Car fully charged in 6 minutes: UK firm Nyobolt unveils breakthrough battery

                LONDON: A British company says it has developed an electric car that can charge fully in less than 6 minutes, a new record in electric mobility, which still sees many owners waiting several hours for a full charge.

The heat accompanied with fast charging is often feared to lead to shorter battery life, however Nyobolt said it has tested its batteries for over 2,000 fast charge cycles without significant performance loss.

The company said its solution will go into production in early 2024, unlocking this "holy grail" for electric mobility through a proven six-minute charge using lithium-ion technology that is capable of immediate application and rapid scale-up.

Slow charging speeds remains a pain point in the adoption of electric vehicles globally and Nyobolt expects its charging performance - more than twice as fast as even the quickest charging cars on the road today - will help change this.

The Nyobolt prototype is a fully electric sports car which was engineered by respected designer Ian Callum and with styling by Julian Thomson who also penned the first-generation of the Lotus Elise.

The Nyobolt EV is something of a lightweight, weighing closer to one tonne rather than the two tonnes of its rivals. And while it can fast charge its 35kWh battery in a time that rivals the time spent pumping petrol or diesel, its range is rather limited at 250km.

The new battery is also cheaper to produce, which means it could help bring down the high cost of electric cars, which experts say is putting many people off buying one.

No electric car has been able to match the convenience of petrol refuelling, with the result that most electric vehicle batteries are big, heavy and costly, with EV costs unreachable for some buyers and with vehicles often weighing over two tonnes.


Audi is king of patents for electric drives

                INGOLSTADT: Audi is the leader in patent applications filed for electric drives in Germany.

In 2019, a total of 660 patents were filed in Germany. These applications refer only to vehicles with electric powertrains. Compared to 2017, this was an increase of 42 percent.

With 57 patent applications filed for the plug-in hybrids and the models of the all-electric Audi e-tron, Audi occupied the top spot.

“This is ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ and shows the great innovative spirit of our developers,” says Roman Straßer, head of development, power electronics and charging systems.

Examples of patent applications include two Audi engineers inventing a new method of operating the electric machines of the Audi e-tron.

Their function for predictive energisation of the e-machines via smart and innovative power electronics enhances driving dynamics.

At the same time, it minimises electric power consumption by “anticipating” the desired driving commands and predictively initiating them.

Audi patents are also found in the field of fluid mechanics, in other words, the utilisation of the physical flow behaviour of fluids.

For instance, to efficiently cool the rotor in an electric motor. Traditionally, the heat is dissipated from the outside.

Audi does this additionally via a coolant fluid and smart cooling ducts directly in the rotor core – in other words, from the inside.

The complex technological feat of assembling the individual rotor sheets results in particularly effective rotor cooling.

Another example of e-mobility ingenuity at Audi is a patent on a solution enabling the absorption of hectic accelerator pedal actuations, which makes it possible to avoid load alternations from acceleration to deceleration mode.

This is achieved by complex filtering of driving behaviour, which considers and optimises all parameters from the driver’s wish to the current torque distribution on the two axles and on all four wheels.


London tops list of European cities with most EV charging stations

                LONDON: Of all European cities, London has the largest number of electric vehicle charging stations. With 5,900 charging points available, the UK's capital is well ahead of Amsterdam and Paris.

Mapping service provider HERE Technologies recently posted online a map of Europe's electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, showing their density in any given city.

Top 10 European cities with the most EV charging stations

1. London, 5,900 stations
2. Amsterdam, 3,404
3. Paris, 2,282
4. Berlin, 1,526
5. Hamburg, 1,385
6. Munich, 1,025
7. Vienna, 953
8. Frankfurt and Copenhagen, 383
10. Rome, 375

The interactive map lets users find out how many stations there are in any given city, starting with their own.

All of these statistics come from the HERE EV Charge Points dataset. This map is not intended to pinpoint the exact location of the charging stations or to provide practical information on how they work. It just lets people see the density of charging stations by city and compare provision from one city to another.


Four Sienta MPVs to be won for UMW Toyota buyers

                SHAH ALAM: From now until 31 December 2018, potential new Toyota vehicle buyers can win attractive prizes including four New Toyota Sienta compact MPV as the grand prizes.

Announcing its latest campaign – All About The Drive Bonanza – UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd says that customers can participate in three contests prior to becoming a Toyota owner.

The All About The Drive Bonanza starts from the moment a customer visits a Toyota showroom to test-drive any Toyota models available.

After the drive experience, he or she will receive Toyota merchandise items and also an opportunity to enter a contest where they are required to answer a simple quiz for a chance to win smartphones and mobile gadgets.

Once the customers book their new Toyota, they will be entitled to join another contest to win holiday packages.

Moving on, customers who confirm their bookings will be eligible to enter the final contest to stand a chance to win one of four Toyota Sienta MPVs as the grand prize.

“We welcome our customers to visit our showroom and test-drive Toyota models to experience it for themselves. At the same time, we also want our customers to know that owning a Toyota is always a rewarding experience. The All About The Drive Bonanza is also to show our appreciation for the support given by our customers,” said Mr. Ravindran K, president of UMW Toyota Motor.

Toyota passenger vehicle models come with 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage.

Additionally, new owners can enjoy peace of mind with complimentary 24-Seven Road Assist during the first year of ownership.


Bridgestone Ecopia H/L tyre for SUVs debuts

                PETALING JAYA: Bridgestone has a new tyre designed for SUVs.

The Ecopia H/L 001 is a low rolling resistance tyre that caters to SUV drivers who seek a balance between safety, long wear life and fuel efficiency, according to Bridgestone.

The Ecopia H/L 001 builds on the success of the EP850 to provide confidence-inspiring wet handling and braking performance, it said, adding that the tyre also provides SUVs with a smooth and comfortable ride experience.

Bridgestone Tyre Sales (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd managing director Michael Chung said the company's market research had revealed that SUV drivers are looking for grip, wet performance, wear life and comfort when shopping for a new set of tyres.

"Ecopia H/L 001 is a tyre that excels in all these fields with the added bonus of fuel savings."

The tyre is available at launch in sizes from 15” to 18”. Recommended retail prices range from RM294 to RM854 per piece. Bridgestone is running a launch promotion from now until Sept 30. Go to its website for the details.


Hyundai continues to tease Kona

                SEOUL: Although we will have to wait until June 13 for the proper launch of Hyundai's new small crossover, the Kona, the South Korean automaker has released a few slightly more revealing images to tease us with ahead of the official reveal.

The latest images show the new Hyundai in three-quarter views from the front and the back, and probably show a little more of the new design than we might expect at this point ahead of a formal launch.

The Kona will be the fourth SUV in Hyundai's range and it's going to go head-to-head with the likes of the Kia Soul, Nissan Juke and the Toyota C-HR. It looks from the images as though the Kona will follow in the footsteps of those illustrious rivals in being what's often referred to as "funky" in terms of its design.

However, the mean-looking split headlights of the Kona and its iteration of Hyundai's corporate grille and upper scoop appear to deliver a look that's considerably more serious and grown-up than the Juke, but also a little less futuristic and polarising than the C-HR.

READ MORE:
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There does appear to be the kind of contrasting roof that's all the rage these days, while the somewhat aggressive front and sides resolve into something altogether more sober at the rear.

As well as the images, Hyundai has also released a teaser video to go with them, although the video probably doesn't tell us as much about how the Kona looks as the still images do. What the video does proudly show off though is a heads-up display, which is a first for any Hyundai model.

The system uses a pop-up panel onto which information is displayed, so it appears to be pretty much like similar systems found in some Mazda and MINI models. It may not be a particularly remarkable development, but a heads-up display being available is always to be welcomed, and the colour projection in this case does look pretty attractive.

What we might not hear too much about at the official launch later this month is an all-electric version of the Kona SUV. However, a Hyundai official has already told reporters in South Korea that there will be an electric vehicle from Hyundai in 2018, and that it's also going to be a small SUV. That suggests that it's almost certain to be a Kona EV.


Porsche uses moving parts for active aerodynamics in the 911 GT3 RS

                BERLIN: To ensure that the most muscular version of its cult 911 sports car doesn't lose traction even in fast bends, Porsche is relying on sophisticated aerodynamics in the new GT3 RS.

A racetrack-friendly upgrade of the GT3 to an RS model, the two-seater 911 coupé will be available from the end of the year at prices starting at €219,517 (RM978,000) in its home market, according to the German manufacturer.

Buyers not only get a little more power than the GT3, but above all sophisticated aerodynamics that allow higher cornering speeds.

Moving aerodynamic elements at the front and the large rear wing, which protrudes over the roof of the car for the first time, triple the downforce compared to the basic model, so that the airstream weighs more than 400kg on the car at 200kph.

In addition, the luxury car maker has installed a central radiator under the front flap.

This comes at a cost to boot space, but creates room for the active aerodynamic elements in the front, is more effective and also provides visual differentiation with huge gills.

The powertrain is also changing somewhat compared to the GT3.

The output of the four-litre naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine is increased slightly from 510hp to 525hp. This helps reduce the 0-to-100kph sprint time from 3.6s to 3.2s.

For this level of power, you'll need to accept an even bigger carbon footprint (and forget the current climate and energy crises). Porsche puts average consumption at 13.4 litres and says CO2 emissions are a sizeable 305 g/km.

Although the spoilers can be flattened at the touch of a button on a long straight track, for example, to make downforce significantly lower, the greater air resistance is still noticeable at top speed.

While the 911 GT3 reaches just under 320kph, the acceleration needle in the 911 GT3 RS stops at 296 kph, according to Porsche.


Decline of entry-level cars in Europe

                FRANKFURT: The number of the smallest, entry-level cars has been on the decline in Europe, with a sharp decline in the number of models on sale in this segment, as manufacturers choose not to continue producing the smallest cars for diminishing returns.

According to a report by automotive industry market intelligence service provider LMC Automotive's manager of sales forecasts Sammy Chan, an entry-level price tag for A-segment hatchbacks such as the Renault Twingo and Volkswagen Up!, leads to very limited profit margins for the manufacturer.

