German city wants to deliver cargo with freight trams and cargo bikes

                FRANKFURT: Bicycles, electric cars and public transport might be a sustainable form of transport for the average commuter, but what about freight and packages that need delivering?

Do we need to assume that diesel delivery vans and freight trucks will remain a normality in cities if we want our goods delivered as usual?

One German city has other plans, and is looking into the combined use of trams and cargo bikes as an alternative.

The financial hub of Frankfurt is hoping to use containers carried by freight trams and loaded onto cargo bikes to enable goods to find their way through the city in a low-emission and space-saving way.

Not only could the city's carbon footprint and fine particle pollution be reduced in this way, but also urban congestion.

While battery-supported cargo bikes are becoming increasingly common in cities around the world, the combination of freight tram and cargo bike for urban deliveries is rare at best.

"We hope that we can also shift traffic in this way," said transport official Silke Hoehn from the Frankfurter Verkehrsgesellschaft (VGF), presenting the plans at the opening of the National Cycle Logistics Conference here on Tuesday.

The containers with a capacity of 2.1 cubic metres and a length of 1.7 metres fit into the multi-purpose area of trams and are the size of the standard Euro pallets used for deliveries in countries around the world.

After being transported by tram, the containers on wheels are to be picked up at usual stops by a cargo bike courier. The cyclists can then deliver the goods straight to businesses and households.

The idea of the freight tram is far from new, explains Kai-Oliver Schocke, professor of logistics at the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences.

"The tracks of trams were also used for freight transport until the sixties." Around 20 years ago, the idea of freight trams came up again, the expert says. Only now, against the backdrop of climate changed and crowded cities, has the concept gained enough relevance to move to the next level.

It's also not just freight being considered. Mail delivery by freight tram and cargo bike in cooperation with the city and a parcel delivery company is also being trialled in Frankfurt.

According to Schocke, the concept is also being tested in the German city of Karlsruhe as well as in Zurich.

"It makes sense to try it out further, especially in densely populated cities," says mobility researcher Martin Lanzendorf.

But the expert finds it difficult to assess whether the concepts with the trams will work out.

"It's a great idea because you can get everywhere relatively emission-free," he says. However, the logistics concepts of the companies require complex planning.

"You have to look very hard at which kinds of product groups this makes sense for."

The researcher supports the idea of a courier on a bicycle instead of in a car: "With a typical courier vehicle like this, you're stuck in traffic jams a lot, which you can of course avoid if you have a cargo bike, for example."

After all, deliveries on a bicycle can sometimes cheat their way through winding paths instead of blocking the road.


Beware of scammers posing as Perodua sales personnel

                KUALA LUMPUR: Scam alert! The public are advised to be cautious when buying new or used Perodua cars following the arrest of a man posing as a Perodua salesman.

According to a media report on Thursday, the police have arrested the suspect who has been alleged to be selling Perodua cars on a popular e-commerce site. Victims have been cheated of tens of thousands of ringgit without taking delivery of the cars, said the report.

Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Dr Zahari Husin said the scam involved the sale of new Perodua vehicles as well as Pre-Owned Vehicles (POV).

 All genuine stuff here. Perodua runs a used car hub in Jalan Pahang, Kuala Lumpur.

Perodua and the victims have since lodged police reports.

Dr Zahari advised potential customers to make payments only to Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd or its authorised dealers and never to individual accounts. All customers should insist on original receipts when making any payment, he added.

At present, the only authorised Perodua Certified POV dealership is at Perodua Kuala Lumpur located at Lot 18, Seksyen 86, Jalan Pahang here. The outlet, opened since last October, also sells new cars.

It offers used Perodua cars of up to seven years old. All vehicles have undergone a 165-point check and have been refurbished by Perodua. The cars come with up to 18 months’ extended warranty for the engine and transmission.


Chinese national escapes blazing Maserati on SPRINT Highway

                PETALING JAYA: A 32-year-old Chinese national escaped death after his Maserati Quattroporte crashed into a side railing on an elevated portion of the SPRINT Highway and burst into flames before plunging to the road below.

Selangor Fire and Rescue department director Othman Abdullah said a team of six fire fighters were deployed to the scene at KM3.7 of the SPRINT highway after a distress call was received at about 3.20am on Tuesday.

The team reached the scene five minutes later.

"The car was completely destroyed in the blaze, but the driver managed to escape safely," he said.

It is learnt that the driver, who is believed to be a businessman, had escaped through the rear window after failing to open the front door, before the car fell onto the road below.


Porsche Cayman GT4 added to the family

                JOHOR BARU: Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP), the importer of Porsche vehicles in Malaysia, has grown its Cayman family to include the new Cayman GT4 - and its more potent than the Cayman GTS.

With a base price starting from RM840,000 (excluding registration), and includes a four-year warranty, all applicable duties, road tax and insurance.

Possessing components from the Porsche 911 GT3, the Cayman GT4 managed to set a time of seven minutes and 40 seconds on the North Loop of the infamous Nürburgring.

While sitting 30mm lower than standard, the GT4's 3.8-litre flat-six engine, producing 385hp at 7,400rpm and 420Nm of torque at 4,750rpm, is managed by a six-speed manual gearbox to provide a 0-100kph sprint time of 4.4 seconds before reaching a top speed of 295kph.

It gets a 54-litre fuel-tank and on the combined cycle, the GT4's consumption has been rated at 10.3 litres per 100km.

The rear-wheel drive GT4 weighs in at 1,415kg (kerb) while its wheelbase has been set to 2,484mm and comes in measuring 4,438-long, 1,817mm-wide and 1,266mm-tall.

It also possesses plenty of aero-tuned parts that include a front splitter, side blades, a rear diffuser and a large fixed rear wing. And even with all that, its drag coefficient has been measured at 0.32Cd.

The GT4 rolls on 20-inch wheels with 245/35 (front) and 295/30 (rear) series tyres, which partially hides its 380mm (front and rear) discs that are abused by a set of six-piston (front) and four-piston (rear) aluminium callipers as standard.

Additional options include the Porsche Carbon Ceramic Brake (PCCB) system, a custom Sport Chrono Package, a Track Precision app and a Club Sport Package.

The a sports exhaust system will undoubtedly fill the combination of leather and Alcantara within the cabin and as an added option carbon full-shell carbon reinforced plastic seats are also available.

“The Cayman GT4 is the most powerful model in the Cayman model range and features motor sports-orientated technology that allows it to offer exceptionally high levels of performance potential and emotional driving pleasure,” said of SDAP chief executive officer Arnt Bayer.


Foxconn's China EV push hits snag with Byton board upheaval

                NANJING: Foxconn Technology Group's push into electric vehicles through its partnership with Byton Ltd. has hit a snag, with one of the Chinese carmaker's biggest creditors taking management control of the company, according to people familiar with the matter.

China FAW Group Co. installed one of its officials, Zhang Ying, as chairman of Byton last week, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is private.

Foxconn, which struck a strategic cooperation deal to make cars with Byton in January, is now withdrawing personnel, with some of the workers it dispatched to the automaker's Nanjing plant being pulled out, one of the people said.

That has raised questions over whether Byton can meet its goal of starting mass production early next year, and the carmaker's potential plans to list through a merger with a special-purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, according to the people.

Byton was in talks with blank-check companies over a listing earlier this year, Reuters reported in February.

FAW is also unwilling to convert its debt into stock to pave the way for a share sale, according to some of the people.

Foxconn spokesman Jimmy Huang said the "future collaboration of the two sides will be decided after Byton completes its organizational restructuring.”

A spokesman for Byton didn't specifically address the board changes, but said the company is "actively pushing forward" with the mass production of its first model.

They added that "core stakeholder" FAW and "partner" Foxconn will collaborate in sending executives to Byton to support production and operations.

A representative for FAW didn't immediately comment.

Joining with Foxconn was seen as a lifeline for Byton, which has struggled to produce its first vehicle, having unveiled its M-Byte concept car several years ago.

Foxconn planned to supply Byton with its advanced manufacturing technology, management expertise and supply-chain resources. Foxconn cooling on the deal may again jeopardize Byton's prospects in China's increasingly competitive EV market, with rival startups Nio Inc. and Xpeng Inc. increasing sales and Tesla Inc. producing locally.

China is shaping up as the first real test of the ambitions of technology companies like Foxconn in EVs, with giants from Huawei Technologies Co. to Baidu Inc. plowing almost US$19 billion into electric and self-driving vehicle ventures. Meantime, traditional carmakers such as FAW and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. are trying to gain a foothold in the market, alongside global powerhouses like BMW AG and Volkwagen AG.

Adding to the uncertainty over Byton's potential SPAC listing, China issued a sweeping warning to its biggest companies today, vowing to tighten oversight of data security and overseas listings just days after Didi Global Inc's contentious decision to go public in the US.

Rules for overseas listings will be revised, China's cabinet said, while publicly-traded firms will be held accountable for keeping their data secure.


Cloned car seized in Kulim

                KULIM: A 31-year-old nurse from Penang was puzzled as to why she had been receiving traffic summonses for her Toyota Wish over the last four months.

She wanted to sell the car but before she could do that, a police officer called to tell her that they had detained a 19-year-old factory worker for driving a vehicle of a similar model with the same colour and number plate.

The detained suspect is expected to be charged in court today under the Section 29(1) of the Small Offences Act 1955 for having stolen items or obtaining the items through illegal means.

Kulim Deputy OCPD Deputy Supt Baruddin Wariso said police moved in on him over suspected drug-related activities at about 1.30pm on Sunday.

“We found nothing in his car. But a check with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) showed no details of its engine and chassis number in the database.

“That raised our suspicion. The registration number of the car belonged to a woman in Penang.

“We have since impounded the car,” he said when contacted.

DSP Baruddin said police were now tracing the seller of the cloned car, adding that the woman had also come forward to assist in the investigation.

“The woman was so relieved after learning about the arrest. She received summonses for speeding and parking offences which she had never committed,” he said.

