off on your journey, which negate the need for mobile cellular data at the expense of obtaining traffic information.

Now available for both iOS and Android platforms, the app offers a quick and clean interface. The map choices aren’t just limited to Malaysia either as Here offers offline maps of various other countries as well across five continents. That makes it a wonderful travel companion whilst travelling overseas where access to mobile cellular data is limited. In some places, it even offers routes by public transport as well.

So what are you waiting for? Android users,
head on over here
 to get the app and iOS users, this is the link you’ll want to
direct your mobile device to
.


Remembering The Late Datuk Gurcharan Singh – A True Malaysian Who Made Proton A Success In The ‘80s.

On this day 30 years ago, Tun Dr. Mahathir launched the
first Proton Saga
. The first production Saga, bearing registration number Proton 1 was given to the-then Yang DiPertuan Agong Sultan Iskandar of Johor. Later on 1-September, after the Saga went on sale on 28-August, Tun Dr. Mahathir became the first paying customer for a Proton when he took delivery of a metallic blue Saga bearing registration number Proton 1001, as a gift to his wife Datin Seri Dr. Siti Hasmah.

When revisiting Proton’s history, Tun Dr. Mahathir’s name often came up, crediting him for the creation of Proton.

The early days of Proton was a good period for the company. It kept growing from strength to strength, making inroads into developed markets like the United Kingdom. Exports to the US was also mooted.

Within just six months after its launch in the UK in March 1989, Proton had already sold 5,000 cars – a figure which took Hyundai 1.5 years to achieve in the UK. By 1992, Proton was the fastest growing brand in the UK and many British businesses were interested to sign up with Proton Cars UK to be a Proton dealer. At this point, Proton was already outselling Hyundai and the Volkswagen-owned Seat.

Back home, contrary to popular opinion, the early days of Proton wasn’t that easy. The public was understandably sceptical about the quality of a Malaysian-made car. Yes the government gave Proton the benefit of exemption from paying excise duty and import duty on Japan-sourced parts. But in those days, the price gap between a Proton and a similar range Japanese car wasn’t as big as what it was in later years.

In 1985, a Proton Saga 1.5S costed RM19,005, powered by an 8-valve Mitsubishi sourced Orion engine. A
RM22,834
Toyota Corolla LE used a smaller 1.3-litre engine but it came with a then-sophisticated 12-valve technology. In fact the Corolla had the most sophisticated engine in its segment and delivered comparable performance to the bigger capacity Proton. It also came with an alarm – a rather expensive feature at that time. As such, the difference between the Proton and the Toyota, in terms of value, isn’t that big.

At the same time, Nissan, the-then best-selling brand in Malaysia prior to Proton’s entry, slashed the price of its Sunny 130Y to just RM19,500. Naturally, many buyers went for the proven Nissan instead.

So it was not true that Proton didn't have to compete, at least that was the case in the ‘80s.

The team at Proton were under heavy pressure to hit their sales target of around 7,500 to 8,000 cars per year – the minimum volume required to keep the national car project viable.

The task of marketing this little known Proton car to the Malaysian public rested on one Mr. Gurcharan Singh, better known as ‘Gurch,’ who was later given the honory Datuk title in 1988.

Gurch was the first General Manager at Edaran Otomobil Nasional (EON), who was then responsible for the sales and marketing of Proton cars in Malaysia (this was before Proton Edar was setup).

Gurch came from UMW and was responsible for setting up UMW Sarawak Sdn. Bhd, and became its Eastern Regional Director.

An alumni of the St. Michael’s Institution (Class of 1959) in Ipoh, which some say is one of the best schools in the country, Gurch had to fend for himself when his father Harbans Singh passed away when he was about 16 or 17 years old.

His mother was of Chinese-descent, and thus Gurch was fluent in not just English and Malay, but also Mandarin as well as Hokkien. He was a true Malaysian.

When his father passed on, money was tight as his mother was earning only RM80 a month as a washer lady and had to support Gurch and his younger brother and sister.

After leaving school, he worked as a teacher at the Horley Methodist School in Teluk Intan while studying for his Higher School Certificate (equivalent to today’s STPM). He continued working and studying on his own before graduating from the University of Malaya with degree in Geography.

Between 1970 to 1973, he was an Assistant Personnel Superintendent for the-then Malaysia-Singapore Airlines, a precursor to Malaysian Airlines. In 1973, he joined UMW as a Personnel Manager.

