City Transformer, the Israeli car that can shrink into a tiny space

                MUNICH: An Israeli start-up says it wants to revolutionise urban traffic with a narrow electric microcar that can change its width to slip into the tiniest of parking spaces.

Styled a bit like the small Renault Twizy, the two-seater City Transformer has a width of just 1 metre, meaning it needs no more space than a scooter when it's time to park.

It's set to go on sale by the end of 2024, company boss Asaf Formoza announced during a demo here.

The main highlight of the car is its variable track width, which can be changed by 40cm while driving. This makes the City Transformer a dream to park, but also nifty at getting around town at low speeds.

It's not just the size of the car that's small: The pre-order price is set at €12,500 (RM58,000). At launch, this tiny electric will cost €16,000 (RM74,000).

Unlike many other narrow-track vehicles, the City Transformer can hit speeds of up to 90kph, Formoza says.

That's because, although the cabin of the car itself doesn't get bigger or smaller, the wheels do extend out, providing the stability needed to drive such a small car at high speeds.

In addition to the mechanism for the variable track width, two electric motors with a combined output of 15 kW/20hp and batteries with a capacity of 14 kWh for a range of up to 180km are integrated.

Charging takes 3.5 hours at a household socket or 30 minutes at a DC charging station. The slow charging speed, combined with the limited range and size, means this car is most ideal for urban commutes and overnight charges, rather than day-long road trips.

The first prototypes are 2.50 metres long. With space-saving doors that swing open upwards, it is designed for one adult and one child.

At the same time, the City Transformer offers a little more comfort and safety than most of its competitors in this class, notably air conditioning, electric windows, airbags and ESP.

The manufacturer says it also wants to build commercial versions for urban freight transport. In addition to commuters and delivery services fed up with searching for a parking spaces, car-sharing services may also be interested in this kind of car, Formoza believes.

The Israeli company hopes its car will not only be the solution to parking problems, but also to traffic jams in crowded cities.

Formoza anticipates new traffic laws and dedicated lanes in cities once thousands of these narrow-gauge vehicles are on the roads. "Then, just like that, traffic routes will double in capacity and rush hour will have lost its horror."


New Porsche Cayenne coupe spotted testing in Germany

The current Cayenne.
STUTTGART: BMW got a lead over its rivals when it put a coupe roofline on the large X5 SUV and called it the X6 a few years ago, so now the competition is playing catch-up.

One of the latest, and perhaps most eagerly awaited newcomers to the SUV coupe genre, is the upcoming Porsche Cayenne coupe. And completely unsurprisingly it's now been spotted undergoing testing at the Nurburgring in Germany.

As well as being an obvious threat to the X6, the new Cayenne coupe will also take aim at the Mercedes GLE coupe. When BMW first came up with the SUV coupe concept it was met with more than a little derision from some quarters, but buyers have taken to the new segment in considerable numbers and now it seems every manufacturer is getting in on the act.

The current Cayenne lineup is relatively limited as there's just one body style with a choice of petrol and hybrid powerplants.

The coupe version will therefore expand the offering, and considering the appeal of the Porsche brand, this is a model that's going to be in big demand.

 The X6 sparked the trend towards SUV coupes.

However, if you're holding back from buying your next vehicle because you're waiting for the Cayenne coupe, you're going to be waiting for a while yet because it's not expected to come to market until towards the end of 2019.

Images of prototypes being put through their paces at the Nurburgring published by autoevolution.com show the new model inherits the same front-end styling as the third-generation Cayenne, apart from a front bumper that appears to be a unique design for this model to help differentiate it from the rest of the Cayenne range.

This new variant also adopts a suitably more sporty overall style with a liftback-style tailgate, a new tail light design, and new side windows to accommodate the sloping roofline.

A retractable rear spoiler is another unique design cue for this model as it seems to be a single piece instead of the split wing design we see already with the second-generation of the Panamera.

In keeping with its sporty styling, the Cayenne coupe will be a genuine performance model. Under the hood will be a choice of a 440bhp twin-turbo 2.9-litre V6 and a 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo boosting 550hp. Not surprisingly in the current climate, there's no diesel variant of the Cayenne coupe planned.


Only 45,000 Singapore vehicles have signed up for VEP

                JOHOR BARU: Only 45,000 Singapore vehicles have registered for the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) levied on foreign cars entering Malaysia.

State Public Works, Rural and Regional Development Committee chairman Datuk Hasni Mohammad admitted that the VEP registration system still needed some improvement.

"Only 45,000 foreign vehicles have registered for the VEP compared to the expected 500,000 vehicles.

"The two weeks starting Aug 15 did not allow all the foreign vehicles to be registered online or over the counter," he said after visiting the VEP registration counter at Sultan Iskandar building, here, on Tuesday.

Tuesday was the first day of the trial period for the VEP.

VEP registration has been extended to Oct 1 to enable the delivery of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) cards and approval by the authorities in both countries.

"It is not just to provide comfort to those who have registered but also to ensure that all the rules and regulations are adhered to," Hasni said.

He said as many as 200,000 to 230,000 vehicles of various types went through the two checkpoints weekly.

From Aug 15, motorists could register online and pay a RM10 fee for a five-year period before the Road Transport Department (JPJ) issues the RFID cards.

Once registered, the vehicles would be allowed to enter Johor for free for one month from Sept 1 to Sept 30.

Motorists will have to pay RM20 for VEP for each entry from Oct 1.

The VEP is levied on all passenger vehicles (including MPVs and SUVs).

Government vehicles, motorcycles, public buses and taxis are exempted from payment but still need to register with JPJ.


Naza Kia 5 Star Raya Bonus campaign

                PETALING JAYA: Naza Kia Malaysia, the official distributor of Kia vehicles in Malaysia, is presenting their latest campaign, ‘5 Star Raya Bonus’, to attract customers with some of their most acclaimed Kia models in anticipation of the festive season.

For a limited time, customers can enjoy a multitude of bonuses such as 5 years free maintenance service, 5 years free road tax, 5 years free Kia Cares protection, 5 years warranty and ‘duit raya’ up to RM10,000.

READ MORE:CarSifu reviews Kia Cerato KX

In addition to all these can’t-miss bonuses, customers can now own a Kia Cerato KX from RM79,000.

This offer is limited to 100 units of the Kia Cerato KX.

The ‘5 Star Raya Bonus’ campaign covers the Kia Cerato, Kia Rio Sedan and Kia Optima.

The ownership experience is further enriched by a host of benefits. The 5 years free maintenance service offers up to 100,000km mileage inclusive of two times major service.

Kia Cares provides complete coverage protection, new vehicle replacement, prompt claim settlement and peace of mind. For total assurance, Kia Cares covers total loss, theft, fire, floods and natural disasters.


UMWT records 6,468 unit sales in October

                KUALA LUMPUR: UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT), a subsidiary of UMW Holdings Bhd, sold 6,468 units in October 2020, an increase of 15.4 per cent from the 5,605 units it sold in September.

In a statement today, UMW said top sales contributors for October were Toyota Vios, Yaris and Hilux.

It said the sales tax exemption announced by the government, effective June 15 until Dec 31, this year has helped to lift sales in the second half of the year.

The group’s automotive market share is estimated at 58 per cent in October, a significant increase from the 51.4 per cent registered in 2019.

Given the improved sales achieved by both UMWT and its 38 per cent-associate company Perodua in the month of October, UMW is on track to meet its full-year sales target.

“Having already sold 43,807 units for the first 10 months of 2020, UMWT is on track to achieve its revised sales target of 53,000 units for the year,” it said.


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia offers Agility Financing for SUVs

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Mercedes-Benz Agility Financing programme is also offered for the SUV line-up of the GLC, GLE and GLE coupe.

It offers benefits such as Guaranteed Future Value, low monthly installments, and flexible end of agreement options.

Upon the expiration of the agreement, customers can refinance its Guaranteed Future Value, pay off the remainder and take full ownership, or simply return the car.


Toyota commits US$70bil to electrification but still hesitant about BEVs

                TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp today committed 8 trillion yen (RM296bil/US$70bil) to electrify its automobiles by 2030, half of it to develop a battery electric vehicle (BEV) line-up, as it looks to tap a growing market for zero-emission cars.

But the world's biggest carmaker, which is a relative latecomer to full electric cars, said it expected annual BEVs sales to reach only 3.5 million vehicles by the end of the decade, or around a third of its current vehicle sales.

That is less than bigger rivals such as Europe's No. 1 carmaker Volkswagen, which in July predicted that half of its global vehicle sales will be battery-powered cars by that date.

It comes as traditional automobile firms increasingly take on Tesla Inc, which has become the most valuable carmaker this year.

Tesla's market value reached over US$1 trillion in October, surpassing the combined value of Toyota, VW, Daimler AG, Ford Motor and General Motors Co.

Speaking at a press conference here surrounded by more than a dozen planned BEV models, Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda said his company was still pursuing a multi-pronged, carbon-reduction strategy that also includes hybrid cars and hydrogen-powered vehicles.

"We want to give everyone a choice, and rather than where or what we will focus on, we will wait a little longer until we understand where the market is going," Toyoda said.

His company's plan to introduce a full line-up of 30 BEVs by 2030 goes beyond the 15 models Toyota earlier said it would have available by 2025.

The Japanese carmaker today also said it planned to invest 2 trillion yen in battery production by 2030, up from the 1.5 trillion yen it announced earlier.

That investment includes US$1.29 billion for a new battery plant in North Carolina that will begin production in 2025.

EVs still only account for a small portion of car sales, but the market is growing rapidly, with new registrations up 41% in 2020 even as the global car market contracted by a sixth that year.

In November, Toyota declined to join a pledge signed by six major carmakers, including GM and Ford to phase out fossil fuel cars by 2040. It argued that not all parts of the world would be ready to transition to green cars by then. read more

In addition to electrified cars, Toyota is also developing internal combustion engines that run on hydrogen fuel.

Toyoda said the technology could help to save some of Japan's 5.5 million auto jobs by allowing the car company to keep supply chains that would disappear with a full shift to electric cars.

READ MORE: Lexus teases all-electric RZ SUV


New colours for Vespa in Malaysia

                PETALING JAYA: Vespa in Malaysia has added new colours for its Vespa range from the 150cc to to 300cc engine sizes.