DSP Baruddin said they also seized another cloned car from a 35-year-old man in the district last month.

He said police found Erimin-5 pills and syabu in another Toyota Wish driven by the man, who was with his girlfriend, during a drug raid and added the suspect had a record related to drug activities cases.

DSP Baruddin advised people to verify with JPJ before they bought cheap luxury cars.

“Besides, car owners who receive traffic summonses for offences they have never committed can also go to the nearest police stations to check on the status of the summonses.

“The offence could have been committed by another unscrupulous driver using the same registration number plate as the victim,” he said.


New Volvo XC60 driven in Barcelona

Barcelona. Oh, the familiarity of it all.

This was the second time in a few short months we were heading back there. We were in Spain to try out the Mercedes E-Class Coupe last February and three months later, Volvo decided to hold its XC60 drive at the same place.

Not that we were complaining. Sunny Barcelona and its laid-back style did have its appeal to more than the route planners at Volvo.

So there we were to get a feel of one of the latest cars to have rolled out of Gothenburg since the brand rejuvenation by China’s Geely group.

Yes, it took a while for the new XC60 to reach Malaysia. Anywhere it’s finally here, and this drive report is timed to coincide with the local launch of the XC60 today.

The Malaysian market is getting the fully-imported T8 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) first with the locally assembled T8 PHEV and T5 petrol variants to be rolled out in April. No diesel version will be offered.

As the name suggests, the XC60 is the mid-size SUV that slots in between the XC90 and XC40, completing the SUV line-up in the Volvo range.

The new XC60 is riding on a wave of optimism, motivated by the stellar success of the original XC60, which in the nine years since its launch, became the top selling premium mid-sized SUV in Europe with nearly a million units sold worldwide.

A clue on how important this model is: it accounts for 30%of Volvo’s total global sales. Being picked as the top SUV of 2018 at the Detroit auto show earlier this week piles on the feel-good vibes.

The XC60 is the fourth model based on Volvo’s in-house Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, following the introduction of the top-of-the-line 90 series in recent years.

Smaller than the flagship XC90 SUV, there’s no mistaking the family resemblance in the XC60’s sheetmetal. It’s a handsome piece of work that manages to look fit and aggressive at the same time.

In terms of styling it’s not a massive makeover as the new XC90.

Designed to look sportier than the first-generation model, the new XC60 is lower, longer and wider with a rakish windscreen and a stout rear that has minimal overhang.

Volvo sought to put its best foot forward, supplying a fleet of the vehicles in the premium Inscription trim.

Sizing up XC60

All’s good in front. LED headlamps with Thor's Hammer accents connect with the chrome of a rich-looking vertical grille that fronts a prominent bonnet. Sculpted lines on the sides, coupled with chrome surrounds on the windows and lower body, complement large 20-inch wheels, striking an elegant profile. The back, lit up with sleek LED taillights, looks cohesive with the rear windscreen sloping outwards to meet the lower steel bodywork.

The interior is a picture of Scandinavian aesthetics – clean, stylish and inviting. Calm, restful colours define the cabin headlined by leather upholstery and a modern dashboard. A panoramic sunroof lets light in to project an airy environs.

A 9-inch Sensus Connect infotainment touchscreen takes centrestage with graphical updates for improved usability. It operates like a tablet via swiping and pinch-to-zoom gestures for access to system settings or other info.

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come standard, along with Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming. The optional Bowers & Wilkens stereo sound system with 14 speakers enriches the interior further with concert-hall ambience.

Generous space in both rows and well-designed seats mean five people can sit comfortably. A lower roofline, however, eats into boot volume but at over 500l left, it’s still enough practical space to allay concerns.

Volvo has built its core reputation around safety and in the XC60, it takes it even further.

Steer Assist has been added to the ground-breaking City Safety system. A new safety system called Oncoming Lane Mitigation uses steer assist to help mitigate head-on collisions, while Volvo’s Blind Spot Indication System (BLIS) now uses Steer Assist functionality to reduce the risk of lane-changing collisions.

 Pilot Assist at work.

Pilot Assist, Volvo’s advanced semi-autonomous driver assistance system, which takes care of steering, acceleration and braking on well-marked roads up to 130kph, is available in the new XC60 as an option.While Pilot Assist worked most of the time and with moderate bends, a sudden change in lighting (such as when exiting tunnels) may leave it flustered. Count on the technology to improve with time.

The XC60 is available with a number of 2.0-litre engines in various states of tune. Topping the list is the award-winning T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, producing a total of 407hp/640Nm and a combined fuel economy of 2.1l/100km.

Depending on markets, the new XC60 is offered with the petrol-powered T5 delivering 254 hp and the T6, which with both turbo and superchargers attached, outputs 320hp and 400 Nm of torque. The diesel D4 engine makes 190hp while the D5 with PowerPulse technology delivers 235hp.

How the T6 and D5 driveCarSifu tried the T6 and the D5 XC60.

The current model line-up features an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

As we hustled the T6 XC60 along, it rewarded with impressive pace. There’s ample power when you want it at most engine speeds. The 320hp/400Nm translates to a 0-100kph sprint of 5.9s and the vehicle can go on to a top speed of 230kph.

The steering had just the right weighting and felt accurate. At highway speeds, external noises are reduced to a hush, making for an enjoyable long distance travel. Turn-in is rapid and body roll is minimal when sweeping into corners, which seems to be at odds with a jacked-up vehicle.

With drive to all four corners, coupled with a well sorted chassis, it would take a lot to make the tyres lose their grip.

The optional air suspension, as fitted in the test vehicles, helped to make the journey even more agreeable as they damp out rough road surfaces along the way.

 The D5 stops for a break. Air suspension used to adjust the ground clearance. Driving the D5 in Offroad mode with infotainment screen displaying the aerial view of the vehicle on the dirt trail.

We had a go at the D5 XC60 on the sidelines even though it won’t make it to Malaysia (Volvo diesel engines are certified for B7 biodiesel use but the Malaysian government is pushing for B10 implementation. The situation is up in the air at this time). You do get the typical diesel clatter at idle but that goes away once the vehicle is on the move.

The cabin refinement and high noise insulation seen in the T6 are echoed in the D5. We do think the D5 offers a tad better smoother acceleration than its petrol sibling.

With the characteristic low-end torque of a diesel mill and better fuel efficiency, the D5 was the choice to go offroading for us as we braved unmarked dirt roads and undulating grassy plains outside Barcelona with chassis lifted higher up in Offroad mode. We assumed the D5’s 480Nm of torque wouldn’t let us down in case it got stuck in a mudhole.

Thankfully, the anxieties were unfounded as the D5 trudged through the offroad experience without incident. Bear in mind the XC60 is a softroader and can’t handle the really hardcore stuff that the likes of Land Rover Defender could.

 This is how much legroom there is in the rear bench seat for a 178-cm tall man.Bottom line

If you are wondering if there's a worthy alternative to the BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC, wonder no more. The XC60 has fought hard to arrive at where it is today.

And it shows in the build quality, the styling mojo and the safety innovations that everyone expects of Volvo.

Cast aside brand snobbery, and you will find the XC60 is able to take on the established players on its own terms.


Suzuki Malaysia to check some Swifts for steering defects

                PETALING JAYA: Owners of selected Suzuki models are advised to have their cars inspected at authorised service centres as part of the Suzuki Preventive Measure campaign, which runs till Jan 30, 2016.

In a statement, Suzuki Malaysia Automobile (SMA) said the campaign is open to Suzuki Swift 1.4 owners, whose cars were made between March 12, 2012 and Oct 30, 2014.

These cars' steering systems can be checked and replaced for free, if necessary.

A total of 6,991 Swift 1.4 units are involved in the campaign, consisting of 900 imported units and the balance being locally assembled units.

Older Suzuki Swift 1.5 models are excluded from this programme.

"This is one of our initiatives to ensure a safe, reliable and rewarding ownership experience for all Suzuki Swift owners in Malaysia. It is one of many programs we have planned with our customers in mind for 2015,” said SMA managing director Keiichi Suzuki.

Owners of applicable Suzuki Swift models are advised to make an appointment with their nearest authorised Suzuki Service Centre to avoid inconveniences or delays in having their cars inspected.

For details, call Suzuki Malaysia Automobile toll free number 1-300-88-6699.


Honda to showcase electric concept car at Auto China 2020

                BEIJING: Honda will stage the world premiere of an electric concept car at Auto China 2020 here.

The motor show will run from Sept 30 to Oct 5.

According to Honda, the concept car would show the direction of a mass-production electric car for the Chinese market.

The Honda booth would also introduce a CR-V PHEV, the first Honda vehicle equipped with a plug-in hybrid system to be introduced in China.

Other exhibits would include various types of electrified models, as well as all-new mass-production models.


Penang tow truck operators have hands full with stalled cars during lockdown

                GEORGE TOWN: Modern cars can be temperamental as owners are finding out when after a few days of inactivity, these vehicles refuse to start.

During the lockdown, tow truck operators here have received fewer calls due to accidents, while those for cars which can’t start increased by between 100% and 200%.

And nearly all of these stalled cars are new, said tow truck service operator Chan Kok Hoe, 44, who has been in the business for over 20 years.

“We have been towing an average of 10 cars a day to workshops.

“This is unexpected. Most of the calls are from owners of the more modern-type cars.

“Cars of over 10 years or so do not have such issues. Owners can leave them without starting for two to three weeks.

“This might be due to the digitised technology and electronic components of new cars,” Chan said via Zoom on Thursday.

Chan suggested that owners of new cars drive their cars around their homes for about 15 minutes every two or three days.

In the car manuals, Chan said some car makers advised owners not to simply jump start their cars or call any mechanic but to bring the cars back to the manufacturers’ service centres.

“We tow such cars to the manufacturers’ service centres so that they can run a systems check,” he said.

Chan noted that during the movement control order period there was no need to drive so often and many encountered the problems starting their cars.

The other time when calls for towing increased was when the MCO was relaxed.

“Each time the MCO is relaxed, people want to travel,” he said.