When the late Tan Sri Eric Chia was asked by Tun Dr. Mahathir to setup EON, Gurch, who had already proven his mettle by setting up UMW Sarawak in Kuching with only one suitcase and a handful of staff he recruited at a hotel lobby, was handpicked by Chia to be his right-hand man at EON.

Long before pre-launch teaser campaigns and road shows became the norm, Gurch orchestrated one of the biggest teaser campaigns for an automotive brand in Malaysia, a feat that is not matched until today.

Gurch, who was often said to have the ‘Midas Touch’ and had a knack for making something big out of nothing, knew that to win over the confidence of Malaysians, advertisements alone will not do.

He also knew that it was important to build goodwill among Malaysians to support the national car project, and that meant engaging Malaysians from all walks of life – including people in smaller towns where there weren't any Proton showrooms.

Plans for a ‘Sagarama’ road show was then put in motion. The Saga was first shown to the public on 9-July 1985, but the car will not go on sale until 28-August 1985.

In between this period, Gurch, working with public relations agency Daniel J. Edelmen, had two white Proton Sagas – BCH 1351 and BCH 1352 – driven to all 14 states in Malaysia, visiting cities and rural towns, stopping by at fishing villages and air flown to East Malaysia, to explain to every Malaysian what this Malaysian ‘People’s Car’ is all about.

To further emphasise the point that the Proton Saga is ‘our’ car – for every state that the Protons stopped at, the state’s insignia were pasted on the two Protons. At the end of the journey, the Sagas had insignias from all 14 states pasted on them.

Sagarama was also a demonstration of the Saga’s durability. Throughout the three-week long journey, the two Sagas encountered variety of rough terrain in rural areas, challenging weather conditions, to successfully complete the 4,109 km drive without any breakdowns.

We have no idea of what happened to BCH 1351 and BCH 1352 after that, but anyone who knows its where abouts should restore them. These are two very historic cars in Malaysia's history.

The Saga’s popularity had resulted in a long waiting period. At the same time, rumours began circulating that the Proton was ‘underpowered’ and will overheat when driving up Genting Highlands. Gurch was a feisty man and he will not tolerate such baseless allegations against his products.

In typical Gurch fashion, he had to tear the critics apart in a big way. Gurch once again organised another road show called ‘Sagathon,’ this time inviting customers who had already paid their deposits but were still waiting for their cars.

According to this story by our friends at Motor Trader, one sceptical owner brought along a big jerry can of water, just in case he needed it should the car really overheats on the way up Genting Highlands. Gurch told him "OK, we will meet you up there and drink the water together."

Sagathon served two objectives – placating customers who had to wait a long time to receive their cars, as well as answering concerns from the buyers regarding the Proton’s durability.

Two Sagathon events were held, driving up two of Malaysia’s most popular highland resorts – one group driving from Kuantan to Genting Highlands and another from Ipoh to Cameron Highlands.
Needless to say, none of the 200 plus Proton cars had any problems driving up either mountains.

My father was one of the first 10,000 or so people to buy a Proton. He cancelled his booking for a Nissan Sunny 130Y after learning about the Proton's price. Like many, he had to wait for months before he could get his Proton, and was invited by Gurch to participate in the Sagathon Ipoh-Cameron Highlands drive, along with 100 or so other buyers.

Above: The late Datuk Gurcharan Singh with my mother at the 1985 Ipoh-Cameron Highlands Sagathon.

Next year, Gurch held another Sagathon event in East Malaysia – the toughest one, driving from Kota Kinabalu to Kuching on 1,111 km of unpaved, rock strewn mountain roads. The drive was so dangerous that Gurch had a helicopter following the convoy overhead in the event that an accident happens and a participant needs to be flown to a hospital immediately.

Later, Gurch continued to introduce many value-added services to Proton owners, including extended operating hours at EON’s Jalan Ampang service centre, which opens until midnight. This was a time when many people were still working half day on Saturdays.

My family’s red Saga ABF 8301 served us well, and my father said it was his second most reliable car – after his Toyota Corolla KE30 which he had before the Proton. The Saga served our family for 22 years, with only one breakdown experienced – a ruptured radiator hose on the-then 15-year old car when yours truly was driving, with a very attractive girl sitting beside.

But looking at the ownership experiences of other latter-day Proton owners, I guess they don’t make the cars the same way anymore.