Chan pointed out that in Europe, these tight margins are being further squeezed by EU legislation covering the latest safety and emissions standards.

For example, to meet new regulations for CO2 emission reduction, manufacturers are adding hybrid and battery electric technology to vehicles, which increases production costs.

"However, the smallest cars are worst placed to absorb these extra costs, as the price sensitivity at this end of the market means that increases are less tolerated by buyers," said Chan.

The conventional (which includes hatchbacks, sedans, and wagons) A-segment is therefore caught between the expensive need to adhere to EU legislation and the inability to pass these costs on to buyers.

SUVs and the microchip shortage

"SUVs are now the most popular body type in Europe and so developing model activity here is critical," said Chan.

The chart below shows an acceleration in the market share of SUVs, partly thanks to components, including microchips, being prioritised to higher-margin vehicles (which SUVs are by nature) during supply shortages.

"Using a richer model mix allowed manufacturers to offset lower sales while maintaining healthy profits. However, while larger segment SUV models provide strong margins, profitability from A-Segment SUVs is again more limited for the same reasons above, related to EU legislation. The A-segment is the worst positioned to benefit from the growth of the SUV body type, too," Chan noted.

Electric vehicles

Cha also pointed out that the transition towards electric vehicles is also a difficult hurdle for the smallest cars.

Currently, battery electric vehicle (BEV) versions of the same car cost more than the internal combustion engine (ICE) version, mostly due to the price of the battery and other valuable materials involved.

The difference in BEV and ICE car pricing has led to electric car development being focussed on larger segments where price points and margins are able to cover the extra cost.

Price is not the only issue that small cars are facing in the transition to BEVs.

"Practicality is a real concern for the limited battery size possible within an A-Segment car. The driving range for a BEV this size is already less than ideal for most users, but real-world usability would be further penalised by extra load and cold weather effects," said Chan.

Chan noted that there is an argument that the smallest electric cars, with restricted driving ranges, could be used for city driving with short trips.

"However, this still deters buyers who need a small car to cover all types of usage, including occasional long-distance trips with weighty luggage," said Chan.

Conclusion and forecast

Until these issues are resolved, LMC Automotive's forecast sees Europe’s shift to BEVs likely to support larger segments, while the unprofitable A-segment is left behind.

"Recovery could be on the cards much later in the forecast, in a scenario where price parity between electric and internal combustion engine-powered vehicles allows the smallest cars to make a resurgence, as demand will always remain for the most entry-level vehicles," said Chan.

However, it may not appeal to manufacturers to redevelop this segment at all if profitability is healthy without it.


Geely launches electric pickup as urbanites embrace camping

                SHANGHAI: Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely Holding today unveiled a new electric pickup truck, targeting growing demand from city residents as coronavirus curbs fuel an interest in outdoor activities like camping.

The Volvo owner also launched a new brand, Radar, at an online event today where it showcased its first pickup product RD6. It did not disclose its selling price but said it would have a driving range of more than 600km per charge.

Specifics on the Radar RD6 — whose styling received input from British designer Peter Horbury — will be announced in due course.

"In an optimistic estimation, the annual sales of pickup trucks can reach 3 million units in China by 2030," said Radar CEO Ling Shiquan.

"More people are pursing a healthy lifestyle with more outdoor activities while the governments are also relaxing restrictions for pickups in cities. Those changes are supporting the growth of pickup trucks," Ling added.

Pickups are considered a niche segment in China where they are mostly used by farmers. They are still banned from most urban roads despite trials since 2016 allowing entry to select areas in several cities and urging from Beijing to speed up the removal of red tape.

Such vehicles contributed around 2% of China's auto sales last year, with growth outpacing that of other segments including sedans and sports utility vehicles.

Interest in the vehicles is growing among the country's urban residents who are taking up outdoor pursuits as Covid-19 measures discourage gatherings and severely hit domestic and international travel.

Nonetheless, sales of pickups fell 10.3% in the first five months of this year, against a 13% fall in passenger vehicles more broadly, data from the China Passenger Car Association showed, with the industry also hit by Covid restrictions.

Ling said Geely aims to start offering the RD6 to Chinese consumers in the fourth quarter while the company is also studying the South-East Asian market for potential expansion opportunities.

Geely may also seek to bring the trucks to the United States, the world's largest pickup market, to compete with the existing players such as Ford, Tesla and Rivian, Ling said.

China's pickup market is dominated by Hebei-based Great Wall Motor, while foreign players include Ford's F-150 Raptor and a US$9,000 pickup truck launched by General Motors with its local joint venture last year.

Geely previously rolled out a pickup with a combustion engine priced from 119,900 yuan (RM79,000) two years ago.


Rimac opens UK R&D office to tap 'world-class' expertise

                LONDON: Croatian hypercar maker Rimac aims to tap the strong automotive expertise in the UK by setting up an R&D office there.

Rimac’s R&D office is based in Warwick Enterprise Park and is planned to employ 30 people by the end of 2021, closely collaborating with both the UK automotive industry and Rimac’s Croatian headquarters. Rimac currently employs nearly 1,000 people and continues to rapidly expand.

“While Croatia will always be our home, we have decided to take the opportunity to gather a small team in the UK, where the automotive industry has a long history and great expertise," said Rimac founder/CEO Mate Rimac.

"We are of the strong opinion that British engineers are world-class in the field of electrification and future of mobility. While we are starting with a small office, we might expand significantly in the years to come, working on Rimac’s future projects, while closely collaborating with our team of engineers, designers and technicians back in Croatia.”

Rimac Automobili already has close ties to the UK, with H.R. Owen as a part of the global partners network. The company has already provided electrified technology to a number of British automotive brands such as Aston Martin and Jaguar Land Rover, as well as being a supplier to many of the world’s largest car makers, including Hyundai, Porsche, Automobili Pininfarina, Koenigsegg and others.

Soon, Rimac will reveal the ultimate showcase of its EV technology: the C_Two hypercar in its final form.

Designed, engineered and built in-house at Rimac, and subject to a multi-year homologation process, the C_Two will soon enter series production, limited to 150 units.

The C_Two promises a top speed of 412kph, a 0-100kph) time of under two seconds, and a 0-161kph time of 4.3 seconds.


Lock your cars! US vehicle theft spikes in pandemic

This May 21 photo shows a parked car with a broken front window after a smash-and-grab break-in in Los Angeles. — AP
LOS ANGELES: The coronavirus hasn’t been kind to car owners.

With more people than ever staying home to lessen the spread of COVID-19, their sedans, pickup trucks and SUVs are parked unattended on the streets, making them easy targets for opportunistic thieves.

Despite silent streets and nearly non-existent traffic, vehicle larcenies shot up 63% in New York and nearly 17% in Los Angeles from Jan. 1 through mid-May, compared with the same period last year.

And many other law enforcement agencies around the U.S. are reporting an increase in stolen cars and vehicle burglaries, even as violent crime has dropped dramatically nationwide in the coronavirus pandemic. It's a low-risk crime with a potentially high reward, police say, especially when many drivers leave their doors unlocked or their keys inside.

"You might as well put a sticker on the window that says ‘come take my stuff,’ ” said an exasperated Alex Villanueva, the Los Angeles County sheriff.

In Austin, Texas, last month, a whopping 72% of the 322 stolen vehicles had their keys nearby. The total number of auto thefts in April spiked about 50% and burglaries to vehicles were up 2% from April 2019.

The virus has created a "perfect storm,” said Austin Police Sgt. Chris Vetrano, a supervisor in the 11-detective auto theft unit that investigates stolen vehicle cases.

The elements for that storm: Drivers are at home and not using or checking their cars regularly. School's out, so teenagers are trying their luck. Criminals are out of work and have more time on their hands or need fast money to support a drug habit.

"You can get on the Internet nowadays and learn how to break into vehicles just searching YouTube,” Vetrano said.

(He should know: Someone broke into his locked Ford F-150 pickup truck, one of the most commonly stolen vehicles, about a year ago.)

Salt Lake City Police Det. Greg Wilking said a 22% spike in vehicle burglaries there could be from a few criminals working quickly on "car prowls.”

"It’s really 10 seconds," he said. "They’re not spending a lot of time in your car. It’s a smash-and-grab-and-go,” sometimes in broad daylight.

Wilking worries the numbers will keep rising because "people get more desperate as time goes on.”

In Baltimore, though, a push to reduce the city's historically high numbers of vehicle thefts and burglaries appears to have paid off. Thefts from autos plunged 24% and stolen vehicles dropped 19% from January to May compared with the same period last year.

Col. Richard Worley, the chief of patrol, in part credits aggressive efforts to remind residents to lock their cars, take their keys home and park in well-lit areas. In this case, however, the pandemic has actually helped police: residents are home, driving less and keeping an eye on the neighbourhood, and officers now have time for proactive patrols because calls for service and violent crime have decreased.

A thief was recently arrested with 13 stolen catalytic converters during a motor vehicle stop.

Sometimes, however, it's just a matter of luck. Like for Lindsey Eldridge, the police department's community outreach coordinator, who left her keys in her car's cupholder. She realised her mistake just before falling asleep.

She said she "could have been a statistic.”


Nissan uses xenon bulb to simulate sun-baked colour testing

                FRANKLIN (USA): Nissan recently revealed how it tests the effect of solar energy on paint and other vehicle materials even when the sun's not shining: with a 4,000-watt xenon bulb.

While aged parts are typically easy to replace to disguise vehicle wear and tear, original paint colours will still expose a car's true age.

Sometimes, the dulled, sun-bleached tone of a classic Ford pick-up can add a charming effect to the timeless model; more often than not, though, the newly-pink shade comes with an air of extreme use and enfeebled performance.

To ensure that recent models aren't destined for this same fate, Nissan tests its vehicle paint colours by submitting samples to the 4,000-watt brightness of a Xenon Weather-Ometer (XWO) testing tool – a bulb that "bakes nearly 100 samples at the same wavelengths as the sun."

Samples of paint, interior materials, and other vehicle parts even rotate around the bulb to replicate the Earth's rotation so as to obtain a true-to-life result.

