Carsome celebrates 100,000th seller

Cheng (L) with 100,000th seller Mizran Nahar.
KUALA LUMPUR: Carsome, Southeast Asia’s largest online used car trading platform, is celebrating the arrival of its 100,000th used car seller in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The record milestone comes after five years of continued struggles to help provide a solution to address the local used car market that's been blemished by distrust.

Carsome co-founder and group CEO Eric Cheng shared that their milestone was achieved thanks to their continued endeavours in restoring that trust.

"We started building trust by establishing a transparent and hassle-free used car-selling process," said Cheng.

He added that the company will now concentrate on further developing their new method of buying used cars within the region - particularly Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

The new aspiration was recently launched three months ago in Malaysia.

"With (our) customers’ continued support and confidence in our quality service, we are committed to continuously building Carsome into the most trusted brand. This will ensure that our customers continue enjoying the best experience, be it car-buying or car-selling,” added Cheng.

The company has managed to grow from a team of five employees to a 1,000-strong workforce spread across more than 50 cities in five countries.

This year, the company recently launched CARpartner and CARdealer (previously known as CarsomeGO) mobile apps to help improve process and workflow efficiencies.

The CARpartner app allows the company's partners to make car inspection appointments, check appointment statuses and receive instant car value estimates.

As for CARdealer, this app allows local used car dealers in Indonesia to browse and purchase used vehicles on-the-go.

According to Cheng, the company will continue to invest in the digitalization and upgrading of its products to enhance the speed and convenience of car transactions.

Additionally, it will also be venturing into the technical education sector in the coming months with an aspiration to upskill the technical workforce through accreditation.

"I am so proud that more than 100,000 customers in Southeast Asia have entrusted us in selling their cars; we are definitely looking forward to our one-millionth seller,” said Cheng.

The company now looks to open more retail centres across the region, bringing the new way of buying and selling cars in the automotive industry to more cities in Southeast Asia.


Mitsubishi looking at drone tech for drivers

Live in-car video stream from the drone.
CINCINNATI: When we're rightly being warned all the time about the dangers of distracted driving, it could sound like an April Fools' joke that drivers could soon be operating drones from their vehicles. However, it's June and not April and this is a serious proposition being put forward by Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America (MEAA) near here.

A companion drone with a vehicle is nothing new as Rinspeed and Renault have introduced the idea in their concept cars before.

Like some sort of electronic version of a trained falcon, drivers could have a drone housed within the vehicle that could be deployed when needed to soar skywards and send back information to the car. The information could be anything from a traffic jam up ahead to the location of the best parking spot available nearby.

According to the concept, by using the vehicle's infotainment screen, the drone could be activated as a congested area is approached, and would then lift off from a housing located on the vehicle's roof.

Once airborne the drone would then scout out the surrounding area, analyzing the landscape and sending back a live video stream that would be displayed on the infotainment screen. Parking space data would be cross-referenced with publicly available software or suitable websites.

Speaking at a demonstration at the TU-Automotive technology conference in Detroit, MEAA user experience manager Jacek Spiewla said: "You can bring in that information, fuse it to the drone's video sensors and then put those together."

The idea is the drone would be able to detect various parking spaces up ahead but would also identify those spaces which are reserved for accessible parking or those allocated specifically for electric vehicles and equipped with charging facilities. Once an appropriate available space is identified, the driver would be directed by the system to the space and the drone would come back and land on the vehicle.

Mitsubishi Electric's vice president of advanced mobility,Mark Rakoski, says of the system: "A drone is a perfect technology that can find a parking spot for you. That was the user-experience concept behind it. In all cases, if you can find more solutions, then the technology is easier for the customer to digest and say, 'I want to do that.'?"

Of course, there would be local laws and regulations to overcome to implement this kind of drone technology, but Rakoski insists the technology is in place to make the concept a real feature on future vehicles.


VW says CO2 cheats affect more petrol engines than previously disclosed

                BERLIN: Volkswagen manipulated the carbon dioxide (CO2) emission levels of more petrol-powered vehicles than previously disclosed, a spokesman for the carmaker said on Monday.

VW said on Nov 3 it had understated the level of CO2 emissions in about 800,000 cars sold mainly in Europe, and consequently their fuel usage.

It said then the cheating affected predominantly 1.2 and 1.4 litre diesel engines and one petrol engine, the 1.4 litre motor with a cylinder cut-off.

In a statement published on Friday after European business hours, the carmaker said it had also identified "implausible CO2 levels" in current petrol models such as the 1.0 litre Seat Ibiza, the 1.2 litreVW Jetta and the 2.0 litreVW Passat.

Some 24 models with petrol engines out of a total 130 VW group vehicles were listed in the attachment on Friday.

A VW spokesman confirmed on Monday more petrol engines were implicated by the CO2 malfeasance than previously disclosed.

The revelations about fuel economy and CO2 emissions have deepened the crisis at VW, which is expecting costs of at least 2 billion euros (RM9.3bil) linked to these issues.

The scandal initially centered on software used on up to 11 million diesel vehicles worldwide that VW admitted in September had vastly understated their actual emissions of pollutant nitrogen oxide. VW has set aside 6.7 billion euros (RM28bil) to help cover costs related to the vehicle recalls.


Rolls-Royce London's flagship showroom opens

                LONDON: Rolls-Royce has opened its new flagship residence in the capital city's Mayfair that comes with more space and an immersive experience.

The new showroom, which is located at Berkeley Street, W1, provides much-needed additional space compared with the marque's previous, rather cramped location on nearby Berkeley Square.

In line with Rolls-Royce's continuing evolution as a true global luxury goods brand, the newly developed visual concept will be extended to the Rolls-Royce Shanghai, China and other dealerships around the world.

The enhanced client experience in London begins literally at the front door, which is modelled on Rolls-Royce’s famous Pantheon grille and provides a discreet, tantalising glimpse of what lies within.

The doorway is topped by an uplit Spirit of Ecstasy, produced by the same maker as the iconic figurine that graces every Rolls-Royce car.

After hours, video projections displayed in the windows, to the right of the door, create the illusion of continuing life and activity inside.

The interior concept is based on a luxury Galleria shopping experience.

Each Rolls-Royce model enjoys its own dedicated space, framed and presented according to its distinctive
personality and identity.

A kinetic lighting arrangement illuminates the area in which clients take delivery of their commission, using different sequences and orientations to create an engaging atmosphere, dependent on the model.

The lounge area features a ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’, displaying intriguing objects and pieces designed to spark ideas and conversations as part of the commissioning process.

Discussions can also take place in the 'Speakeasy' bar to the rear of the store.

Like its Prohibition-era namesake, this is a relaxed, comfortable and secluded space where clients can mix and socialise.

More private still, is the Brand Director’s office, which includes a cutting-edge configurator for finalising specifications.

The true heart of the store is the Atelier, which houses samples of surface finishes, wood veneers, leathers, embroidery threads and numerous lambswool samples and fabrics.

Other options on view include convertible hood fabrics and headliners, plus wheel options.

The surface finish samples are presented in the familiar Rolls-Royce speedform shape that makes it easy to envisage two-tone colour combinations; the leathers are rolled on wands with handles from the iconic Rolls-Royce umbrellas, while the veneers are shaped like the cross-section of an aerofoil, recalling Charles Rolls' exploits in aviation.

The sculpted wood presentation table is loosely modelled on the profile line of Wraith, with the grain directing attention towards the configurator screen.

In another nod to history, albeit more recent, the social space within the Atelier is known as the Library.

This is a reference to the codename given to the design studio where the first Phantom was created in the early 2000s, as Rolls-Royce Motor Cars came into BMW Group ownership.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London brand director Claus Andersen said the new London flagship is a perfect embodiment of the Rolls-Royce brand.

"Completely contemporary, effortless and in tune with our clients tastes, requirements and expectations, yet fully aligned to our unique heritage and values. We look forward to welcoming new and existing clients and sharing an authentic Rolls-Royce experience with them," he said.


Mercedes-Benz enhances in-car entertainment with ZYNC

                STUTTGART/SAN FRANCISCO: Mercedes-Benz Group AG has just announced a partnership with US tech startup ZYNC.

The California-based tech company will provide the world-first implementation of its premium in-car digital entertainment platform for Mercedes-Benz.

By aggregating a wide range of owned and 3rd-party digital content onto a single turnkey platform, ZYNC will provide the platform as well as the interface between content partners and existing compatible Mercedes-Benz hardware.

The aim of the partnership is to provide customers with a seamless digital entertainment experience tailored to the unique environment inside a Mercedes-Benz, while maximising the benefits of the company’s UI/UX technologies such as the MBUX Hyperscreen.

Through ZYNC, Mercedes-Benz customers will be able to access to a wide range of renowned third-party global and local streaming services.

Mercedes-Benz said the system would not cause driver distraction as streaming services are restricted while the car is moving.

Passenger screens or audio may still be available on the move subject to local market regulations.

In future, Mercedes-Benz said it is prepared for the use of video streaming while the car is in motion where approval exists for Level 3 conditionally automated driving.

The first application of ZYNC is planned for the end of this year in the EQS and S-Class in Europe, with rollout in further models and markets planned for 2023.

ZYNC provides video streaming, on-demand content, interactive experiences, local video programming, sports, news, gaming and much more through a unified user interface.

Over 30 streaming services are available from high-end global, regional and local partners, with additional partners and channels continuously integrated over the air.

Most of these channels are included and do not need an individual subscription.

The prerequisite for ZYNC is an active Mercedes-Benz me account with the MBUX Entertainment Package, which is currently free of charge for one year from booking and can then be extended for a fee in the Mercedes me portal (country-specific deviations possible).

ZYNC was founded in 2019 and its business model revolves around bridging the worlds of automotive, software and entertainment. It is based in San Francisco and has offices in Munich and Berlin, Germany.

The company's avowed mission is to take in-car entertainment to a new dimension by incorporating real-time vehicle data. Its founder/CEO is Rana June aka RJ. In the 2021 video below, she made a slick pitch to key stakeholders in the German automotive industry - Mercedes-Benz included.