“Then we get more calls when more people cannot start their cars.”


The Tamiya Wild One is making a comeback in 2022

                LONDON/SHIZUOKA: Ask any child of the 1980s what names like the Hornet, Lunchbox, Sand Scorcher & Avante meant to them, and they will likely reminisce about the joys of building and driving the 1/10th scale Radio Controlled (R/C) cars of their childhood.

It is no secret that some of today’s most notable car designers started their engineering journey with the world’s best-known R/C car brand – Tamiya.

The original Tamiya Wild One (58050) was released in 1985 and became one of the brand’s most iconic models. Such was the popularity of the model it was even re-released in 2012 (58525) to further acclaim.

Now, The Little Car Company has announced that the Wild One will make its return a decade later - only this time, with a difference.

The Little Car Company is developing the Wild One MAX for release in 2022 under licence from Tamiya. Rather than being 1/10th scale, the Wild One MAX will be an impressive 8/10th scale, and you will not need an R/C controller, because it is big enough to drive yourself!

The Tamiya Wild One MAX is expected to cost from US$8,250 (RM34,000) plus local taxes and is planned for global release in 2022. Customers can reserve a build slot at WildOneMax.com with a US$139 (RM570) fully refundable deposit.

Developed in partnership with the company behind the Bugatti Baby II and Aston Martin DB5 Junior - The Little Car Company - the Wild One MAX will be a rear-wheel drive, off road electric buggy. At 3.5m long,1.8m wide and weighing around 250kg, the Wild One MAX will take up a bit more space than the R/C kits of the past. But just like the original, you get the opportunity to assemble these models at home.

The Wild One MAX will have a spaceframe chassis with four-wheel coil-over suspension and rear wheel drive. It puts the power to the ground through 15” off-road tyres on lightweight wheels. The buggy’s braking system includes hydraulic Brembo disc brakes on each corner, backed up by regenerative braking to maximise range.

When taking to the driving seat, customers will find an adjustable composite seat with a three-point seatbelt, digital gauges and a racing steering wheel. This allows drivers between 160cm and 195cm to get comfortable. There are even multiple driving modes including Novice, Eco & Race, which offer different top speeds, throttle mappings and power outputs according to driver skill level.

The base Wild One Max comes with a top speed of 48kph and a peak power output of 4kW (5.5 bhp). It has a single PowerPack onboard with a capacity of 2kWh and a range of up to 40km, depending on terrain and driving style.

However, if you would like to go faster or further, several of the modular PowerPacks can be added to increase the performance and range.


Burning red Ferrari causes traffic standstill

                KUALA LUMPUR: A flaming red Ferrari caused a standstill along Jalan Rakyat here this evening during rush hour.

Crowds of motorists parked their cars along the road to witness a red Ferrari being engulfed by flames.

Clouds of smoke bellowed from the burning sports car before firefighters arrived at the scene.

They managed to put out the fire although the car was burned to its bare bones.

The cause of the fire is unknown and it is unsure if the driver or any passengers were injured.

A spokesman from the Fire and Rescue Department said the department was alerted at about 6pm about the incident.

He said that when the team arrived at 6.17pm, the sports car was already completely destroyed by the fire, adding that there were no casualties.


Volkswagen once again official auto partner for Le Tour De Langkawi

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) announced its return to the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTDL) as its official automotive partner.

The year’s event is the 25 th edition of LTDL and marks the third time Volkswagen is the Official Car Sponsor since 2016.

As official automotive partner, VPCM will be providing a total of 120 units of the Tiguan Highline, which will be used throughout the race by riders, safety marshals and officials.

The Tiguan is Volkswagen’s most successful SUV, and has redefined new standards in design, comfort and functionality.

Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM expressed the brand’s delight to once again be a part of one of the world’s most renowned road cycling competitions.

“We are honoured to be back as part of LTDL this year as the race celebrates its silver jubilee, and we are confident that the Tiguan will be a good fit and support to the operations team in terms of safety, endurance, agility and speed. On behalf of Volkswagen, we wish the participants all the very best for this year’s race.”

Le Tour de Langkawi is a multiple stage bicycle race that has gained multiple accolades and is now recognised as a highlight in the global competitive cycling calendar, attracting the world’s top road cyclists.


Ducati DesertX has arrived

                PETALING JAYA: The much-awaited Ducati DesertX has finally landed in Malaysia.

The all-new Ducati DesertX make its official debut tomorrow at the Ducati Petaling Jaya showroom.

The DesertX is powered by Ducati’s 937cc Testastretta L-Twin and the bike's design is heavily influenced by the Lucky Strike Cagiva Elefant Paris-Dakar from the late 80’s and early 90’s.

The DesertX is Ducati’s first real adventure bike that comes with 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel designed for off-road use.

Available only in white, this sporty motorcycle has been getting raving reviews since it was launched early this year.

A source close to the Ducati DesertX project in Malaysia stated that the management at Ducati Malaysia was overwhelmed by the number of bookings for the DesertX even before the bike reached Malaysia.


Sime Darby Swedish Auto opens new Volvo 3S centre in Setia Alam, Shah Alam

                SHAH ALAM: Sime Darby Swedish Auto reached a new milestone with the launch of its new Volvo dealership in Setia Alam here.

The new 3S centre follows Sime Darby Swedish Auto's first dealership at the Sime Darby Motors City in Ara Damansara.

Developed at a cost of RM3mil, the facility is also a Volvo-certified damage repair centre capable of providing end-to-end services to its customers.

The centre covers 23,000sq ft and presents Volvo's global showroom and service standards.

Its showroom allows customers to immerse themselves in the Volvo Retail Experience that features Volvo's Scandinavian ideals and values.

Meanwhile, its service area can handle three cars a day and has the capacity to raise intake to six.

 Frump (left) presenting a momento to Ng.

In line with Volvo's direction towards electrified vehicles, the centre also has four charging bays with 22kW AC output.

Sime Darby Swedish Auto Setia Alam dealer principal Nixon Ng said there were plans to install fast DC charging bays in the future.

Volvo Car Malaysia managing director Charles Frump said the expansion of its network with the new Setia Alam dealership would enable more customers in Selangor to venture into the world of sustainable and safe driving.

He said Volvo sold close to 3,200 units in Malaysia last year, up 43% from previously.

Of the vehicles sold, around 80% of them were battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

"We are aiming to have 75% of our sales coming from fully electric vehicles by 2025," he said.

Sime Darby Swedish Auto received the Dealer Excellence Award for two consecutive years in 2020 and 2021.

The 3S centre is open daily from 8.30am to 6pm and is located on Jalan Setia Murni, U13/AH, Seksyen U13, 40170 Shah Alam.

Interested customers can visit www.volvocars.com.my/find-a-dealer or https://swedishauto.com.my/ or call 03-5870 1188.


2017 Chicago Auto Show: A more rugged RAV4 among Toyota's sporty new SUV lineup

                CHICAGO: For the latest iterations of its Tundra, Sequoia and RAV4 models, Toyota has looked to the track, as well as off the beaten track for inspiration.

Aimed at families that put equal emphasis on performance and practicality, the 2018 Sequoia TRD Sport offers seating for seven, a choice of all-wheel or two-wheel drive configurations and a rather potent 5.7-litre V8 calling the shots. To make the most of the motor's power, the car comes with special Bilstein shock absorbers and beefed up front and rear anti-sway bars.

 The dashboard of the RAV4 Adventure (also below).

And to ensure that everyone knows the car's performance potential, the TRD model will sit on 20-inch alloy wheels with a black finish. Other aesthetic details will include black mirror housing, tinted taillight housing and black satin finish exterior badging.

TRD (Toyota Racing Development) has also worked its tuning magic on the Tundra pickup truck and buyers will get the same 381hp 5.7-litre V8, plus the same Bilstein suspension setup. They will also be able to specify the TRD model with a CrewMax or Double Cab. As for styling, the pickup gets a hood scoop, a mesh grille insert, and headlights with a smoked chrome surround.

Toyota has also decided to offer its active driver safety system - Toyota Safety Sense - as standard equipment on both models.

 The new Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport (left) and Tundra TRD Sport.

The RAV4 is already one of the most popular crossovers on sale in the US today and so Toyota has decided to make it look more fun and more rugged to attract younger owners. The RAV4 Adventure will come with front wheel drive and a limited slip differential, or with intelligent all-wheel drive for pushing torque to the axle most in need of grip.

It will get a raised ride height and flared wheel arches and will also get a number of active technological aids as standard equipment, including Trailer Sway Control for when towing, and Hill Start Assist, as well as the Toyota Safety Sense package.

Revealed on Thursday at the Chicago Auto Show, the new models will be arriving in dealerships in September.

RAV4 Adventure Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport and Tundra TRD Sport


BMW's new 3 Series set to faze the competition

                MUNICH: BMW has raised its game with the new 3 Series executive saloon - arguably the most important car in the German maker's model range.

The seventh-generation compact has been renewed all round, with improvements to the chassis and engines along with enhanced creature comforts.

The 3 Series defines the sector for compact sports sedans, and BMW is keen to keep ahead of its closest rivals Mercedes-Benz and Audi.

Codenamed G20, the new car rolls into showrooms early next year after the dust wrappers came off the shape at the Paris Car Show earlier this year.

The new 3 Series is slightly longer yet 55 kilos lighter than the version it replaces, thanks to the use of aluminium bumpers, front struts, front subframe and roof. This weight saving is rare at a time when gadget-loaded new cars are getting heavier.

The 3 Series is stiffer, too, and comes with a wider track and lower centre of gravity in order to boost handling and drivability. Lighter steering makes for an agile set-up.

The engines are familiar, with a 150-horsepower diesel in the entry-level 318d. It burns just 4.1 litres of fuel per 100km. The 320d and 330d offer more oomph.

Many buyers will opt for the evergreen 320i, which uses a turbocharged two-litre, four-cylinder petrol motor with 184 horses.

The premium 330i pushes more horsepower and can be ordered with rear-wheel drive or BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system.