The new colours include Grey Delicato for Primavera S and GTS Supertech, Orange Tramonto for Sprint, Blue Audace for Sprint S and Grey Materia for GTS Supersport.

As showrooms remain closed during the movement control order, Didi Resources the sole distributor of Vespa in Malaysia has gone online to promote the new offerings via a two-series video which promote the new colours, service maintenance, the Vespa evolution and new accessories and merchandises.

Customers can also buy the Vespa models from Lazada or Shopee e-commerce sites where special deals are available.

These Italian scooters can be collected or delivered via the nearest dealers nationwide.

 Primavera S Grey Delicato Sprint S Blue Audace Sprint Orange Tramonto


BMW Group and AirConsole host joint developer contest for in-car games

                MUNICH/ZURICH:  The BMW Group and AirConsole are launching a competition to develop games tailored to the in-car experience.

With this competition, the two companies are tapping into the potential of the global game developer community while developers are invited to pioneer the field of in-car gaming.

The BMW Group and AirConsole will jointly promote the competition at the Game Developer Conference (GDC) in San Francisco (March 20-24).

Developers can submit their ideas and concepts until June 8 via the official competition website.

Among the submitted game concepts, the best four will be chosen as winners and will each receive 5,000 euros for the development of a prototype.

If the prototype proves promising, AirConsole will fully fund the development of the game to then be included on the AirConsole platform. The winners are also invited to the BMW Group headquarters in Munich to see the result in action.

The BMW Group chose nDream - the company behind the AirConsole brand - as a partner to bring casual gaming into the car through the BMW Startup Garage programme.


Jaguar Land Rover partners new James Bond movie

                LONDON: Jaguar Land Rover has announced its line-up of vehicles set to feature in Spectre, the 24th James Bond adventure.

These will include the Jaguar C-X75, Range Rover Sport SVR and Defender Big Foot, which have been provided by Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations.

The Jaguar C-X75 will feature in a spectacular car chase sequence through Rome alongside the Aston Martin DB10.

The C-X75 vehicles used in filming were built in collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering facility in Oxfordshire, England.

Scenes including the heavily modified versions of Land Rover Defender and Range Rover Sport SVR have already been filmed in Austria.

The Range Rover Sport SVR is the fastest and most powerful Land Rover ever.

The highly capable Big Foots were constructed by Special Operations with huge 37-inch diameter off-road tyres to tackle the extreme terrain.

They also feature bespoke suspension systems and enhanced body protection.

"This is an exciting partnership for Jaguar Land Rover and an opportunity to demonstrate the fantastic capabilities of the Special Operations team," said Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations managing director John Edwards.


Thousands go to Matta fair — to pay traffic summonses

                GEORGE TOWN: While holiday makers are planning for their vacation at the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair in SPICE Arena, many others were there to settle their outstanding police summonses first.

The Royal Malaysia Police had set up a booth at the travel fair offering 50% discount on traffic summonses and traffic offenders were making beeline queues to pay up.

The booth also offers a service for motorists to check their records in the police database.

The MATTA fair this year boasts 64 exhibitors, ranging from tour and travel agents, hotels and theme parks, to government agencies and banks.

The fair ends at 9pm today.


BMW 3 Series 2015 facelift

                THE latest 2015 facelift for the BMW 3 Series results in a sharper-looking exterior, more driving technology and cutting-edge engines.

Over what is now six model generations, the icon of the modern sports sedan segment is offered in either rear-wheel drive or BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive.

The refreshed exterior of the F30 BMW 3 Series LCI (life cycle impulse) gets new aprons with revised air intakes at the front end, while standard LED rear lights emphasise the car’s width.

READ ALSO: New cars coming in second half of 2015

Newly design ed headlights and striking LED daytime driving lights underline the car’s sporty visual appeal.

Full-LED headlights are optional.

As for the cabin, it gets new materials and extra chrome highlights for the controls, air vents and central control panel for a classier look, as well as a newly crafted centre console with a sliding cover for the cupholders.

Although a six-speed manual gearbox is available, the Malaysian market is likely to only get the eight-speed Steptronic transmission which is standard on the 330d, 335d and 340i Touring.

The Steptronic transmission is smoother and allows multiple sequential downshifts, while a coasting function improves also fuel efficiency.

New dampers, a stiffer suspension and even more precise steering of the refreshed 3 Series also provide a more dynamic ride quality.

All the three, four and six-cylinder petrol engines for the 3 Series and the four-cylinder diesel units in the BMW 316d, 318d and 320d are from a newly developed BMW EfficientDynamics engine family.

Revised turbochargers give the new four-cylinder diesel engines even sharper responses, while the three-cylinder petrol engine is a new addition.

Making its 3 Series debut is the four-cylinder petrol engine in the 320i sedan.

Celebrating their world premiere, meanwhile, are the four-cylinder unit in the 330i sedan and the six-cylinder petrol unit in the 340i sedan.

The engines are also more efficient; fuel consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are down by as much as 11%.

Meanwhile, the refreshed 3 Series also gets a new Navigation system and LTE (long term evolution) mobile technology.

The Navigation system has a quicker start-up, significantly faster route calculation and even more realistic 3D graphics.

The Parking Assistant now enables automatic parallel parking as well, while Auto PDC also automatically activates the front parking sensors when manoeuvring.

With all the new tech and engineering, it is set to give the Mercedes-Benz C-Class an even tougher fight for buyers' hearts.

For more information on models, go to the local BMW website.


PLUS to roll out new payment system for toll plazas nationwide

                PETALING JAYA: PLUS highway users will soon have another option to make their toll payments nationwide – via PLUS RFiD.

Not to be confused with the existing Touch 'n Go RFID, PLUS RFiD is a payment system developed by the toll concessionaire for use on the PLUS highway. Currently, the PLUS RFiD is in use at the toll plazas on the Penang Bridge, the Butterworth-Kulim Expressway and in Jitra, Kedah.

Berita Harian reports that PLUS Malaysia Bhd managing director Datuk Azman Ismail had announced that all toll plazas along the PLUS highway are in the process of being upgraded to support the new payment system, which will be completed by the end of this year.

Interested users can get their PLUS RFiD stickers for free at authorised fitment centres. The stickers are embedded with a radio frequency chip, pasted directly on the vehicle's windscreen or headlamp.

 The Penang Bridge is one of the few places that uses the PLUS RFiD at present.

Each sticker is unique to the particular vehicle and cannot be duplicated, says the company. The PLUS RFiD tag can be directly linked to users' credit and debit card accounts as well as e-wallets, making it easier for them to monitor their toll payments.

However, the PLUS RFiD sticker is applicable only to vehicles that are not already fitted with the Touch 'n Go RFID sticker.

This is to keep in line with Works Minister Baru Bian's statement that only one RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) sticker will be allowed per vehicle in Malaysia.

"We do not want a situation where users are required to have three or four RFID tags for different highways. The government wants the Touch 'n Go RFID stickers to work at any highway toll booths in the country, and the same is expected of the PLUS RFiD," he was quoted as saying.


Mazda CX-5 with 2.2-litre SkyActiv-D engine introduced

                SHAH ALAM: The Mazda CX-5 has a new diesel-powered two-wheel drive unit available with a SkyActiv-D 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine, bringing the total number of variants up to five.

The new variant is priced on-the-road with GST and insurance at RM166,336 (add RM453 for metallic colours) and slots itself between the 2.5G 2WD and 2.5G 4WD variants in terms of pricing.

READ MORE: Diesel Mazda6 also available

A three-year or 100,000km warranty (whichever comes first) and a three-year or 60,000km free service package is provided, while featuring four colours options of Aluminium Metallic, Arctic White, Blue Reflex and Meteor Grey.

The 2.2-litre (2,192cc) turbo-diesel SkyActiv-D engine with idle-stop function requires Euro 5 diesel while using a two-stage turbocharger and a compression ratio of 14:1 for better air-fuel mixture and a more complete combustion.

It uses a six-speed SkyActiv-Drive transmission with manual shift mode to manage the engine's 173hp at 4,500rpm and 420Nm of torque at 2,000rpm before sending it to the front wheels that turn via an electronic power-assisted steering (EPAS) system.

The 1,605kg (kerb) compact SUV rolls on 19-inch wheels with 255/55 (185/80 spare tyre) series tyres for its 2,700mm wheelbase while the body measures in at 4,555mm-long, 1,840mm-wide and 1,670mm-tall.

It comes equipped with LEDs for its daytime running lights, front fogs, automatic headlamps with auto-levelling function, and rear combination light clusters as well as automatic wipers and power-folding external mirrors with integrated turn-signals as standard.

Inside, there's keyless-entry with push-start button, cruise control, automatic dual-zone climate controls and auto-dimming rear view mirror.

The infotainment unit is is a seven-inch full-colour touchscreen display with radio/CD/MP3 playback, navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, AUX and two USB ports that's connected to a six-speaker sound system that's controlled via a multi-function Commander Control on the centre tunnel or via steering-wheel controls.

Lastly, safety is bolstered by six airbags, anti-lock braking system, dynamic stability control, electronic brake-force distribution, emergency brake assist, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, smart city brake support, traction control, blind spot monitoring, emergency stop signal, tyre pressure monitoring system and ISOFIX anchor points.


Video of driver fleeing police in Sungai Buloh goes viral

                PETALING JAYA: A video of a motorist ramming his car into other vehicles at a traffic light before fleeing from the police have gone viral.

The one-minute, 45-second video showed a policeman approaching a Proton Waja at a traffic light in a bid to stop the driver.

The driver was seen ignoring the policeman, who was trying to get him to alight from the car.

Another policeman was also seen approaching the vehicle but the driver choose to reverse his car into another vehicle before ramming the sides of a lorry and another car in front.

One of the police personnel was also seen shooting at the tyres of the car but the suspect managed to speed off by squeezing between the lorry and car.

The incident allegedly occurred at the Sierramas traffic lights in Sungai Buloh between 12.50pm and 1pm today.

When contacted, Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal confirmed that the incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Sri Damansara police station.

"However, the pursuing police personnel are from the Gombak police headquarters.

"I have discussed with Gombak OCPD ACP Arifai Tarawe and we agreed that he will furnish more details on the incident and issue a statement later," he said.