This 24-hour "sunshine" cuts the time it would take to test with natural sunlight in half, allowing engineers to develop durable and lasting materials quicker than ever.

After undergoing this type of rigorous testing, Nissan ensures that the fading for both the vehicle exterior and interior process will be greatly slowed; but if your Altima still fades too quickly for your taste, a new paint job is a simple update.


Volkswagen Sales Carnival headed for Malacca

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Malaysia is visiting Mahkota Parade, Malacca, from Nov 19 to 22 to hold a sales carnival before returning to KL from Dec 10 to 13 at the Atria Shopping Gallery.

The carnival in Malacca will feature exclusive Volkswagen merchandise that will be given out for every test drive, along with exciting questions and answers sessions as well as an Instagram contest where visitors stand a chance to win petrol vouchers.

On display will be the Volkswagen Passat, Jetta Sport, Polo Sedan, Polo 1.6 and the Beetle – all of which will be available for a test drive.

Also to be held will be the “Volkswagen Big Day Out” year-end promotion, which will be hosted by former Miss Malaysia Universe 2014 first runner-up Lalitha Monisha.

The Atria Shopping Gallery will allow visitors to participate in Volkswagen’s Instagram contest to stand a chance to win RM200 petrol vouchers daily.

In addition, the Volkswagen Passat and Jetta Sport will be also be displayed for the public's viewing pleasure.


Penang's PIL highway won't damage environment, says builder

                GEORGE TOWN: Upon completion, the proposed Pan Island Link (PIL) highway will be able to share the heavy traffic load of the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway (LCE), while the proposed Bayan Lepas LRT will be the rail backbone of Penang’s future public transport system.

The projects, which are the first components under the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), are targeted at addressing the critical traffic congestion on the island.

SRS Consortium project director Szeto Wai Loong said the LRT would provide alternative public transport for target ridership of half a million of the island’s current 750,000 residents.

He assured the public that the Bayan Lepas LRT would be built with minimal environment and social impact to the island.

The proposed LRT alignment begins from Komtar and will end at the Penang International Airport, running along LCE and Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah. The total alignment length is approximately 20km.

Szeto pointed out that both the LCE and Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah have wide road reserves which could accommodate the LRT line.

“The LRT will run along existing road corridors and there will be minimal land acquisition,” he said yesterday.

Similarly, the PIL which starts at the Second Penang Bridge and ends at Gurney Drive will be mainly elevated structures and tunnels. It will not pose impact to the environment.

“It will not have deep cuts and embankments that require significant earth works,” he said.

Szeto said the LRT would serve low-income areas such as Gelugor, Bayan Lepas and Batu Maung as well as high-density locations such as Ghaut Street Flats and Sinar Bukit Dumbar Apartment, whose residents stand to benefit from efficient public transportation.

The LRT will also pass critical transport, commercial and employment nodes on the island, which includes George Town, Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal, Penang International Airport, Universiti Sains Malaysia and the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone.

“The proposed LRT will be able to cater to high-volume passengers during morning and evening peak hours on the island, and help reduce congestion along LCE,” he said.

The LRT’s connectivity will be complemented by a comprehensive feeder bus network to further its reach within the communities.

Szeto said the PIL, which would be approximately 20km long, would also connect to Teluk Kumbar and Balik Pulau.

There will be six interchanges at key locations: LCE, Jalan Tun Dr Awang, Relau, Paya Terubong, Gottlieb Road and the Gurney Expressway.

He said once the PIL is completed, the estimated journey time between the Second Penang Bridge and George Town would only take 15 minutes compared to the current 45 minutes.

The proposed funding for the PTMP will be carried out from the reclamation of sea land – forming two new islands in the southern coast of Penang Island.

The two man-made islands located near Permatang Damar Laut will be known as the South Reclamation Scheme (SRS), spanning 930ha and 485ha.

A third plot of 323ha reclaimed land next to the two islands has also been identified if there is a future demand for land activities.

Szeto said concerns that the reclamation would impact negatively on the environment was misplaced.

He pointed out that the southern coast is no longer a pristine, unexplored zone as the enlarging population of Penang Island had already started to move south.

Bayan Lepas and Teluk Kumbar, he said, have been seeing signs of booming development with many residential projects.

“As seen in the last five years, the expanding peripheral of George Town from rapid urbanisation has led to a pick-up in development activities in the south coast, especially near the airport and the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone (FIZ),” he said.

He said the proposed reclaimed islands would provide land space for the expansion of the FIZ, employment opportunities and a comfortable living environment served by an efficient transport system.

“It will be home to the expanded electrical and electronics cluster in the Bayan Lepas FIZ where MNCs and SMEs form a strong supply chain cluster which has been developed in the last 40 years. Some of the SMEs are now global contract manufacturers,” he said.

While some 30,000 affordable homes would be built on the islands, Szeto said the reclaimed islands would boast a range of public amenities that could enhance the quality of life of residents.

Among the planned public facilities are a sports arena, museum, convention centre and a performing arts centre.

To promote a greener and healthier Penang, streets on the islands will have dedicated bicycle lanes and covered pedestrian walkways. Some 15% of the total reclaimed land space or 283ha will be reserved as green lungs comprising coastal parks, tree-lined boulevards and water features. The islands will have a 5km-long continuous stretch of sandy beach.

The state government will be the sole owner of the reclaimed islands, and development of parcels of land will be carefully phased out in a coordinated manner to regulate property prices.

“A strategy of controlled supply will be adopted so that all homes, commercial and industrial projects will be rolled out in sustainable manner according to the masterplan development blueprint agreed by the state government,” he said.


Spotify now available for Atlas OS

                PETALING JAYA: Local mobility services company ACO Tech has teamed up with Spotify to integrate the popular audio streaming subscription service into its Atlas in-vehicle infotainment operating system (OS).

Following the collaboration, Atlas end users will be able to enjoy personalised audio experiences from Spotify, both free and premium while they are driving, through their vehicle’s infotainment head unit.

CarSifu wrote about this possible deal between the two parties in early June.

ACO Tech said it has installed Atlas in over 10,000 cars.

Among them are the Proton Persona and Iriz and soon the X50.

The Spotify app is also available for download from the Atlas A store for current users of the OS.

Wholly developed by a Malaysian team, Atlas is an in-vehicle infotainment operating system supported by a complimentary mobile application named Atlas Auto with features that prioritise
mobility, convenience, and control.

Designed with personal experience in mind, the system is tailored to meet the needs and preferences of Malaysian users.


Why Li Shufu agreed to buy Proton

Li is looking at the big picture when he decided to buy into Proton.
HANGZHOU: Chinese billionaire Li Shufu is buying Malaysia’s unprofitable national carmaker Proton Holdings Bhd. pretty much for two reasons: access to 600 million consumers in Southeast Asia and the brand cachet of Lotus Cars.

Li’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, which also owns the upscale Sweden-based Volvo Cars, announced Wednesday that it will buy 49.9 percent of Proton and a 51 percent stake in Lotus Cars. The two parties are still in talks about transaction price for the stake in Proton, Syed Faisal Albar, group managing director of DRB-Hicom Bhd., which is selling the stake, said.

By investing in the Malaysian auto group, Li is betting he’ll gain an inroad into Southeast Asia, a region with an expanding middle class that the Chinese government is also investing in as part of its “Belt and Road” infrastructure development initiative.

Lotus Cars could complete Li’s ambition to create a portfolio of international brands at different price points. For Geely, Lotus would be a prestigious addition, “like Volkswagen has Porsche and Toyota has its Lexus,” according to Tian Yongqiu, an independent auto consultant who tracks Chinese carmaker acquisitions.

Under Proton, the British marque lacked the scale or investment needed to make it into a global sports brand, something that could change as part of a broader Volvo-Geely group.

“Geely has almost finished the puzzle for the global market: It has presence in Europe through Volvo, which can also go to the US. It must fill in the blank by breaking into Southeast Asia, which is dominated by Japanese small cars,” Tian said. “It’s hard for Geely to break into this market on its own. But with Proton’s factory and massive network, it can be a short cut.”

Li started out making refrigerator parts and turned a bankrupt state-owned manufacturer into China’s biggest privately owned carmaker.

He cemented his reputation as a savvy dealmaker after he revived Volvo Cars in the face of widespread industry skepticism following its acquisition from Ford Motor Co. in 2010.

He managed the Gothenburg-based carmaker with a light touch and gave its vaunted engineering team the resources to invest in new models. At the same time, he lowered the Swedish manufacturer’s high costs by jointly developing vehicle underpinnings with Geely, while building a plant in lower-cost China for exports to markets including the U.S.

The 53-year-old has a net worth of about US$4.8 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Producing and selling Geely-branded cars in Malaysia will create a new income stream for the Hong Kong-traded unit, said Gui Shengyue, chief executive officer of Geely Automobile Holdings. “There are no sports car models under Geely and Volvo, so Lotus will help beef up Geely Group’s presence in the segment.”

Proton has two factories, including an underused plant in Tanjung Malim in Malaysia capable of making 150,000 vehicles a year that Geely could use to make its low-cost cars. Proton also has a ready-made sales network in Malaysia that Geely could use to sell its cars.

Malaysia will allow Geely to develop its right-hand-drive models, and potentially bring in Volvo Cars as incomes rise in the country, said Tian, who estimates the country’s car ownership rates are about a fifth that of China’s and as much as 40 times less than the US.

Still, there’s a major difference between buying Volvo Cars and Proton, said Michael Dunne, president of Hong Kong-based consultancy Dunne Automotive. “With Volvo, he inherited a talented corps of automotive executives and strong leaders,” he said. “At Proton, Geely-Volvo will need to bring fresh energy and capabilities.”

At the high-water mark of sales in 1993, Proton accounted for 74 percent of new cars sold in Malaysia. In 2016, a decade after the government slashed tariffs on foreign-made vehicles as part of its participation in a Southeast Asian free-trade pact, the figure was 12.5 percent.

Lotus Cars has also floundered under Proton management since being acquired for 51 million pounds in 1996. The British sport-car icon behind such models as the Esprit sold just 339 cars in its home country last year, according to registration data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders in London.