Curiously, you won’t find any mention of the late Datuk Gurcharan Singh in Proton’s official history, which is a shame, because while Mahathir had the vision, it was Gurch who successfully marketed the first Proton Saga. As we mentioned earlier, the Proton wasn’t really that cheap against the Japanese competition.

The gap in prices between Japanese cars and Proton only widened in the mid-‘90s, when the value of the Japanese Yen appreciated rapidly, a period known as the ‘endaka,’ followed by increasingly stringent price control measures set the government in approving price lists of foreign brand cars. The problem was further compounded by the loss of the Ringgit’s value, especially after the ’97 economic crisis.

In 1990, Gurch left EON to setup Del-Sol Corporation, which put together Hyumal Motor Sdn. Bhd., the first importer of Hyundai vehicles in Malaysia, prior to the formation of Hyundai-Sime Darby Motor.

Gurch was said to have a wife and two children – David and Karen (according to an interview with the New Straits Times made in 1991).

We don’t know much else about Gurch after 1991, but we would like to pay a tribute to him for his good work to this country.

Read also:

30 Years of Proton – Tracing Back To A Time When Malaysians Cheered For Proton

Proton To Launch Three New Models Next Year, Perdana To Lead Revival Charge


Toyota Indonesia to have world premiere of new SUV next week - Could it be the base for Perodua Traz/Nexis?

Media outlets in Indonesia have received invitations to witness the world premiere of Toyota's new SUV. Will it also be Perodua's new SUV slated for a launch in 2024?

Rumours have been circulating for some time now that
Perodua is working on a new true B-Segment SUV
, and naturally, we look towards Toyota and Daihatsu for some clues as to what it could be.

Well, Toyota Indonesia has started sending out invitations to the local media for an unveiling of a new SUV on the 15th of May. According to one media outlet, they have received an invitation for the world premiere of 'Toyota's New Urban Cruiser Icon '.

What's interesting about this unveiling is that all rumours surrounding it point towards a world premiere of an SUV bigger than the Perodua Ativa, where local media, Autonetmagz.com, seem to think that it
could be the Toyota Yaris Cross
.

Wait, doesn't the world already already have A Toyota Yaris Cross? Why would it be a world premiere? Well, apparently this one is built for the ASEAN market, which brings more weight to the speculation that it could be the basis of Perodua's upcoming new SUV.

Not much information is known just yet, but the SUV is rumoured to be built on the DNGA-B platform, which is already used on Perodua Alza and Toyota Veloz as well as the Toyota Vios. If that's the case, then the SUV should come with the same setup as the Alza, which means it should be equipped with the 2NR-VE 1.5 litre engine and a D-CVT transmission.

We'll know more about the newly launched SUV on the 15th of May and perhaps also get a stronger telltale sign as to whether the vehicle would be the basis of Perodua's new SUV, codenamed D66B, due for launch next year.


Tiada Pemasangan Tempatan (CKD) Untuk Suzuki Buat Masa Ini – Naza Group Tumpu Perniagaan Import (CBU)

Pelantikan Naza Group sebagai
pemegang francais
 bagi Suzuki di Malaysia telah melengkapkan transformasi kumpulan perniagaan automotif itu untuk lebih memberi fokus dan tumpuan kepada perniagaan serta pengedaran
kereta import (CBU), berbanding pemasangan tempatan (CKD).

Ketua Pegawai Operasi Naza Group, Datuk Nik Hamdan Nik Hassan memberitahu kepada The Edge bahawa mereka sedang menetapkan strategi perniagaan baru untuk memperbaiki kecekapan operasi dan kos terhadap semua urusan dalam maksud mencipta nilai serta menghapuskan pertindanan. Bukan itu sahaja, Naza Group juga ingin menjadi lebih kecil dan berkesan dalam semua operasi.

Terdahulu, Naza Group telah melepaskan dua jenama di bawah kendaliannya iaitu
Kia
 dan
Peugeot
. Tindakan tersebut merupakan salah satu rancangan untuk menyusun semula model perniagaan mereka kearah kelestarian yang lebih baik. Bukan apa, pemasangan tempatan ini memerlukan modal yang besar. Namun dengan ketidaktentuan dalam pasaran di tambah pula dengan pandemik yang sedang melanda, Naza Group telah memutuskan untuk melepaskan dua jenama tersebut.

