Ministry vows to further bring down accident deaths

                KUALA LUMPUR: The number of road fatalities may have reduced slightly but the Transport Ministry vows that enforcement will be intensified to further bring down the statistics.

Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said his target is a reduction of 10% every year.

“Road fatalities have been on the rise since 2002, and 7,152 deaths were recorded in 2016.

“But last year, the figure dropped to 6,740 according to police data, proving that efforts by various agencies are working,” he said.

While happy to see the reduction, Liow said more should be done.

Speaking at the launch of the road safety campaign in conjunction with Chinese New Year yesterday, he said the death index for every 10,000 registered vehicles on the road last year stood at 2.34, compared to 2.59 in 2016.

“Our target is to reduce the index to 2.0 just like any other developed nation,” he said.

The highest incidences of road fatalities every year is still among motorcyclists. From the total number of fatalities recorded last year, 64.5% or 4,348 were motorcyclists, Liow said.

He said his ministry, together with other agencies such as the police, Road Transport Department (JPJ), Road Safety Department (JKJR) and the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) are committed to ensure the safety of all road users.

A total of 100 JKJR officers, 1,500 JPJ officers and 4,000 police personnel will be on the road during the Chinese New Year road safety operations from Feb 9 to Feb 23, he added.

Meanwhile, Liow dismissed allegations that the authorities are imposing traffic fines because Putrajaya is strapped for cash.

Fines and compounds are a way to educate the public and prevent road users from flouting the law, he said.

Over in Bentong, Liow said highway concessionaires are given the freedom to open up lanes or alter traffic flow to disperse bottlenecks during the festive season.

Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway concessionaire Anih Bhd’s executive vice-president for highway asset management Radzimah Mohd Radzi said traffic on the East Coast Highway and KL-Karak Highway is expected to increase by up to 60% on peak days.

The usual traffic load is about 100,000 vehicles a day, he added.

Liow was at Bentong Hospital for a Chinese New Year charity visit organised by Anih and its sister company AlloyMtd Group.


Hyundai Kona Electric launched from RM149,888

                PETALING JAYA: Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has introduced the Hyundai Kona Electric compact sports utility vehicle available in three variants.

The Kona Electric Lite (e-Lite), equipped with a 39.2kWH battery and 7.2kW on-board charger (OBC), is priced at RM149,888 while the Kona Electric Plus (e-Plus) which utilises a 39.2kWH battery and 11kW OBC comes at RM169,888.

The top-of-the-line Kona Electric Max (e-Max) offered with a 64kWH battery and 11kW OBC is sold at RM199,888.

The Kona Electric is fully exempted from import and excise duties, sales tax as well as road tax as announced under Budget 2022, making it one of the most competitively priced electric vehicle (EV) in the local market.

The Kona Electric will be available in first quarter of next year.

Its high-capacity batteries enables an impressive driving range of up to 305km in the e-Lite and e-Plus variants, and 484km in the e-Max.

Equipped with a DC fast-charging feature, the Kona Electric can be charged up from zero to 80% in less than an hour.

Alternatively, conventional AC charging of the battery will take approximately 6.5 hours, 4.5 hours, and 7.5 hours for a full charge for the e-Lite, e-Plus, and e-Max variants respectively.

The Kona Electric is equipped with Hyundai’s cutting-edge SmartSense system, which includes various safety features such as a Blind-spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Following Assist, among others.

Kona Electric also delivers smooth and fast acceleration from zero to 100kph in 7.6 seconds on the e-Max variant, thanks to the vehicle’s 395Nm of torque.

Sime Darby Motors Malaysia managing director of retail and distribution Jeffrey Gan said the launch of the Kona Electric is Sime Darby Motors Malaysia’s response to the growing demand for electric vehicles.

“It is a reflection of our strategy to be a key enabler of the transition to EVs as an important element of the automotive industry’s decarbonisation efforts.

“This strategy is also aligned with the Government’s push towards low carbon mobility by incentivising the adoption of EVs under the Budget 2022 announcement,” he said

HSDM managing director Low Yuan Lung said the Kona Electric's sleek and refined design coupled with powerful and innovative features would fulfil the needs of customers who are aiming for an environmentally-conscious lifestyle, while ensuring comfort, safety and convenience in their daily commute.

“We look forward to a positive response to the launch of our first fully electric model in Malaysia,” he said.

 Low (left) and Gan at the Kona Electric's launch.

The Kona Electric's lithium-ion polymer battery comes with an eight-year or 160,000km warranty, whichever comes first, in addition to a vehicle warranty of two-year or 50,000km.

HSDM is also offering optional add-on packages where customers can mix and match (for example, package A + C).

A. Extended warranty and service packages: RM10,000. This package will upgrade the standard warranty to 5 years/100,000km and free service maintenance for 3 years/50,000km The EV battery warranty will remain unchanged.