Porsche 911 from 1989 is 500hp lightweight

                LONDON: Singer Vehicle Design, together with its partners, has put their restorative touch upon a Porsche 911 that saw life in 1989 and made it lighter, sturdier and obviously more powerful.

With the help of Williams Advanced Engineering, Scott Blattner's car was transformed into what's seen here in Parallax White with Norfolk Yellow interior.

The car saw extensive changes with its surfaces re-assessed through computational fluid dynamics analysis, but first it was stripped to its bare chassis for strengthening.

It then underwent mass relocation for better front-rear weight distribution where the engine was moved slightly forward and certain components moved into the front trunk area.

Carbon fibre has replaced the body panels as well as the Recaro sports seats, Momo steering wheel, drilled titanium pedals and instrument panel with integrated shift-lights.

The front oil-cooler intake and venting as well as a new front splitter have been redesigned to take care of front axle lift.

The roof now sports a channel and works together with a roof/rear window spoiler, rear diffuser and an optimised rear duck-tail for greater rear axle down force.

The lightweight suspension with remote adjustment uses a front multi-link double-wishbone and rear aluminium trailing arm with an integral brake cooling setup.

The 4.0-litre naturally-aspirated air-cooled flat-six engine, producing 500hp at 9,000rpm now uses titanium valves as well as magnesium and other materials to keep the mass low.

This includes lightweight throttle bodies with F1-inspired upper and lower injectors as well as an optimised oiling system for better lubrication and cooling purposes.

A custom Hewland six-speed manual gearbox with magnesium casings, hollow shafts, motorsport-style tripod joints, centre-lock wheel carriers and modern materials help send power to the rear wheels.

The 18-inch forged BBS Motorsport magnesium wheels with aluminium and titanium centre-lock mechanism wear custom front 245/35 and rear 295/30 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2.

Stopping power comes from carbon ceramic lightweight discs paired with lightweight monobloc calipers and both are good for road and track use.

Custom anti-lock braking system and electronic stability control systems have been custom-calibrated by Bosch as well as the selectable driving modes that include the option of disengaging other stability systems.


Apple chief Tim Cook talks of autonomous cars

Cook hinted that an option could be for Apple to build an autonomous-driving technology platform used by auto makers. — AFP
SAN FRANCISCO: Apple chief Tim Cook portrayed self-driving cars as an ideal match for the technology giant during an interview released Monday by the New York Times.

Talk of an autonomous vehicle bearing the Apple brand has long been among rumours swirling around the iPhone maker, which has remained tight-lipped about its plans for the market.

"An autonomous car is a robot and so there are a lots of things you can do with autonomy; we will see what Apple does," Cook said during a Sway podcast with Kara Swisher.

"We love to integrate hardware, software and services, and find the intersection points of those because we think that's where the magic occurs."

Cook hinted that an option could be for Apple to build an autonomous-driving technology platform used by auto makers.

He expressed admiration for electric car maker Tesla, which is among companies developing autonomous driving capabilities in vehicles.

"Tesla has done an unbelievable job of not only establishing the lead but keeping the lead for such a long period of time in the electric vehicle space," Cook said.

Japanese auto maker Nissan and South Korea-based Hyundai in February denied reports of potential alliances with Apple on self-driving cars.

Apple's Project Titan is devoted to electric autonomous vehicles and has been in the works for several years - but details of the venture have been kept under wraps.

Apple first revealed its self-driving tech aspirations in 2016 and Cook has since then said he saw autonomous driving systems as a "core technology" for the future.

The interview with Cook touched on an array of hot topics, including clashes Apple is having with Facebook and Fortnite video game maker Epic about its tight control of the App Store.

US regulators are looking into whether Apple's control of the App Store, where it gets a commission on transactions, is an abuse of power since the shop is the sole venue for digital content for its mobile devices.

Apple has staunchly defended its control of the App Store as integral to protecting users from hackers, snooping, and other dangers.

"I think it's hard to argue that the App Store is not an economic miracle," Cook said.

"Apple has helped build an economy that's over a half a trillion dollars a year, and takes a very small sliver of that for the innovation that it unleashed and the expense of running the store."


More details of Porsche Mission E revealed

STUTTGART: Upcoming electric cars are getting much more attention than anyone would have believed possible a fear years ago, and one of the most eagerly-awaited is the Porsche Mission E.

The new Porsche EV will sit in the company's range between the 911 and Panamera.

Though smaller than the Panamera, the Mission E will offer a similar amount of interior space, thanks to clever packaging of the electric powertrain.

And as it's intended as a rival to Tesla's Model S, the starting price should be somewhere in the €62,500 (RM305,000) to €75,000 (RM366,000) range.


Porsches, Lamborghinis lost at sea may cost VW US$155mil

                NEW YORK: The cargo ship carrying about 4,000 Volkswagen AG vehicles that caught fire last week could cost the automaker at least US$155 million (RM649mil), according to a risk-modelling company’s estimate.

Of the roughly US$438 million (RM1.8bil) total value of goods aboard the Felicity Ace, which went up in flames off the coast of Portugal’s Azores Islands, Russell Group said Monday it estimates there are US$401 million (RM1.7bil) worth of cars. VW group had Volkswagen, Porsche, Audi, Bentley and Lamborghini models on the vessel.

A VW spokesman declined to comment on the situation Monday.

Two large tugs with firefighting equipment were expected to arrive Monday morning local time to start spraying water together with an initial salvage team that was on board already to cool down the ship, according to a unit of Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd.

No oil leakage has been confirmed and the vessel remains stable, the transport company said on a website set up to provide updates on the incident.

Russell Group is modelling the total value of vehicles on board, so its cost projections assume all vehicles are lost, according to a spokesman.

The company estimates auto manufacturers other than VW may have lost about US$246 million (RM1bil) worth of vehicles.

A spokesman for BMW AG said none of the company’s vehicles are on board, while a Mercedes-Benz AG spokesman said the automaker isn’t aware of any of its vehicles being on the ship.

Felicity Ace is roughly the size of three football fields. It was on its way to a port in Davisville, Rhode Island, from Germany’s port of Emden when the fire broke out on Feb 16.


Audi names new technical director, decision on Stadler put off

                MUNICH: German carmaker Audi named Hans-Joachim Rothenpieler today as its new director for technical development.

Rothenpieler replaces Peter Mertens, who asked the company’s supervisory board to release him from his duties on health grounds.

Meanwhile, Volkswagen’s supervisory board today deferred a decision on the future of Rupert Stadler, the suspended chief executive of Audi, a person familiar with the matter said.

German daily Handelsblatt reported earlier today that the board had held off because of an imminent decision by the German government on how to tackle pollution from diesel vehicles.

Given that Germany’s auto industry has rejected a proposal to lower the emissions of older diesel vehicles with hardware retrofits as too costly, it would be poor timing to spend millions of euros to buy Stadler out of his contract, which was extended by five years last year, the report said.

Stadler was forced to step down temporarily after he was taken into custody in mid-June on suspicion of interfering with an emissions investigation. Sales executive Bram Schot is acting as interim replacement.

Both VW and Audi have said that Stadler is presumed innocent unless proven otherwise.

In July, Volkswagen recruited BMW engine development and purchasing expert Markus Duesmann, who has been touted as a potential successor to Stadler as VW looks for clean-engine expertise to help it shake off the emissions scandal.


First drive of Honda BR-V in Japan

After its prototype model made a world debut at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show 2015 in August, the Honda BR-V crossover utility vehicle has stirred a lot of excitement among Asean car buyers.

Touted as having the handling qualities of a sports utility vehicle (SUV) with the roominess of a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), the seven-seater BR-V aims to cater to large families that want a vehicle with higher ground clearance without premium price.

Recently, CarSifu had a brief opportunity to check out and drive a BR-V prototype for two short laps at an open air test pad near the Twin Ring Motegi race track, Japan.

Two short laps were not enough for us to fully appreciate all features of the prototype, but it handled competently with near sedan-like character as we stepped hard on the accelerator when tackling the bends.

The BR-V unit we drove had 195/60 R16 Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 tyres.

For us, the highlights were the spacious cabin, with practical second and third row seats that can be flipped up or folded to create more storage space.

We also liked the roof-mounted rear air-conditioner vents, positioned between the first and second row seats, which provide better air flow for rear occupants.

Concerning the powertrain, the BR-V has a 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC engine with 120PS at 6,600rpm and 145Nm at 4,600rpm.

This is mated to a CVT (continuously variable transmission).

When matched against its rival which has a four-speed automatic gearbox, Honda engineers claim that the BR-V is superior in terms of fuel economy as well as 0 to 100kph sprint time.

The BR-V is also said to be better in straight line stability and ride comfort, interior head and leg room, as well as rear cargo space and a large rear door area for ease of loading baggage.

To provide a better idea of the BR-V’s size and market segment, we compared it with the seven-seater Toyota Rush. The BR-V is close to the Rush in length and width, but the Rush is a tad taller by 74mm.

In terms of wheelbase, the BR-V is 25mm shorter. Both vehicles have a similar ground clearance of about 200mm.  So, there isn’t really much difference in external dimensions when you put these two rivals side-by-side, at least on paper.

We like the sleek-looking design of the BR-V, which is exactly what Honda engineers wanted to portray.

Honda executives say the BR-V was conceptualised for those with active lifestyles and who want a vehicle with tough and strong looks, as well as a youthful and sporty design.
As it is aimed at large families, the design targets for the BR-V also included a long wheelbase, high ground clearance, accurate handling and comfortable ride.

The BR-V is slated to be produced at PT Honda Prospect Motor’s Karawang factory, Indonesia in January.

Estimated prices are 230 to 265 million rupiah (RM72,352 to RM83,450), depending on variant.

In Indonesia, the BR-V will also be offered with either a six-speed manual transmission or a CVT.

Exterior highlights include big roof rails for all variants, and LED connected tail light design in C-character.

Safety features include two airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic brake distribution (EBD), vehicle stability assist (VSA), hill start assist (HSA), and front 3-Point load limiters with pretensioner ELR seat belts and ISOFIX points.