Tesla's India plans dealt blow as minister rules out tax cut

                NEW DELHI: India said it has no plans to cut import duties on electric vehicles, weeks after Tesla Inc. appealed to the government to slash taxes, and its billionaire chief Elon Musk floated the possibility of a local factory once it starts selling wholly-built units from overseas in the world's second-most populous nation.

"No such proposal is under consideration in Ministry of Heavy Industries," junior minister Krishan Pal Gurjar told parliament on Monday, referring to the ministry in charge of making policies for the auto industry.

He added that the government is however taking steps to promote the use of electric cars by lowering domestic taxes and adding charging stations.

The reply to lawmakers may be perceived as part of the tug-of-war between Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration, which wants to boost local manufacturing, and Tesla, which is urging India to allow it to import cars more cheaply before it commits to setting up a factory in the country.

Tesla last month wrote to the transport and industry ministries requesting them to cut import duty on electric cars to 40% from the current range of 60%-100%, Bloomberg News had reported.

A Tesla factory to produce cars in India is "quite likely" if the electric automaker can first begin sales with imported vehicles, chief executive officer Musk said in a subsequent tweet.

Musk has for years showed his eagerness to enter one of the world's most-promising automobile markets, but complained that Indian rules prohibit him from testing the waters first with imports, as high duties make Tesla cars "unaffordable."

Tesla is seeking to make inroads into Asia's third-largest economy, where electric vehicles account for less than 1% of annual car sales, compared with about 5% in China.

The sparse charging infrastructure and expensive cost have deterred large scale adoption of electric vehicles in India, unlike China where Tesla set up its first factory outside of the US and now dominates electric-car sales.

Those deterrents have also turned Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., the top local carmaker that sells every other car on Indian roads, glum about the uptake of electric cars in the nation.

"Unfortunately the technology presently available leads to electric cars being produced at a cost much higher than the conventional cars," Maruti's chairman R.C. Bhargava said in the company's annual report Monday.

"This, along with the lack of charging infrastructure makes it very difficult to sell electric cars to people who can only afford small cars."

The market penetration of electric vehicles will be "very small" given that only 5% of cars sold in India are priced above 1.5 million rupees (RM86,000), said Bhargava, who heads the local unit of Japan's Suzuki Motor Corp.

The per capita income in India is only US$2,000 (RM8,500) — 5% of that in Europe and Japan — which puts expensive electric cars beyond the reach of most consumers, he said.

Such statistics have raised concerns that without progress in cleaning up poorer nations' roads, global warming won't be kept below dangerous levels even as richer nations plan to phase out combustion-engine vehicles to combat climate change.

Most EVs are sold in the US, China and Europe, where state-backed purchasing incentives and investments in charging infrastructure make it easier for customers to abandon combustion cars.

To achieve net-zero emissions, Maruti will work on hybrid models, improve technology for cars running on compressed natural gas and look into biofuels, Bhargava said.

"The use of hydrogen is also an interesting alternative and should be considered specially to reduce dependence on importing lithium."


Sime Darby Auto ConneXion-Ford brings CNY cheer to charity homes

                KUALA LUMPUR: Ahead of this year’s Chinese New Year celebration, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC) recently shared some early festive joy at three charitable homes, in addition to releasing an original hip hop-rap Ford CNY song to usher in the festive season with all Malaysians nationwide.

Charity visits have been a long-standing tradition for the sole distributor for Ford in Malaysia.

However, with multiple ways of giving back to the community, SDAC is expanding its CSR efforts beyond old folk’s homes and orphanages to support mental health and youth talent development in the local music industry.

 SDAC-Ford volunteers and Astro MELODY DJs with representative of Ti Ratana Welfare Society.

For the Ford CNY song, SDAC scoured the Internet for hidden social media gems that showed potential but needed more exposure and industry-related experience.

The self-taught amateur rap group https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWUURdYEXhBk3gwlHYzKkJg stood out with their raw talent and unique blend of rapping and hip-hop dance moves.

The result is a fun and catchy tune aired on the Astro MY and LITE radio channels starting from Jan 16 until Chinese New Year.

Sime Darby Auto ConneXion-Ford managing director Turse Zuhair said festive charity visits have been part of SDAC-Ford’s CSR efforts for decades.

 Spring cleaning at En Yuan Old Folk Home.

“Coming together to care for the less fortunate is an activity that our employees look forward to every year.

“This year, we also wanted to extend our support to youth development and the progress of home-grown talents that need opportunities and exposure.

“We know how challenging our local music scene can be, which is why we decided to engage a relatively unknown but very talented rap group to create a brand-new Ford song to welcome in the Lunar New Year,” said Turse.

To provide aid to the needy, SDAC-Ford collaborated with Astro MELODY to run a contest where listeners can nominate the old folk’s home or orphanage to receive some early festive cheer and assistance with the CNY preparations.

 Turse (right) presenting food items to IQ70Plus founder Chang Ming Kiet.

From the list, two homes were selected for this year’s charity visit – Ti Ratana Welfare Society’s Orphanage and En Yuan Old Folk Home.

SDAC employee volunteers visited the homes with Astro MELODY on three separate days to help with spring cleaning as is the tradition with pre-celebration preparations.

They also brought cheer in the form of karaoke for the En Yuan old folks’ home and entertainment by a clown for the children of Ti-Ratana before lunch.

 Goodest Plan members Ter, Edwin and Alex.

They were also joined by popular MELODY DJs Mei Sim Hoon, Jentzen Lim and William San and one of the contest winners.

Separately, SDAC-Ford Ara Damansara and Petaling Jaya also selected a third home - Persatuan Kebajikan Kanak-kanak Terencat Akal Malaysia (IQ70Plus) - for direct support.

Besides spring cleaning, the volunteers also brought along with them sundry provisions and other essential items as requested by each specific home based on their needs.

SDAC-Ford also expanded its CSR efforts in a bid to support the development of home-grown young artistes, many of whom are very talented but lack exposure to experts in the industry and publicity.

This CNY presented a great platform to create an unconventional Ford CNY song to spread festive cheer to all Malaysians while helping to generate some mainstream awareness for local rap group GDP which showed great promise with their hip-hop rap format, a genre that is currently trending throughout the world.


Electric cars boost European sales

The 2018 Range Rover Sport PHEV. New data suggests that if more SUVs were offered in Europe as plug-in hybrids or battery electric models then overall electric car sales could grow even faster.
LONDON: Over the past month, demand for diesel has dropped, gasoline has found new fans, but the biggest news is that sales of alternative fuel vehicles — the term used to denote hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric cars — has surged across the European Union to represent 5.5% of all vehicle sales during October.

According to Jato Dynamics, despite ongoing financial uncertainty within Europe, October was a very good moth for car sales with 1,202,877 vehicles registered, a 5.6% improvement on October 2016's figures and the best October in terms of sales since 2009.

Furthermore, if sales continue at this rate then 2017 is shaping up to be another big year for car companies. Jato forecasts a 3.6% improvement over 2016.

However, it's the mix of vehicles making up those record sales that's the big news. After a 20-year+ love affair with diesel, European buyers are going through a messy divorce. Diesel sales dropped by 9.9% over the last month (compared with October 2016) across the continent, and by 12.2% in Britain.

The void left by diesel being shown the door has been filled primarily by gasoline-powered cars — registrations represented 51.5% of all October sales (a 5.1 percentage point increase) — but also by cars with a battery on board.

Sales of electric and hybrid vehicles registered during Europe reached a remarkable 66,000 in October. That's a 5.5% share of the total market. To put that figure in perspective, in October 2007, alternative fuel vehicles represented 0.3% of European market sales.

"When looking at the AFV (Alternative Fuel Vehicle) data, hybrids still lead the way, accounting for 59% of the total volume for the AFV category, compared to PHEV and fully electric vehicles, which accounted for 23% and 17% respectively," said Felipe Munoz, Global Automotive Analyst at JATO Dynamics.

However, as well as fuel type, vehicle type is steering sales. Some 373,978 SUVs were sold over the course of October, or 31% of total vehicle sales for the month and a 21.3% increase compared with October 2016. And, as Munoz points out, the choice of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric vehicle types is still small and that could be one of the reasons why alternative Fuel Vehicle sales aren't growing at an even greater pace.

"Growth of electric and hybrid vehicles has accelerated during the last four months and consumers are more aware of the choices available. But, despite a series of launches, there's still limited AFV choice in categories such as the SUV segment," he said.

ch/cm - Relaxnews


Buy cloned cars at your own peril, warns JPJ

                TAIPING: After spending thousands of ringgit to fulfill their desire of owning luxury cars, the owners' dreams are dashed, sometimes after only three days, when their cars are seized.

This was revealed by Perak Road Transport Department (JPJ) director Ramli Awang Seberang on the risks for people who buy "cloned" cars.

When a car is cloned, its registration number is replicated and used on other cars, amounting to an identity theft.

Ramli Awang said the longest someone could show off a cloned car he bought was three years and the shortest was merely three days before it was detected and seized by the JPJ.

He said the JPJ does not have any problem detecting cloned cars on the road "because they appeared different physically from the original."

"Most buyers are from the middle (income) group who are passionate about buying a luxury car at a low price without taking into account the things they have to abide by," he said here recently.

He said JPJ found cloned car syndicates used social media sites to lure people to buy the cars at RM10,000 to RM20,000 each.

"Investigations on bank transactions found the amounts of most payments were below RM10,000 while the balance were paid when the buyer met the salesman.

"Some salesmen do not turn up to hand over the car ownership grants to the buyer as promised, and were also uncontactable," he said.

Elaborating further on operations to detect cloned cars in Perak, Ramli Awang said that 125 vehicles of various makes worth more than RM3 million had been seized since since operations started in May.  He said the cars were seized in Ipoh (73), Manjung (20), Taiping (12), Tapah (10), Kuala Kangsar (six) and Teluk Intan (four).

He said most of the cloned cars seized were various models of Honda including Jazz, Odyssey, Civic and Stream other than Toyota, Subaru, Audi, BMW, Mazda, Mercedes, Mitsubishi, Mini Cooper and Volvo.

Ramli Awang said investigations found the chasis number of cloned cars were not in the JPJ registration database while their registration numbers and road taxes were fakes.

He warned that those using fake registration numbers and road taxes could be charged in court under the JPJ Act 1987.