Things could still go south and “they could fall out on day one,” said Robin Zhu, auto analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein. “The auto OEM M&A space is filled with examples that have gone poorly. I think a lot will hang on how involved the Malaysians want to be.”

At one point in the negotiation process, Li appeared to become so frustrated he publicly threatened to pull out. “They keep changing their mind from day-to-day, I’m preparing to give it up,” Li told Bloomberg News in March in Beijing.

Whether that was a bargaining gambit designed to force DRB-Hicom to commit and stop shopping for better offers, or a genuine expression of exasperation, it appears to have worked. Li will now need to wring cost savings and integrate Proton into his Geely-Volvo setup.

“No matter the odds, best to never ever bet against Li Shufu,” Dunne said. “He has that golden touch, bundles of charm and incomparable tenacity.”

Or as Dong Yang, the vice chairman of the state-backed China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, put it last week after touring Geely’s production, testing and research facilities in Ningbo, China: “Geely has evolved from an ugly duckling to a white swan.”


OldTown White Coffee gets 4 BYD Atto 3 under Flux subscription service

                PETALING JAYA: Local coffee restaurant chain OldTown White Coffee will deploy four BYD Atto 3 in its fleet through the Flux car subscription service.

The handover ceremony was held at the OldTown White Coffee's headquarters in Subang Jaya, where Flux's management team presented a mock key fob to its CEO Dawn Liew and chief finance officer Arnold Molenhuis.

The Chinese SUVs are being hired from Flux under its Flux Business Class service that caters to commercial fleet customers.

The Flux service covers insurance, maintenance, wear & tear and offers free concierge service for all administration and delivery needs.

Flux said companies can save on car expenses as it waives all upfront fees and is a tax-deductible expense.

Companies can also use Flux's telematics data to reduce the likelihood of accidents and optimise their vehicle usage and fuel costs through fleet analytics.


India's Hero MotoCorp to invest US$60m in Zero Motorcycles

                BENGALURU: Indian bikemaker Hero MotoCorp said on Thursday it will invest US$60 million (RM278mil) in California-based Zero Motorcycles to jointly develop electric motorcycles, as it seeks to expand presence in the green mobility space.

Zero is a "global leader" in powertrains, Hero said in its exchange filing, adding that it will launch its first electric product under its emerging mobility brand Vida on Oct 7.

The move comes after Hero in January announced an investment of more than US$56 million in electric vehicle (EV) start-up Ather Energy — India's top electric-scooter maker by revenue.

Earlier this month, it partnered with state-run Hindustan Petroleum Corp to set up EV charging infrastructure across the country.


2017 CarSifu Auto Show hits high gear

                KUALA LUMPUR: With one more day left for the 2017 CarSifu Auto Show, the crowd has grown significantly today as they peruse the latest offerings while enjoying some of Gold Screen Cinema’s tasty ‘Shake Shake’ popcorn.

Although it may be the weekend, not everyone may have had the time to pop in, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t plan for the future.

 Sam and Che Wei having a look at a Proton Persona

For student Sam Cheng, 20, and his sister, Cheng Che Wei, 13, from Cheras, the auto show was just what they were looking for during their weekend outing. Sam’s parents have asked him to take a look at a few affordable cars.

“My father asked me to get a few brochures of different cars, so this was the perfect opportunity and that means I don’t need to visit all the different showrooms with such a wide variety (of cars) over here”, said Sam.

As for Fitri Ambros, a 30 year-old guest servicing manager who works in Kuala Lumpur, there’s always the next upgrade, who decided to pop in to the show after having watched a movie with his wife, Nor Akmal, a 28 year old finance executive from Kuala Lumpur as well.

 Fitri (left) and Nor with the KIA Optima GT

“I bought a Honda Civic 1.8 last year and this is my first time seeming the KIA Optima GT. It’s really lovely and it provides so many features. The interior is simply amazing!,” said Fitri.

But, there are also those who enjoy the simplicity of being around cars as Chinese businessman Wang Qix Ing, 38, and wife Natalie Chan, 37, were taking a look at the latest Nissan Navara on display.

 Wang and wife Natalie checking out the Nissan Navara pickup truck.

“I like cars in general, but I love pickup trucks,” stated Wang. “The Navara hs a quiet engine and the interior is not only fashionable, it’s also as comfortable as your favourite sofa in the house. I really wish I could test drive it right now.”

Those who book a car at the show stand a chance to win Sharp TV sets and ionisers. Free GSC popcorn will also be given out to the first 200 daily visitors until the end of the show.

 Don't forget to get some of GSC's tasty Shake Shake popcorn while at the show.

The Shake Shake popcorn is available daily until this Sunday. It is given out at noon to the first 60 visitors, at 3pm to 70 visitors and at 9pm to the last 70 visitors.

The auto show, happening at Mid Valley Megamall, is open to the public from 10am to 10pm daily until Sunday. The five-day car show extravaganza is organised by Star Media Group and carsifu.my.

Thirteen brands are featured at the show namely Peugeot, Mazda, Toyota, Isuzu, Volvo, Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Infiniti, Kia, Renault, Citroen and Proton.

Some of the cars on display were winners at the Oct 5 CarSifu Editors’ Choice Awards.

Boustead Petroleum Marketing and Silverstone Marketing are the Star Media Group partners in the awards and the auto show.


2018 New York Auto: Refreshes and new concepts

The VW Atlas Tanoak.
NEW YORK: Despite the rise of SUVs, this year's show saw plenty of other crowd-pleasing attractions.

Though the Volkswagen Atlas Tanoak is built on the company's SUV platform and is very close to an SUV, it's included here because it was something of a surprise entrant at the show. The company claims there are no plans to put it into production, but that should be taken with a pinch of salt.

One model that Europeans could get excited about was the newly unveiled Sportback version of Audi's RS5. For buyers wanting an element of practicality along with the stunning style and 444hp performance of an RS5, this was definitely worth waiting for.

 Audi RS5 Sportback.

In a similar vein, Mercedes-AMG, introduced us to the refreshed versions of its C 63 models here. Mercedes-Benz brought out its refreshed 2019 C-Class models in Geneva, but now it was the turn of the renewed range-topping C 63. Along with some minor cosmetic surgery to the interior and exterior, the new models also feature some interesting new technology, although the performance figures remain unchanged.

The Honda Insight is back, and although we knew it was coming, this was the venue for the unveiling of the final production version. Like its less attractive predecessor, which went out of production in 2012, the new Insight is a hybrid. However, this one is a range-extender hybrid where the petrol engine is mostly used to generate electricity.

 Honda Insight.

Toyota Corollas of the past haven't been particularly exciting, although more than 40 million of them have sold to date. The nameplate may have been put out to pasture in Europe years ago, but it continues across the pond and an all-new 2019 version showed some incredible style at New York. Of course, what we're getting is really just the new Auris, but in this version it's likely to be a huge success.

Kia continues to push its K900 luxury saloon, even though it struggled to make any impression on the sales of rivals such as the BMW 7 Series. The company isn't giving up though, and the new second-generation model that debuted at New York has virtually nothing in common with its predecessor, other than its name.

A show wouldn't be complete without an outrageous concept or two, and these days that usually means electric ones. Hyundai didn't disappoint with its stunning Genesis brand's Essentia Concept, which is an all-electric, high-performance grand tourer that gives a glimpse into the future of the brand.

 Genesis Essentia Concept.


Norwegian joins Women's World Car of the Year, expanding reach to 43 countries

                LONDON: The Women's World Car of the Year is now present in 43 countries and on five continents.

Motoring journalist Hanne Hattrem has joined the international Women’s World Car of the Year team, the only car awards panel in the world comprised entirely of women who are experts in their field.

Her inclusion, which brings a wealth of experience to the mix, means Hanna and 59 motoring female journalists reach 43 countries through WWCOTY.

She started working as a journalist for the Norwegian Automobile Federation’s magazine, Motor, in 1988. Her background was from sports journalism, but she gradually learned about cars and has had a consumer-oriented mindset in writing about cars.

She was at Motor for 11 years and has since worked for several publications and for VG -Norway’s largest newspaper as a motor journalist since 2004. She mainly worked for the premium content department, VG+ (and print paper).

“The cars and the car industry’s transformation is really big and interesting. Lucky for me Norway is among the leading –or maybe 'the leading'– country in transformation to electric cars. It is an interesting journey and a pleasure to work with it. I enjoy being on the road, on my own or with motoring colleagues on test drives - and I also enjoy working in the office at VG, together with leading journalists in many fields," said Hattrem.

Norway is a small country with around 5.5 million people.

Of around three million cars the share of electric cars is close to 20 percent. The market share of electric cars is 78 percent of new car sales.

Norway has been among the leading countries in the green change and has provided substantial incentives for buying electric cars, including no tax nor buying fees which will be gradually implemented from 2023.

Norway’s politicians have decided that all new cars sale from 2025 will be electric.

Women's World Car of the Year was created by New Zealand motoring journalist, Sandy Myhre, in 2009. She is currently honorary president, while Marta García performs as executive president.

The aim of the unique award is to recognise the best cars of the year and to give a voice to women in the automotive world.

The voting criteria is based on the same principles that guide any driver when choosing a car. The selections are not "woman’s car" because such categories do not exist.

Aspects such as safety, quality, price, design, ease of driving, benefits and environmental footprint, among others, are taken into account when casting the votes.


Fiat Chrysler back in merger talks, this time with Peugeot, says source

                PARIS: Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot owner PSA are in talks to combine in a deal that could create a US$50 billion (RM209bil) automaker, a source familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.

Fiat Chrysler shares rose sharply after news of the talks and ended up more than 7.5% in US trading. The companies and the French government had no comment.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the discussions.

If a combination of Peugeot and Fiat Chrysler succeeded in overcoming political, financial and governance hurdles, the new enterprise would still face substantial challenges.

Automakers face the prospect of a slowdown in global demand coinciding with the most dramatic technology changes in a century.

Peugeot chief executive Carlos Tavares has predicted “10 years of chaos” for global automakers as regulators demand a switch to electric vehicles to reduce emissions linked to climate change.