The design of the new 3 Series is evolutionary and brings the car into line with the look of the rest of the range. At the front, the headlights slant downwards to connect with the trademark kidney grille.

The interior is all new, with a 5.7-inch digital gauge cluster and re-jigged 10.25 infotainment screen in the centre of the dashboard. The latest iDrive system is on board, along with a suite of driver assistance systems.

The rubber-burning fraternity can look forward to a powerful M340i sports version. A plug-in hybrid, which can manage 50km on electric power alone, is in the pipeline. Estate versions and a GT are also set for release.

 The M340i and its interior (below).


Of car ownership and home ownership

                In about three weeks’ time, we will be celebrating the New Year.

Each New Year comes with new resolutions and new goals. Some would plan to own big ticket items such as a house or a car as part of their resolution. If your plan is to own a new car, finish reading this article before nailing down that resolution.

Owning a car in Malaysia is expensive. In one of my previous articles, I highlighted that Malaysia was ranked second in the world where owning a car is expensive.

But what many do not know is by how much, relative to homes. Yes, homes in Malaysia are expensive too, but relative to Australian homes and cars, our cars are 10 times more expensive than those sold in Australia compared to homes. Let’s do some simple math together.

Khazanah Research Institute (KRI) reported that the median house price in Malaysia is about RM250,000. This is the cost of two Honda Civics (priced at RM110,000 per car).

In Australia, the median house price is A$660,000, while a Honda Civic costs about A$30,000. This means, a median-priced Australian house of A$660,000 can buy 22 Honda Civics, versus a median-priced Malaysian house of RM250,000 which can only buy two cars of the same model. Yes, our homes may not be cheap but our cars are more expensive in comparison.

I further compared Malaysia against the United States and United Kingdom. A median-priced house in US and UK can buy 12 and 16 Honda Civics respectively, which is still more affordable compared to the two which can be bought with a median-priced Malaysian house.

The story does not end here. In addition to the cost of purchasing a car, there are many other financial commitments that comes along with owning a car. These include petrol, parking, toll charges, maintenance, and repair costs. Then, there is the cost of depreciation which ranges from 10% to 20% per year. It does not help that most of these supplementary expenses are frequently being increased. Our cars are indeed costing us a lot.

It is undeniable that a car is a necessity to those who have limited access to public transportation. Until our public transportation system is good enough, people will still need private vehicles to move from one place to another.

Unfortunately our cars are so expensive that the rakyat, especially the younger generation, are forced to put off buying a home until they can afford it. In the meantime, that “wait” causes house prices to appreciate, thus making it even more unaffordable for these people to own a home. This vicious cycle will continue until the government has a permanent solution to address both public transportation and affordable housing.

Perhaps, it is also timely to revisit the rationale behind our National Car Project which was introduced in 1982 to bring a higher level of industrialisation in Malaysia. Since its inception, the price of national and non-national cars have progressively increased through increase in car taxes and excise duties.

The price of non-national cars in Malaysia generally cost 50% to 100% more than the price of the similar make of car in other countries. On the other hand, one of my managers came back from his Aussie trip and shared that a Proton Preve in Australia is RM11,000 cheaper than one that is acquired in Malaysia.

Originally, the National Car Project was a form of protectionism for the national car industry. After more than 30 years since its inception, it has now become a burden to the rakyat, by eating more and more into our disposable income. The National Car Project has served its original purpose, and it is time that we review it.

So now, instead of jotting down my resolution, my wish list for 2016 is for the Government to rationalise and reduce the taxes imposed on cars. This will put more money back into the rakyat’s pockets to start their home ownership journey much earlier. Concurrently, the Government can continue to channel and reinvest some of these funds to build a comprehensive and effective public transportation system in Malaysia which will greatly reduce the rakyat’s dependency on private vehicles.

And for those who still wish to buy a car, think twice as owning a car is too expensive and unaffordable – it may also cost you your home. - DATUK ALAN TONG

> This article first appeared in StarBiz's 'Food for thought' column. Datuk Alan Tong has over 50 years of experience in property development. He was the world president of FIABCI International for 2005/2006 and awarded the Property Man of the Year 2010 at FIABCI Malaysia Property Award. He is also the group chairman of Bukit Kiara Properties.


Volkswagen begins production of new electric drivetrain in China

                WOLFSBURG: Volkswagen has officially confirmed that its components manufacturing and development subsidiary has begun producing the APP 310 drive system in China.

The subsidiary says that this component will be used in the German carmaker's upcoming ID.4 variants produced by the joint venture partners FAW (ID.4 Crozz) and SAIC (ID.4 X).

The ID.4 variants use the company's latest MEB platform (Modularer E-Antriebs-Baukasten) or modular electric-drive matrix in English.

Volkswagen's future MEB models for China will also be available in Germany.

The main factory for electric drives at the subsidiary is in Kassel, Germany and produces the APP 310 motor meant for current and future MEB models in Europe and North America.

Thomas Schmall, CEO of Volkswagen Group Components said that the APP 310 production commencement in Tianjin, China allows the brand to accelerate electric mobility movement no only in the regional market but also for the Group as a whole.

"Our presence in the key markets enables us to react flexibly and efficiently to the needs of our customers. In this way, Volkswagen Group Components is making a major contribution to the Group’s electrification campaign.”

Automatic gearboxes have been produced at the Tianjin component plant since 2012.

Following the ramp-up of the DQ400e hybrid engine and the APP 290 electric drive, the APP 310 represents the next milestone in the transformation to electric mobility.

The permanent magnet synchronous machine with the drive and gearbox parallel to the axles has an output of up to 204PS with a maximum torque of 310Nm.

Both component plants at Kassel and Tianjin are working closely together on the industrialisation process for the new product.

At present, the technical capacity installed at both sites corresponds to up to 880,000 electric drives per year.

Production is to be expanded by up to 1.4mil electric drives as early as 2023 and in doing so would make Volkswagen Group Components one of the largest producers of electric drives in the world.


Geely launches Bo Rui GE - potential future Proton flagship sedan?

                Geely Auto, China’s largest privately owned brand, unveiled its flagship new energy sedan, the Bo Rui GE, at the 2018 Beijing International Auto Show.

The Bo Rui GE has been made available with two options, the first a PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) that utilizes a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine and 7-speed DCT (dual clutch transmission) that was jointly developed by Volvo and Geely, which brings fuel consumption down to just 1.6 litre per 100km.

Whilst in a first for the Chinese market, Geely has developed a 48V mild hybrid version using the same 1.5T engine that brings fuel consumption down by 15% over the traditional petrol version to just 5.8 litres per 100km.

The 48V mild hybrid with a BSG (belt-driven starter generator) version produces 177hp at 5,500rpm and 265Nm at 1,500 to 4,000rpm.

The Bo Rui GE will be available on the Chinese market in the first half of 2018 with a gradual global roll out.

The Bo Rui GE was introduced by Geely’s Senior Vice President of Design, Peter Horbury.

He said, “China has emerged as the largest market in the global car industry, accounting to about 40% of global sales with 30 million new cars each year. Chinese consumers have also become more sophisticated and mature than ever before. Working to satisfy the needs of this new generation of vehicle users has helped us evolved into a confident global brand capable of developing segment leading cars that contains subtle hints of its Chinese origin.”

The sharp-edged exterior of the vehicle resembles water under tension, where the calm outward appearance implies a
considerable power within. Its tall wide grille beams with pride and the Geely identity rings, which represent our
expanding universe, are now refined on a more elegant, fluid and twisting surface.

The elegant theme of the Bo Rui GE can be further seen on the front and rear lamps with unique 3D twists and movements inspired by traditional Chinese fans and the graceful twirl of a gymnast’s ribbon. The sedan radiates a life and spirit of its own, even when motionless.

The interior of the vehicle serves as a third living space for its users with much attention paid to giving it a
technological and luxurious feel. Its Full Vision dashboard that was first previewed on the Emgrand Concept in 2015 has been fully materialised here. Also integrated into the dashboard is Geely’s recently launched GKUI smart ecosystem, creating a visually striking and fully connected infotainment panel.

Occupants of the Bo Rui GE have the ability to set the ambience of their car environment with 3 preset driving modes;Flame Red for sports, Crystal Blue for eco-driving and Amber Gold for refined comfort driving. There is also a floating 2-tier console housing Geely’s Energy Hub, which offers wireless charging for tablets, mobile phones or other tech devices.

The materials used in the making of the vehicle are even high tech. Wonderful brushed metal inserts add a precise feeling during the day and change to being secret back lit areas at night. This reveals a completely different pattern and provides a digital backdrop that links perfectly well into the Full Vision dashboard. The car also comes with a Geely smart key as an option, ideal for tech-savvy customers seeking ultimate control over their vehicle from anywhere.

As a plugin hybrid vehicle, the Bo Rui GE brings Geely a step closer into fulfilling its Blue Geely Initiative, where it plans to mass produce new energy vehicles by the year 2020. The company aims for 90% of its vehicle sales by that year to consist of new energy vehicles based on three core technologies, namely pure electric (EV), plug-in electric (PHEV) and hybrid electric (HEV). They plan for the new energy sales to be split into 65% for PHEV and HEV, while the other 35% will be coming from EV by 2020.

The Bo Rui GE was created for the new generation of users. Born in the mid-1980s and early 1990s, who truly appreciate the rise of Chinese technology and proudly use it in their everyday lives. They are self-confident and inspired by life.

“With the Bo Rui GE, we have created a flagship vehicle that embodies Geely’s ambitious aspirations. It represents a new standard for new energy”, ended Horbury.


EU car data access rules in progress but no timeline

                BRUSSELS: The European Commission is working on rules to ensure fair access to valuable car data for companies and industry but does not know when they will be ready, a spokesman said on Monday as industry groups fret about unfair competition from US and Chinese tech companies.

The huge potential of the connected car market, which consultancy Fortune Business Insights says could grow to as much as 400 billion euros ($435 billion) by 2030, has triggered a fight between carmakers and industrial users on access to vehicle data.