Volkswagen unveils ID LIFE concept EV for the masses

                MUNICH: Volkswagen today took the wraps off the ID LIFE, a fully electric small car to be launched in 2025 at a cost of around €20,000 (RM99,000) in a bid to make battery-powered cars affordable for the masses and younger generations.

"The ID LIFE is our vision of next-generation fully electric urban mobility," Volkswagen brand CEO Ralf Brandstaetter said at the IAA Munich car show.

"This means we are making electric mobility accessible to even more people."

The ID LIFE, which is at a concept car stage, is a key pillar of Volkswagen's goal to become the world's top seller of electric vehicles (EV) by 2025 and dethrone Tesla in part by commanding lower prices.

Similar in size to Volkswagen's Polo, the ID LIFE will be built by the company's Spanish SEAT division and is based on the company's dedicated EV platform, a VW spokesman said.

It also comes with a video game console and a projector and screen to show movies.

"The customer of tomorrow won't simply want to get from A to B; they will be much more interested in the experiences that a car can offer," Brandstaetter said.

By 2030, Volkswagen aims to raise the share of all-electric models in its vehicle sales to at least 70% in Europe and to at least half in North America and China, the world's largest car market, where sales of the ID model family have so far struggled.


Two new Mitsubishi Motors outlets open

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) authorised dealer JM Auto Gallery (Alor Star) has opened two new 3S centres, one each in Alor Star and Langkawi.

Spanning 10,000 sq ft, the Alor Star facility is a relocated 3S centre that features the largest Mitsubishi Motors showroom in the Northern region.

Its service centre also comes fully equipped with eight service bays.

Meanwhile, the brand new Langkawi 3S centre covers 2,300sq ft and will allow Mitsubishi to also expand its footprint on the island.

Both 3S centres display the latest Mitsubishi Motors’ brand identity with the global brand message ‘Drive Your Ambition’.

The 3S centres offer customers a warmer and more comprehensive environment with a comfortable customer lounge with WIFI and a kid’s corner.

MMM chief executive officer Shinya Ikeda said JM Auto Gallery (Alor Star) is no stranger to the Mitsubishi Motors family and has been business partners with MMM for the past 14 years.

 MMM 3S centre in Langkawi.

“The dealership was also a key contributor to MMM’s sales, as the company saw a 37.3% increase in sales from January to December 2022 as compared to the same period in 2021.

“We are happy to see that the dealership is confident with MMM’s business growth and the commitment to upgrade its showroom facilities, and also for the opening of a new outlet in Langkawi to serve customers better,” said Ikeda.

Present at the launch was Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) Asean B Division general manager Ryoichi Inaba who said:

“The relocation and opening of JM Auto Gallery (Alor Star) showrooms are impressive, and this shows Malaysian dealer’s confidence in the Mitsubishi brand.

“MMC has just recently announced a mid-term Business Plan: Challenge 2025 to facilitate future growth, where we commit to focusing on the Asean markets including Malaysia. I am pleased to see the team taking the leap forward toward enhancing customers’ overall experience,” he said.

The showroom in Alor Star is situated at Lot 10201B, Kampung Batin Mergong, Mukim Mergong, Alor Star, while the outlet in Langkawi is located at No. 68, Pusat Perniagaan Kelana Mas Kuah, Langkawi.

Both showrooms are open from Monday to Sunday, 8.30am to 5.30pm.


Wong Shaw Voon picked as new Miros chairman

Dr Wong (left) And Dr Wee. — Photo from facebook.com/wksbmenglish
PETALING JAYA: Dr Wong Shaw Voon has been appointed as the new chairman of the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) effective today.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong congratulated Wong and welcomed him to the post on a Facebook post.

"I’m confident that Wong’s vast experience in road safety issues will serve Miros well for the good of the community and country.

"Wong is no stranger to the transportation and engineering industry of Malaysia as the former director-general and board member of Miros.

"He had also served in the ministry's Special Investigation Committee that investigated and produced the report on the LRT collision in May last year," Dr Wee said.

Dr Wee added that Wong is a Fellow of the Asean Academy of Engineering & Technology and a consultant to the United Nations on the UN Road Safety Fund.

Wong holds first-class honours in Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical and System Engineering and was the first in his class at Universiti Putra Malaysia.

Subsequently, Wong earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Dublin City University in Ireland.

Dr Wee also expressed his gratitude on behalf of the government towards outgoing chairman Datuk Suret Singh, who had helmed Miros since Feb 2019.


Motorcycle licence fees reduced

                PUTRAJAYA: The fees to obtain a motorcycle licence will be reduced to tackle the scourge of those who ride without licences.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the fee would be dropped from RM350 to RM299 beginning this month.

“We found that as many as three in ten youngsters were still riding without a licence,” he said.

“Such an act is serious and unacceptable,” he said, adding that road safety was still a major issue in the country.

Liow said driving schools had already agreed to the reduction, which will take effect when the MyLesen programme is launched on the 15th of this month.

With this, Liow urged those riding without a licence to get one before the enforcement agencies came down hard on them.

Liow was speaking to reporters yesterday after the closing ceremony of a nationwide programme that saw some 5,000 members of the voluntary 1JPJ Young Squad riding around the country in stages to share the Merdeka joy with the less fortunate. The ceremony was closed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Liow also said the Automated Enforcement System was currently being reviewed, and it could possibly be revived by year’s end or early next year.

He said as per initial discussions with the Home Ministry, the Road Transport Department (JPJ) would handle the static cameras, while the police would take charge of the mobile ones.

“We are still conducting an in-depth study of the system to enhance its effectiveness,” he said, adding that the people needed to know the importance of having the system as it could effectively reduce accidents.

Liow also said that the JPJ online services would be extended to Sabah and Sarawak this month.


VW CEO to take responsibility for China business, says source

Diess is rumoured to be taking over the China business early next year. — ReutersUpdate: Volkswagen AG has confirmed Dr Herbert Diess will take charge of its China business. At the same time, the Volkswagen Group is reordering its management structure for the China region.

HAMBURG: Volkswagen chief executive Herbert Diess will take on responsibility for the carmaker’s business in China, a source said as VW’s supervisory board met in Wolfsburg today.

Diess will take over the China role early next year from Jochem Heizmann, who will retire, the source said.

“The Chinese government expects that company leadership is routinely present in China,” the source added.

Volkswagen declined to comment on the news, which was first reported by German newspaper Handelsblatt.

VW is due to hold a news conference today as its board votes on a multi-billion euro investment plan, including steps to retool three German plants to mass produce electric cars and to explore alliances with battery partners and rival carmakers.

Labour unions, who control half the seats on Volkswagen’s supervisory board, need to sign off on the plan to create global production capacity for 1 million electric vehicles by 2025 amid their concerns that assembling battery driven cars will require fewer workers.

Around 436,000 industrial jobs in Germany are tied to building petrol and diesel engined vehicles.

Jobs are under threat because a combustion engined car has 1,400 components in the motor, exhaust system and transmission, while an electric car’s battery and motor has only 200 components, according to analysts at ING.

Volkswagen’s management this week outlined plans to labour leaders for converting car plants in Zwickau, Emden and Hannover to build electric cars, providing job guarantees to workers until 2028.

The first ID electric car is due to roll off the production line in Zwickau in 2019, as the plant ramps up to a production capacity of 330,000 electric vehicles. Zwickau currently builds the VW Golf and the Golf Estate.

Volkswagen’s MEB electric vehicle platform is also being eyed by US carmaker Ford as the two companies continue exploratory talks about an alliance to develop self-driving and electric vehicles and to complement each other’s global production footprints.


Volvo announces clean air tech for cabin

                GOTHENBURG: Volvo Cars has introduced a world-first premium air-quality technology in its cars, allowing Volvo drivers to breathe clean and healthy air inside their cars and clean the air of their cabin ahead of their journey.

The company’s new Advanced Air Cleaner technology comes with a sensor that measures PM 2.5 levels inside the cabin, creating a feature not available in any other car currently on the market.

In China, where PM 2.5 measurements and related information services are well established, Volvo drivers can also compare air quality inside the cabin to that outside the car.

Indicating the amount of fine particulate matter in the air, PM 2.5 is a widely used measure for air quality. Globally, many urban areas suffer from PM 2.5 values that exceed recommended levels by the World Health Organisation, underlining the need to minimise their impact.

Available on all 60 and 90 series Volvo models based on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) since this spring, the Advanced Air Cleaner cleans out fine particulate matter from the cabin. Thanks to a synthetic fibre-based filter and ionisation, up to 95 per cent of all PM 2.5 particles are kept out of the cabin.

Volvo said this optimises air quality inside the car, limiting the adverse health effects that are associated with air pollution and fine particulates. Cleaner air inside the car also helps to advance safe driving, since healthy and fresh air can help boost driver concentration.

Drivers of relevant Volvo models can also use the Volvo On Call smartphone app (where available) to easily schedule an extra cleaning of the cabin air ahead of their journey. The app then tells drivers about the actual PM 2.5 levels inside the cabin after cleaning.

“With our Advanced Air Cleaner technology, you can rest assured that the air you breathe inside your Volvo is cleaner and healthier,” said Anders Löfvendahl, Senior Technical Expert on Cabin Air Quality at Volvo Cars. “We believe that clean air is good for you, both from a health and from a safety perspective, and we will continue to push the envelope in this area.”

Apart from the Advanced Air Cleaner technology, Volvo Cars also works on creating a healthy environment inside its cars in other ways. Its engineers have a long-standing focus on removing emissions from organic substances in the car and minimising the amount of allergy-causing materials from its interiors.

Volvo Cars has strict sourcing requirements for suppliers in order to minimise the generation and emission of odours from parts and materials used inside the cabin. The company also works closely with a variety of universities and other institutes on projects related to material use, as well as developing and implementing ever-stricter allergy standards for its interiors.

A special team of odour assessors, internally known as The Noses, tests components individually as well as on a complete car level for odour emissions. Despite technological advances, this team remains necessary for the odour control process because the human nose is much more sensitive than any analytical instrument.