Namun dengan kehadiran Suzuki sebagai jenama baharu di bawah kendalian mereka, Naza Group optimistik untuk melihat prestasi lebih baik tahun ini, dengan jualan dijangka meningkat selari dengan ramalan pertumbuhan 8% bagi tempoh sama berbanding tahun lalu. Menurut Nik Hamdan, ini boleh diterjemahkan kepada pertumbuhan 16% bagi keuntungan kepada RM700 juta dan 35% peningkatan untung kasar. Peningkatan keuntungan tersebut dijangka hadir dari Suzuki, turut dibantu juga oleh beberapa jenama lain melalui pengenalan model baru dalam masa terdekat.

*Kredit foto: Naza

Tahun lalu, Nik Hamdan mendedahkan bahawa kumpulan itu menjual sekitar 40 unit Ferrari, 30 Maserati, 260 motosikal Ducati, 700 unit Mercedes-Benz dan 250 unit kereta recon sekaligus mencatatkan RM600 juta keuntungan (sebelum audit). Ketika ini, Naza Group menjadi wakil bagi Ferrari, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Suzuki dan Ducati bagi pasaran Malaysia.

Sekiranya anda merasakan model
Suzuki Swift Sport
 versi CBU yang dibawa masuk oleh Naza agak sedikit mahal, anda pasti tertanya-tanya sekiranya Suzuki Swift versi CKD akan diperkenalkan atau tidak. Jawapannya, tidak buat masa ini. Meskipun pengenalan unit CKD dilihat sebagai tawaran yang menarik dan lebih menguntungkan berbanding CBU, di mana unit CKD bakal menerima pengecualian cukai serta boleh dijual dengan harga lebih murah, namun Naza memerlukan pelaburan yang besar untuk menjalankan operasi CKD. Ianya bukanlah langkah terbaik bagi Naza pada ketika ini menurut Nik Hamdan.

“CBU membolehkan kami untuk membawa lebih banyak model ke pasaran ini. Ia boleh jadi lebih mahal, tetapi itu tidak akan menghalang kami untuk membawa masuk lebih banyak model,” jelas Nik Hamdan. Naza yakin bahawa perniagaan CBU sepenuhnya kini seimbang, memandangkan pelaburan yang diperlukan tidaklah sebesar perniagaan pemasangan tempatan CKD.

Operasi CKD memerlukan Naza untuk menjadi lebih selektif kerana ia memerlukan konsistensi jumlah untuk pengeluaran. Penilaian teliti harus dibuat oleh Naza tentang model mana yang patut dibawa sebagai CKD dan CBU. Tetapi jika anda mahukan CKD berdasarkan jenama dibawah kendalian Naza pada ketika ini, ia memerlukan lebih banyak jumlah model terjual sebelum memulakan CKD.

Walau bagaimanapun, Naza tidak menolak kemungkinan untuk memperkenalkan pemasangan CKD bagi mana-mana model Suzuki pada masa akan datang. Untuk pengetahuan anda, Suzuki sudah mempunyai kemudahan pemasangan di Thailand dan Indonesia, di mana Perjanjian Perdagangan Bebas ASEAN membolehkannya menikmati duti import yang rendah.

Ramai juga yang risau adakah Suzuki turut akan menghadapi nasib sama seperti Kia dan Peugeot yang menerima permintaan rendah meskipun sebelum pandemik melanda? Nik Hamdan berkata beliau optimistik dengan jenama Suzuki di Malaysia dan ia mempunyai potensi besar untuk berkembang.

Tambahan pula, Naza telah mengumumkan bahawa sebuah lagi model popular Suzuki akan diperkenalkan selepas tamat tempoh Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Meskipun model apa yang bakal diperkenalkan tidak dinyatakan, namun semua tahu ianya merujuk kepada
Suzuki Jimny generasi keempat
 yang merupakan model popular Suzuki selain Suzuki Swift.

Senang cerita, jika jenama Suzuki menerima sambutan baik daripada masyarakat dalam tempoh 3 hingga 5 tahun ini, tak mustahil untuk negara kita menerima unit CKD bagi model Suzuki pada masa akan datang. Tetapi jika ianya masih suam-suam kuku, nampaknya kita terpaksa terima unit CBU sahaja lah dari Naza Group.

Semoga jenama Suzuki dibawah kendalian Naza Group ini tidak mengikut jejak langkah Kia dan Peugeot sudahlah.