Carmakers are looking to data-driven software products and subscription services covering everything from driving habits to fuel consumption and tyre wear as the next money spinner.

Data ownership, however, is not clearly defined in EU law, resulting in the current dispute between carmakers and those who want to access it.

"The Commission is working on the preparation of a sector-specific proposal on in-vehicle data. It will aim to complement the proposal for a Data Act, published in February 2022," a spokesman for the EU executive told Reuters in an email.

"At this stage, we cannot prejudge the content of the final impact assessment and subsequent timeline for adoption."

Car services groups last week piled pressure on the Commission to come up with a legislative proposal as US tech companies such as Alphabet's struck deals with General Motors and Mercedes-Benz


Proton targets to be profitable by 2020, eyes EV cars

                KUALA LUMPUR: Proton Holdings Bhd targets to be profitable by 2020 following its tie-up with Chinese carmaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group and there are plans for the latter to introduce its Euro 6 engines.

Proton Holdings Bhd chairman Datuk Seri Syed Faisal Albar said they want to turn Proton around as soon as possible.

“There is a J-curve and it will take some time. We have to invest and there is no immediate returns. It will take some time… about two to three years,” he said at a press conference.

He also said the JV would be able to leverage on Zhejiang Geely’s expertise in Euro 6 engines as they look ahead to have these engines for the Proton cars. The JV, he said would also look at electric vehicles.

 Syed Faisal.

Syed Faisal, who is managing director of DRB-Hicom was speaking to reporters at a press conference after DRB-Hicom, which sold its 49.9% stake in Proton to Zhejiang Geely for RM460.30mil, formalised their nominees to Proton group and its related companies.

In a joint statement issued by DRB-Hicom and Zhejiang Geely, they said the complete revitalisation of Proton is the key goal of both the board of directors as well as the executive team that will be heading the change.

“The joint goal of both teams is to see Proton restored to being the best-selling brand within Malaysia and a top three Asean brand in the coming years.

“To achieve this goal, the management of Proton has established a global team that is able to utilise the leading market knowledge of both shareholders; the leading local knowledge of DRB-Hicom and also the international resources of Geely Holdings,” they said.


Ford Ranger's interior is built tough too

                KUALA LUMPUR: Pickup trucks in general are perceived as extremely rugged vehicles and so is the Ford Ranger and its interior that’s been rigorously tested.

The materials inside the new Ford Ranger have been designed to handle everything customers can throw at them, whether it is mud and tools, wear and tear from extended road trips or kids on their way to school.

Throughout the design process, Ford subjected hundreds of different materials to thousands of hours of testing to ensure they are not only tough enough to meet the standards expected of a truck used for demanding work.

Among the tests is the scratch test, where the Ranger’s trim materials are scratched with varying amounts of pressure to measure at what point damage becomes visible.

The trim is able to withstand up to 15 newtons (1.5kg) of pressure focused into a single 1mm point

Another is the snag test, where the Ranger’s interior faced an endless list of objects that can potentially snag and damage interior fabrics such as keys, tools, boots, pets and the worst offender - pens.

A metal ball with steel spikes, much like a medieval mace, is run over the materials for hours on end to identify fabrics that are more likely to snag and tear.

Last is the stain test, where the cabin faces some of the most commonly spilled staining liquids that include coffee, oil and ketchup.

To pass this test, the stains must be acceptably removed from the materials using simple household cleaning products.

Customers don’t need to worry about wearing new jeans, either – engineers made sure that any indigo dye that rubs off can be cleaned easily.

Ford’s material tests are designed to simulate years of use and abuse long before customers subjects their Rangers to the demands of daily life.

Throughout the process hundreds of materials are rejected for not meeting the high standards demanded by Ranger customers and set by the engineering team.

“Thanks to extensive testing by Ford’s material and seat engineering teams, our customers will be enjoying the new Ranger’s functional comfort for years to come,” said Ford Asia Pacific senior color and materials designer Marie Smyth.


Renault-Nissan set to enter auto elite, if they can reach a deal

A handout photo released by Renault in April showing (from left) Renault CEO Thierry Bollore, Saikawa, Senard and Mitsubishi Motors chairman and CEO Osamu Masuko posing during the first new alliance operating board meeting of Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi held in Paris.
TOKYO: A merger between longtime alliance partners Renault SA and Nissan Motor Co. would codify a global automotive pecking order dominated by three mega-players, putting pressure on everyone else to bulk up or risk being left behind. They just need to find a way to agree.

The French and Japanese manufacturers, along with third partner Mitsubishi Motors Corp., churn out 10.8 million cars each year — nearly double Ford Motor Co.’s global deliveries. The alliance — currently held together by a series of cross-shareholdings — would be second only to Germany’s Volkswagen AG, with Toyota Motor Corp. a close third.

Size — always a factor in the auto industry — has become increasingly critical. Auto manufacturers are grappling with investments needed to keep pace in the race to develop self-driving and electric vehicles, while ride-sharing services like Uber Technologies Inc. nip away customers and trade tensions roil markets.

If a merger were to go through, the pressure would be especially intense on other mass-market automakers.

Renault chairman Jean-Dominique Senard — appointed in January during the shakeup following the downfall of the alliance’s chief architect, Carlos Ghosn — has revived a proposal to unite the French manufacturer with Nissan, people familiar with the matter have said.

While the benefits to combine and cut costs are compelling in an industry saddled with huge investment overhead and thin margins, Senard’s plan isn’t an automatic winner.

Both Nissan and the Japanese government have spurned efforts by Renault to engage in merger talks, according to the Financial Times. Relations between the partners, already tense because of Ghosn’s arrest in Japan, have hit a new low after the latest snubs, according to the FT.

“For mass manufacturers, size is almost everything,” said Juergen Pieper, a Frankfurt-based analyst with Bankhaus Metzler. “All three parties want to continue their cooperation. Still, everything has to be written anew after Ghosn.”

The proposal revived by Senard calls for a holding-company structure, which would provide for equal ownership and board representation for Renault and Nissan — a clear gain for the Japanese carmaker, which was rescued from the brink of collapse by Renault 20 years ago.

While the aim is to gain Nissan’s support, chief executive officer Hiroto Saikawa rejected a request earlier this month by Senard to reconsider a merger, people familiar with the situation have said.

Reform a must

Renault-Nissan’s structure has been in desperate need of reform for years.

Nissan now is larger than Renault in terms of sales but doesn’t have a say in its partner. The imbalanced relationship has caused tension between the two in the past. The issue came to a head in 2015 when the French government — which owns 15 percent of Renault — thwarted Nissan’s push for voting rights.

Ghosn, a domineering figure in France and Japan, held the factions together by force of personality and executive roles at both carmakers.

However, the shortcomings were laid bare by the 65-year-old’s arrest in November on allegations of financial wrongdoing — charges he’s repeatedly denied. He’s currently free on bail awaiting a trial that may begin later this year.

Since its formation in 1999, the alliance — which has included Mitsubishi since 2016 — has deepened and spread out to encompass large swaths of their business, including engineering, human resources and purchasing.

One example of integration is Renault’s Flins plant near Paris, which has been building the Nissan Micra hatchback since 2016. Last year, the automaker unveiled plans to build more of the vehicles, and the Micra now is the factory’s most important model.

They also benefit from each others’ complementary geographic footprint: Renault is stronger in Europe, while Nissan provides links to the US, where the French carmaker is absent, and greater scale in China. Breaking up that structure would be costly and potentially disastrous, given the disruption gripping the auto industry.

Merger risks

Even so, full-scale auto mergers are a huge challenge. The road is littered with failed tie-ups such as the ill-fated DaimlerChrysler and BMW’s failed takeover of Rover.

General Motors Co. unloaded German unit Opel after decades of struggles, while Ford disbanded its collection of luxury brands, including Volvo, Jaguar and Aston Martin.

Still, there is increasing urgency for Renault and Nissan to find a way forward.

Volkswagen is revving up a major electric-car push and is negotiating deeper cooperation with Ford. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV and Peugeot owner PSA Group have signaled they’re ready for dealmaking. That means an extended stalemate risks holding back the disjointed auto giant.

“What we always said — and we still say the exact same thing — is that what we want is the alliance to be irreversible,” Renault chief financial officer Clotilde Delbos said when asked about its plans during the company’s first-quarter conference call.

“This is what we are pursuing collectively with Nissan.”
-


Tesla camera concerns spur China to review car data regulations

                BEIJING: China is considering new regulations that would require data collected by intelligent cars to be stored in the country, a move triggered by recent concerns that cameras in Tesla Inc. vehicles can be used for spying, according to people familiar with the matter.

The draft regulation was published on a government portal Thursday and is open for public comment until May 15. It proposes mandating that any information collected from a car’s external cameras, such as location data or images of buildings or roads, be stored in China.

Tesla’s electric cars were banned from Chinese military complexes and housing compounds in March because of concerns about sensitive data being collected by cameras and sensors built into the vehicles. The proposed new regulation was motivated by these concerns, said the people, asking not to be identified discussing internal government matters.

A representative for Tesla in China declined to comment. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology directed requests for comment to the Cyberspace Administration of China, which didn’t immediately respond to a faxed request for comment.

Shortly after the military ban became public, Tesla chief executive officer Elon Musk used a virtual appearance at a Chinese conference to stress that the automaker would never use a vehicle’s technology for spying, and would be closed down if it did.

The company then followed up, saying this month that cameras in its cars aren’t activated outside of North America, and that any data it collects in China is stored in the country.

“Tesla China is a company that’s based here and must abide by all Chinese laws and regulations,” Grace Tao, the carmaker’s head of communications and government affairs in China, said on the sidelines of a state meeting April 13. “In fact, our data will be very well protected. Chinese data will be stored in China.”

China has become one of Palo Alto, California-based Tesla’s most important markets, home to its first Gigafactory outside of the US and an increasingly key revenue stream. After receiving significant support from the government in establishing itself in China, Tesla has started to see more scrutiny from regulators.