"After being issued with summonses, they will be charged in court, warrants of arrest will be issued against them if they fail to turn up in court and their names will be blacklisted," he said, adding, to date, no buyers of cloned cars in Perak had been charged as investigations were still ongoing.

Ramli Awang said JPJ would also apply to the court to dispose off the seized cloned vehicles.

"There are many risks in using a cloned car. The buyer will also not be able to make an insurance claim if there is an accident," he said.


New Toyota Yaris order books open

                SHAH ALAM: UMW Toyota Motor has opened the order books for the newly styled Yaris that boasts of added sportiness, dynamism, safety, convenience and connectivity.

The Yaris is said to be rolling in with a restyled front end to give it a more aggressive presence since arriving in Malaysia in 2019 as a locally-assembled unit (Completely Knocked Down).

The newly styled Yaris is estimated to be priced on-the-road without insurance with sales tax exemption until Dec 31 at RM71,688 (1.5J), RM80,591 (1.5E) and RM85,587 (1.5G).

New owners will have a choice of three colour options including Red Mica Metallic, Silver Metallic and a new Platinum White Pearl (+RM400) before getting covered by a five-year unlimited mileage warranty.

The company is providing new owners with two options of an upfront service package which can be factored into a car loan.

The first package is a three-year or 60,000km service package (whichever comes first) that's priced at RM2,080 while the second package is a five-year or 100,000km service package (whichever comes first) costing RM3,220.

The design cues for the Yaris comes in the form of a new front bumper that strongly resembles the Corolla and the flagship Camry.

Both packages can be factored into a new owner's car loan. which includes a front aero kit, front grille, triple bezel LED headlights and repositioned daytime running lights.

The headlights have been equipped with a follow-me-home function and have been fitted as standard.

The Yaris still uses the 1.5-litre (1,496cc) 2NR-FE engine producing 107PS at 6,000rpm and 140Nm at 4,200rpm.

Power to the front wheels is managed by a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with seven virtual shift-points while stopping power comes from front ventilated disc brakes and rear drum brakes.

The Yaris 1.5J's can be dressed up with an optional Aerokit Package that slaps on a front and rear bumper spoiler as well as side skirts for RM2,450.

Both 1.5E and 1.5G can be optioned with an Aerokit package costing RM2,800 and includes a front and rear bumper spoiler, side skirts and a roof spoiler.

For safety, The Yaris is equipped with a host of additional advanced safety features including a pre-collision system (PCS) where an integrated camera and radar system help to reduce the risk of a frontal collision and works from 15kph onwards.

The PCS is able to alert the driver once it detects a vehicle within its collision range by helping to increase brake pressure for the driver.

Lane departure alert (LDA) has also been included and helps to avoid any unintended deviations from a lane by providing a visual alert within the Multi-Info Display (MID) and a beeping sound from speeds of 50kph onwards. This alert system can be deactivated by the driver.

Also included is a 3D 360-degree panoramic view monitor to provide the driver with a surround-view of the vehicle's front, rear, top and sides as well as a three-dimensional virtual view of the vehicle.

These advanced features have been added to the standard safety features of seven-airbags, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRC), Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC), Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) with Brake Assist (BA).

The entry-level 1.5J variant can be further equipped with a DVD-AVX package which is made up of a 7.0-inch Android Auto-ready and Apple CarPlay entertainment system with a rear DVR camera for RM2,150.

A rear DVR can be further optioned with the 1.5E and 1.5G variants for RM350 as well as a wireless charger (RM550) for all three variants.

A Vehicle Telematics System (VTS) is now made as a standard feature for the 1.5E and 1.5G variants as part of the company’s direction in expanding the Connectivity under the 360-T Plus brand experience.

The VTS is available as an added option for the 1.5J variant for RM2,000 which also includes a one-year subscription fee.

Lastly, a  Toyota Premium Security & Solar Film package is also available for the 1.5J at RM2,120 while the 1.5E and 1.5G already come fitted as standard.

“The revised Yaris is an already vibrant model with a more dynamic and charismatic personality and this is a strong reflection of Toyota’s global commitment moving forward. We will continue to offer customers vehicles equipped with advanced safety features, unwavering reliability, performance and convenience throughout our product range but more importantly, these vehicles must have a strong presence and be exciting to own, experience and drive,” said UMW Toyota Motor president Ravindran K.

Image converted using ifftoany


Kia clubs get up-close and personal with the new Picanto

                PETALING JAYA: Naza KIA Malaysia, the official distributor of Kia vehicles in Malaysia, invited members of Kia Clubs to a special get-together and also took the opportunity to introduce the all-new Kia Picanto.

Held at Kia Red Cube, Petaling Jaya,  Kia owners were given a personal tour of the Picanto’s superior features and the chance to test drive the A-segment car.

Members of the Kia Clubs were also rewarded in the form of 15 Check Points upon arrival, while the first 30 Kia Club members to arrive received a service voucher worth RM100 each.

And that was not all, the club members also received exclusive Kia merchandise such as the Kia notebook and the first 10 on-the-spot bookings saw members walking away with an Ogawa Aura Mate Personal Air Purifier each.

Finally, a lucky draw at the end of the event saw golf umbrellas, vacuum flask sets, cutlery sets and the grand prize of a 49-inch LED TV being given away to lucky winners.

Mohd Fauzle Amiruddin of Citra Club was the grand prize winner who took home the 49-inch LED TV.

 Kuan welcoming fellow members at the Kia Club Get Together.

"We take great care to ensure the Kia Club members and most loyal customers are constantly kept excited about the brand’s progress in Malaysia and what better way to kick off a brand new year by hosting this get-together,” said Naza Kia Malaysia Chief Executive Officer,  Ivan Kuan Thai Woon.

Naza Kia Malaysia’s ‘New Drive, New Fortunes’ Chinese New Year Campaign is currently ongoing with exciting promotions for its line-up.

Enjoy savings of up to RM20,000 for the award-winning SUV, Sorento, or score yourself an amazing deal for the all-popular MPV, Grand Carnival, for only RM161,000.

Moreover, as part of the Kia CNY Service Campaign promotions, customers receive up to 30% discount on spare parts for selected models.

The all-new Picanto retails for RM49,888 and is available at all authorized Kia showrooms nationwide.


A day with the new Honda City RS

                PEGOH: It seems like we have been putting the spotlight on the as-yet-to-be launched, all-new Honda City for awhile now but it's actually been over a month since announcing that the new sedan is open for booking.

That has been followed by teasing the exterior of the new City RS, the new top-of-the-range variant which features the i-MMD powertrain, LED headlights and the Honda LaneWatch safety feature.

The new City also gets the double overhead camshaft (DOHC) 1.5L engine compared to the previous single overhead camshaft (SOHC) 1.5L mill.

Honda Malaysia invited members of the media for a tour of its plant in Pegoh, Melaka and later, gave the opportunity to drive the new City RS around the Melaka International Motorsport Circuit (MIMC) for a lap.

Honda Malaysia however, wants to keep the images of the interior under wraps until the new City is officially launched.

READ MORE: Fifth-gen Honda City launched on Oct 13, prices start at RM74K, hybrid in January

What we can share is that the new City RS comes equipped with the Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver assist systems including adaptive cruise control, collision mitigating braking system, lane keep assist system and road departure mitigation among others.

This is a big step up for the City as Honda Sensing is currently offered on more expensive models such as the Civic, CR-V, Accord and Odyssey.

And, completely new in Honda Malaysia's portfolio and a world premiere, is the i-MMD powertrain under the hood of the City RS which has electric motors that produce 253Nm of torque. That's more torque compared to the Civic's 1.5L turbo unit.

On the MIMC track, we got a taste of just how smooth and quick the acceleration is on the City RS when we throttled it. The exhaust note was sporty without being loud and it is quiet in the cabin.

Its handling revealed acceptable levels of body roll and the car turns without much fuss with its small turning radius.

We were told by a Honda Malaysia spokesperson that the reception of bookings for the new City was positive without revealing any numbers and when we visited the Honda Malaysia No. 2 Line plant, we saw the new City vehicles being assembled in droves so that is a good indication that orders will be fulfilled as soon as possible.

We were also showed the new robots used for welding the City chassis; the new sound insulation material called spray foam which is placed under the A and B-pillars of the car (and also used in the Honda Accord); the light room which stacks fluorescent tubes vertically so that the car can be inspected for paint and surface defects; the engine assembly facility for the i-MMD powertrain; and the assembly of the intelligent power unit (IPU) or the battery that powers the electric motors with all the parts coming straight from Japan.

There were presentations for each part of the tour and beyond the technology and manufacturing processes involved, a high level of quality control and efficiency are designed, reviewed and implemented here.

This is assuring as Honda Malaysia strives to produce top quality products for its Malaysian customers. And after trying out the new City RS, the build quality as well as fit and finish is really apparent.

It's safe to say that the new fifth-generation City has taken a quantum leap from its predecessors what with its new design, build, powertrain technology and safety features.


Hyundai Sonata, Kia Stinger and K5 on the way out?

                PETALING JAYA: The Hyundai Sonata, Kia Stinger and Kia K5 are expected to be axed as Hyundai Motor steers a course that would help it tap into the world's love affair with SUVs.

For sure, the Stinger would be the first on the chopping block. While the model proved that Kia could build a sexy rear-wheel drive car, it just didn't sell enough to save itself.  Latest online reports are saying it could be discontinued as soon as the second quarter of 2022.

The Sonata and K5 (formerly Optima) are more mainstream models, sharing the same platform, and both are likely to go the way of the dodo. But not immediately.

While Hyundai has told Automotive News that the Sonata remains an important model and will be around for the foreseeable future, it still wasn't enough to quash rumours that the Korean car maker is gearing up to end its production in 2027 or 2028 after a facelift change.

If it is going to be curtains for the Sonata, it would make sense to delete the K5 as well from the Kia portfolio.


Selangor police issue list of flooded roads across state

                PETALING JAYA: Around 50 roads across Selangor are inaccessible due to the flash floods caused by the continuous downpour that began on Friday.