Investors have speculated for several years that Fiat Chrysler was hunting for a merger partner, encouraged by the rhetoric of the company’s late chief executive, Sergio Marchionne.

In 2015, Marchionne outlined the case for consolidation of the auto industry and tried unsuccessfully to interest General Motors Co in a deal. Fiat Chrysler earlier this year broached a merger with French automaker Renault SA that ultimately collapsed.

Created when Fiat, under Marchionne’s leadership, bought control of Chrysler out of a US government-backed bankruptcy in 2009, Fiat Chrysler has one of the global auto industry’s most profitable franchises in the Jeep sport utility vehicle brand and a money-spinning North American pickup and commercial van operation in Ram.

Both would boost Peugeot, which does not sell vehicles in the US market.

Peugeot and Fiat Chrysler could over time share engines and vehicle architectures, reducing capital spending and freeing up cash to invest in electric vehicles and emissions reduction technology required in Europe, China and other global markets.

Fiat Chrysler is under increasing pressure to invest in clean car technology. The company disclosed earlier this month that it faces a US$79 million (RM331mil) fine for falling short of US fuel efficiency standards. Fiat Chrysler agreed to pay US electric car maker Tesla Inc for credits to help it comply with European emissions standards until 2022.

Evercore analyst Arndt Ellinghorst in a note on Tuesday said a combination of Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot “should ignite more rational industry behaviour around allocation of capital and this particular merger makes materially more sense than a potential FCA-Renault merger.”

Peugeot and Fiat Chrysler had discussed a combination earlier this year, before Fiat Chrysler proposed a US$35 billion (RM147bil) merger with Renault. At that time, Fiat Chrysler said a deal with Renault offered more advantages than a combination with Peugeot.

Fiat Chrysler chairman John Elkann broke off talks with Renault in June after French government officials intervened and pushed for Renault first to resolve tensions with its Japanese alliance partner, Nissan Motor Co.

Following the collapse of the Renault merger plan, Fiat Chrysler CEO Mike Manley left the door open for talks with would-be partners. But he said the Italian-American automaker could go it alone despite mounting costs to develop electric vehicles and comply with tougher emissions rules in Europe, the United States and China.

Along with Jeep and Ram would come Fiat’s Italian operations, which have struggled in recent years. Fiat’s Mirafiori assembly complex in its home city of Turin has run below 50% capacity, with thousands of workers on temporary layoffs.

Overall, Fiat has 58,000 workers in Italy, where the government has long resisted mass lay-offs by large employers. Peugeot’s Tavares dismissed the idea of a combination with Fiat Chrysler during a discussion with reporters at the Frankfurt auto show last month.

“We don’t need it,” he said when asked whether he was still interested in a deal with Fiat Chrysler.

Tavares has moved aggressively to expand Peugeot, acquiring German auto brand Opel from General Motors Co for US$2.6 billion in 2017. Since then, he has overseen a turnaround at Opel. Fiat Chrysler already has a commercial vehicle partnership with Peugeot.


Helsinki wants to make cars unnecessary by 2050

                HELSINKI: For years this port city on the edge of the Baltic has been considered one of the greenest in Europe. Now Helsinki wants to go a step further and make cars unnecessary by 2050.

Helsinkians take great pride in their relatively small, maritime capital with a population of just over 600,000. But the city is anticipating a dramatic population boom over the next few years and needs to be able to comfortably accommodate its new arrivals.

Parks and clean air are a source of civic pride in this city where green areas already make up 47 percent of space, so urban planners are devising a cityscape that also features fewer cars and thus cleaner air through lower carbon emissions.

While cars will not be banned, the city will do what it can to discourage people from using them, introducing better public transport, walkable green neighbourhoods brimming with services, and higher costs for parking.

 A picturesque view of Helsinki. - AFP

City dwellers will be able to ditch their wheels as shops, schools and services will be grouped together within walking distance of their apartments.

And those who need to travel further to work will be able to hop on the city's swift network of metros, trains and tramways.

The head of Helsinki's Strategic Urban Planning Division, Rikhard Manninen, and his team are calling their new concept "boulevardisation", under which busy inner-city motorways are transformed into green residential boulevards.

"We will keep the green spaces by channelling most new construction projects into areas where highways now stand," Manninen told AFP. Reducing the number of cars, and replacing them with public transport, will go a long way toward improving air quality.

The new plan will also help the city cope with an anticipated population boom of 40 percent, or a quarter of a million residents, by 2050.

Helsinki aims to be carbon neutral by 2050, which means the city cannot discharge any more carbon into the atmosphere than its vast surrounding forests are able to absorb.

"Helsinki has already managed to cut down its emissions significantly... but in order to become carbon neutral by 2050 we need to gear up," said Alpo Tani, one of Helsinki's urban planners.

A key part of the solution is to address traffic, which accounts for around 20 percent of Helsinki's emissions.

The city estimates that without its plan, traffic emissions would be up to 30 percent higher by 2050.

Not everyone in Helsinki is thrilled to see car use discouraged. But the city centre sits on a small peninsula jutting out into the Baltic Sea, and while it makes for a pretty backdrop, it also slows traffic and stymies growth.

"It's a very bad idea (to cut down driving). I don't have anything against public transport but nothing can beat having my own car," Johan, 50, told AFP sitting in his car, explaining that it takes him only 20 minutes to drive home to Helsinki's adjacent suburb of Espoo where he moved in search of more space.

With all of its existing green areas, seascapes and roads, Helsinki is running out of space, planners argue. But the Helsinki Chamber of Commerce has called the new plan "oversized" and "unrealistic".

"The goal to channel all traffic growth in means other than cars is unrealistic while the city is expanding," said the chair of the chamber's traffic committee, Heikki Kovanen.

While some car owners moan, others welcome better public transport such as the extension of Helsinki's metro westwards to Espoo, due to open in 2016.

"The plan seems good and practical. Public transport can carry more people than individual cars," said Matti, a pensioner from Espoo out walking in Helsinki with his brother Mikko, who advocated even tougher traffic restrictions.

"We should adopt road tolls so that everyone doesn't pack into this small peninsula with their cars," he insisted.

Residents of Helsinki have for many years clung to the idea of keeping the city centre low and green.

So it comes as no surprise that many people grow anxious at the mention of new office towers or tall apartment blocks, and plans to reduce green areas.

The city's cherished Central Park - a whopping three times the size of its New York namesake - and other green areas will be reduced only slightly to make space for new housing, leaving 40 percent of the city as green areas.

And, Manninen vowed, "building upward will be permitted in some places, but not in the centre."

The foundations for Helsinki's first skyscrapers are currently being laid in a former harbour dubbed Kalasatama (Fish Harbour), which is to house some 20,000 people and create 8,000 jobs by 2030.

Kalasatama intends to showcase Helsinki's beautiful seashores with boardwalks and recreational areas.

The city council is set to approve the draft plan in 2016.


Recall for Toyota Prius and Lexus CT200h

                SHAH ALAM: A recall was issued for the Toyota Prius and Lexus CT200h sold a few years ago in Malaysia, due to faulty airbags and charcoal canisters in the fuel tank.

More than 3,500 units of the Prius (produced between April 2009 and April 2012) and about 1,700 units of the CT200h (produced between December 2010 and April 2012) are affected by faulty curtain shield airbag inflators.

There is a risk of injury to car occupants as the inflator could be ejected into the cabin if the airbag is deployed.

During remedial work, which will take 2 to 4 hours, the affected cars will be fitted with retention brackets on the curtain shield airbag inflators.

These retention brackets serve as protectors to prevent the inflator chambers from being ejected into the cabin.

Also, around 6,000 units of the Prius (produced between April 2009 and November 2013) and 3,000 units of the CT200h (produced between December 2010 and December 2013) are affected by possibly faulty evaporative fuel emissions control unit or charcoal canister in the fuel tank.

It is possible that cracks could develop in the canister coating, and eventually, fuel may leak from these cracks when the car has a full tank of fuel.

During remedial work, which will take 2 to 3 hours, the fuel suction plate sub-assembly will be replaced.

Remedial work on the affected cars are free, as UMW Toyota Motor will bear all costs.

Owners who do not receive any recall notices can call toll free 1800-8-TOYOTA (869682) or 1800-8-LEXUS (53987).

They can also visit authorised Toyota or Lexus service centres for assistance.


New BMW 5 Series teased ahead of October unveiling

                PETALING JAYA: BMW has released a teaser video of the new 5 Series that is expected to look more aggressive than before.

The video highlights the new LED taillights that resemble those of the 3 Series but attached to a more muscular body.

What we know is that it will be slightly bigger to enlarge space for rear passengers. Even so, it will shed 100kg of weight as it will use more aluminium.

The new 5 Series is being built based on the “cluster architecture”, which is shared with the 7 Series.

Engine choices are a selection of turbocharged four and six-cylinder petrol/diesel engines. A 444bhp 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine will headline the engine range. Like the 3 Series, there will also be a plug-in hybrid in the line-up.

The new 5 Series will be unveiled next month and start selling next year.


World Ducati Week 2022 is back... Bigger and better

                IT has been four years since the last World Ducati Week (WDW), no thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The much-talked-about Ducati event finally took place from July 22-24 at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in Misano, Italy.

This year the theme for WDW 2022 was “Lets Ride as One” uniting everyone passionate about two wheels under one roof.

This 11th edition of the bi-yearly event attracted more than 80,000 visitors from 84 countries.

Yours truly was there under the invitation of Ducati Malaysia.

WDW 2022 kicked off on a Friday evening with thousands of Ducati bikes taking part in the biggest WDW parade.

The bikes were flagged off from the Misano circuit and paraded till Riccione.

The fun did not stop there at The Bagno Samsara Beach as the Scrambler party went full steam with popular Italian DJ and producer Benny Benassi on deck.

The Ducati beach party was perfect for the summer night where fans danced the night away.

WDW 2022 offered guests three days filled with exciting activities such as exhibitions, track sessions, riding experiences, taxi drives in Audis and Lamborghinis, stunt shows and meetings with Ducati riders.

This year the summer heat was the hottest compared to previous years.

It was reported that the summer heat was between 37 and 39 degrees Celsius.