A highly public protest at the recent Shanghai Auto Show - where a customer who claims the brakes failed in her Tesla jumped on top of a display car - prompted an investigation by a local market regulator and criticism of Tesla’s customer service online.


Go Auto, Mara Liner and Higer Bus in strategic EV partnership

                PETALING JAYA: Go Automobile Manufacturing (Go Auto), together with Mara Liner (MLSB) and China-based Higer Bus Company, have established a strategic electric vehicle (EV) partnership that's expected to cost over RM30mil.

The partnership involves developing, manufacturing and engineering of the production of electric buses for the local market.

Through the cooperation, MLSB has been appointed as the authorised sales
representative and will provide after sales service for the electric buses as well as all Go Auto products.

This indirectly places Go Automobile in a league of companies that are committed to helping develop the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem.

Last April, the company and MLSB signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the Memacu Agenda Bumiputera exhibition and was witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and deputy Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Under the MoU, the company will supply electric buses to MLSB for a programme under the UNIBUS Initiative.

The programme will be implemented first at the University of Technology Malaysia (UTM) Skudai, Johor in January, 2018, before moving to more public locations.

"We are proud to be given the continuous trust, and are committed to developing the EV components for the Malaysian and ASEAN markets", said the company's executive director Datuk SM Azli SM Nasimuddin Kamal.

He also added that his company recently handed over an electric bus to MLSB for training and research purposes.

 From left: Higer Bus Company regional general manager Asia Pacific Region Lester Pang, Go Auto project leader Zulnawarin Abdul Samad, Mara Liner chief operating officer Zahrail Affenday Mohammed and MARA council member Datuk Ariss Samsudin.


Honda Malaysia working with Govt to hasten airbag replacement

                PETALING JAYA: Honda Malaysia says it will be working with the Ministry of Transport and Road Transport Department (JPJ) in urging more drivers affected by airbag recalls to come forward to replace them.

Once again, the car company said the matter was of great urgency as it involves occupant safety. The replacement is free and any cost related to it will be borne by Honda Malaysia. The current model line-up do not have the defective airbag inflators supplied by Takata Corporation.

Honda Malaysia said customers should replace defective Takata front airbag inflators as they could deploy with excessive force when activated. The airbag inflator casings might rupture which could cause injury or death to driver and passengers.

As at July 2, Honda Malaysia has completed more than 228,000 units of Takata driver front airbag inflator which translates to 87% completion ratio. The total number of Takata driver and passenger front airbag inflator replacements completed is at more than 465,000 units or 79% completion ratio.

It said it has deployed "Mobile Hubs" at selected shopping malls, hubs at Honda roadshows as well as at selected Petronas stations to help affected Honda owners change airbags.

It also said it has 100% stock availability for the driver and passenger front airbag inflators. Vehicle owners can check their vehicles' product recall status as shown below:

> Visit Honda website at www.honda.com.my or www.productrecall.honda.com.my
> Call the Honda toll free number at 1-800-88-2020
> Visit any Honda authorised dealers.

Honda-Malaysia-Mall-Hubs-and-Petronas-Location-and-Operating-Hours_050718_FINAL.pdf
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PM assures uproar on ride-hailing apps to be settled soon

                PETALING JAYA: The Government is looking into solving the problem between taxi drivers and the use of ride-hailing apps, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

On Tuesday, a group of angry and frustrated taxi drivers protested in the city over the lack of official action against ride-sharing apps such as Uber and GrabCar.

The Prime Minister said the interests of both users and taxi service providers would be considered when reaching a solution.

According to Najib, the Government is studying the proposals to address the problem, and will announce its solution "in the near future".

"I understand and I am concerned about the problems and grievances faced by cabbies that is caused by the services of Uber and GrabCar drivers in Malaysia which is seen as affecting their income," said Najib in a blog post Thursday.

He said this issue was not exclusive in Malaysia, and that the same problem was being studied in many countries.

"There are various factors that the Government must consider and balance, such as the element of innovation, competition and so on.

"In this era of sophistication and innovation, we have to keep pace with technological developments," he added.

 SPAD enforcement periodically results in the seizure of private vehicles being used as illegal taxis.

Najib said that competition between taxi drivers and ride-hailing apps must be seen as a stepping stone, instead of a hindrance, so that people could enjoy a better service.

"I hope that no one would follow their emotions and take drastic measures such as starting street protests that will only exacerbate the situation and damage their image.

"And it would not bring any benefit, especially for the users of taxi services," said Najib.

Najib also praised police for acting swiftly and professionally in taking control of the traffic situation and dispersing the taxi drivers during Tuesday's protest along Jalan Bukit Bintang.

It is reported that taxi drivers claimed that Uber and GrabCar were making it more difficult for them to earn a living. The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) was reportedly seen to be too slow in tackling the industry’s issues.


Flat battery? Everything you need to know to jump-start your car

                HAMBURG: If your car battery is completely flat, the starter motor will only make a dreaded clicking sound - and the engine will not start.

Older batteries in particular are considerably stressed in extremely hot or cold temperatures, and that can become a real problem in cars that are primarily used for short journeys or are rarely used.

In such a situation, you are going to have to jump start your car, but this is unfamiliar territory for many drivers.

"If you prefer to have your car jump-started by a helpful driver instead of calling a breakdown service, the first thing you'll need is jump leads," says Achmed Leser, an expert from the inspection agency organisation Tuev.

It's very important for all those involved in the operation to read the operating instructions for their cars as well as the instructions for use of the jump leads beforehand.

"If you make a mistake, you risk not only damage to the cars but also an electric shock and thus your own health," Leser warns, "and the cables used must always be equipped with plastic-covered pole clamps."

If all the instructions are followed, the jump-starting procedure is quite simple. First, all unnecessary drains on power from the batteries in both cars should be switched off. Only then should the positive terminals of the batteries be connected.

"To do this, first connect the red cable clamp to the positive terminal of the vehicle that is supplying the voltage, then connect the cable to the positive terminal of the flat car battery," says Leser.

The second step is to connect the negative terminals. To do this, the black cable is clamped to the negative pole of the helper's vehicle battery.

The other side of the earth cable is connected to an earth point in the engine compartment of the recipient car, such as a metal part on the engine block. "The negative terminal of the flat battery should not be used, as flammable gases could ignite during starting due to sparks," Leser explains.

The engine of the jump-starting vehicle should not be started until the cable connection between the two vehicles has been established.

You can attempt to start the vehicle with the flat battery after a few minutes of charging. If you're not successful, both vehicles should run for a short time with connected batteries. You may want to turn on some electricity consumers like lights and fans in the receiving vehicle to avoid voltage peaks.

Then the cables can be disconnected in reverse order. First remove the black cable from the earth point and negative terminal, then remove the red cable from the transmitter vehicle, and then from the receiver vehicle.

If the vehicle display shows malfunctions, these must not be ignored under any circumstances - call for expert help, or drive the vehicle directly to the nearest specialist workshop.

"After jump-starting the vehicle, it is essential to drive a longer distance to recharge the flat battery," advises Leser. It is also a good idea to have the capacity and state of the battery checked by a specialist.


Proton wraps up first round of after sales service competition

                JOHOR BARU: Proton's first round of the After Sales Service Competition has concluded for the Southern region, where three individuals have secured their place in the finals at the Proton Centre of Excellence in September.

The trio, representing the Southern region, are Hairul Bakthiar Mohamad (Motorwise Sdn Bhd, Service Dealer, Pasir Gudang), Muhammad Fahmi Usri (Proton Edar Sdn Bhd Plentong) and Hairul Nizam Mohd Nor (Proton Edar Sdn Bhd Melaka).

 Fahmi from PESB Plentong, Johor

Participants for the competition came from the local carmaker's dealers and branches in Johor, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka and were tested on their speed and accuracy in their areas of expertise.

The two-day event had participants tested on their theoretical and practical abilities such as an engine overhaul task that required them to disassemble and reassemble a Proton VVT engine within a three-hour time limit.

The judges based their decisions on speed, accuracy and troubleshooting competencies throughout the process.

The first round of the competition was held at the Proton Edar Plentong branch in Johor Baru, where three out of 45 technicians vied for a chance to take home an incentive trip and RM50,000 in cash prizes.

A trio from each of the four upcoming rounds - consisting of the East Coast, East Malaysia as well as Nothern and Central regions, will converge at the Proton Centre of Excellence in September for the finals.

The top six performers will win cash prizes and a trip to Shanghai, China, where they will visit Geely Headquarters and the Geely Research Centre.

“As part of our commitment to enhance our quality in after sales services and products, the Competition provides an opportunity for our staff to compete against their peers and motivate them to excel," said Proton Edar chief executive officer Abdul Rashid Musa.

"I am very pleased we had 45 participants for the Southern region leg as it signifies that our technicians are eager to challenge themselves,” he added.

The competition serves as a platform for its after sales personnel to showcase their skills and knowledge.


Nissan increases Qashqai capacity in Europe

                SUNDERLAND: After a decade of unprecedented customer demand, Nissan announces its intention to increase Qashqai capacity and further enhance its position as the best-selling crossover in Europe.

Nissan still cannot keep pace with the continued growth of the crossover market it created with Qashqai, despite record volumes of 300,000 cars every year on Line 1 at the company’s Sunderland Plant, round-the-clock production and a build rate of one car every minute.

Now Nissan engineers are preparing to uncork supply to its European customers by modifying Line 2 in Sunderland to introduce additional Qashqai production, a further investment of £22m/€29m in the plant.

The first additional vehicles are scheduled for production in before the end of 2016, ahead of the next phase in Qashqai’s development in 2017 when it becomes the first Nissan in Europe to feature autonomous ‘Piloted Drive’ technology.

Colin Lawther, Nissan’s Senior Vice President for Manufacturing, Purchasing and Supply Chain Management in Europe, said: “When the first Qashqai came off the line in 2006 it created the crossover segment. Today it remains the benchmark for European customers for its dynamic styling, exciting driving experience and innovative technology.