B. 7kw AC charging station with external charging cable (type2): RM6,000 excluding installation

C. 22kw AC charging station with external charging cable (type2): RM7,000 excluding installation.

The Kona Electric is available for viewing at the Hyundai Ara Damansara showroom at Sime Darby Motors City and the Hyundai Old Klang Road showroom.


In PJ, rented parking bays must be free for public after 6.30pm

An MBPJ officer removing illegal red paint markings with black paint in SS21 Damansara Uptown in Petaling Jaya.
PETALING JAYA: All Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) parking bays rented to business operators must be opened to the public after 6.30pm.

City council Treasury assistant accountant Zay Iskandar said the vehicle ramps placed over the bay at auto workshops must also be removed.

After visiting 15 shoplots during enforcement operations in SS21 Damansara Uptown, he said the ramps could not be a permanent fixture made of cement or premix, and that the metal ramps should be the removable type and that it could only be placed over the rented parking bays leading to the shoplot between 8am to 6.30pm from Monday to Friday.

“The parking bays must be vacated for public use after 6.30pm,” said Zay, adding that it was common for shop owners to violate the rules.

“The city council has a record. We found a shop that faked the red marker on the parking bay.

 All vehicle ramps placed over rented MBPJ parking bays must be removed after 6.30pm in Petaling Jaya.

“We told the shop owner to rent the bays or face serious implications such as revoking their business licence,” he said.

He added that the rental period of some of the bays had expired by over two years, but the shop owners continued hogging them.

Zay added that the public often complained on lack of city council parking bays, but many of them were taken up by the shopowners illegally.

During the operations in Damansara Uptown, they found some shopowners had painted over the yellow parking bays with black paint. This was to deceive the public into thinking that there were no parking bays available in front of the shop.

About 30 officers were part of the operations.

The monthly rental fee is RM400 for each bay for eateries and regular shops, while it is RM200 for each bay for auto workshops.
All vehicle ramps placed over rented MBPJ parking bays must be removed after 6.30pm in Petaling Jaya.


Vietnam's VinFast eyes start of US deliveries in late 2022,  says CEO

                HANOI: Vietnamese automaker VinFast will begin taking pre-orders in the US market for its VF e35 and e36 electric SUVs in the first half of 2022 and expects to begin delivering them by the end of the year, global chief executive Michael Lohscheller said.

"It's still early to make any sales predictions, but VinFast will unveil two of our latest EV models, which are VF e35 and VF e36, at the 2021 Los Angeles auto show this November, thus marking our official introduction to the American market," he said.

The company expects to begin delivering its first EVs in Vietnam starting in December, said Lohscheller, a former Volkswagen and Opel executive who was named to his position at VinFast in July.

 The VF e35 and (inset) Lohscheller.

The automobile arm of Vietnam's largest company, Vingroup, VinFast has an office in California and expects to open 60 US showrooms next year, he said.

VinFast has grand ambitions to launch EV sales in the US and European markets next year, taking on Tesla and other automakers.

Funding that plan is Vingroup, which was founded as an instant noodle business in post-Soviet Ukraine and now has interests spanning real estate, resorts, schools, hospitals and smartphones.

Founded in 2017, VinFast is aiming to compete on vehicle size and price. The carmaker's vehicles will also come with a battery leasing scheme that means the cost of the battery, one of the most expensive components of an EV, will not be included in the final price.

VinFast, with an assembly plant in Vietnam, is planning to conduct most of its US sales online. Lohscheller said the company will "keep an eye on the possibility of a manufacturing facility in the US".

The company has targeted global EV sales next year of 15,000 vehicles, down from its prior goal of 56,000 due to the global semiconductor chip shortage.

To fund its growth, VinFast has said it is eyeing a listing in the United States.

"VinFast has a plan for an IPO in the US, but specific timing will depend on the market and other conditions," Lohscheller said.

"We will reveal more information at an appropriate time in the future."


ADVERTORIAL: Nissan's delightful 4X4s

                Nissan's Navara VL 2.5 automatic 4X4 was named Best Pickup Truck and its X-Trail 2.5L 4WD Premium IMPUL was judged Best Dressed-up SUV/Crossover category at the inaugural CarSifu Editors’ Choice Awards organised by Star Media Group.

Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) executive director Datuk Dr Ang Bon Beng received both the awards from Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong in the presence of Star Media Group chairman Datuk Fu Ah Kiow, chief operating officer Calvin Kan and chief revenue officer Lim Bee Leng at a gala dinner at The Royale Chulan Damansara hotel on Oct 6.

The Navara won because of the vehicle’s refined interior and exterior plus a best-in-class powerful engine and a multi-link rear suspension, offering a blend of performance and comfort which is rare among pick-up trucks.

Launched in November last year, the Navara is the 12th generation nameplate that comes from a long line of Nissan pick-up heritage spanning 80 years, with 4 million pickup owners in 180 countries around the world.

The Navara comes as the most powerful pickup in its segment with the improved 2.5L, third-generation YD25DDTi engine, which produces a maximum power output of 190PS and 450Nm of torque at 2,000rpm.