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Malaysia’s Urban Transport System Not Keeping Pace, Experts Lament

Chairman of the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Researched, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, feels that this country has lagged in terms of offering an integrated urban transport system in its major cities, lamenting that it should have been developed back in 1980s.
According to a report in
The Star
, Lee’s comment was sparked by the World Bank report that projected Malaysia’s workforce productivity
decreases dramatically
 because so many of them are stuck in gridlocks as a result of that lack of a more integrated transport system for urban areas.
The Greater Kuala Lumpur area’s traffic situation, particularly during the rush hour periods, result in a wasted 270 to 500 million man-hours and a loss of at least RM3,100 per person per year, factoring in fuel costs and time squandered.
Lee told the daily: “We hope to see more improvements when the MRT project is completed on schedule,” he said, citing Hong Kong as an example with good integrated transport system in which a single fare card could enable the people to board a ferry, trains and buses.”
He added that the construction of a more robust highway network is helping, somewhat, but will not have a large enough impact on the issue at hand, reiterating that the only way to solve this was through a good integrated transport system.
That same World Bank report also cited cities such as Penang, Johor Bahru, and Kota Kinabalu as urban areas that would soon be facing transportation woes similar to that of greater Kuala Lumpur in the future.
Kota Kinabalu state traffic police chief Supt Shahrum Hashim said to The Star: “Traffic flow, transport system and congestion issues involve various departments and agencies such as the police, the city hall, Road Transport Department, engineers, and so on. All of us need to sit together to discuss about this so that a long-term solution can be sought.”
Shahrum added that enforcement, engineering, environment and education needs to be included in the equation. Public transport use is particularly low in the area compared to other quickly developing cities, at 8 percent, according to the aforementioned World Bank report.
Datuk Abidin Madingkir, mayor of Kota Kinabalu, said the implementation of comprehensive plans depend on fund allocation from the Federal Government.
“We acknowledge among others the urgency to increase road and junction capacity to improve traffic congestion, modification of traffic flow to a one-way system to improve flow, and to have four main integrated bus terminals constructed,” he said.


Balik Kampung Sambut Raya? Maklum Pada Polis

Mereka yang ingin
pulang ke kampung
 bagi menyambut perayaan Aidilfitri dinasihatkan memaklumkan ke balai polis berhampiran.

Tindakan tersebut akan memudahkan anggota polis melakukan perancangan rondaan di kawasan perumahan tersebut, menurut Ketua Polis Selangor Datuk Arjunaidi Mohamed.

Rondaan Polis Elak Kes Pecah Rumah

Selain memaklumkan pada jiran terdekat, memberitahu pihak polis juga dapat mengurangkan risiko kediaman anda dipecah masuk.

Penghuni yang mahu meninggalkan rumah dicadangkan untuk memaklumkan kepada balai polis terdekat supaya mereka boleh meningkatkan kekerapan rondaan di kawasan tertentu bagi memantau sebarang aktiviti mencurigakan.

Kebanyakan orang awam tidak mahu memaklumkan kepada pihak polis atas pelbagai alasan sedangkan ia kaedah terbaik supaya tahap keselamatan di rumah sentiasa terjamin.

Tambah Arjunaidi, hanya 10% pegawai dan anggota Polis Selangor dibenarkan bercuti sempena Aidilfitri kali ini manakala selebihnya perlu bertugas seperti biasa.

*Kredit foto: Harian Metro

Sekiranya rumah kediaman anda terletak di kawasan yang agak gelap dan jauh daripada jiran lain, anda disarankan membuka lampu dan memaklumkan pada pihak polis dan pihak berkuasa akan mengambil maklum berhubung aduan berkenaan.


Volkswagen's C Coupe GTE Concept Teases Another Future Model At Auto Shanghai 2015

Volkswagen
’s new concept is a slick interpretation of what a future Phaeton might look like. Toned down somewhat from the Sport Coupe GTE Concept that VW showed at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, this C Coupe GTE Concept graces the show floor in Shanghai.
Suspected to also be aimed at the Chinese market, the 199.7-inch long sedan rides on the same MLB platform as the
Audi