 Nissan Qashqai being built on NMUK Line 1 with an operator.

“Through innovative engineering and productivity improvements, my colleagues in Sunderland have broken production records to keep pace with demand, but our new generation Qashqai has reached a tipping point.

“This additional capacity will give us free supply of Qashqai for the first time, ahead of the launch of a refreshed Qashqai equipped with Piloted Drive technology from next year.”

Nissan is this year celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Sunderland facility, which has grown to become the largest UK car plant of all-time, supporting nearly 40,000 UK jobs and manufacturing one in three of all cars made in Britain.

Thanks to Nissan’s UK-based design and technical centres, vehicles like Qashqai are designed, engineered and manufactured in the UK and exported from Sunderland to over 130 markets.

Globally, Qashqai is also manufactured in Nissan’s plants in St. Petersburg, Russia, and in the Huadu Plant of Dongfeng Nissan in China.


Toyota's hot little racer — GR Yaris

                The Toyota GR (Gazoo Racing) Yaris will be unveiled at the Japan Auto Salon on Jan 10. But first, we had the opportunity to drive it in a faraway place. Lisbon to be exact.

The Portuguese weather brought rain and cold winds on the day we were to try out the GR Yaris prototype on public roads and the track.

Covered in a camouflage wrap, the GR Yaris sat lower than usual with fatter tyres that ran almost flush with its bodywork.

Inside, the dashboard was mostly covered up, and members of the media were advised not to publish photos showing the interior of the car.
Toyota apparently wanted to save some surprises for launch day.

Under the hood lies a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

What’s unique about the powerplant is that it’s got three-cylinders only.

Before the scoffing starts, Toyota will have you know that its “little” engine is capable of out over 250hp and 350Nm of torque.

Within the GR Yaris' core are some special mechanicals to boost its performance.

The three-door car is equipped with two Torsen limited-slip differentials (LSDs) — each mounted on an axle and ready to distribute power between the front and rear accordingly depending on what’s been selected — Normal (60:40), Sport (30:70) and Track (50:50).

The drive modes do not affect the car in any other way, unlike in some other systems which can control throttle mapping, exhaust note, steering heft, suspension or traction control.

The car comes with serious stopping power; it’s fitted with enlarged grooved brake discs with a four-pot calliper in front and two-pot at the back.

The brakes are partially hidden by a set of lightweight 18-inch gloss-black 15-spoke Enkei wheels with 225/40 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres.

However, there is a non-performance GR Yaris that doesn’t have the LSD and uses Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 tyres instead.

For greater stability, the Yaris’ standard rear torsion beam suspension has been replaced with a more sophisticated double-wishbone setup.

Professional drivers from Tommi Makinen Racing (TMR) team helped develop the GR Yaris.

You may remember Makinen as one of the most accomplished World Rally Championship (WRC) driver from Finland who helped take Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evolution 3 to 6.5 rally cars to great success from 1996 to 2001.

Currently, his team uses a Yaris WRC car under the GR flag that’s been equipped with a 1.6-litre turbocharged direct-injection engine making a whopping 350hp-plus.

During its development, the GR Yaris was made into a lightweight all-wheel-drive hatch with optimised weight distribution.

This was achieved by moving the engine rearwards while using weight-saving aluminium body panels and a carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) roof that’s been lowered for better aerodynamics.

The front end is flanked by gaping holes for brake-cooling duties and the front vents have been made far more “air-ccessible” for the radiator and intercooler.

The seating position was, alas, not as adjustable as I had wanted. The seat didn’t allow itself to be lowered more to fit the frame of this 176cm-tall writer, who had to put up with driving about with the rearview mirror stuck in his line of sight.

Furthermore, the space between the accelerator and brake pedal was oddly far apart, which hampered heel-and-toe movements.

Out on the roads, in and around Lisbon, our 50km journey took us to Cabo Da Roca (Cape Rock) - the most Western point of the European continent that meets the Atlantic Ocean.

En route, the ride was compliant over stretches of uneven surfaces. One can’t expect much comfort from stiffened suspension with large 18-inch wheels on low profile tyres.

For the most part, we did not manage to push the car hard as a downpour soon ensued shortly after the journey began.

Nevertheless, we discovered that the GR Yaris was quite docile when driven normally.

We dare say this is a liveable hot hatch that even the most novice of drivers can steer if one is not opposed to towing through gears manually.

The throws of the six-speeder was a tad long but were smooth and easy to operate.

The steering felt taut for that sporty feel and wasn’t excessively heavy.

But the real surprise was how well insulated the cabin was, with a non-intrusive exhaust note that only announced its presence when the engine gets riled up from 3,000rpm onwards.

It manages to handle directional changes like a champ with a rather subservient rear end — all this while in Track mode, where the perception of grip could be keenly felt.

Punching the throttle will properly stick occupants into their seats. Revving the engine towards its 7,000rpm redline will have it seemingly run out of breath around the 6,000rpm mark.

From Cape Rock, we made our way to the Circuito do Estoril — the country’s former Formula One track from 1984 to 1996.

There, we managed to provide the GR Yaris with some proper thrashing and compare it to the non-performance GR Yaris as well.

Out on the well-drenched 4.182km track, it was found that both variants provide almost equal amounts of fun.

If there were anything to tell them apart, it would be that the non-performance variant was prone to deliver fun tail-wagging moments during excessive throttle inputs due to the lack of the LSDs and the less-grippy Dunlops.

Aside from those, the brakes performed admirably and lacked an abrupt initial bite that would usually put drivers in a nervous state.

Rather, pedal input and the amount of bite from the big brakes were highly consistent and there was hardly any brake fade even after five hard laps in both variants.

Also, nose-diving under heavy braking was minimised, more so for the performance variant with about 10% of torque being sent to its rear LSD to help “sit” the rear end down a little and prevent it from wagging.

Overall, the experience was great fun.

But why is Toyota building a hot hatch? So that it can go racing in the WRC, of course. One of the requirements is that the company build some 25,000 examples of a road-going version to qualify for WRC entry.

Bear in mind the GR Yaris is a prototype that’s 80% complete.

From what we’ve been allowed to tell, Malaysia should be receiving some 100 units of this magnificent hatch by 2021. So start saving up for this little marvel.


3M Malaysia launches DIY car care range

                KUALA LUMPUR: 3M Malaysia has launched its car care range of DIY products for car enthusiasts, restorers and do-it-yourselfers.

Parameswaran Nair, managing director of 3M Malaysia said, “3M has always been at the forefront of automotive science and innovation. Our DIY car care kits are easy to use and delivers exceptional results at the fraction of the cost."

3M Malaysia also launched its first official 3M automotive flagship store on Lazada and as part of the launch, there are exciting discounts.

From September 19 to October 19, 2018, four special car care bundles will be offered at RM30 off the original price.

Those looking to remove scratches can purchase the light to medium scratches bundle for RM99. This bundle includes the 3M Rubbing Compound, 3M One-Step Cleaner Wax and a 3M Microfiber Auto-Detailing Cloth.

 From left: 3M Malaysia senior division manager (automotive aftermarket) Koh Weng Hoe, Lazada Malaysia CEO Christophe Lejeune and 3M Malaysia managing director Parameswaran Nair posing with the brand ambassadors with a car that looks brand new thanks to 3M Malaysia’s car care range of products.

The second bundle is designed to help restore foggy headlights. Priced at RM154.30, the bundle includes the 3M Headlight Restoration Kit, 3M Headlight Clear Coat and a 3M Microfiber Auto-Detailing Cloth.

The third bundle features a collection of products that will help car owners remove minor scratches and paint transfers after minor accidents. The bundle contains the 3M Scratch and Scuff Remover, 3M One-Step Cleaner Wax and a 3M Microfiber Auto-Detailing Cloth for just RM145.20.

To prevent watermarks, the last bundle includes the 3M Glass Cleaner, 3M Glass Coat Windshield and a 3M Microfiber Auto-Detailing Cloth. This final bundle is priced at just RM63.90.

For more information, please head over to the 3M Auto Care Facebook page @3mAutoCareMY or visit the 3M Automotive Flagship Store on Lazada at https://www.lazada.com.my/shop/3m-automotive.


Paris to study pollution-busting free transport

Traffic near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris in February. — Reuters
PARIS: Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo is commissioning a study into making public transport free in the French capital to bring down grim levels of air pollution.

The study, announced late Monday, will see lawmakers and experts report back by the end of 2018 on whether the scheme would be financially feasible.

The Socialist mayor also said she has further negotiated discounts at park-and-ride stations to encourage commuters to leave their cars on the outskirts.

Paris could build a transport policy around free public transport "in which polluting cars no longer play a central role," she told Les Echos newspaper.

Hidalgo has made a priority of tackling smog and is planning stricter rules aimed at phasing out diesel cars by 2024, when Paris will host the Summer Olympics. The study will also look at the possibility of introducing a toll, like London's congestion charge, as she seeks to discourage motorists from driving into Paris.

But her announcement prompted accusations of electioneering from opponents at a time when she is under fire over her management of the city, particularly on transport.

 Hidalgo on the banks of River Seine in Paris. - AFP

Her flagship policy of banning cars along a stretch of the River Seine was overturned by a court ruling last month which she has been forced to appeal.

And the city's popular Velib hire bikes have been virtually absent from the streets since January due to a botched handover to a new contractor.

Valerie Pecresse, the conservative head of the wider Paris region, said she was "open to all new ideas" but warned Hidalgo against "going it alone" on free transport.

Ticket sales bring in three billion euros (RM14.4bil) a year, Pecresse told Radio Classique, adding she would not settle for "a euro less".

Julien Bargeton, a senator from President Emmanuel Macron's Republic on the Move (LREM) party, said the announcement amounted to a "campaign launch" for 2020 municipal elections.

He accused Hidalgo of "policy zig-zags", while the right-wing Republicans blasted the free transport study as "irresponsible".