Yeah, it was hot, and Malaysia felt like a cold country in comparison.

My favourite event during the three days was the Race of Champions.

This awesome race saw the MotoGP, World Superbike and World Supersport Ducati riders compete against each other on the track.

It was simply mind-blowing to see the riders taking this race seriously even though it was like an exhibition race.

Despite the heat, the riders gave what the spectators expected.

Some 21 Ducati riders competing in the MotoGP, Superbike and Supersport championships, took part in the race on Panigale V4 and Panigale V2 bikes in a double-category competition with two winners.

The winner of the Lenovo Race of Champions was Pecco Bagnaia.

Meanwhile, the winner of the V2 category was the Italian rider Federico Caricasulo.

World Ducati Week is not all about the track performance only.

In fact, sessions on the track and test rides on the road were accompanied by an Adventure area dedicated to all off-road lovers.

I had the opportunity to ride the Ducati DesertX and the Scrambler Desert Sled on the off-road track.

Besides riding opportunities for the public, Danilo Antoine Meo, the French enduro rider and five-time world champion from 2010 to 2013 and 2015, shared his experience riding the DesertX in the Ducati Talks with meet and greet sessions.

He also showcased his off-road skills on the DesertX by going through few obstacles.

The WDW 2022 also hosted the first official meeting for Ducati Multistrada riders from all over the world.

In the Multistrada tent, there were many activities designed to illustrate the history and the technology of MTS.

Every MTS owner who attended this meet walked away with an exclusive Ducati Multistrada holographic sticker not available anywhere in the world.

In conclusion, World Ducati Week 2022 is a not-to-be-missed event that unveils the Ducati brand’s true passion, emotion and fun.


Japan steps up self-driving to revive rural areas, help elderly

                TOKYO: Japan is bolstering its autonomous driving ambitions with a new project to be formally introduced today to expand the use of self-driving vehicles in more than 40 locations around the country by 2025.

The "Road to the L4” project aims to popularise advanced mobility services including Level 4 autonomous driving, wherein vehicles can operate without a human at the wheel.

It will include demonstrations of the technology to promote acceptance and understanding, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. One of the goals is to help revitalise communities.

"People including the elderly don’t have ways to get around in rural areas,” said Tatsuki Izawa, an assistant manager in the ministry’s autonomous driving division.

"If there are city-circular autonomous buses, they will be able to go shopping and have outings.”

The government has earmarked about 6 billion yen (RM228mil) for developing autonomous-driving services this fiscal year, including for the L4 project, which comes as many elderly Japanese give up driving.

Almost 300,000 people aged 75 or over returned their licences in 2020, according to the National Police Agency. The figure was even higher the previous year.

While companies such as Toyota Motor Corp. and NEC Corp. are testing highly autonomous vehicles, this will be one of the first Level 4 government projects.

One of its goals will be ensuring autonomous vehicles operate safely and effectively where there are other vehicles and humans.

"It’s a big challenge” to transition to Level 4 from 3, Izawa said. "We will have to show people, through experiments, that safety can be assured as we’re heading into a technologically tough area.”

There’s no perfect accident-proof technology and it takes major infrastructure investment for autonomous cars to become a reality, even in closed operating environments, said Takashi Oguchi, a professor of traffic engineering at Tokyo University who is part of the project.

"No one has figured out an answer” on who takes responsibility and compensates in case of an accident, he said.

German lawmakers agreed in May to allow some Level 4 vehicles on public roads as soon as 2022.

Japan revised laws in 2019 to allow Level 3 cars, which are capable of automated driving under certain conditions, to run on its roads.

Safety and consumer acceptance are the main barriers for autonomous vehicles, according to a recent study by Nottingham Trent University and Qatar University researchers.

A collision between a Toyota self-driving vehicle and a visually impaired Japanese athlete during the Tokyo Paralympics left him unable to compete in his event, reinforcing concerns over safety.

"It shows that autonomous vehicles are not yet realistic for normal roads,” Toyota president Akio Toyoda said in a video on Aug 27 following the incident at the Paralympic Athletes’ Village.

There still aren’t any rules for deciding whether autonomous cars or safety operators take responsibility, he said.


More details released on Harley LiveWire electric bike

                MILWAUKEE: The all-new electric Harley-Davidson LiveWire made its European debut at the Milan press conference of the EICMA show on Tuesday, revealing eagerly-awaited specification and details.

The LiveWire was unveiled here at the company’s 115th anniversary in September.

Due for release in 2019 and being shown at the event as a production-ready motorcycle, LiveWire was first confirmed during the announcement of the company’s “More Roads to Harley-Davidson.”

On July 30, 2018, Harley-Davidson shared plans to accelerate its strategy to build the next generation of riders globally.

Harley-Davidson said it expects to deliver a full portfolio of electric motorcycles by 2022.

Power

The LiveWire motorcycle is powered by a permanent magnet electric motor that produces instant torque the moment that throttle is twisted– which results in immediate acceleration. The motor is located low in the motorcycle to lower the centre of gravity and help the motorcycle handle well at all speeds and easy to control when stopped. The LiveWire model is designed to produce a tone that increases in pitch and volume with speed – a new sound that represents the smooth, electric power of the LiveWire motorcycle.

Chassis

Powertrain performance is maximised by a chassis designed to deliver nimble, agile handling for confident control on urban streets and a thrilling ride on curving backroads. Combining the powertrain as a stressed member within the aluminum frame to increase rigidity, the LiveWire features fully adjustable Showa suspension. The Showa BFRC-lite (Balanced Free Rear Cushion-lite) mono-shock rear suspension is complemented by Showa SFF-BP (Separate Function Fork-Big Piston) up front, balanced to match the performance and adjustability of the rear shock and deliver low-speed damping control – ideal for composed control in typical urban riding conditions.

To improve the control and performance of the motorcycle further LiveWire is fitted with Brembo Monoblock front brake calipers gripping dual 300 mm-diameter discs to deliver outstanding power with a crisp feel for confident braking performance.

Confidence when riding is boosted with cornering-enhanced Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Traction Control System (TCS) – both of which are standard features on the LiveWire model – and co-branded H-D/Michelin Scorcher tires (180mm rear/120mm front). The rider can also tailor the performance of LiveWire with seven selectable riding modes – four of which are set as standard from the factory and a further three modes that can be defined by the user.

Technology

A coloir touchscreen TFT display (thin-film-transistor, a type of liquid-crystal display noted for high image quality and contrast) located above the handlebar offers the rider a wide range of information on a screen that’s bright and easy to read. The display unit is tilt-adjustable to afford most riders a good viewing angle. The TFT screen also allows the rider to access the interface for Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, music and more.

The LiveWire motorcycle features a RESS (Rechargeable Energy Storage System, or the main battery) composed of lithium-ion cells surrounded by a finned, cast-aluminum housing. The LiveWire motorcycle is also equipped with a small 12-volt lithium-ion battery that powers the lights, controls, horn and instrument display.

Charging can be completed using the on-board Level 1 charger that plugs into a standard household outlet with a power cord that stores below the motorcycle seat. LiveWire can also be charged with a Level 2 or Level 3, DC Fast Charge (DCFC), through a SAE J1772 connector, (USA), or CCS2 – IEC type 2 charging connector in international markets. All Harley-Davidson dealers who sell the LiveWire motorcycle will offer a public charging station with DCFC.

Style

The LiveWire’s style follows a key Harley-Davidson styling dictum: the focus is on the motor. Just as the V-Twin engine is the most eye-catching element – the crown jewel – of every previous Harley-Davidson motorcycle, the electric motor is the first-look focus of the LiveWire motorcycle. Its bright case and mechanical, muscular shape is meant to convey the power it contains.

In addition, the cast-aluminum case for the RESS has been styled with functional cooling fins. The bodywork, finished using advanced paint technology to give the look of anodised metal, flows from a battery cover through to a high, wasp-like contoured tail section, with a rear fender that hugs the wheel so tightly that it almost disappears from sight.

The LiveWire will be on sale next year, and further details regarding pricing and pre-order process will be released in January 2019.

The vision behind the production LiveWire motorcycle began with Project LiveWire, revealed as a prototype in 2014 as an effort to gauge the potential of an electric-powered motorcycle as envisioned by Harley-Davidson.

Drawing from the experiences of the Project LiveWire demo tour and following an intensive development program the Harley-Davidson LiveWire model offers the rider a new, high-performance motorcycling experience.


Bridgestone Malaysia has new managing director

                PETALING JAYA: Bridgestone Tyre Sales (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (Bridgestone Malaysia) has announced the appointment of Michael Chung Wing Kay as managing director.

In his role, Chung will lead the sales and operations divisions at Bridgestone Malaysia, with the aim of strengthening its overall business and establishing its position as the preferred tyre brand among Malaysians.

Chung brings with him almost 30 years of general management, manufacturing operations, and sales and marketing experience.

Prior to this appointment, Chung has served on the senior leadership team of several multinational companies, playing a pivotal role in their growth and successful expansion across the region.

In addition, Chung has a strong track record in business development – notably the transformation of dealer networks, and the restructuring of organizations to boost operational efficiency and drive sustainable growth.

“I am truly honoured to begin this amazing new journey alongside my team of incredible colleagues. I believe that together, we will be able to continue accelerating the overall growth of our business, and ultimately establish ourselves as the market leader for all tyre segments in the country,” said Chung.


General Motors and Bechtel to build EV charging stations

A Bechtel project. — Bechtel Corp
DETROIT: General Motors said today it will partner with construction firm Bechtel Corp to build fast-charging stations across the United States for electric vehicles, and is seeking investors to fund the collaboration.

The automaker said the partnership was at a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) stage and the business structure for the tie-up had not yet been finalised.

“This collaboration and future build-out will help alleviate issues with customers’ range anxiety by leveraging GM and Bechtel’s scale, flexibility and proprietary data to provide chargers in locations convenient to EV customers,” said General Motors.

The company declined to disclose the names of any investors it is currently in talks with.


Nationwide MCO from May 12-June 7

                PETALING JAYA: The whole country will be placed under the movement control order from May 12 to June 7 due to rising Covid-19 cases, says Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

"With daily cases exceeding 4,000 cases, and with 37,396 active cases and 1,700 deaths as of May 10, Malaysia is facing a third wave that could break into a national crisis.