In a statement today, the Selangor police have issued a list of all the roads closed to traffic. The roads are as follows:

Petaling Jaya

1. The exit U-turn from Subang airport heading towards the airport roundabout

2. Motorcycle lane entering Subang airport

3. Road towards Subang

North Klang

Shapadu Highway

Sungai Buloh

1. Jalan Merbau Kg Melayu Subang

2. Jalan Sg Plong

3. Jalan Gajah 2/3

4. Jalan Gajah 2/4

5. Jalan Gajah 16

Subang Jaya

Kg Bukit Lancong Putera Heights

Kuala Langat

1. Jalan Sukepi

2. Jalan Kg Jenjarom

3. Jalan Bkt Komandol

4. Jalan Sungai Rampai

5. Jalan Sri Cheding

6. Jalan Rimbayu

7. Jalan Nangka Teluk Bunut

8. Jalan Masjid Bt. 9

9. Jalan Garuda

10. Jalan Kasawari

11. Jalan Tiong

12. Jalan Jalak

13. Jalan Murai

14. Jalan Merak

15. Jalan Perepat

16. Jalan Prupuk

17. Jalan Makmur

18. Jalan Mikon

19. Jalan Ibrahim

20. Jalan Kuntoni

21. Jalan Borhan

22. Jalan Bkt Serdang

23. Jalan Perak Kiri

24. Jalan J Olak Lempit

25. Jalan Sentosa

26. Jalan RRB

27. Jalan RTB

28. Jalan Pinggir Dua

29. Jalan Pak Rashid

30. Jalan Rantau Panjang

31. Jalan Wak Iman

Sepang

1. Jalan Labu Lanjut/Taman Dataran Abadi
2. Jalan Kota Warisan/BBST

3. Jalan Bukit Canggang/ Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi

4. Jalan Salak/Sepang

5. Jalan Kg Giching (in front of the mosque)

Shah Alam

1. Jalan Kota Kemuning Shah Alam Expressway (Kesas)

2. Federal Highway

3. Section 13

4. Jalan HICOM


Dealers in India consider legal action against Harley Davidson

                NEW DELHI: Dealers in India for Harley-Davidson Inc said on Tuesday they are exploring legal action against the iconic American motorcycle brand after it effectively exited the market as part of a broader restructuring plan.

A number of dealers have hired leading Indian law firm AZB & Partners to review their paperwork with Harley-Davidson and suggest if there is a legal remedy, Rishi Aggarwal, a dealer for the motorcycle company, told reporters.

“Harley has to compensate us for our losses. That is the only bone of contention. AZB is studying the case,” he said during a press conference organised by The Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (Fada) in India.

Harley-Davidson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The US company in September said it would discontinue its sales and manufacturing operations in India after a decade of struggling to gain a foothold. A month later it entered a distribution deal with India's Hero MotoCorp which will also develop motorcycles to be sold under the Harley-Davidson brand.

India is one of the world’s largest motorbike and scooter markets but the bulk of sales come from low-end, commuter models.

Harley-Davidson’s annual sales in the country halved to 2,470 motorcycles in the fiscal year to March 31 from 4,641 units five years earlier, industry data shows.

General Motors (GM), MAN Trucks and UM Motorcycles have also exited India in the last three years, creating uncertainty for dealers that typically invest millions of dollars to set up showrooms.

Fada said it typically costs between 50 million and 80 million rupees (up to RM4.1mil) to set up a Harley-Davidson dealership. Compensation being offered by the company is around 10% of the investment, it estimates.

“They have come back to us with some numbers but it is not even 10% of what we are looking for. It is peanuts,” said Arjun Bafna, who has been a Harley-Davidson dealer for 10 years.


Thailand unveils fresh tax breaks for EV makers to become hub

                BANGKOK: Thailand approved a slew of new incentives covering electric cars, buses, trucks, motorcycles and ships to promote local production of electric vehicles and its supply chain.

The new package, approved by the nation’s Board of Investment chaired by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha, includes a three-year tax holiday for manufacturers of plug-in hybrid vehicles and an eight-year corporate income tax waiver for battery electric vehicle makers.

The incentives, which replace a set of benefits that expired in 2018, "will accelerate the development of EV production and related supply chain in thailand, and allow the entire sector to move into higher gear,” Duangjai Asawachintachit, the board’s secretary general, said in a statement.

Thailand, already South-East Asia’s car production hub, is seeking to position itself as a centre for battery-powered vehicles as countries compete to lure investment by global automakers.

The nation’s combination of policies and incentives are the most advanced in the region, according to BNEF.

Key details of the package are:

> Four-wheel vehicle manufacturers must invest a minimum of 5 billion baht (RM673mil) to be eligible for the tax breaks

> Those investing less than 5 billion baht will get a three-year tax holiday

> Companies investing to produce motorcycles, three-wheelers, buses and trucks will be entitled to a three-year corporate income tax exemption

> Manufacturers of electric-powered ships with less than 500 gross tonnage will get an eight-year corporate income tax waiver

> For critical parts including high-voltage harness, reduction gear, battery cooling system and regenerative breaking system, projects will receive an eight-year corporate tax exemption

> Projects for production of battery modules and cells for local market will get a 90% reduction in import duties for two years on raw or essential materials not available in Thailand


German prosecutors indict top VW bosses over emissions scandal

Diess gesturing in front of an ID.3 pre-production prototype electrical car during a preview of the world's biggest automaker at the eve of the international Frankfurt Motor Show on Sept 9. — Reuters
FRANKFURT: German prosecutors have accused Volkswagen’s CEO of holding back market-moving information on rigged emissions tests four years ago, raising the prospect of fresh upheaval at the carmaker just as it tries to re-invent itself as a champion of clean driving.

Prosecutors in the city of Braunschweig said on Tuesday they would press criminal charges of stock market manipulation against Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess, as well as non-executive Chairman Hans Dieter Poetsch and former CEO Martin Winterkorn.

The charges show how the German company, which in September 2015 admitted using illegal software to cheat US diesel engine tests, is struggling to move on from a scandal which has cost it more than US$30 billion in vehicle refits, fines and provisions.

Court proceedings are under way over that admission. The indictment from the prosecutors in Braunschweig - in Volkswagen’s home region of Lower Saxony - is part of a separate legal push to try managers over an alleged delay in informing investors of the company’s wrongdoing.

Lawyers for the three accused said they would contest the charges that they knowingly held back vital information. Volkswagen said its full supervisory board would convene on Wednesday to discuss the indictments.

In a statement issued after an emergency meeting, the board’s executive committee said it “cannot see that there was any deliberate attempt not to inform the capital market”.

If accepted by a Braunschweig state court, the indictment would lead to a trial date being set.

The former US regulator who helped bring Volkswagen’s cheating to light dismissed the company’s arguments.

“The excuse that top managers knew nothing is very weak,” Alberto Ayala, who served at the California Air Resources Board (CARB) until 2017, told German news magazine Spiegel.

Separately today, German prosecutors hit rival carmaker Daimler with a €870 million fine for breaking diesel emissions rules. The Stuttgart-based maker of Mercedes-Benz cars said it would not appeal.

Volkswagen this year bucked a trend of falling demand for passenger cars by launching a range of popular sport utility vehicles, and is investing billions to try to become a leader in electric and self-driving technologies.

No hindrance

Diess’s lawyer said the indictment would not hinder him in his role as CEO, adding that as Diess did not join Volkswagen until July 2015 he could not have foreseen the scandal would have such a huge impact on the company.

Volkswagen shares lost up to 37% in value in the days after the scandal broke. Had investors known about the emissions test cheating, they might have sold shares earlier or not made purchases, plaintiffs have argued.

Volkswagen and its executives have said the fallout from the scandal was not foreseeable, and that they had expected to reach a settlement with US authorities prior to the disclosure of the test cheating.

Braunschweig prosecutors said the accused should have kept investors informed.

“They pursued a strategy to achieve a settlement with the U.S. authorities without disclosing all relevant information,” they said in a statement.

Winterkorn resigned in the days after the scandal broke, having been CEO for eight years. He told German lawmakers in early 2017 that he did not find out about the cheating any earlier than Volkswagen had officially admitted.

Poetsch became a management board member at Volkswagen in 2003 and was made chairman in 2015.

The 636-page indictment alleges Winterkorn was fully aware of the matter and potential financial damage to Volkswagen as of March 2015. Poetsch was allegedly informed on June 29 and Diess on July 27.

Investigations into the alleged perpetrators of the illegal engine control software, also known as defeat devices, have seen the arrest of the then CEO of Volkswagen’s Audi unit, Rupert Stadler.

In July 2019, Stadler - whose contract was later terminated by Volkswagen - and three defendants were charged with fraud, false certification and criminal advertising practices. Investigations into a further 23 suspects continue, the Munich prosecutor said at the time.

Braunschweig prosecutors in April charged Winterkorn and four other managers with fraud over their role in the manipulation of emissions testing.


Lexus on an SUV promotion spree

                PETALING JAYA: Riding on Penjana, the government-initiated incentive to boost car sales through sales tax reduction, Lexus Malaysia is running a campaign to promote its range of luxury sports utility vehicles (SUVs).

Although the tax reduction for Penjana ends on Dec 31, Lexus Malaysia is continuing the incentive for another month to Jan 31, 2021 for its buyers.

In addition, other exclusive deals will be offered as well while those who participated in test drives will get an exclusive Lexus Touch n' Go card.

Among Lexus' line-up of exciting SUVs are the UX, NX, RX and LX models which project the refinement and sophistication of the Lexus brand into the lifestyle of their owners.

For additional peace of mind, all Lexus SUVs in Malaysia are equipped with the Lexus Safety System+, an intelligent driving system that aids and alerts the driver as well as take pre-emptive measures to avoid collision to make driving safer and enjoyable.

UX

As Lexus' most compact SUV, the dimension of the Lexus UX is perfect for urban driving and zipping around on crowded streets.

The richly expressive UX features a bold exterior design with fluid lines while the suspension is tuned to absorb road vibrations for a smooth and comfortable drive.

The rear hatch is positioned low to ensure easy loading and unloading of large items.

The exterior and interior gets a combination of trendy colours to bring out the chic appeal of this stylish vehicle.

Peninsular Malaysia prices (on-the-road without insurance but inclusive of tax exemption) are: UX 200 Urban - RM235,472; UX 200 Luxury - RM274,027; and UX 200 F Sport - RM289,363.

NX

The next step up from the UX is the bigger and sportier Lexus NX not only boasts and sophisticated design to deliver style and driving performance.