"While her policies are leaking all over the place — dirty streets, public services under threat, rising taxes and municipal charges, court rulings — Anne Hildago is trying diversion tactics," the party said.

The Communist party, however, backed free transport, saying it had already proposed the idea for young people and low-income Parisians.

Paris has previously offered free public transport during particularly bad spells of pollution in a bid to get people to leave their cars at home.

Hidalgo's proposals come as cities around the world weigh how to reduce pollution blamed for an estimated nine million deaths globally a year, according to a 2017 study in The Lancet.

Last month, Germany made headlines with revelations it had considered nationwide free public transport, but Berlin cautioned there were no concrete plans to introduce such a policy.


Italy's Ares Design reveals its shooting brake take on Tesla Model S

The Ares Design Tesla Model S Shooting Brake.
ZURICH: The Tesla Model S is seen as a revolutionary car that's set a standard for electric cars now and in the future, so it's perhaps a little surprising that so many customisers want to get their hands on it. And rather than boosting the power of the electric propulsion system or making them into hardcore sports cars, it seems many of them want to turn the Model S into a shooting brake body style, and an Italian company called Ares Design is the latest to come with its own Model S shooting brake.

Ares has released an image of what it has to be said is an attractive and coherent take on the Model S, which is probably somewhere in between the two previous attempts we've see over the last few months. The one from London-based Dutch designer Niels van Roij was more futuristic and upscale, while the other from British firm Qwest Norfolk, reportedly thought up in a pub, focuses on giving the vehicle more cargo room.

 The Qwest version.

This one from Ares Design stays closest to the original Tesla design, and the image the company has released looks a lot like it could have been an official Tesla model. But as well as turning the Model S into a more practical estate or wagon format, the Ares is also supposed to be upping the game in terms of the interior as this one is said to be much more luxurious than the original car.

Inspiration for this concept came from the company's CEO (ex-Lotus CEO) Dany Bahar, who owned and drove a Tesla Model S on a daily basis. A company spokesman said of Bahar's experience of the Model S, "while he could appreciate its performance and technology, [he] felt that it was somewhat limited by its hatchback design...." And that he also "felt that the quality of the interior was letting the car down and certainly not up to the same quality as rivals such as Mercedes or BMW."

The comments are unlikely to endear Ares Design to Tesla anytime soon, but buyers will be able to judge for themselves from early summer when the car goes on sale with prices ranging between €200,000 and €250,000 euros (between RM969,000 and RM1.2mil).

 Ares factory in Modena, Italy. Its corporate headquarters is in Baar near Zurich.


US capital to cut speed limit on residential streets to 32kph

                WASHINGTON: The mayor of the US capital said Friday Washington D.C. will reduce the speed limit on most local city streets by 20% to 20mph (32kph) starting June 1 in a bid to reduce pedestrian deaths.

Washington mayor Muriel Bowser said lowering the default speed limit from 25mph (40kph) to 20 mph will help boost the survivability of traffic crashes and noted speeding had increased on emptier roads as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The district also plans to restrict roads with heavy foot and bicycle traffic to local traffic only and reduce speed limits to 15 miles per hour.

Other US cities have reduced speed limits on residential roads. In March, Minneapolis and St Paul, Minnesota lowered speed limits on residential streets to 20mph, while Portland, Oregon took the same step last year. Other cities including Boston are pursuing a 20mph residential speed limit.

Deaths of pedestrians have jumped by 42% in the last decade even as the combined number of all other traffic deaths has fallen by 8%. Pedestrian deaths rose 3.4% to 6,283 in 2018, the highest number since 1990. Preliminary US data showed pedestrian deaths fell by 2% in 2019.


Some rent luxury cars for 'balik kampung'

                PETALING JAYA: An increasing number of Malaysians are spending thousands of ringgit to rent cars for balik kampung just to impress relatives.

Kosmo! reported that the trend was so widespread that many car rental firms were offering more models.

Malaysian Car Rental Business Cooperative president Mohd Afendi Aman said for this Hari Raya, 137 member companies are expected to earn RM5mil through car rentals.

He said 3,200 cars out of a fleet of 4,000 owned by Kopkes members nationwide had been booked for the first week of Hari Raya.

“Not all our customers are car-less. Sometimes they simply want a more luxurious car to take home for the holidays. Cars in high demand this festive season are Vellfire, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and other models classified as ‘super cars’,” he said.

For a Vellfire, the rate is RM14,000 for a week, while a BMW will cost RM19,600 and a Mercedes-Benz is RM10,000.

Those wanting something cheaper can opt for a Perodua Myvi, Toyota Vios or Honda City which goes from RM1,000 to RM2,000 for a week’s rental.

Car rental owner Mohd Syazirul Mat Sali said some customers did not deny that they were renting cars to give a better impression of their lifestyle to their relatives.

A civil servant renting a car for his trip, who only wanted to be known as Safuan, justified the extra cost as something he did only once a year.

“In the city, I do not own a car as I am single and a motorcycle is enough for me to get around.

“This is only once a year, there is no harm in spending a little extra to rent a car to return for the Hari Raya holidays,” he said, adding that he was renting a Honda Civic for the second consecutive Hari Raya. - Compiled by TAN SIN CHOW, LOSHANA K SHAGAR and R.ARAVINTHAN


Use of B20 biodiesel leads to cleaner air, safe for engines, says minister

                KUALA LUMPUR: Implementing the B20 biodiesel programme could improve air quality especially in areas facing traffic congestion like the Klang Valley with its 7.2 million inhabitants, says Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok.

The B20 biodiesel programme was launched here today by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Kok said the use of B20 biodiesel, which consists of 20 per cent biodiesel and 80 per cent petroleum diesel, and the continued B7 programme for the industrial sector, would mop up about 1.3 million tonnes of palm oil a year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3.8 tonnes a year.

"Scientific studies have proved that use of biodiesel can reduce such emissions. Biodiesel also has a higher cetane number. This can improve the engine’s performance and result in cleaner exhaust gas emissions,” she said.

Kok said the use of biodiesel, with its almost zero sulphur content, could also lower sulphur dioxide emissions to the air and reduce the incidence of acid rain.

She said oil companies such as Petronas, Shell, Petron, Chevron and BHP would supply B20 biodiesel in stages to over 3,400 petrol stations nationwide.

Malaysia introduced B5 biodiesel in June 2011 and raised the palm oil content in B7 biodiesel in December 2014.

The mandatory implementation of B10 in the transport sector began on Feb 1, 2019 while B7 use for industrial applications was made mandatory on July 1, 2019.

Kok said oil companies are upgrading their depots to enable them to accommodate up to B30 biodiesel.

 Dr Wan Azizah (right) and Kok at the launch of the B20 biodiesel programme at Dataran Merdeka earlier today. — Bernama

"Who knows maybe one day we might upgrade to B30, so we should do it now. But because we are doing things in phases, we start with the states that do not require many changes such as Langkawi, followed by Labuan, Sarawak, Sabah and subsequently in Peninsular Malaysia,” she said.

Asked on challenges in the implementation, Kok said the government has not received many complaints but a lot of queries from dealers in the automotive industry on which biodiesel they should use for vehicles.

"I do not see much problem with this B20 programme as the acceptance level is very high. Let us all help to reduce carbon in the atmosphere,” she said.

Diesel B7/B10 and B20 biodiesel blends may be used interchangeably in all diesel vehicles without problem, she added.

It was reported that a preliminary study and engineering design for the upgrading of the blending depot has been approved with an allocation of RM35 million.

Kok expressed hope that the B20 programme could support the crude palm oil (CPO) price this year, thus benefiting the smallholders, who own 40 per cent of the oil palm plantation areas in the country.

"Currently, CPO is trading at between RM2,700 and RM2,800 per tonne, and with the B20 and soon the B30 programme, this can be our mechanism to stabilise the price at the current level,” she added.

In December 2016, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (Jama) stated its support for the use of 20 per cent palm oil biodiesel in diesel.

Field tests by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board and comprehensive studies by Jama have also shown that B20 is suitable for use in diesel engines.

The implementation of the B20 programme is also in line with the National Automotive Policy under the International Trade and Industry Ministry which wants vehicles to be B20- and B30-ready.

Countries that already sells biodiesel include the European Union, the United States, Indonesia, Thailand, Colombia, Argentina and Brazil.


China says will curb 'haphazard and redundant' auto investment

A man walking past Ford cars on display at a Shanghai dealership. — Bloomberg
TIANJIN: China will strictly prevent ‘haphazard investment and redundant development’ in the automobile industry, an official from the state planning agency said on Saturday, apparently referring to proposed rules on automakers’ investments in new capacity.

Nian Yong, head of the National Development and Reform Commission’s (NDRC) Department of Industrial Coordination, said the agency will soon publish and implement a new set of investment rules.

Among other things, the new rules ”will restrict industrial investment project management standards, strengthen regulation, prevent haphazard investment and redundant development,” he said.

China is looking to fix seemingly perpetual excess capacity in the country’s auto industry which is showing signs of worsening.

Nian’s remarks, which were made during his speech at an automotive industry conference in Tianjin, come as the industry has sought to dial down the proposed NDRC rules, which were published in July in draft form to seek public comment.

It’s not clear when the new rules would take effect, or whether the NDRC would agree to water them down from the draft, which some automaker officials described as alarming.

On Friday, another NDRC official at the same conference indicated the agency might make some compromises.
“We have made some quite big modifications (to the proposed rules) after we received the industry’s feedback,” NDRC official Gu Ziming said.

The move to curb excess capacity comes as domestic and international automakers in China announce plans to increase their production. Japan’s Nissan Motor Co and Toyota Motor Corp have both announced plans to significantly boost production in China.

According to the draft rules, China’s state planning agency is looking to place a limited ban on investments in new “greenfield” capacity to produce traditional gasoline-fuelled cars, as well as electric battery cars - unless a carmaker meets certain conditions.

Among them, automakers would have to have a healthy, above-industry-average business in terms of capacity utilization and research and development investment, and a commitment to electric cars.