"Data and science show that gatherings make social distancing difficult, and that large groups in closed spaces are the leading cause of the Covid-19 spread," he said in a statement today.

However, Muhyiddin also said Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan would continue with their existing SOPs during this period.

Muhyiddin said the chain of infection can only be broken, with the public remaining at home by enforcing stricter movement control.

All inter-district and interstate travel will be prohibited unless for work and economic purposes, health matters, emergencies, vaccination appointments and long-distance couples, he said.

"Mass gatherings such as weddings, dinners and tahlils, as well as official government and private events, are prohibited.

"Childcare centres, nurseries, kindergartens are allowed to operate in full compliance with SOPs.

"Face-to-face seminars and meetings will not be allowed as well. However, akad nikah ceremonies will be allowed following the set SOPs by the state Islamic agencies for Muslims, and by the National Registration Department for non-Muslims," he said.

Muhyiddin said a three-person limit to private vehicles, taxis and e-hailing vehicles will be enforced.

"Vehicles that a part of the industrial and economic sectors will have its passengers limited based on the relevant licences," he said.

He said employers must enforce a work-from-home order, with no more than 30% of its management in office at any one time.

"Hari Raya celebrations are completely prohibited. This includes visiting friends and relatives, and graveyard visits.

"However, Hari Raya prayers will be allowed but limited to only 50 people inside mosques and suraus that can accommodate more than 1,000 people.

"For those that can accommodate less than 1,000 people, a limit of 20 people will be enforced. This limit will be enforced for regular prayers and Friday prayers as well," he said.

Muhyiddin said the ban on inter-district and interstate travel, as well as social, sports and education activities has started on May 10 and will last until June 6 as previously announced.

"The start date for the rest of the listed instructions will begin May 12 and be in effect until June 7," he said.

The Prime Minister added that throughout this nationwide MCO period, all economic sectors will remain operational.

"The government will continue using the HIDE system to monitor premises and hotspots, as well as take follow-up actions.

"I hope the public will remain disciplined and continue to obey the set SOPs to break the chain of infections," he said.

He reminded all that the best course of action was to stay at home.

"We have flattened the curve during the first and second wave. I wish to remind all that the third wave that we are currently facing is more fierce and critical.

"We have not won. God-willing, we will beat this virus," he said.


Fiat 500 in new Guinness World Record

                BIRMINGHAM: Stunt driver Alastair Moffatt has reclaimed his Guinness World Record for the Tightest Parallel Park during the Performance Car Show at the 2015 Autosport International Racing Car Show.

The show was held from Jan 8 to Jan 11 here.

Driving a Fiat 500C 1.2 Cult, Moffatt was able to execute the astonishing parking manoeuvre, sliding neatly between a Fiat 500S TwinAir 105hp and a Fiat 500C Colour Therapy TwinAir 85hp, with a mere 7.5cm to spare.

The vehicles used are all completely standard, with no modifications made the engines, gearboxes, chassis or brakes.

 Moffatt slides the Fiat 500 into a new Guinness World Record.

The ESC (electronic stability control) had to be disconnected to allow the Fiat 500 to be controlled using the handbrake, and the tyre pressures were also increased to compensate for the abrasiveness of the surface.

Moffatt also added a steering knob to facilitate this extreme driving manoeuvre.

Moffatt, a Master Instructor at Stunt Drive UK, previously held the Guinness World Record for the Tightest Parallel Park at 8.6cm and also has records for Tightest Double Parallel Park and Tightest Triple Parallel Park.

Moffatt noted, “It’s wonderful to have my record back! With the gap getting ever smaller, finding the right vehicle is increasingly important, so the light weight, agility, dimensions and parking-friendly shape of the Fiat 500 makes it perfect to getting into even the tightest parking spots.”

The Fiat 500 is the best-selling vehicle in its segment in Europe.


Idris Elba to team up with Ken Block on Quibi car-stunt show

                LONDON: Idris Elba ("Luther," "Avengers" franchise, "The Jungle Book") and renowned rally driver Ken Block will star in a car-stunt series called "Elba vs. Block," which will pit cars against each other in a series of stunts for short-form video platform Quibi.

Actor, director and DJ Elba is the latest big name to be linked with Jeffrey Katzenberg and Meg Whitman's short-form streaming service, Quibi, due to launch in spring 2020.

For the eight-episode show, renowned rally driver Block and Elba will try to outperform each other in London's Docklands in a series of stunts with names like "Wall of Death," "Car Tightrope" and "Flaming Obstacle Course.”

Block is famous for his choreographed driving stunts; his Gymkhana video series has over 550 million YouTube views.

"Ken is my driving hero. I've never worked with a driver as skilled as him, so I'm a little intimidated by his talent," said Elba. "I love challenges, I love speed and I'm a 'wheel man,' so let's see how this plays out."

"Elba vs. Block" is a co-production between Workerbee (part of EndemolShine UK) and Elba's Green Door Pictures for Quibi.

Streaming service Quibi is targeted at mobile users, with shows broken into "chapters" no longer than 10 minutes. It will launch in April 2020 with a slew of high-profile shows from Steven Spielberg, Guillermo del Toro, Jennifer Lopez and Antoine Fuqua, among others.


Sime Darby Auto ConneXion wins top Ford awards

Turse holding the award in the presence of SDAC and Ford VIPs.
KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC), the sole distributor of Ford in Malaysia, recently clinched the highly-coveted Henry Ford Excellence Award for ensuring the highest level of overall customer satisfaction, exceptional business performance and the most outstanding customer initiative in 2022.

Additionally, for the fourth consecutive year, the company has also earned the President’s Award for Sales and President’s Award for Service for both the highest level of sales customer satisfaction and the highest level of service customer satisfaction.

These awards distinguish SDAC as a top-performing distributor partner across 20 Ford distributor markets in Asia Pacific, once again cementing the company’s position as one of the best Ford distributor and dealer organisations in the world.

The prestigious Henry Ford Excellence Award, previously known as the Chairman’s Award, is the highest distinction in Ford’s annual rewards and recognition programme.

To qualify as a contender for the award, distributors are required to meet several stringent core criteria, namely 100% achievement on new vehicle sales and parts sales targets.

They will also need a score of at least 90% respectively in sales and service customer satisfaction.

Distributors who fulfil these prerequisites are then ranked from the highest to lowest according to their total combined sales and service customer satisfaction scores.

Ford also takes into account any outstanding customer experience initiatives. which ultimately led to SDAC receiving the award for its unique Ford Ranger Getaways initiative.

SDAC managing director Turse Zuhair said the company was honoured to receive the 2022 Henry Ford Excellence Award, President’s Award for Sales and President’s Award for Service as a recognition of its achievements and the initiatives that it had implemented for customers.

“We are committed to providing a richer and more immersive ownership experience for customers through holistic programmes like Ford Ranger Getaways, the first and only initiative of its kind, not just in Malaysia, but across Ford’s vast distributor network,” he added.

Ford Ranger Getaways is a community-based adventure e-commerce platform that brings together owners and other like-minded people. Through a series of hand-picked local adventures, customers can discover the versatility and full potential of their Rangers.

Scores for the Henry Ford Excellence and President’s Awards are given based on ratings collected from actual customer feedback and satisfaction surveys that Ford conducts in each distributor market.

Introduced in 2016 regionally, Ford’s annual rewards and recognition programme evaluates distributors primarily on their highest level of overall customer satisfaction and performance in these categories:

> Highest level sales customer satisfaction
> Highest level service customer satisfaction
> Best new vehicle sales performance
> Best parts sales performance


Lister LFT-C supercar limited to 10 vehicles

                LONDON: Following high demand for an open-top LFT-666, iconic British car manufacturer - The Lister Motor Company – is launching its most powerful open-top supercar ever - the LFT-C - ready for summer 2019.

The LFT-C has a top speed in excess of 205mph, and a 0-62mph time of just over three seconds, thanks to its Lister-tuned and supercharged 666 bhp V8 engine. In addition, the LFT-C receives the same bespoke wheels, exhaust, suspension and braking system as featured on the LFT-666, but also benefits from a bespoke, handstitched interior.

Each LFT-C will feature exclusive carbonfibre body panels, designed and manufactured by Lister in the UK. Unique Lister additions include: front bumper, front splitter, rear diffuser, rear lip spoiler, rear extended wheel arches, a new grille design, and new lightweight alloy wheels fitted with Michelin tyres.

Lister has also uprated the suspension and braking system and added a bespoke exhaust system to enhance the sound of the 666bhp supercharged V8 engine to work perfectly with an open cockpit vehicle.

Every LFT-C will be built to a bespoke customer specification, from wheel design to paint finish. The interior adds a real level of unique luxury being entirely retrimmed, by hand with the finest UK Nappa hides from Bridge of Weir leather.

In keeping with the Lister tradition of producing extremely unique and rare cars, the LFT-C will be a rare sight, as production is limited to just 10 examples worldwide.

Each LFT-C will feature a solid silver numbered plaque, affixed to the engine cover, to show it is one of just 10 examples to be produced.


Lamborghini's next car will be a record breaker

TThe Huracán Performante pictured at the Nürburgring with its development team after clinching the lap record.
COLOGNE: When Lamborghini officially takes the wraps off the Huracán Performante at the Geneva motor show on March 7, it will be revealing the world's fastest series production car.

The latest iteration of the current-generation compact supercar which, when it goes on sale towards the end of 2017, will be offered as a stripped back, lighter, more ferocious version of the standard 10-cylinder 600hp Huracán, has broken the Nürburgring lap record for a production car. It set a blistering time of six minutes, 52.01 seconds.

There are a host of ways for measuring speed from 0-100kph time or standing quarter mile to its out-and-out top speed. All of which is why the Nürburgring Nordschleife - that legendary 20km+ racing circuit in Germany - has in recent years become the only universally recognised test of any supercar's genuine performance credentials.