A6
 and falls in line with what has been a mainstay criteria for the local car buyer: rear space. Styling-wise, there’s certainly a resemblance to the older Phaeton's stature, but with the
CC
's low-profile windows and swooping shape. There’s LED headlights, lashings of chrome on the front grille and door sills, and a double exhausts neatly tucked at both ends of the rear bumper.
The C Coupe GTE uses a plug-in hybrid drive system that’s made up of a turbocharged TSI four-cylinder petrol engine that’s mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox, along with an electric motor that is integrated within the transmission package. The combined power output is 245 PS and 500 Nm that enables an 8.6 second dash from standstill to 100 km/h and a top speed of 232 km/h.
With its rear-mounted 14.1 kWh lithium-ion battery, the C Coupe GTE has an all-electric range of 50 km, reaching an impressive non-petrol assisted top speed of 130 km/h. Altogether, VW claims a total range of over 1100 km is an achievable cruising range with peak fuel economy being 102 mpg or 2.3 litres per 100 km.
Thus far, the purpose behind Volkswagen's concepts have been about showing off its future designs. Just like the previous concepts, these models will eventually make it to production, and the point has been reiterated by Klaus Bischoff, Head of Design at Volkswagen, who says that “the design DNA shown here will accompany us worldwide, and on the way to the new Phaeton." However, rather confusingly, Volkswagen's press materials also said that “If it were to go into production it would find its place between the
Passat
 and the Phaeton”, which in turn could tease a new model that slots in between.
Perhaps, then, that the Phaeton will take the game up a level from the Coupe GTE (or whatever production model it blossoms into) to elevate it well above. Either way, we're sure the cues here won’t go to waste. We will know more, for certain, as Volkswagen releases their future models.


Wanita Hisap Gam Dalam Bas, Bawa Lari Honda City Ditahan Polis

Situasi cemas belaku di persimpangan lampu isyarat Setapak Central apabila sebuah
Honda City
 bertindak merempuh beberapa kenderaan lain di situ sebelum dihentikan oleh orang awam.

Berdasarkan siasatan polis, Honda City itu dipercayai telah dilarikan suspek ketika kereta itu ditinggalkan dengan keadaan enjin masih hidup di Kolej Vokasional Setapak. Ketika kejadian, mangsa bersama isterinya turun dari kenderaan tersebut untuk mengangkat barang anak mereka yang menetap di kolej berkenaan.

Namun kereta itu kemudiannya dilarikan oleh seorang wanita yang tidak dikenali menghala ke arah pusat bandar. Mangsa kemudiannya bertindak meminjam motosikal milik pengawal keselamatan di situ untuk membuat laporan polis.

*Kredit video: Beautifulnara

Berdasarkan video yang tular, kereta Honda City berkenaan telah merempuh beberapa kereta yang sedang
berhenti di lampu isyarat
 berkenaan. Apabila Honda City tersebut sudah terhalang dengan kereta lain, orang awam dilihat cuba untuk menghentikan dan mengeluarkan suspek.

Walau bagaimanapun, suspek telah bertindak untuk merempuh orang awam termasuk perakam video yang berada berdekatan keretanya untuk melarikan diri. Namun tindakannya sekali lagi gagal apabila kereta suspek dihalang oleh
Perodua Viva
 di hadapannya.

Cermin kereta dipecahkan dan wanita terbabit telah dikeluarkan oleh orang awam. Suspek juga dilaporkan cuba untuk melarikan diri dan menggigit orang yang memegangnya sebelum ‘ditenangkan’ oleh pemilik kereta dengan tamparan maut.

Pemilik kereta tersebut dilaporkan menemui keretanya ketika sampai di lampu isyarat berhadapan Setapak Central, di mana beliau mendapati keretanya sudah terlibat dalam kemalangan dan suspek telah pun ditahan oleh orang awam.

Setelah ujian air kencing dijalankan ke atas suspek, polis mendapati bahawa suspek yang berusia 39 tahun mempunyai 14 rekod lampau membabitkan kesalahan jenayah dan
dadah
.

Suspek akan disiasat di bawah Seksyen 379 A Kanun Keseksaan kerana curi kenderaan dan Seksyen 279 Kanun Keseksaan kerana memandu atau menunggang dengan gopoh di jalan awam

Terdahulu, sebelum mencuri kereta tersebut, suspek telah dihalau oleh pemandu bas apabila beliau didapati menghisap gam di dalam bas terbabit. Selepas dihalau, ditambah pula dengan efek gam yang baru naik, suspek bertindak untuk hidup seakan-akan karakter utama di dalam permainan video Grand Theft Auto (GTA) apabila bertindak mencuri kereta dan merempuh kereta lain.