This trendy-looking SUV is perfect for the city setting, combining practical features such as ample boot space and convenient foldable rear seats for storing sporting equipment over even a folding bicycle or two.

In addition, this modern crossover SUV impresses with an adventurous image with large alloy wheels, while remaining refined like every other Lexus model with extensive use of high-quality materials and peerless craftsmanship.

Peninsular Malaysia prices (on-the-road without insurance but inclusive of tax exemption) are: NX 300 Urban - RM303,117; NX 300 Premium - RM321,850; and NX 300 F Sport - RM336,018.

RX

Maintaining its position as the most popular luxury SUV in the Malaysian market, the Lexus RX has been refreshed with a new aggressive and yet elegant design, higher levels of convenience and cutting-edge safety technologies.

The new spindle grille along with slender DRL headlamps gives the front fascia a newfound sharpness and dynamic presence.

Meanwhile, the RX's large and plush interior with semi-aniline leather seats bode well for both businessmen and family usage where space and comfort are high on priority.

The driver-focused cockpit is also further improved with a new multimedia touchscreen system with smartphone connectivity that includes Android Auto and Apple Carplay.

In addition, the Panoramic View Monitor, which allows a surround view of this large vehicle, aids the driver by making parking an easy and simple task.

Peninsular Malaysia prices (on-the-road without insurance but inclusive of tax exemption) are: RX 300 Premium - RM385,306; RX 300 Luxury - RM409,785; and RX 300 F Sport - RM424,18.

LX

As the flagship model of Lexus' SUV line-up, the Lexus LX is not only a large 8-seater but also a comfortable and yet capable 4WD vehicle with commanding authority and muscular appearance.

Its powerful and yet silky smooth V8 engine easily summons up more than enough performance for a relaxed and refined drive on regular roads or tackling challenging unpaved terrain with the utmost of fun and adventure while cocooned in luxury and safety.

The Adaptive Variable Suspension that adjusts the ride according to terrain also features four electronically controlled off-road modes.

The new model now gets a stylish sequential turn signal that adds that touch of elegance to the vehicle.

Its concert-hall brilliance of the 19-speaker Mark Levinson sound system ensures every drive, far or near, is never short of listening satisfaction.

Peninsular Malaysia prices (on-the-road without insurance but inclusive of tax exemption) are: LX 570 - RM1,225,883; and LX 570 Sport - RM1,281,938.


Ford GT-inspired objects gets a showing

                DETROIT: The Ford GT supercar has become the inspiration of a range of non-automotive objects from the American carmaker’s global designers Salone del Mobile, who have created a racing sailboat, guitar and foosball table among others.

The team applied the interior design philosophy behind the supercar for its display of creations and Ford hosted a discussion on the influence of trends on design at the world’s leading furniture design expo in Milan, Italy.

 Inspired by Ford GT: Speaker

Other objects that Ford’s global designers created include a suspended light, a Wi-Fi speaker and two different interpretations for lounge furniture. Each object applies a similar design solution to form a recognizable portfolio.

Also inspired by the Ford GT was the “FAVILLA, Every Light a Voice” is an immersive installation curated by architect Attilio Stocchi that’s in collaboration with Federlegno Arredo Eventi.

 Inspired by Ford GT: Chaise Lounge

The installation unfolds inside two large boxes, where the first examines the science of light amid a dazzling, reflective show – much like the interior of a geode and the second box is curated by Ford’s in-house animation studio to offer visitors a unique, engaging product experience that showcases how Ford design shapes both form and function.

Fundamentally, the display at the expo demonstrates that the interior design philosophy for Ford’s all-new supercar can be applied to a range of non-automotive creations.

“We have an incredible amount of talent in our global design studios and Salone del Mobile is the perfect forum to share some of that creativity, while also offering our designers an opportunity to get exposure to new ideas that will inspire future Ford design,” said Ford Motor Company vice president for design Moray Callum.

 Inspired by Ford GT: Sail Boat

The guiding principles behind the interior design philosophy for the all-new Ford GT are clarity of intent to highlight the focused areas of functionality, pushing the boundaries of innovation and establishing a connection with the driver through a more compact and intuitive technology.

“Over the past few years, we have gained incredible momentum with our designs,” said Callum. “Now, we need to evolve what we have achieved to continue to deliver exciting and fresh solutions. The interior design of the Ford GT builds on existing DNA and pushes it forward.”

The Ford exhibition is on display at the Ford Design Lounge, pavilion 13 of Fiera Milano exhibition hall. The panel discussion also takes place at Fiera Milano. “FAVILLA, Every Light a Voice” is open to the public in Piazza San Fedele.

Inspired by Ford GT: Chaise Lounge


VW's MQB platform is 10 years old

                WOLFSBURG: A global bestseller from Volkswagen is celebrating its 10th anniversary: the modular transverse matrix (MQB).

Since 2012, it has been the common basis for a variety of models. More than 32 million vehicles were produced on this platform throughout the group.

The Volkswagen brand has more than 20 million vehicles manufactured so far – from the small Polo to SUVs such as the Atlas (USA) and the Teramont (China).

At the same time, the modular matrix philosophy has also been transferred to the electric world, with today’s ID. models based on the MEB (modular electric drive matrix).

The next generation will use the SSP – the Scalable Systems Platform – as the group’s electric technology matrix. It enables the vehicle to be completely connected to its ecosystem and thereby lays the foundations for fully automated driving (Level 4).

“The introduction of the MQB 10 years ago was a crucial step,” said Volkswagen Passenger Cars chief executive officer Ralf Brandstätter.

“The MQB not only serves as the technology matrix for our combustion-engine models with a transverse engine, it is also the backbone of our economic efficiency and resilience, as MQB-based vehicles make a significant contribution to financing future topics of the brand’s ACCELERATE strategy, which include electric mobility, digitalisation, new business models and autonomous driving."

The MQB platform developed by Volkswagen made its debut with the Golf VII. The first production vehicle came off the assembly line in Wolfsburg in October 2012.

The modular assembly matrix offered the following advantages: sophisticated technology, low weight and dynamic design – thanks to the small body overhangs.

The first-ever MQB model in the Volkswagen Group was the third-generation Audi A3 – launched on the market a few months before the Golf.

The modular assembly matrix permitted standardisation of production processes in all areas, resulting in more flexibility and reduced development costs – not just for the Volkswagen brand, but for the entire Volkswagen Group.

The MQB also meant significant economies of scale, thanks to the carry-over part concept and the large quantities.

They allowed Volkswagen to introduce innovative technologies to the market in the volume segment.

Sophisticated features, such as driver assist systems, could be offered in all vehicle classes and could therefore be made accessible to a wide range of customers.

Volkswagen and the group brands were able to develop their new models and variants quickly on the flexible basis of the MQB. Over the years, the matrix had been continuously extended and refined.

Parameters such as track, wheelbase, wheel size or seat and steering wheel position could be adapted individually – depending on positioning and vehicle class of the respective model –to fulfil the requirements and wishes of the market and customer. Many components of the body were made of high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels and sheets in variable thicknesses.

This reduced the weight of the newly introduced MQB models by around 50 kilograms on average compared with their predecessors. The weight reduction was actually almost 100kg for the Golf VII – depending on the specification.

The platform is able to cater to various types of powertrains such as petrol (TSI), diesel (TDI), natural gas (CNG), mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid drives and even as an all-electric drive.

On the German market, the MQB power range of the group models currently starts at 48 kW (66 PS), with the most powerful motor delivering 294 kW (400 PS).

The new petrol engines and the equally new diesel engines (EA 288) were provided with standard interfaces for power transmission. This allowed them to be combined with the same gearboxes and same drive shafts on the front axle.

As a result, the number of engine and gearbox variants was almost halved. And in the case of the heater and air conditioning units – a large component in the vehicle front end – the number of different versions fell from 102 to 28.

Based on experiences with the MQB, Volkswagen has developed the modular electric drive matrix (MEB) for the all-electric models of the ID. product line.

Like the MQB, the MEB provides a clearly defined and yet versatile matrix for the high-volume Group brands. The fundamental technology layout of the MEB is based on the principle of accommodating the electric drive components in minimum space.

The high-voltage battery is located between the axles, while the passenger compartment offers a generous amount of room. The MEB also covers a large model bandwidth for the global markets – from the city car through to the spacious ID. Buzz

The MEB also provides the basis for the next revolutionary modular toolkit for electric vehicles, which will also include sporty and luxurious cars. The future mechatronics platform SSP (Scalable Systems Platform) will feature state-of-the-art electronics and software.

In 2026, Volkswagen is planning to present its first model on this ultra-scalable platform, with the Trinity project. Trinity is designed to be a guiding star for the brand in all future technological categories – from range, charging times and digitalisation, through to automated driving.


Isuzu Malaysia officially opens new 3S centre with latest corporate image in Jinjang

KUALA LUMPUR: Isuzu Malaysia Sdn Bhd officially opened its first 3S (sales, service and spareparts) centre bearing the company's latest corporate image in Jinjang, here.The new design of the outlet is part of the company's transformation exercise which is said to be completed by Dec 2024 for the remainder of its 50 outlets located nationwide.

Four more outlets have been earmarked for completion by the end of 2022 while another 26 outlets (2023) and a further 21 outlets (2024) will follow.

During the official opening, the company's chief executive officer, Shunsuke Okazoe, said the new design was aimed at elevating the company's presence while offering its customers a warmer and more inclusive environment.

With an initial investment of RM2.5mil, the 3S centre operated by Autoexec Corporation takes on its new looks upon a 1,400 sq m plot on Jalan Jinjang Permai with its new and bolder signage.

The 3S centre is touted to offer the full range of Isuzu services and products which ranges from the D-Max pick-up truck to light, medium and heavy-duty lorries as well as prime movers.

 Okazoe (centre) and Sogo (fourth from right) launching the new facility in the presence of officials from Autoexec Corporation and Isuzu Malaysia.

The facility's newly modernised showroom area is fully air-conditioned while providing a merchandise corner for brand enthusiasts, environmentally friendly digital information panels and a dedicated delivery bay for pickup trucks as well as a new "Hero" vehicle area to showcase the company's flagship model - the D-Max pick-up truck.

With five service bays at present, the newly launched outlet is said to have a service throughput of up to 100 vehicles per month. This will be increased to about 250 units over the next three months.