When lightweight, single-seater road-legal racing cars are removed from the list, the fastest ever real car - i.e., with a roof, doors, seats for at least two adults - to lap the green hell is the Porsche 918 Spyder, a multimillion dollar hybrid hypercar. It set a time of six minutes and 57 seconds back in 2013.

The two things that make Lamborghini's achievement so impressive are that firstly this new benchmark has been set by a very traditional car without hybrid assistance or other 21st century technological innovations. It doesn't even come with turbochargers. And secondly, it broke the record back in October while the car was still officially in its development stage, yet has somehow managed to keep it a complete secret until today.

"To make this happen is something that every one of the R&D team who worked on this car can share in: it will forever be a defining moment in their careers," said company CEO Stefano Domenicali.

"We wanted to achieve the Nürburgring victory in advance of the Performante's launch, which was a challenge in terms of weather and availability of the Nordschleife. Not only did we take the lap record, we took it by some seconds!"

The Lamborghini Huracán Performante will be officially unveiled on March 7 along with the final specifications as to what's under the bonnet and what the company's done to the car to make it king of the Nürburgring.


Why some people are willing to spend so much money on number plates

                PETALING JAYA: Despite having to part with large sums of their hard-earned savings, some car owners firmly believe that having a registration plate with the “right number” is important and well worth it.

A 42-year-old entrepreneur confessed that he had to spend RM25,000 on the number plate for his first car. He has no regrets.

“My wife and my two sons also agreed with me. We believe this is the reason why I have a big bank balance now,” he said, referring to the good fortune from his previous lucky number plates on earlier cars.

Recalling his experience in getting the desired number plate for his first car, he said: “I was not doing this well back then. And I did not know much about the buying and selling process. So I went to JPJ to take a look at the numbers that were available.

“I saw a number that caught my eye but I wanted to know if they could change two digits on that series of numbers.

“As soon as I asked, an officer who was attending to me told me to wait by the side and someone else attended to me. I was brought to a room in the JPJ office where I was told to bid RM25,000 for the number.”

He did and he says his business has been flourishing since then. His latest purchase – his fourth car – caused him to almost empty out his savings for the registration number.

“It’s more than six digits,” he said.

Numerologists say their clients often sought advice on the right number plate.

Numerologist Marinah Ng said every number had a different story and whether or not it suited the person depended on his date of birth.

“As much as you can have a good number, there are also bad numbers. Many people come to me, looking for ‘powerful numbers’ as they had seen it working well for others,” she said.

“Of course people also come to me to get numbers for their handphones and their houses. Actually, the most impactful number for an individual is the mobile phone number,” she claimed.

Another numerologist, P. Paramasivan, said numbers played a huge role in people’s lives.

“From the time you are born, to the time you get married and everything else, it all revolves around numbers. This is because numbers are a strong factor in your life.”

Paramasivan said that he would advise his clients on numbers they should get, even if they did not ask for it.

“Sometimes people just buy a number like 888 because they feel it is a lucky number but that is not the case for everyone. It all depends on the person,” he said, adding that he once had a client who spent RM740,000 on a number plate.


Ford uses recycled paper for new EcoSport's bee-hive-inspired parcel shelf

                DETROIT: Perhaps the only time many of us pay a lot of attention to the parcel shelf in our vehicles is when we're trading our vehicle in, and trying to remember where we hid it away when we originally took it out so we could get the dog in the back.

But when it comes to the parcel shelf in the new Ford EcoSport, it really does deserve greater respect. And that's because not only is it made from recycled paper and constructed in a manner inspired by bees, but also because it's so incredibly strong as a result.

The "Honeycomb Shelf" as Ford calls the new EcoSport's parcel shelf, is actually a lightweight, secret trunk shelf capable supporting up to 100 times its own weight, which is a strength-to-weight-ratio that's even stronger than steel.

The shelf was designed to keep valuables that may be fragile hidden away from prying eyes, but the fact it can support a load of up to 300kg is what's really staggering about this otherwise humble part of the new EcoSport. Despite only weighing-in itself at 3kg, the shelf can handle more than the weight of three average adult men. And it appears the incredible strength was achieved with inspiration from honey bees.

Bettina Veith, the Ford EcoSport's assistant chief engineer, explains, "Nature is like one big innovation laboratory, and from bees to termites to beavers, animals are some of the world's best engineers.

The honeycomb's ability to deliver strength without adding weight has already been put to good use in extreme applications like space rockets, jet planes and supercars, making it the natural choice to provide a super-strong platform for the EcoSport's [trunk] space."

The "Honeycomb Shelf" is constructed by sandwiching a layer of honeycomb-like cells made from recycled paper and water-based glue between a couple of layers of light but durable fiberglass.

As well as its amazing strength, the lightweight solution also makes a small but useful contribution to improving fuel efficiency of the new EcoSport.


Toyota and Panasonic team up to make batteries

                NAGOYA: Toyota Motor Corporation and Panasonic Corporation announced their decision to enter a joint-venture (JV) specialising in automotive prismatic batteries.

The new JV follows on from the two company's previous announcement on Jan 22, 2019, regarding the conclusion of a business integration contract and JV contract to establish a new company that's now been christened as Prime Planet Energy & Solutions, Inc.

The new company which is 51% owned by Toyota, will be the main battery supplier to the Japanese carmaker and future clients.

The scope of the company will involve the development, manufacture, and sales of high-capacity and high-output automotive prismatic lithium-ion, solid-state and next-generation batteries.

Two headquarters will be established in Japan, namely Tokyo and Kansai, with operation expected to begin in April with some 2,700 employees.

The company will be headed by a Toyota representative as director and president Hiroaki Koda - along with three Toyota and two Panasonic representatives taking director positions.


Alfa Romeo to kick off first global ad campaign at US F1 Grand Prix

                TURIN: Alfa Romeo is launching its first global communications campaign.

Premiering on the brand's social media channels, the "Near Life Experience" advert will go live on US TV networks tomorrow during the United States Formula 1 Grand Prix, held at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas.

The communications no longer focus on performance alone: sport remains in the brand's DNA, but the campaign also shines a spotlight on the emotions inspired by driving an Alfa Romeo.

The campaign aims to impress viewers that driving an Alfa Romeo is a unique sensory experience, intended to bring about an emotional high in the driver.

“For Alfa Romeo, the ‘Near-Life Experience’ campaign is a very big step towards its future as a premium global brand," said Alfa Romeo CEO Jean Philippe Imparat.

"While remaining true to the brand’s DNA – the epitome of Italian noble sportiness since 1910, this advert speaks of its daring attitude and its unique ability to provide its customers with a visceral experience. This is the first time we’re using a single language all over the world, a direct message to everyone who shares Alfa Romeo's values.”

The campaign was developed by TRG (The Richards Group), an independent agency in Dallas, and was directed by Salomon Ligthelm, a director who has worked with some of the biggest celebrities on the international music scene, and with some of the biggest premium brands in automotive and beyond.

The director of photography was Daniel Bouquet, who previously worked on Sound of Metal, a movie nominated at the 2021 Oscars. The soundtrack consists of Flavio Ibba's arrangement of Vltava (The Moldau) from Smetana’s Má vlast (My Country).


Mercedes to extend CEO Kaellenius' contract, says source

                BERLIN: Mercedes-Benz wants to extend chief executive Ola Kaellenius' contract, a source with knowledge of the matter said today, confirming a report in the Handelsblatt business daily.

The person said no surprises were expected on the question of another term for Kaellenius, which would keep the 54-year-old at the helm of the German carmaker until at least mid-2029.

Kaellenius' contract is currently set to expire in May 2024.

Handelsblatt reported that a supervisory board decision was expected on the matter this summer.

The company had no immediate comment.


New high-tech axle from Germany promises to make EVs faster

                HANOVER: A new high-tech axle from German automotive manufacturer Schaeffler is raising hopes of making electric vehicles more powerful and efficient than ever before.

The new 4-in-1 axle not only saves space and weight, but adds additional comfort to the vehicle by integrating electric motor, power electronics, transmission and thermal management into one axle drive.

Schaeffler is fettling and manufacturing the electric axle for medium-duty pick-ups, especially for the North American market. Such vehicles include Ford's recently launched F-150 Lightning.

The axles are more than 2 metres wide and weigh around 300kg. Schaeffler makes the components of the electric axles at several locations.

The electric motor, transmission, power electronics and the entire rear axle are combined into a single unit and delivered ready for installation.

An efficient thermal management system also ensures that an electric car equipped in this way can drive further and charge faster on one battery charge than with a conventional drive unit.

"E-axles are a central component of our electro-mobility strategy," said Matthias Zink, Member of the Board of Managing Directors for Automotive Technologies at Schaeffler AG.

In electric cars, heat is a scarce and particularly valuable commodity because, since the waste heat from the combustion engine is not available to heat the interior.

Range and fast-charging capability also depend to a large extent on whether the battery can be kept within a suitable temperature window.

Schaeffler has been offering thermal management systems for all types of vehicle drives for some time. What is new here is to combine what were previously mostly separate thermal systems with the drive components of a classic electric axle.

The lack of unnecessary hoses and cables also means that less energy is also lost in the form of heat.


Indonesia says Mitsubishi Motors to beef up local production

                JAKARTA: Mitsubishi Motors Corp plans to invest about 10 trillion rupiah (RM2.9bil) in Indonesia between 2022 and 2025, the country's chief economics minister said today.

Airlangga Hartarto in a statement said the Japanese company had invested 11.3 trillion rupiah up to 2021 and was planning to expand its production in the South-East Asian country.

The statement quoted Mitsubishi Motors CEO Takao Kato as saying the company planned to produce hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles in Indonesia.

He said Mitsubishi was aiming to increase its export capacity from Indonesia to 72,000 units this year and to 98,000 units in 2024, from 42,000 units in 2021.

Airlangga met Mitsubishi's executives during a visit in Tokyo, where they also discussed potential fiscal incentives for the company's exported products.

"Indonesia's tax rate is actually competitive compared to other countries such as Thailand," Airlangga said.

"However, there are different regional taxes which make taxes seems bigger in Indonesia, this is what we are reviewing at the central government," he said, without elaborating.

Indonesian president Joko Widodo was due to visit Japan later this week.