Kepada pemilik kenderaan, jadikan insiden ini sebagai iktibar dan pastikan anda tidak meninggalkan kereta dengan enjin hidup dan tidak berkunci walaupun sekejap agar kes seperti ini tidak berulang kepada pemilik lain. Dan yang paling penting, jangan hisap gam!


Rumoured VW Spin-Off Parts Company Could Lower Costs, Boost EV Development

Volkswagen is rumoured to be planning a new car parts business, in order to lower costs, boost profitability and allow the company to divert funds towards the company’s EV products.
Reuters reports
, that analysts predict structural change is finally happening at VW, while others have said the efforts will grow equity and streamline the component production business in the medium term.
Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, Head of the Centre of Automotive Research at the University of Duisburg-Essen commented, “The (components) realignment shows that structural change is happening at last,”
He added, “This could be the first meaningful step toward clarifying the profitability of VW’s supplier activities as well as a spin-off of the business. It could be a boon to VW’s profitability though details remain to be seen.”
London-based J.P. Morgan analyst Jose Asumendi said in a note quoted in the report – this could be a game changer for VW's equity story, adding that the move entails a growing likelihood that VW will spin-off or streamline components in the medium term.
Restructuring or creating a separate parts entity would allow VW to circumvent the company’s powerful labour unions, and produce components such as gearboxes at other sites with lower labour rates.
The move also ties in with the company’s efforts to streamline its business model, after announcing its major EV push last year and offloading non-automotive brands – such as Ducati.
Under its ambitious EV plan, VW plans to retail at least more than 30 new electric vehicles by 2025 and increase the ratio of EV sales to 25 percent of group sales. This is to counter up-and-coming EV automakers such as Tesla and shore up against mobility services such as Uber.
Separately, Reuters reports that in a statement on Wednesday, VW plans to “bundle in” the manufacturing of parts, engines and transmissions at 56 plants, spread across five continents with a total of 80,000 staff.
The effort would see the company organise production activities, strengthen in-house competencies where required and push forward the transition to EVs throughout the VW group.


Toyota Takes Top Spot In Japan’s Best Global Brands 2019

For the 11th year running, Toyota again emerged as the leader of the ‘Best Japan Brands’.
The valuation by Interbrand Japan, the country’s largest branding company, uses a unique brand valuation method to convert a brand value into monetary value and ranked them accordingly.
Honda was ranked second, with Nissan trailing in third and round off the top 10 is Subaru, which thus makes for four automotive brands among the top 10 brands of Japan’s Best Global Brand 2019.
Other automakers that are ranked in the listing of global brands include Suzuki (16th), Mazda (19th), and Isuzu (36th).
Best Japan Brands 2019 uses the same valuation method used in the global brand value ranking ‘Best Global Brands’ announced by Interbrand since 2000, and uses global standards to compare the brand value of leading global brands with Japanese brands.
Toyota was also ranked as the
top automobile company for the fifth consecutive year
 by Fortune Magazine in its "World's Most Admired Companies" 2019 annual ranking.
Closer to home, Toyota bagged gold medals in the annual
Carlist.my People's Choice Awards 2018
 in categories of Premium SUV (Toyota Harrier), Mid-Range MPV (Toyota Innova), and Premium MPV (Toyota Vellfire). The People's Choice Awards is a recognition from the public, who cast their votes through an audited online voting system.


2015 Peugeot 508 Facelift Teased On Local Facebook Page: Malaysian Debut Soon?

Peugeot
 Malaysia recently posted an image on its official Facebook page that provides us with a rather clear indication that the new
Peugeot 508
 facelift is due a debut in Malaysia soon.
The image shows us the lighting elements for the both front and rear lamps. New LED headlamps are most noticeable up front, which replaces the current model’s bi-xenon headlamps-LED daytime-running lights combo. At the rear, the taillights remain largely familiar in terms of looks. There’s nothing else beyond the sole teaser image as the posting tells us to “stay tuned for more.”
No launch date has been revealed as of yet but for those curious to know what the Peugeot 508 facelift looks like, this is it. At the front, the new upright grille and more angular headlights closely follow that of the recently introduced
2015 Peugeot 308 THP
. The rear receives a minor redesign with a slightly higher boot lid and exhaust tips pushed further to the sides.