Opinion: Foxconn may be about to prove Elon Musk wrong

File pic of Foxconn employees at work. In a proposed deal with FCA to make electric vehicles, Hon Hai would be responsible for design, components and supply chain management.—
NEW YORK: Five years ago, in a routine display of trash talking, Tesla Inc.’s Elon Musk made a now infamous quip about how hard it is to manufacture automobiles.

"Cars are very complex compared to phones or smartwatches,’’ he told German newspaper Handelsblatt. "You can’t just go to a supplier like Foxconn and say: Build me a car.”

He may be proven wrong.

Foxconn Technology Group, through its Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. unit, will establish a joint venture with Fiat Chrysler automobiles NV, the Taiwanese company said in an exchange filing Thursday.

While not yet signed, they expect their 50-50 enterprise will "develop and manufacture electric vehicles and engage in IOV (internet of vehicles) business,” referencing a growing ecosystem of connected cars that share location, weather, traffic and vehicle information.

Hon Hai would be responsible for design, components and supply chain management, chairman Young Liu told Debby Wu of Bloomberg News. Foxconn might not actually do final assembly, he said.

If you’ve ever visited Foxconn’s global headquarters on the outskirts of Taipei, you’d know that the prospect of the company designing cars is disconcerting. It truly is one of the ugliest office buildings in the world. So let’s hope Fiat Chrysler takes the driver’s seat on that.

However, components, supply chain management, and manufacturing are right up Foxconn’s alley. The company makes most of Apple Inc.’s iPhones and iPads, as well as a lot of the electronics that go into cars, including Teslas.

Tesla’s then-head of vehicle engineering, Doug Field, whose resume includes Apple and Ford Motor Co., in February 2018 subtly dissed the Foxconn-Apple relationship.

READ MORE: iPhone maker gets into electric cars via Fiat venture

"The model at Foxconn was very different” from Tesla, because the Taiwanese company uses manual labor to achieve economies of scale quickly. The iPad is a product "whose simplicity is orders of magnitude below ours.” Field returned to Apple later that year.

Let’s agree, cars are indeed more complicated than tablets or smartphones. But I’ll say that there’s no way Elon Musk could churn out half a million handsets per day, consistently, with quality and on time.

By contrast, Foxconn, because of the reasons Field outlined, could be well placed to leverage its 40 years of experience in manufacturing, scale and manual processes to get Fiat Chrysler to mass production of electric vehicles quicker than almost anyone in the world.

After all, Foxconn’s giant workforce and scale mean it’s the only company that can churn out 5 million iPhones a week at launch every year for the past decade.

With scale comes not just cost advantages but supply-chain leverage, an important element when you’re hunting down parts that may be in short stock.

Batteries, for example, have been a bottleneck for Tesla deliveries in the past. But when your client list includes Apple, Dell Inc., HP Inc. and a dozen other companies that need batteries by the container, suppliers are likely to put you higher on the priority list.

Given that they’re the largest cost of an electric vehicle, solving both the supply problem and then using scale to force costs down could give Foxconn and Fiat Chrysler an edge.

Having electric vehicles more readily available and delivered on time might even take the gloss off the cult of Tesla, which is driven in part by the difficulty of getting your hands on one.

Yet Fiat Chrysler needs to ensure that Foxconn doesn’t mess it up. It’s known to be domineering in partnerships, with an obsession toward efficiency and cutting costs, rather than value-added branding.

Its venture with HMD Global Oyj to revive the Nokia name looked promising until Foxconn executives started pulling rank, overruling those who truly knew how to design and market phones. Many of the talented members of the consortium left and the brand is unlikely to see the revival that many had expected.

Sure, Fiat Chrysler is taking a risk by betting on Foxconn. But the US-Italian car company doesn’t have much to lose, and knows that it has little time to waste. Chief executive officer Mike Manley is hoping to merge with France’s PSA Group, and told investors in October that electrification could happen on a grand scale after that.

It’s also likely to join a self-driving car venture being set up by BMW AG and Daimler AG, Bloomberg reported this month. Such plans necessitate the kind of electric vehicle technologies it doesn’t currently have. Foxconn doesn’t, either, but between them there’s every chance the two companies can develop or acquire what’s needed.

If Foxconn really wants to make it in electric vehicles, it will need to learn from Fiat Chrysler the importance of good design, marketing savvy, and brand mystique. In other words, a little bit of Elon Musk.

Just not too much.

> This article is a Bloomberg Opinion piece by columnist Tim Culpan.


This is the ultimate 308!

PARIS: With 500hp on tap, call it the ultimate 308. Peugeot has unveiled the four-wheel drive 308 R HYbrid, derived from a concept announced in 2013.

At the heart of the Peugeot 308 R HYbrid is an impressive technical innovation – a plug-in powertrain with four-wheel drive that develops 500hp. The unit combines three sources of power, each capable of moving the vehicle independently of the others.

They are a four-cylinder 1.6-litre THP 270 S&S petrol engine, plus two electric motors – each with power of 85kW/115hp – mounted one on each axle. The front one is linked to the six-speed gearbox.

The result is a family hatchback which is capable of supercar performance. The Peugeot 308 R HYbrid can hit 100kph from a standing start in only 4.0 seconds, with top speed electronically limited to 250kph. In spite of such astonishing performance, CO2 emissions are just 70g/km.

"Peugeot 308 R HYbrid is part of a very select club of cars reaching 0-62mph in four seconds” said Jean-Philippe Delaire, Peugeot Sport Head of Development, 308 R HYbrid powertrain.

Peugeot Sport is the brand’s in-house engineering and racing division, which was also responsible for the RCZ R.

The lithium-ion 3kWh battery is housed under the rear seats in place of the fuel tank. In turn, the 50-litre tank has been placed in the boot above the rear electric motor and two transformers.

The Peugeot Sport engineers have equipped the car with four driving modes:

> Hot Lap mode is the most powerful, harnessing the full potential from the three power sources to reach a total of 500hp and maximum torque of 730Nm.

> Track mode delivers 400hp and 530Nm, mainly from the petrol engine and the rear electric motor. The front electric motor serves as an additional booster when accelerating.

> Road mode is specially designed for road use with power of 300hp and torque of 400Nm. The petrol engine delivers its full potential, while the rear electric motor helps during accelerations. The front electric motor is not used in this mode.

> ZEV makes priority use of the rear electric motor. The front electric motor comes into play, depending on the pressure applied on the accelerator pedal.

The braking system is on a par with the car's performance, with 380mm ventilated discs at the front, gripped by four pistons, and 290mm discs to the rear. However, they are not used every time the brakes are applied, because Peugeot Sport has designed the powertrain to decelerate using the electric motors throughout the full speed range, starting at 250kph. Not only does this preserve the discs and pads, but uses regenerative braking to recharge the battery.

It is one of three recharging strategies. The second uses the front electric motor as a generator, driven by the petrol engine, while the third solution is a rapid recharging terminal restoring the battery to its maximum power in just 45 minutes.

The 308 combines contemporary style and sporting prowess with design cues from the Quartz concept, seen most recently at March’s Geneva Motor Show.

With front and rear tracks widened by 80mm and riding on 235/35 R19 tyres, the 308 R HYbrid has been created to devour the road. Its front end styling is dynamic and imposing, with expressive louvres on the bonnet and sharp edges combined with sleek surfaces in its bumper.

The grille features a chequered pattern which allows air to cool the innovative 500hp powertrain. The side scoops are home to the sequential LED indicators, while the central scoop sports the 308 R HYbrid signature.

The 308 R HYbrid comes with a dramatic paint finish. Cloaked in an intense blue and developed using fluorescent pigments and glass particles, this colour is a tribute to the hybrid powertrain and the shade historically reserved for French competition vehicles. On the rear doors, the blue is matched with a matte black, giving a new interpretation of the car’s clean lines.

At the rear, the 308 R HYbrid is understated, with a narrow spoiler at the top of the tailgate reinforcing the aerodynamics. The bumper’s twin air scoops help keep the battery temperature down by drawing out the hot air, whilst the lower section is embellished with a touch of white emphasising the car’s dynamic character.

Peugeot ‘i-Cockpit’ instrumentation is familiar yet different. Four individual sports seats, upholstered in fawn-coloured patinated leather, create a dramatic interior for world-class performance. The upper fittings and roof lining are slate grey, the cabin is finished with touches of red, with particular attention paid around the dials, steering wheel centre marker and central console.

In a unique twist, the 308 R HYbrid uses materials taken from the range, which the brand usually reserves for concept cars. Hence, the dashboard is covered in a fabric produced using a digital weaving technique. This innovative material can be used to produce large and complex parts that are soft to the touch with no need for foam, making for a lighter vehicle.

The compact steering wheel, upholstered in perforated leather and bearing the ‘308 R HYbrid’ logo, allows for precise positioning during cornering. The steering wheel paddles fall immediately to hand, giving the driver finger-tip control over the six-speed gearbox. A head-up display provides all relevant driving information without the need to take your eyes off the road.

Finally, the two buttons on the central console allow the driver to keep a check on the mechanics; the first activates the powerful powertrain, whilst the second gives access to four driving modes as described above.


Ford's Smart Bed keeps rolling sleepers in their 'lane'

                DETROIT: Let's face it, no one likes a rude awakening by a bedside partner in the middle of the night, but thanks to Ford, it may be a thing of the past by installing a bed with a few pulleys, gears, belts and...Lane Keeping technology.

According to the American carmaker, studies have shown that one in four of those in relationships sleep better alone. And over time, sleep loss increases the risk of injury and accidents at home, work and on the road.

But if separate beds don’t appeal – a phenomenon now so popular that there is a recognised trend for so-called “sleep divorces” – what next?

One solution could be Ford’s “Lane-Keeping Bed”, that applies car tech know-how to ensuring that even the most selfish bed mate stays firmly “in their lane” through the night.

Available in most Ford vehicles, Lane-Keeping Aid monitors the road markings ahead and actively supports the driver to safely guide the vehicle back into the correct lane by “nudging” the steering wheel in the correct direction; this complements other camera‑based systems that help drivers avoid inadvertently straying out of their lane.