"This new outlet features a strong brand image to reflect the changing outlook of our retail business," said Okazoe.

The CEO added its modern design elements and improved facilities have the intention to ensure customers not only purchase the best products but also receive corresponding sales and after-sales experience under one roof.

Isuzu Malaysia executive director and chief operating officer (light commercial vehicle division) Kenkichi Sogo said he hopes the company will be able to further improve its current third-place market share of just over 17% at present to become the second best-selling truck brand in Malaysia by year-end.

The COO also revealed that the company sold about 4,300 pick-up trucks alone in 2021, or 12% of the company's total sales.

This year, the company has sold over 7,000 units of pick-up trucks to mark about a 63% increase in year-on-year demand growth so far. - JAY WONG


Are multi-speed automatics better or might fewer gears be more?

                BERLIN: For many years, transmissions with a wide spread of gears or quick-shifting dual clutch transmission (DCT) were only offered in luxury and sports cars. For all other drivers, five gears was thought to be enough.

But these sophisticated transmissions are now finding their way into more mainstream Fords, Volkswagens and premium cars from Mercedes-Benz and BMW as makers seek to improve performance and efficiency.

Manufacturers like Germany's ZF are busy producing transmissions with an increasing number of gears and multispeed transmissions are considered to be good all-rounders with advantages for buyers.

A transmission with more gears allows for a greater spread between the ratios, enabling the optimal operation of the engine.

This gives the car more flexibility when it needs to accelerate and deliver peak power. The additional ratios can ensure the engine runs at its "sweet spot" - the optimal power band where it works best.

The latest edition of the Ford Mustang sports coupe for instance can now be ordered with a 10-speed gearbox - something unheard of 20 years ago.

"The spreading of the ratios boosts acceleration and efficiency," says Ian Oldknow, who helps design gearboxes at the Ford Motor Company.

Improved efficiency means the car uses less fuel too. The Mustang's smart gearbox does not automatically select the next highest gear when accelerating but adjusts the ratio to suit road conditions.

This means it can change directly from 2nd to 4th gear using what the blue oval calls a Skip Shift or adaptive shift scheduling. The device is programmed to respond to particular parameters and is controlled electronically.

Without a gearbox, a combustion engine would be very sluggish at low revs and would not gain sufficient momentum to achieve high speeds, explains Karsten Stahl, who heads Munich University's gearbox construction research centre.

Stahl's view is shared by Marcus Sommer, project head at Mercedes-Benz automatic gearbox department. The Stuttgart-based company uses both double-clutch transmissions and more traditional torque converters with up to nine ratios in heavy SUVs. These use fluid in a casing to change gears.

Modern systems use planetary gears to provide smooth speed reduction and torque. "These offer the widest range of comfort when moving off and manoueuvring," says Bernd Vahlensieck, who heads driveline technology at ZF. Such modern transmissions are even more mechanically efficient than manual boxes where the driver selects the gears themself.

 An 8-speed plug-in hybrid transmission.

Modern automatics ensure seamless changes which are a far cry from the sometimes jerky low-speed shifts of older versions.

"More gears are technically possible but this would add weight and make gearbox architecture unnecessarily complicated," says Vahlensieck.

Of course electric cars are the next big thing and their motors do not need a multispeed gearbox at all.

An electric motor starts accelerating and developing torque at very low revolutions and over a broad range. Designers therefore select a single gear which represents a good compromise between acceleration and top speed.

More gears would not make an electric motor more efficient and widespread use of all-electric cars is set to render traditional gearboxes redundant. This is a classic case of simplicity versus complexity or put simply: Less can be more.


BMW Concept Compact Sedan makes global debut in China

MUNICH/GUANGZHOU: BMW unveiled the BMW Concept Compact Sedan at Auto Guangzhou in a foretaste of what the next 1 Series could look like.

The concept combines roominess in a compact body, sporty driving and the elegance of larger BMW sedans.

BMW decided on a China reveal as it sees its youth as a major market for the premium compact car. While China will be the main market for this car,  there's nothing to stop BMW from making it available to other Asian markets, Europe and North America if the Munich car maker is convinced the demand is there. This model will allow more people to own a luxury performance car at a more accessible price, and that includes everyone across the planet.

The new compact sedan will compete with the Audi A3 Sedan and the Mercedes-Benz CLA, both of which have been selling well and are cash cows for their respective car makers.

The concept's compact exterior creates a familiar sedan silhouette based around a three-box design.

Its sweeping bonnet and long wheelbase stretch the car visually, while the slightly set-back greenhouse further underlines its sporting nature.

The use of traditional BMW elements, such as a long, prominent swage line, the Hofmeister kink and surfaces moulded with depth, ensures the car cuts an athletic figure from the side and highlights its relationship with other BMW vehicles.

The four doors are integrated into its proportions and allow easy entry for the driver and all passengers. Soft-touch handles below the swage line open the doors as soon as a finger touches their metal surface.

The concept introduces a special paint colour called Liquid Metal Bronze, which makes the surfaces look like cast metal.

The pigments in the paint shift between light and dark depending on the light angle, showcasing the car’s attention-grabbing design language.

The window surrounds and the weather strip-style exterior mirror stalks are in polished aluminium, while the exclusive 20-inch light-alloy wheels form a visual highlight with their bi-colour design.

The designers have emphasised the width of the slim front end and ensured it picks up the sporting baton from the car’s flanks. The familiar form of the kidneys and their size convey the car’s character: the hexagonal “sawn-off” twin circular LED headlights on either side point inwards towards the kidney grille, creating a visual link between the kidneys and headlights that lends the car a purposeful look.

The V-shaped central air intake is the starting point for a design theme which splits the lower section of the front end into three sections and gives it a broader appearance. Surfaces merging into one another and stacked in different layers, and the interplay of those levels, lend depth and dynamism to the design.

Like the front end, the horizontally structured rear shows off lateral lines and an interplay of horizontal light and shadowed surfaces to accentuate the width of the rear end and at the same time make the car look lower.

The slim, elongated string of rear lights, with their prominent L shape, take this process a step further. An LED light element in the shape of an “L” inside the lights makes the characteristic light contours visible at night as well.

The cockpit was created to be driver-focused: all the lines, forms and controls are geared towards the person behind the wheel. This is highlighted by the prominent lines that converge in the direction of travel either side of the steering wheel. The resultant “cone of vision” tapers into a Head-Up Display with combiner screen, which projects all the relevant information into the driver’s direct view.

Elongated horizontal lines and surfaces create a feeling of space. The instrument panel on the front passenger side extends into the doors in a sweeping movement, creating an inviting ambience for passengers.

Nappa leather, open-pored wood and brushed aluminium form an attractive mix of materials spreading across the whole of the instrument panel, whose leather-covered top surface with contrast stitching is a feature normally found in more expensive sedans.

The doors’ design picks up the instrument panel’s horizontal lines and extends them into the flanks of the car in a wide arc.

BMW said the cabin offers a generous level of space and openness for a car in this class, even for the two rear passengers.

Mechanical operating elements are also ergonomically designed effect – such as the climate system controls, gearshift lever and iDrive system. All the other functions on the steering wheel, centre stack, centre console and door openers are operated using backlit touch-sensitive surfaces.

A “combiner” Head-Up Display and 8.8-inch screen in the central information display contain all the information required at any one time.

Adding to the airiness is a panoramic roof, which extends a long way back, ensuring the second row of seats is likewise bathed in a light.

BMW did not mention about the power train but the production model, which will use the UKL platform, is envisaged to be powered by 3- and 4-cylinder engines in front-wheel drive configuration while more powerful variants could be all-wheel drive.


Ducati Multistrada 1260 takes the crown at Pikes Peak

                LOS ANGELES: Ducati has reclaimed the crown as King of the Mountain for this year's annual running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, achieving the deed in under 10 minutes.

It was Calin Dunne who rode the Ducati Multistrada 1260 to claim the crown under 2018 Spider Grips Ducati Pikes Peak team and completed the climb in nine minutes and 59.102 seconds.

This may be Dunne’s fourth victory at Pikes Peak, but was also the first motorcyclist to have traversed the 4,720-foot (1,438.66m) Pikes Peak race course in under 10 minutes in 2012 on a Multistrada 1200 S.

“The Multistrada 1260 Pikes Peak proved as amazing as we all hoped. It performed flawlessly, giving me everything I needed to get up the mountain. Pikes Peak is never an easy race, but the weather cooperated and we clinched the victory for Ducati,” said Dunne.

This is Ducati’s seventh victory on the mountain since the company’s debut in 2008.

Ducati and Dunne has held the all-time course record from 2012 until 2017, a year in which Ducati was not part of the official race competition.

The new Multistrada 1260 Pikes Peak model has a larger 1,262cc Testastretta DVT engine that has been tuned to deliver 18% more torque in the mid-range and a redesigned chassis for greater stability.

Dunne's new teammate for this year, Codie Vahsholtz, managed to finish in third place with a time of 10 minutes 12.703 seconds.

The Colorado native hails from a family of Pikes Peak champions and has established a series of victories of his own.

This year, for the 96th running of the “Race to the Clouds,” Ducati partnered with Shell Advance, Brembo, Pirelli, Termignoni, Spider Grips, Ducati by Rizoma, Race Tech, Revl and Racing Cowboys.


Android smartphones become fully fledged vehicle keys via BMW Digital Key Plus

                MUNICH: Digital Key Plus is now also available for smartphones with Android operating systems.

Customers with compatible devices from Samsung or Google can use it to unlock and lock their BMW and start the engine without getting their phone out of their pocket.

Digital Key Plus has been available on Apple devices since 2021.

The vehicle reacts automatically when approached or receded in the same way as a classic vehicle key with comfort access functionality.

The orchestrated light play of the front and rear lights in conjunction with the light carpet also functions as with the physical key, depending on the vehicle equipment.

You can now set up Digital Key Plus on current Samsung Galaxy S23+ / Ultra and Google Pixel 7 Pro smartphone models, and a number of older models with suitable hardware (see bottom list *).

A smartphone with Digital Key Plus completely replaces the vehicle key with extended functionality made possible using ultra-wideband technology (UWB).

This is a digital radio technology for close range with high bandwidth, which features precise localisation with the maximum possible security.