This technology inspired the “Lane-Keeping Bed” that uses pressure sensors to identify when someone has strayed from their side of the bed and gently returns them to where they should be with the help of an integrated conveyor belt.

“When sleeping together, many couples each have less space than a small child has in a single bed,” said independent sleep expert and author of 'How to Sleep Well' Dr Neil Stanley.

“Humans are most vulnerable when sleeping, so we’re programmed to wake when something or someone touches us unexpectedly. If someone moves onto your side of the bed this defence mechanism will kick in and you’ll have a broken night, often while they continue to sleep soundly. I’ve seen it ruin relationships,” he added.

Still in a prototype phase, the “Lane-Keeping Bed” is part of a series of  applying automotive expertise to tackle everyday – or in this case, every night – problems.

“Lane-Keeping Aid in our cars can make driving easier and more comfortable. We thought that showing how similar thinking could be applied to a bed, would be a great way to highlight to drivers a technology that they might not previously have been aware of,” said Ford of Europe director of marketing communications Anthony Ireson.


Electric SUVs lead the drive to cleaner mud-plugging

                BERLIN: The air is filled with dust, gravel and sticky mud as Juergen Eberle powers his chunky SUV around an off-road leisure park at Geisingen in southern Germany.

The sight of a vehicle driving on a dirt road like this is not unusual – except that this one is virtually silent.

Instead of a roar from a high-revving the combustion engine, the only sound is of small stones being thrown up as the SUV ploughs the terrain. There's not even a whir from the electric motor.

Eberle's steed is not just any old SUV. This is the cutting-edge Mercedes-Benz EQC 4x4² concept designed to explore the ultimate off-road functions of the German maker’s first electric propulsion model.

With fat, widened wheel-arches and reworked suspension, giving the EQC 4x4² a wider track, this one-off certainly looks the part. It is based on EQC 400 4Matic and uses a two-engine electric propulsion formula.

On tap is 300 kW of stump-pulling torque fed through a seamless transmission.

"We aim to show that an electric car does not stop being fun to drive once you get away from the tarmac," said the developer before the car plunges down the next slope, sending up plumes of muddied water.

Mercedes-Benz has no intention of building a series version of this bulky machine but Eberle sees it as a test mule for an upcoming electric version of the brand’s famous G-Class off-roader. The new generation has been announced by company boss Ola Kaellenius.

“What we are proving and demonstrating here is that electric drive could also be the future of off-road motoring,” said Eberle.

The same strategy is being adopted by all manufacturers with an off-road reputation to defend.

Jeep is fettling a pure electric for the rough stuff, General Motors has hinted that a silent version of the legendary Hummer may be just around the corner and Land Rover has made it clear that the Defender and its siblings are ripe for electrification.

At the forefront of developments is Spanish sports promoter Alejandro Agag. The man behind the Formula E series for racing cars with electric motors aims to establish an Extreme E challenge which will bring "electric racing to some of the most remote corners of the planet."

His team has come up with a bespoke buggy which makes the EQC 4x4² tame in comparison. The Odyssey 21 R-SUV has 400 kW of power on tap (around 550hp). It will be standard issue for all the competing teams with minor variations allowed.

Capable of accelerating from 0 to 100kph in 4.5 seconds, the Odyssey can tackle gradients of up to 130 per cent. Top speed is 200kph and the design boasts a generous 45 centimetres of ground clearance.

"It's unlike anything else out there," proclaims the Extreme E launch website.

Technological extravagance like this is not essential for an off-road SUV. Many electric SUVs in the compact class already attracting customers with a combination of greenness and traction.

The plug-in version of Opel's Grandland C offers all-wheel-drive capability while the straight combustion model does not. Jeep has dropped the conventional all-wheel versions from the range in favour of hybrid Renegade and Compass models with combustion engines which generate enough electricity to ensure the cars do not run out of juice when out in rough terrain or snow.

Off-road adventure could be seen as a hedonistic activity which hardly goes hand in hand with ecological sensitivity but PR chief Dan Rogge, who heads the APS agency in Wuelfrath believes electric traction is “ideal” for vehicles operating beyond the asphalt.

The immediate torque and technically simple way in which power is applied to each wheel makes electric propulsion very attractive in the mud. "Combine that with variable ground clearance or even adjustable tyre pressure from the cockpit and you have “the ultimate off-roader," enthused Rogge.

Some minor issues do cloud the vision slightly. Range is limited and the charging infrastructure in the wilderness is only likely to be adequate in off-road fun parks or disused gravel pits close to civilisation.

You will not find many power sockets in the Bolivian highlands or the jungles of Thailand, Rogge admits. He is confident though that such obstacles can be overcome by "improved batteries with more capacity or mobile charging stations linked to solar power sources."

Future electric safaris could highlight another advantage of electric traction rarely mentioned. "The sound of diesel engines tends to frighten off wild animals but with an electric SUV we can now approach so silently that the lions just stay where they are," said Rogge.


MINI reveals JCW Convertible

MUNICH: MINI has released a John Cooper Works Convertible that adds a racing feel to the open-air lifestyle.

The car gets a 2.0 litre 4-cylinder power unit developed exclusively for John Cooper Works models, which makes 231bhp and 320Nm of torque. This is an increase of 20hp compared to the predecessor model and 39hp as compared to the new MINI Cooper S Convertible.

A 6-speed manual transmission is standard, while a 6-speed Steptronic sport transmission is an option. The combined EU fuel consumption is 6.5 l/100 km for the automatic: 5.9 l/100 km, combined EU CO2 emissions: 152 g/km (138 g/km).

With a manual gearbox, MINI says the car will go from 0-100kph in 6.6 seconds (minus 0.3 seconds), and 6.5 seconds (minus 0.6 seconds) with the auto box. Top speed for the manual car is increased by 7kph to 242kph (automatic: 240kph).

Standard trim includes Brembo sports brake system, 17-inch John Cooper Works light alloy wheels Track Spoke silver and speed-related Servotronic steering support; Dynamic Damper Control available as an option; Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) as standard with DTC (Dynamic Traction Control), EDLC (Electronic Differential Lock Control) and Performance Control.

The JCW treatment is seen in large cooling air outlets in the front apron which also occupy the space provided for the parking lights and fog lamps in the MINI Convertible; distinctively designed side sills and rear apron; LED headlights with white turn indicators and LED rear lights as standard; radiator grille, side scuttles and tailgate with John Cooper Works logo; optional body finish in the variant Rebel Green exclusively available for John Cooper Works models.

As expected, the interior has a high-quality and refined ambience. It sports fully integrated rollover protection bars behind the rear seats and John Cooper Works sports seats in Dinamica/fabric Carbon Black with integrated headrests. The leather steering wheel has multifunction buttons and shift paddles in conjunction with the 6-speed Steptronic sport transmission; John Cooper Works gearshift or selector lever; cockpit displays and central instrument surround in model-specific design; pedals and driver footrest in stainless steel.

The soft top gets a new type of fabric and is electrically powered, opening and closing at the press of a button in 18 seconds, also during travel at speeds up to 30kph.


New Honda Jazz taken for a spin

The Honda Jazz was originally introduced as an affordable alternative to compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) motoring, serving perhaps as the stepping stone to the larger Stream.As it was initially brought here as an imported model it was priced at RM100,000 so the affordable part was not obvious.When Honda Malaysia included the Jazz, which is promoted as the Fit in Japan, on the local assembly line with the extension of the plant in Ayer Keroh, the affordable part was finally realised.That saw more than 3,500 units of the Jazz being sold here last year since the CKD (complete knock down) model was made available.This year, a similar number of units had already been sold by May, paving the way for the launch of the third-generation model which was introduced in Thailand more than a month ago.For a preview of the latest Jazz, we were naturally brought to Thailand, Hua Hin in particular, to experience the car which is made in that country.While Thai Honda customers get to choose from six variants, the Malaysian buyer would have half that number to consider - these will range from a basic model to a high-spec Jazz.The Hua Hin drive was done in the three variants with equipment and fittings that would be similar to the Jazz range to be introduced in Malaysia.The basic body profile of the Jazz has evolved over the two previous generations and the recent styling is just about the best yet.We like the aggressive sweep of its waist line, that looks like a bolt of lightning from the rear to the front, and it complements the aerodynamic flow of the Jazz’s roofline.The front may bear some similarity to the new City, which is not bad as the boldness in the nose design and the sporty touches and design of the lower bib.It gives the new Jazz a brash and youthful stance that sums up its visually dynamic appeal.The rear is quite well done with reflectors on the hatch door blending nicely with the light clusters and lower ‘islands’ in the bumper section to sort of balance the front visage.The roof spoiler varies from a slight bib for the basic and mid-range variant to a decidedly more aggressive unit that fans out in the top range version.The engine powering the new Jazz model is the same as that in the latest City, this being the 1.5-litre SOHC (single overhead camshaft) i-VTEC unit and the Jazz engine output is rated at 120PS and 145Nm, virtually identical.Channelling the engine power to the front wheels is an advanced CVT (continuously variable transmission) that Honda has developed under its Earth Dreams Technology to achieve the “perfect” combination of power and fuel economy.The gearshift is similar too, with an ‘S’ for sporty mode and an ‘L’ for low gear that should serve its function best when going downhill.When ‘S’ mode is selected (the engagement is sequential in that the gearshift moves in a straight line up and down), the CVT is electronically controlled at a certain ‘ratio’ that has the engine speed above 3,000rpm.This is the point at which a lot of torque is developed by the engine and response to accelerator pedal pressure is more immediate, providing a quicker uptake of road speed to pass or drive through winding roads.We certainly enjoyed this experience during the Hua Hin drive, feeling the readiness of the engine to provide that ‘oomph’ to pass when opportunities came along.The new Jazz cruised easily up to 140kph with the engine running quite lazily at about 2,200rpm in seventh “gear,” which is electronically set.As we were accelerating, we could hold the accelerator constant to have the engine turning at 4,500rpm and yet had the Jazz continuing to pick up speed: it was an interesting combination of engine and transmission operation.
At 140kph or thereabouts, wind noise was largely subdued, although wind rustle from the A-pillars and door mirrors was noticeable from the front seat while some rustle from the roof section and road roar was heard when seated at the rear, but we could carry a conversation without having to raise our voices.

The aerodynamic improvements to the sweeping body profile appeared to have made the wind turbulence being noticed.The intrusion of road roar at the rear probably had to do with the paring down of padding and the hatch door panel as a cost factor to make the new Jazz attractively priced.The level of roar varied according to the tarmac surfaces and was not intrusive to the point of affecting comfort: it was similar in the area of wind turbulence.Being Thai models, the Jazz variants that we drove were running on Bridgestone Turanza tyres (the local option available in that country).We did not get to feel its dynamic qualities through winding stretches apart from a loop and a few fast sweepers but we believed the new Jazz should be as good as, if not better than, the previous model in handling.When going over bumps, the rear provided a harder ride than the front and the driver had to make a conscientious move to ride speed bumps slowly to avoid jolting the rear folks.The MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension gave us a comfortable ride on the highways that comprised mainly our drive route.We also found the interior spacious enough for four and the rear seats can be folded to extend luggage space.There appears to be no provision for a retractable or foldable top cover for the rear luggage area, which again may be another cost-cutting factor.Nevertheless, the new third-generation Jazz impressed in retaining the fun driving factor, which should appeal to the younger set who wants a compact MPV as a lifestyle statement.The new Jazz will be launched in Malaysia in the middle of this month.


Italian tuner Abarth adds fake engine growl to 500e

                ROME: It is not easy being a hot hatch in the silent electric car era, but Italian tuner Abarth has found a way to make the 500e sound loud and rorty even though it doesn't have a tailpipe exhaust.

Abarth said it took 6,000 hours to tune the sound generator feature which was conjured up by a "dedicated sound design team".

The Abarth is the latest sporting electric to get the sound treatment since drivers "miss" often the internal combustion engine (ICE) sounds.

The trend began back in petrol days when cars like the VW Golf GTI were fitted with a sound box to enhance the engine and make it sound sportier. Fisker produced a sound generator for its Karma luxury electric hybrid model back in 2011.

The Abarth 500e has a fully electric powertrain turning out 134hp and 220Nm of torque. It bounds from 0 to 100kph in 7 seconds.

Engineers recorded the sounds of the long-serving turbocharged 1.4-litre engine in the combustion-engined version during the various phases states of driving.

These included acceleration, deceleration, braking and fast cornering. The ICE version will be deleted from the range by the end of this year.

The sound generator mimics the sound of the turbocharged petrol engine of the 595/695 series, both when idling and driving.

The system, which uses a computer to select the right blend of sounds to emit from the exterior rear speaker, can be switched on and off by the driver when he or she is in the mood for silent running.

Abarth, said the sounds produced are "directly proportional to the speed at which the car is driven."

The customised sounds are additional to the "immersive sound experience" of the car, which produces a simulated "strumming guitar" noise at low speeds which is designed to warn pedestrians.


VW's Audi and Porsche to join forces on vehicle development

                STUTTGART: Volkswagen Group's Audi and Porsche brands will join forces on vehicle development, the two upmarket brands said on Wednesday, to help the world's largest carmaker save money in the wake of its costly emissions test cheating scandal.

The pact comes as Volkswagen (VW) chief executive Matthias Mueller, who previously worked as Porsche's CEO and Audi's head of product management, finalizes a plan to step up development of autonomous cars, electric vehicles and digital services.

Porsche and Audi said the focus was on jointly developing shared vehicle platforms, modules and components, in a deal that follows a period of intense in-house competition for development resources.

Projects will be jointly headed by representatives from each brand. In the coming months, joint teams will prepare the specific areas of cooperation and define a roadmap to 2025, they said.

Porsche, taken over by VW 2012, has emerged as a strong rival engineering center to Audi. Porsche's MSB platform, used for its four-seater Panamera model, has been adopted for VW group's next generation Bentley Continental model even though Audi had developed a similar offering.

Since the group's emissions test cheating on diesel engines was exposed in September 2015, Audi has lost two research and development chiefs and the head of its automotive electronics division, who did pioneering work in the area of autonomous driving and battery technology.

Audi remains the group's centre of excellence for sport-utility vehicles, a lucrative and growing market, where it supplies platforms to Porsche and other brands such as Bentley.

With self-driving vehicles likely to play a major future role in the industry, Audi also develops autonomous cars for the group.

But a separate internal race has begun to become an engineering hub for electric vehicles, a field which includes research and development of battery cells, battery packs and electric motors.

Porsche has developed the J1 electric cars platform, while Audi has also worked on its own electric car.

Porsche has also taken over production of eight-cylinder gasoline engines for large sportscars for the VW group, even though Audi has its own engine factory in Hungary.


Bermaz Auto on track to meet sales target

                PETALING JAYA: With strong sales expected across its three brands – Mazda, Kia and Peugeot, Bermaz Auto Bhd (BAuto) is on track to meet its sales target of 18,000-19,000 units for financial year ending April 30, 2023 (FY23).

UOB Kay Hian (UOBKH) Research said based on its latest channel check, it gathered that BAuto had an outstanding number of backlog orders as of end-January 2023, which would take the automotive company some six to seven months to fulfill.

According to the research firm, this was mainly due to BAuto’s attractive offer to its customers by absorbing 50% of the increase in the sales and service tax (SST) from July 2022 until end-Dec 2022, for new bookings across its three brands.

“The strong order book will provide BAuto with sales visibility for the second half of (2H) of FY23 to 1Q24,” it said in a report.

According to UOBKH Research it estimated that about 28%, or 2,000 units, of the 7,200 outstanding orders for Mazda cars were placed during the SST exemption periods while the remaining 5,200 units were ordered during post-SST eras.

The research firm said it anticipates 3Q23 result, which is slated to be released in mid-March, to come in better year-on-year (y-o-y).

“We expect BAuto’s results to be better y-o-y as the 3Q22 performance did not fully recovered from the chips and components shortage, and the emergence of the new Covid-19 variant,” it said.

It noted that during this period, BAuto managed to sell about 3,945 cars, while the total units sold during 1H23 was about 9,059 units.

“We think BAuto is on track to fulfill its sales target of 18,000 to 19,000 units for Malaysia and the Philippines as production is being ramped up to clear outstanding orders. With our back-of-the-envelope calculation, we expect BAuto to deliver a net profit of RM55mil to RM60mil in 3Q23,” added UOBKH Research. However, the research firm said while the group’s electric vehicles (EVs) segment was growing, adoption was still slow.

“In 1Q of (calendar year) 2023, BAuto will introduce the Peugeot e-2008 into its existing EV line-up, which currently includes Mazda’s and Kia’s MX-30 and EV6.

Despite the fact that the first batch of KIA EV6 (150 units) was fully sold, the sales of EVs are likely to remain negligible due to the lack of infrastructure, high prices and the high cost of maintaining the vehicles,” it said.


Brits to get 50th Anniversary edition Nissan GT-R at £93K

                LONDON: Nissan has announced that only 18 units of the 50th Anniversary edition GT-R would be sold in Britain, priced at £92,995 (RM487,000).

Fifty examples are allocated for Europe; 18 of which are right-hand drive versions for Britain. First customer deliveries will start at the end of August.

The car was unveiled at the 2019 New York International Auto Show in April.

Retired since the R34 GT-R, Bayside (Wangan) Blue makes a return for the 50th Anniversary edition, complete with white racing stripes. A four-coat, double-heat treatment process ensures a vivid blue with striking highlights and deep shadows. All European models of the GT-R 50th Anniversary will be in Bayside Blue.

New 20-spoke 20” alloy wheels with blue accents on the spokes and "50th Anniversary" badge are among several fine touches that celebrate the GT-R’s milestone.

The 50th Anniversary models feature a Prestige grey leather interior, including a grey leather steering wheel and gear lever, seat embossing, an Alcantara headliner with unique stitching and Alcantara-wrapped sun visors.

“The Nissan GT-R has been the icon of our company’s driving performance for the past half century,” said GT-R programme design director Shinichiro Irie.

“We wanted to ensure the GT-R 50th Anniversary Edition stood out. While the exterior and interior changes may seem subtle at first glance, they’re still impactful, especially with the new paint schemes, keeping the car’s lines and overall presence modern and edgy.”

The 370Z 50th Anniversary edition is also on sale, priced at £38,995 (RM204,000), with 22 units reserved for Brits. Customer deliveries started last month.


2016 Beijing Auto Show: Nissan unveiled new Tiida for China

                BEIJING: Nissan unveiled the new Tiida and launched its Maxima saloon, at the Beijing Auto Show 2016.

Additionally, the Nissan IDS Concept premiered, bringing the company’s vision for the future of EVs and autonomous driving (AD) to China.

The new Tiida has a dynamic V-Motion grille and safety technologies such as Forward Emergency Braking (FEB), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Blind Spot Warning (BSW).

An infortainment system with 7-inche audio display is fitted.

It uses a 1.6L HR16DE engine, coupled with the Intelligent Start and Stop system and improved Xtronic CVT, enabling 5.3 litres per 100km fuel consumption.

Meanwhile, the Nissan IDS Concept has a high-capacity 60kWh battery, accommodating long-distance drives of up to 550km.

Advanced technologies, such as Piloted Park through smartphone or tablet and wireless charging, also enable the IDS Concept to be fully autonomous.


Germany wants to introduce random emissions tests on cars

                BERLIN: Germany wants to carry out unannounced emissions tests on all carmakers, Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt said on Sunday, aiming to reinstate confidence in the industry that was shattered by the Volkswagen cheating scandal.

"There will be controls on vehicles in the style of doping tests (for athletes)," Dobrindt told the newspaper Bild. "Unannounced and every year."

One way to carry out the random tests would be to select models from car rental companies, the newspaper said. Technicians who carry out the tests would be rotated to ensure transparency.