BMW said the precision of UWB also ensures that the risk of relay attacks, where the radio signal is jammed or intercepted, is eliminated.

BMW worked with key partners like Google to develop the corresponding specifications and established it as a global standard for the automotive industry via the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC). The CCC is the global driving force for vehicle connectivity for all smart mobile devices.

Until now, Digital Key Plus has only been compatible with iPhone and Apple Watch.

BMW has set the goal to offer digital vehicle access for all customers – irrespective of the operating system of the smartphone they use. The next important development stage on the way to this goal is now to be able to offer the full range of comfort access functions on Android devices.

As recently as December 2022, BMW launched a further expansion stage for Digital Key based on collaboration with partners like Apple and Google, meaning secure, cross-platform sharing of Digital Key between iPhone and compatible Android devices via email, SMS or any other messaging service.

Android compatibility is available in Digital Key Plus-capable vehicles produced from November 2022. A future remote software upgrade will expand the capability to Digital Key Plus-capable vehicles produced before November 2022.

* Samsung devices (running Android 13.1 or later): Galaxy S23+, S23 Ultra, S22+, S22 Ultra, S21+, S21 Ultra, Z Fold4, Z Fold3, Note20 Ultra (in markets with Samsung Wallet: Bahrain, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Qatar).Google devices (running Android 13.1 or later): Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 6 Pro


Perodua Mid Valley relocates to nearby Menara MBMR

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Perodua showroom in Mid Valley City complex has relocated to bigger premises at Menara MBMR, Jalan Syed Putra, here.

The new sales showroom has a built-up area of 6,900 sq ft, which is more than twice the size of its old site nearby. It is operated by DMM Sales Sdn Bhd.

Set up in Jan 20, 1995, DMM Sales Sdn Bhd is one of Daihatsu (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd’s subsidiaries. It is the largest Perodua dealership holder with 17 sales, 13 service and two Body & Paint outlets nationwide.

DMM Sales Sdn Bhd has contributed an average of 10.6% to Perodua’s annual sales in the past five years. Menara MBMR is also home to MBM Resources Bhd, an automotive group with diverse investments in the automotive industry and the major motor trading shareholder for Daihatsu (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.

Present at the new showroom opening ceremony today were Daihatsu (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd chairman En Aqil Tan Sri Ahmad Azizuddin, Daihatsu Motor Co Ltd senior managing executive officer Datuk Shigeharu Toda and Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Dr Zahari Husin.

According to the Malaysian Automotive Association, Perodua sold 187,731 vehicles in the first 10 months of the year – an 11% increase from 168,071 vehicles sold in the previous corresponding period.

Based on a January-October 2018 total industry volume of 502,244 units, Perodua’s market share currently stands at 37.4%.

 Among those present at the new Perodua showroom opening today are (from left) En Aqil, Toda, Dr Zahari and Mitsui & Co Ltd (First Motor Vehicle Division) general manager Jun Ikeda.


Tesla Model Y SUV expected to start production in Nov 2019, say sources

                SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla Inc is targeting November 2019 as the start of production for its Model Y sport utility vehicle, with production in China to begin two years later, two sources said this week, shedding some light on the electric vehicle maker’s next project that could tax its resources and capacity.

Reuters has learned the Silicon Valley company led by chief executive Elon Musk is accepting preliminary bids for supplier contracts on the Model Y, a compact crossover companion to the Model 3 sedan. Tesla has given suppliers scant details about the programme and had not provided a production time frame, but has now indicated the vehicle would begin to be built at its Fremont, California, plant in November of next year, the two sources with knowledge of the supply chain said.

Tesla declined to comment.

The new Model Y details show that Tesla is pushing ahead on plans to build a new vehicle even as it struggles to produce the Model 3, which launched in July. Despite initially attracting about 500,000 advance orders in the form of refundable deposits, the sedan’s launch has been plagued by delays and manufacturing bottlenecks, postponing Tesla’s anticipated revenue stream and exacerbating a cash crunch for the money-losing company.

Earlier this month, Tesla tried to reassure investors, saying its weekly Model 3 output had doubled during the first quarter and that production rates would accelerate through the second quarter to 5,000 units per week, or about 250,000 vehicles per year.

Competitive bidding is a crucial early step in the complicated process of automotive manufacturing. After the automaker discloses its plans, suppliers compete based on factors including cost and technology.

Tesla issued to suppliers what is known as a “request for information,” or RFI, which gives a directional view of what will be needed.

With a new car model, automakers normally choose parts suppliers two to two-and-a-half years before the start of production. At about one-and-a-half years away, a November 2019 start date for the Model Y would be considered “aggressive, but possible,” said one of the sources. A shorter timeline is potentially feasible, the source said, as the Model Y will be built on the same platform as the Model 3.

Tesla is known for its aggressive timelines and high risk-tolerance in order to get cars to market quicker. To save time and cost, Tesla made the risky bet to skip a pre-production testing phase for the Model 3 in order to advance straight to production tooling, which is harder to fix if problems arise, as Reuters first reported last year.

The Model Y is just one of many projects in the pipeline for Tesla, which also launched a Tesla Semi and a new Roadster in recent months. It is spending to build out its Gigafactory battery factory in Nevada, where battery module assembly issues have contributed to Model 3 delays, and also expects to build a factory in China in the near future.

Tesla has said it will not need to raise additional funds this year. But Moody’s cited the likelihood of a capital raise of more than US$2 billion in its downgrade of the company last month, spurred by concerns about cash reserves and Tesla’s ability to meet production targets. The company burned through US$3.4 billion last year.

Without giving a time frame, Musk in February told analysts the company would aim for production capacity of 1 million Model Ys per year.

The two sources said suppliers could be estimating an annual production of 500,000 vehicles in the United States, with much lower volume in China, likely in the tens of thousands. Building 500,000 Model Ys per year would be the equivalent of what Musk has planned for total production in Fremont by the end of this year, although the company is nowhere near that volume.

Suppliers generally use automakers’ production targets to formulate a good guess on how many vehicles will actually be built, based on the individual automaker’s capability to execute and consumer demand. One of the sources said Tesla’s RFI was light on details compared with other automakers, and did not provide volume estimates for the Model Y.

Musk said in February that capital investments related to the SUV would begin towards the end of 2018. Tesla has said its current factory in Fremont could produce 10,000 vehicles a week - what the company hopes it will build in the Model 3 alone some time in 2018 - without the need for a new building, although some in the industry believe there is not enough room at the plant to support that volume.

Any major Model Y programme would likely require a new facility, although low volume of the Model Y could be built on the existing Model 3 line, the sources said.


Audi opens Mexico plant to make Q5 SUV

                MEXICO CITY: Audi inaugurated on Friday a new plant in Mexico, where it will build the new Audi Q5 SUV.

The factory near to the central city of Puebla will have a production capacity of 150,000 cars a year, the company said.

The company will manufacture conventional gasoline-powered versions of the SUV, and will later roll out greener models.

 An employee in the Audi plant in San José Chiapa making a last quality check at the finish line.

"We will bring electricity and electrified versions (of the Q5 SUV) here to Mexico," Audi chief executive officer Rupert Stadler said in a press briefing following the inauguration.

"I'm talking about the plug-in hybrid in the first stage," he said.

Reuters reported in June that Audi, Volkswagen's luxury car brand, would make an electric version of the Q5 at the plant.

Earlier on Friday, Audi said in a statement that the new Mexican factory "will probably soon build an SUV that can drive in electric mode."

 Stadler (left) receiving a gift from Puebla governor Rafael Mroeno Valle. The Q5 on stage during the inauguration event in the Audi plant in San José Chiapa.


VW to challenge Rivian, Ford with electric Scout SUV

 A 1969 International Harvester Scout 800. — Photo from Barrett-Jackson
HAMBURG/WASHINGTON: Volkswagen plans to re-introduce the Scout off-road brand in the United States offering new electric pick-up and sport-utility vehicles (SUVs), two people with knowledge of the matter said today.

The German carmaker would invest around 100 million euros ($106 million) in the new Scout brand, the people said, potentially seeking external funding through investors or an IPO to expand its production capabilities.

Volkswagen's supervisory board will "decide on the topic" at a meeting later today, a spokesman confirmed, adding an update was planned later the same day.

Volkswagen has moved away from cars in the United States as it adds more electric models.

SUVs now account for about 75% of the US sales of the group's VW and Audi brands, which represent about 4% of US auto industry sales. US sales of the two brands were down about 30% in the first quarter.

Scout and Travelall vehicles made by International Harvester were forerunners in both function and style of popular SUVs from the Big Three Detroit automakers such as the Ford Bronco and General Motors' (GM) Chevrolet Suburban.

Harvester stopped building the Scout and Traveall in 1980 after the oil price shocks of the mid-1970s as it went through a restructuring.

But the Scout "look" lives on in vehicles such as Ford's current Bronco and electric vehicle (EV) startup Rivian‘s R1 pickup and SUV line.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that Volkswagen hoped to eventually sell up to 250,000 Scout-branded vehicles annually in the United States and begin production in 2026.

Volkswagen first disclosed it was considering using the Scout name late last year. The automaker's Traton SE business acquired US truck maker Navistar in 2020, which owns the Scout name.

GM in 2020 said it would resurrect the Hummer name to build electric SUVs and pickup trucks and through March 31 has delivered 100 Hummer EV pickups in the United States.


SYM VF3i 185 Pro debuts at RM9,400

                GEORGE TOWN: SYM motorcycle distributor MForce Bike Holdings Sdn Bhd has introduced the VF3i 185 Pro, priced at RM9,338 (excluding insurance and road tax).

It will be available at dealerships nationwide from Oct 15. The Taiwanese bike is available in red, blue, and gold.

The VF3i 185 Pro features a 183cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke engine and a six-speed transmission. The direct fuel injected engine produces 19.7hp at 9,000 rpm and 17.4Nm of torque at 7,500 rpm.

The bike is equipped with anti-lock brake system and has the largest fuel tank in the super-moped category at 7-litres.

The Euro 3 compliant bike has daytime running lights, a stylish speedometer and a seat height of 790mm that spells ease of use for shorter riders.

The VF3i 185 Pro is backed by a two-year manufacturer's warranty or 20,000km (whichever comes first). Spare parts can be bought online from MForce Bike Holdings Sdn Bhd.