Bild said a draft proposal on the new measures would be presented to the Bundestag lower house of parliament on Thursday. It would also call on the government to present plans to encourage motorists to switch to electric cars.

Volkswagen, Europe's largest carmaker, admitted in September it had cheated US emissions tests by installing software capable of deceiving regulators in up to 11 million diesel vehicles worldwide. The admission wiped billions of euros off VW's market value and forced out its long-time CEO.

The company has said only a small group of employees was responsible for cheating on US diesel emissions tests and there was no indication board members were involved in what has become the biggest business crisis in its history.

"I expect Volkswagen to fully disclose the procedures that led to the manipulation," Dobrindt told Bild.

German media reported in December that Germany planned to review emissions and fuel usage of Volkswagen diesel vehicles in a second testing round once the company has installed fixes in cars caught up in a cheating scandal.

Volkswagen has set aside 6.7 billion euros (US$7.38 billion) to help cover the costs of diesel recalls and another 2 billion euros for compensation payments related to its manipulations of carbon dioxide emission levels.


US regulators to more closely monitor advanced driver safety systems

                DETROIT: US regulators on Tuesday said they would keep a closer eye on the automotive industry as it rolls out advanced driver safety systems, tracking the new technologies to spot potential defects faster.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued an order requiring automakers and operators of vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance or automated driving systems to report crashes within one day of learning of an incident.

"Gathering data will help instill public confidence that the federal government is closely overseeing the safety of automated vehicles," Steven Cliff, the NHTSA's acting administrator, said on a Tuesday briefing with reporters.

The safety agency's chief counsel, Ann Carlson, added: "It is critical that NHTSA has timely access to the information it needs to identify potential defects in the vehicles equipped with these systems."

Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are an increasingly common feature on many new vehicles, helping drivers with such features as warnings if the car drifts across lane lines on the road and a more advanced cruise control system that adjusts a vehicle's speed to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.

Vehicles with Level 3-5 automated driving systems (ADS) are not currently sold to consumers but are in limited use on public roads around the country.

The new order comes amid increased scrutiny of such systems, especially Tesla Inc's Autopilot system. NHTSA earlier this month said it had opened 30 investigations into Tesla crashes involving 10 deaths since 2016 where advanced driver assistance systems were suspected of being in use.

In addition to the Tesla crashes, NHTSA said it had opened investigations into six others involving driver assistance systems from such automakers as General Motors Co, Toyota Motor Corp and Volvo Cars.

NHTSA's Tuesday order was overdue, said Jason Levine, the executive director for the Center for Auto Safety.

"The agency has apparently finally heard the Center for Auto Safety’s long-standing call for the federal government to engage in oversight of the unregulated technology currently being tested on America's roads with neither a warning to the residents, nor any data being collected," he said.

Tesla's Autopilot system, which handles some driving tasks, received new attention after a fiery April 17 Texas crash that killed two men in which police said they believed no one was behind the wheel.

Under the new NHTSA order, crashes that occur on public US roads must be reported within one day of learning of an incident if it involves an injury, death, airbag deployment or vehicle tow-away. The companies also must report any accident updates monthly to the agency.

Separately on Tuesday, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) said it had completed evaluations of the camera-based front crash prevention system that comes with certain Tesla Model 3 cars.

The IIHS said it extended a "2021 Top Safety Pick+" rating to all Model 3 cars after it gave the camera-based system a superior rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention and an advanced rating for pedestrian front crash prevention. The IIHS has not completed its tests on the 2021 Tesla Model Y vehicle.

The Model 3 on Tuesday also regained its status as a Consumer Reports Top Pick after the IIHS tests.


BMW Group testing 5G wireless tech in production

                MUNICH: The BMW Group and three partner companies from Bavaria are looking into making the BMW plant at Dingolfing, Germany a smart factory for logistics.

A number of innovative Industry 4.0 production technologies are being combined in an overall concept and tested under real conditions at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing.

Behind the project is a vision of fully connected production in which autonomous transport systems, logistics robots and mobile devices seamlessly communicate with one another and with the control system.

Testing of 5G wireless technology, which, over the course of the project, will be set up at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing as a trial network, will play a key role in linking different logistics solutions.

The new mobile telecommunications standard allows large data volumes to be transferred within a very short time.

5G enables real-time connectivity between machinery and equipment.

Within the BMW Group production network, the BMW Brilliance Automotive joint venture has already rolled out the 5G wireless communications network across all its three plants.

The long-term goal is to set up a 5G network at all BMW Group plant locations worldwide.

Further sub-projects will explore the use of logistics robots, mobile devices and digital displays in the logistics process and test connectivity between different systems.

Peter Kiermaier, head of Logistics Planning at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing: “We also want to use new technologies to increase transparency in conventional processes and enable smooth coupling of manual and autonomous technologies.”

The research consortium is made up of three further Bavarian companies alongside the BMW Group: m3connect GmbH from Rosenheim is working to set up a private 5G network at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing; Stäubli WFT GmbH from Sulzbach develops and produces transport solutions that can manoeuvre autonomously through logistics areas. Scientific monitoring for the project is provided by the Institute for Engineering Design of Mechatronic Systems & MPLM e.V. – IEDMS e.V.


Hyundai Palisade basks in limelight with K-pop band BTS at 2019 Billboard Music Awards

                LAS VEGAS: The Hyundai Palisade ferried K-pop band BTS on their journey to the 2019 Billboard Music Awards here ahead of its North American launch this summer.

The seven-member boy band BTS, who are Hyundai Global Brand Ambassadors, started their visit to the United States by riding in the flagship SUV after arriving at the Las Vegas McCarran International Airport on April 29.

BTS also performed at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards ceremony at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 1, where the band was nominated for two awards in the Top Duo/Group and Top Social Artist categories.

BTS is scheduled to kick off its US tour tomorrow in Los Angeles at the Rose Bowl Stadium.

With BTS gaining explosive global attention for its music and related videos, the group's promotional ambassadorship is expected to give a major boost to Palisade's worldwide advertising campaign.

Teaming up with BTS has given Hyundai a global platform to highlight Palisade's design and functions, including the masculine exterior and spacious, classy interior.

“These days, the way people consume media content is rapidly changing, and the way companies communicate their brands is becoming more advanced,” said Hyundai Motor executive vice president and chief marketing officer Wonhong Cho.

“To successfully respond to these changes, communicating with young people through iconic figures has become important in branding.”

Hyundai Motor has provided the eight-passenger vehicle to BTS since the members became Hyundai ambassadors last November. The K-pop stars were shown with a Palisade in a special promotional video at the Los Angeles Auto Show in the same month for the first time.

The Palisade was also revealed during the group’s attendance at the 61st Grammy Awards in February this year. Hyundai expanded the partnership with BTS by unveiling a teaser video of the band's latest global campaign on digital billboards at Piccadilly Circus in London.


McLaren keeps up the tease on 675LT

                LONDON: The McLaren 675LT will become the fourth new road-going supercar and one of the fastest and most powerful to be built by the British company, since turning its attention from the Formula One track and to the super wealthy car aficionado's driveway, when it is officially unveiled in March.

Unfortunately for fans of the marque but luckily for the company's advertising agency, the Geneva International Motor Show is still almost a month away, meaning that there's plenty of time to continue teasing snippets of information regarding what to expect.

McLaren has already confirmed that the 675LT will be so called because of its Long Tail shape, to improve aerodynamics and handling; plus the fact that the 3.8-liter V8 engine powering it will deliver 675PS or 666bhp.

That means that only the company's flagship hypercar, the hybrid P1, is more potent. And every example of that particular car has already been accounted for. All 375 have been pre-sold and McLaren will not be building any more.

But on Wednesday the company also revealed that because the engine - the same block used in all of its other supercars - is getting new twin turbochargers and some modified internal components, it will generate 700Nm  of torque that will be unleashed when the engine hits 5,500-6,500 rpm.

Even when moving off from a standstill, there will be 600Nm of torque on hand to guarantee the right combination of acceleration and traction.

Extra speed and power require extra downforce and stronger braking to keep things under control and the 675LT's large active longtail Airbrake, which will sit over the rear as a spoiler in normal use, helps to ad a further 40percent of overall downforce to the car.

The new car will also feature a new titanium crossover exhaust system that will exit out of the car directly beneath the rear airbrake. This will cut weight, improve performance and potentially fill anyone traveling behind a 675LT with fear.

McLaren is expected to continue teasing information and cropped images about the new car, right up to its official reveal. But don't expect anything about outright performance figures until the Geneva Motor Show gets under way on March 3.


New Hino bus launched

                PETALING JAYA: Hino Motors Sales Malaysia Sdn Bhd has launched the new RN8JSKA bus which promises better safety, comfort and efficiency.

Targeting the big-scale transport users in the travel industry, public transportation sector, town councils and corporations, the 44-seater RN8JSKA promises to be an idea vehicle with its high safety features, powerful 260PS engine, comfortable air suspension and anti-lock braking system with retarder and stabiliser.

Its air suspension system, consisting two front and four rear bellows, promises seamless damping for enjoyable long distance rides.

“As Hino continues to progress, we remain optimistic of the company’s ability to maintain leadership in the commercial vehicle market while we are aiming of capturing 45% of the market share.

“Maximising customer experience is our main goal as we also look to accommodate to our best capacity through safety assurances, comfort in driving, and through being socially conscious of society’s surrounding environment,” said Hino Motors Sales (Malaysia) managing director Ken Iwamoto.


BMW M4 CS production set for July

                MUNICH: BMW M GmbH has up-rated a BMW M4 - now with 460hp, slapped it with a 'CS' badge and announced that there's going to be a limited production run on this 'special-edition' from 2017 to 2019.

Production for the M4 CS will take place alongside the M4 Coupe in Munich, Germany, and is due to begin in July.

Additionally, there will be two new and exclusive colour options of San Marino Blue metallic and Lime Rock Grey metallic made available, while the more common Alpine White, Sapphire Black metallic or Frozen Dark Blue II can also be had, although in limited availability from November onwards.

As standard, the M4 CS gets a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission managing the 3.0-litre (2,979cc) turbocharged inline-six engine, but now it's pumping out 460hp at 6,250rpm and 600Nm of torque from 4,000 to 5,380rpm.

This now seats the M4 CS above the M4 with Competition Package thanks to the added 10hp and 50Nm of performance, but still below the M4 GTS.

Furthermore, it's been lightened to 1,580kg (kerb) by replacing the bonnet, roof, front splitter, gurney, rear diffuser and single-piece drive shaft with carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) parts.

Even the door trim has been minimised, now featuring compacted natural fibres and surfacing with a classy carbon-fibre look that's now accompanied by door pull loops instead.

In doing so, the M4 CS is now able to sprint from 0-100kph in 3.9 seconds and onwards to an electronically limited top speed of 280kph, while fuel economy and emissions on the combined cycle remains the same as the standard M4 at 8.4l/100km and 197g/km respectively.

Ride and handling is taken care of by a newly tuned set of sports suspension that has helped it achieve its fastest lap time of 7 minutes and 38 seconds around the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

It rolls on a set of DTM-design 10-spoke 19-inch (front) and 20-inch (rear) light-alloy wheels with 265/35 (front) and 285/30 (rear) road-legal Michelin cup tyres as standard (higher-profile sports tyres are available as an option).

Stopping power comes from the standard blue-painted four-piston (front) and two-piston (rear) brake callipers - better known as the M compound brakes. The M carbon ceramic brakes with gold-coloured, anodised six-piston (front) and four-piston (rear) brake callipers are available as optional extras.

Also, the M4 CS retains the stainless steel sports exhaust system with four tailpipes – each with an 80mm diameter and a 'M'-logo – from the M4 with Competition Package.

Inside, the cabin gets a mix of Alcantara and leather, special lightweight M sports seats with exclusive Merino leather and Alcantara covers as well as illuminated BMW M badges on the backrests.

other features include the BMW Navigation system Professional, automatic climate controls, automatically dimming rear-view and exterior mirrors and the optional adaptive LED headlights with BMW Selective Beam (dazzle-free high beam assistant).


Thailand mulls tax cuts, subsidies to spur electric car adoption

UPDATE: Thailand approves incentives for EV shift

BANGKOK: Thailand is weighing an array of incentives including lower taxes and cash subsidies to develop the market for electric vehicles, betting the perks may spur automakers to invest more and make the Southeast Asian nation a manufacturing hub for cleaner cars.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha’s cabinet may soon consider subsidies between 70,000 baht (RM9,057) and 150,000 baht (RM19,409) depending on the type and model of vehicle, and lower excise tax and import duties on completely built and partially built EVs, according to a draft proposal viewed by Bloomberg from the National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow.

The wider incentives for imports will last until 2025 when local production is expected to gather momentum. The tax breaks for EV carmakers are on the condition that companies produce the same number of vehicles or more by 2025 that they import in the preceding years, according to the proposal.

Supant Monkolsuthree, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries and a member of the EV policy committee, confirmed the contents of the draft plan. Sompop Pattanariyankool, a spokesman for the Energy Ministry, declined to comment on the plan before the cabinet approval.

The EV policy committee is a panel of government and industry officials responsible for drawing up a policy roadmap to help Thailand achieve 100% zero emission vehicle production by 2035.

Thailand is bidding to retain its status as an automobile manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia as carmakers globally pivot to electric vehicles.

The nation expects to draw as much as 400 billion baht in investment EV manufacturing over the coming years.

Toyota Motor Corp., Foxconn Technology Group, China’s Great Wall Motor Co. and PTT Pcl are among companies planning to build factories in Thailand.

Charging forward

The subsidy for imported EVs will be paid to local firms, which will in turn pass on the benefits to buyers.

If the companies are found in breach of the rules later, they will lose all incentives, forfeit their bank guarantees and must pay back the subsidy with accrued interest, according to the proposal.

“The package should be helpful in creating local demand for EVs and also encourage producers to start producing EVs or they will lose the opportunity to benefit from this market,” Supant said.

More details of the EV package:

> Subsidies to range between 70,000 baht and 150,000 baht for cars and trucks
> EV motorcycles to get 18,000 baht (RM2,329) subsidy
> Proposal would cut excise tax to 2% from 8% for cars
> Waive excise tax for trucks
> Reduce import duty by as much as 40% for completely built cars during 2022-2023
> Waive import duty for key parts of completely knocked down vehicles including battery and traction motors
> Cars priced below 2 million baht (RM259,000) set to get the most benefits

READ MORE:
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Ford upgrades F-150 Lightning — and charges more

                DETROIT: Ford is reopening order banks on Thursday for the next wave of reservation holders of the popular F-150 Lightning, adding new improvements including boosting its standard range battery models to an EPA-estimated targeted range of 386km and adding Pro Trailer Hitch Assist technology.

An industry first, Pro Trailer Hitch Assist automatically controls steering, throttle and brake inputs to make hitching trailers easier.

Pro Trailer Hitch Assist is standard on the Tow Technology Package, which is available on Pro, XLT and Lariat trims and standard on certain Lariat trims and the Platinum trim.

Starting in the fall, vehicles built with the standard range battery, available on Pro, XLT and Lariat trims, will have a targeted EPA-estimated range of 386km – up by 16km.

F-150 Lightning customers can choose two new colours among the 10 available options – Avalanche Gray and Azure Gray metallic tri-coat. Those colours replace Atlas Blue, Ice Blue Silver and Smoked Quartz Metallic, which are not available on models built starting this fall.

The new Ford Pro Special Service Vehicle Package is now available on F-150 Lightning Pro models for fleet customers. The package includes police-grade heavy-duty cloth front seats, built-in steel intrusion plates and available roof-mounted LED warning beacons.

Ford is adjusting the prices on the electric pick-up truck for the first time since it was revealed in May 2021 because of rising material costs and other factors. But it said it would keep prices unchanged for those who ordered to date.

The F-150 Lightning is offered in the US in seven versions with new prices from around US$47,000 to US$97,000.

Ford would impose the new pricing with the opening of the next wave of F-150 Lightning orders.

The all-electric F-150 Lightning pickup, part of the Ford F-Series, the best-selling truck in America for 45 years, officially launched in April 2022.

The first customer deliveries began in May with over 4,400 sold year to date.


Rolls-Royce Dawn arrives in Malaysia

                PETALING JAYA: Rolls-Royce Motors Cars Kuala Lumpur officially launched the all-new Dawn, the four seater, super luxury drophead coupe in Malaysia with a starting price of RM4.0mil.

Aimed at younger and affluent customers, the Dawn is an evolution of Rolls-Royce’s design language with a clear objective of making a car that looks beautiful with its roof up as well as down.

 (From left) Kim and Ong at the launch of the Rolls-Royce Dawn.

“Through the years, we have seen the Rolls-Royce brand transform with a younger generation of entrepreneurs aspiring to own a Rolls-Royce. The Ghost and Wraith reset perceptions of what a modern Rolls-Royce should look like. We are proud to partner with Rolls-Royce as we embark on this new journey,” said Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Kuala Lumpur managing director Datuk Michael Ong.

Also present at the launch was Rolls-Royce Motor Cars regional sales manager David Kim.

Greater attention has been paid to the Dawn’s roof which has a smooth and noiseless operation, described as the ‘Silent Ballet’ as the goal was to make the quietest convertible in the world.

The fabric roof takes just over 20 seconds to operate and can be engaged at up to cruising speeds of 50kph.

With the roof down, the sensuous lines of the Dawn are evident. From the side the steep rake of the windscreen, the swage line that flows over the rear haunches and the high beltline that rises along the profile give the impression of effortless dynamism.

The cabin features open-pore Canadel panelling tracing the horse-shoe shape of the rear cabin, while the wood on the deck, which can be customised, flows down the ‘Waterfall’ between the rear seats and around the cabin clothing the interior door panels.

The Rolls-Royce Dawn is available for viewing by invitation at Bangsar Shopping Centre from July 22 to 24, 11am to 8pm.


Toyota Corolla will be 50 years old in November

                TOKYO: November marks the 50th anniversary of the Toyota Corolla, one of the most enduring automotive nameplates in history and thanks to 43 million sales and counting, the most popular car of all time. To celebrate this milestone, Toyota has unveiled a limited edition 50th Anniversary edition (top pic) of the compact car for US customers that gets a unique paint finish, a sharper interior and a host of active safety and creature comfort systems as standard.

Toyota jokes that the touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth hands-free smartphone connectivity and USB charging points represent a quantum leap from the AM radio that came in the first Corollas, but nothing could be further from the truth.

As well as build quality and reliability (achieved through keeping design and 1100cc powerplant very, very simple), what helped Japanese car makers in general and Toyota in particular stand out from European and US competitors when they took their cars beyond domestic borders was standard equipment.

Everything from AM radios to climate control and power windows found their way into Toyotas as standard, at a time when someone putting a deposit down on a Ford would have to specify the same equipment as options.

This and the fact that the Corolla was built from the ground up to meet the new nuclear family's needs. People moving out to the Japanese suburbs and suddenly in need of their first automobile found that the Corolla was a perfect fit for their lives. Its seats were bigger and more comfortable, it had a floor not column mounted gear shift to make highway driving more relaxing and it used McPherson strut suspension.

In this respect it is the Japanese Beetle — a true people's car. However, unlike the VW bug, which stayed stylistically untouched throughout its entire air-cooled lifetime, Toyota has continually updated and improved the Corolla. And as it is built in different countries around the world, including the US since 1968, it is also built to different specifications. The American version is wider, handling is tuned for the European market and so on.

However, with every generation of the model that has followed (It is now on generation 11) the company has kept focus on what the typical family needs from a car, even if it is now selling to families globally. Unfortunately, by creating a car that is purely about ticking boxes, it is often unfairly derided as a white good — i.e. the automotive equivalent of a washing machine or fridge.

But that's also the car's greatest strength — it is and always has been, above all, a must-have modern convenience. Italian cars might have more passion, American cars more flamboyance, and German cars more precision, but very few are as reliable as a Toyota.