Paired with a first-in-class seven-speed automatic transmission with manual mode, drivers are ensured of impressive power delivery with smoother acceleration.

A host of other impressive features including a first-in-class multi-link rear suspension for premium ride comfort, distinctive V-motion strut grille, full LED Headlamp with an impressive boomerang-shaped Daytime Running Light, rear spoiler and new 18-inch alloy wheels, make it the ultimate pick-up truck.

Within its smartly-designed interior, the Navara comes with the same luxurious comfort found in Nissan’s other premium models - Zero Gravity Inspired Seats that helps to reduce driver fatigue; and optimum cabin cooling is ensured in every drive with dual zone automatic air conditioning and rear air-conditioning vents.

Additionally, the X-Trail won as a result of its aerokit enhancements together with lowered springs, dark 18-inch wheels and leather interior that elevates the X-Trail Tuned by IMPUL into something eye-catching.

Fitted with newly designed front and rear bumper spoilers and side skirts, plus an all-new designed 18-inch IMPUL Aura SX-50 alloy wheels in unique chrome bronze and gloss black finish, the makeover accentuates its aggressive aesthetics, giving the X-Trail a commanding road presence.

With the IMPUL Sports Springs, the vehicle ride height is lowered by approximately 30mm to provide a more agile and responsive driving experience.

The CarSifu Editors’ Choice Awards is the first of such awards organised by The Star Media Group that saw some 50 vehicles being shortlisted across 22 categories including Best Compact Car, Best Mid-Sized Car, Best Luxury Executive Car, Best Compact SUV/Crossover and Best Pick-Up Truck.

These cars were evaluated in key areas such as safety, performance, comfort, fuel economy, handling, styling as well as their individual “wow” factor.

For more information, visit www.nissan.com.my or call ETCM’s Nissan Customer Care Centre at 1800-88-3838.


BMW readies optional M Performance Parts for M3 wagon

                MUNICH: After announcing the first ever M3 Touring, BMW is now ready to make buyers of this sports wagon spent even more money as it follows the script with M Performance parts for its line-up.

The custom parts will be available for sale at the same time as the wagon in November.

BMW has put together a broad selection of M Performance exterior components.

All of the carbon-fibre components are made from CFRP (carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic) with a clear coat finish.

The M Performance front splitter carbon fibre and the M Performance flics carbon fibre create a front-end appearance inspired by DTM touring car racers.

The M Performance air breathers carbon fibre and M exterior mirror caps, both hand-crafted from CFRP, bring fresh head-turning elements to the side view.

And the M Performance rear winglets carbon fibre, M Performance rear diffuser carbon fibre and M Performance roof spoiler showcase the prominent rear end.

The titanium M Performance exhaust system underscores the extrovert sporting presence of the M3 Touring with a central quartet of exhaust tailpipes.

The rear silencer and sporty tailpipe trim module – both all-titanium – boldly accentuate the soundtrack of the six-cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology. The silencer is around 30 per cent lighter than the standard item.

There's also the height-adjustable M Performance sport suspension for sale. By lowering the coilover system – and therefore the car’s centre of gravity – and reducing rolling movements, it enables higher cornering speeds. The M Performance sport brake pads at the front and rear wheels are said to be effective on the road as well as on the track.

The M Performance forged wheels achieve the highest quality standards for an extremely sporty driving style, blend effortlessly into the car’s overall design and are fitted with sport tyres offering optimal grip.

Each wheel is sculpted from a single piece of aluminium and machined with great precision, and the rim base is rolled out using a flow-forming process.

BMW said the wheels are durable and would ensure top-end stability.

The Y-spoke M Performance forged wheels in Jet Black matt have an intense racing-car character. They are 19 inches at the front and 20 inches at the rear, and all have central locks.

Rounding off the selection are the M Performance forged wheels in cross-spoke design (front: 20-inch, rear: 21-inch). These can be ordered either in Jet Black matt or – for additional uniqueness – Frozen Gold Bronze.

BMW hasn't left out the cabin.

Carbon-fibre and Alcantara elements bring the motor sport DNA of BMW M into the interior. The M Performance interior trim panels in open-pore, matt-coated carbon fibre combine with two large knee pads with Alcantara surfaces, which optimise support for the driver under hard cornering.

The M Performance backrest covers imbue the driver’s and front passenger seats with high-grade racing-car aura. The carbon-fibre head restraint trims have enhanced visual appeal courtesy of a polyurethane lacquer finish and are high-gloss polished, while the rest of the rear panel is trimmed in Alcantara with an integrated aluminium M Performance badge.

The M Performance centre armrest in Alcantara adds an extra flourish with its decorative stitching in BMW M GmbH colours and M Performance badging.

The new M Performance logos for the LED door projectors signal a passion for motor racing and sense of tradition. And customers can now also specify their cars with the “50 Jahre BMW M” motif marking the 50-year anniversary of BMW M.


Hyperion says it’s developed a hydrogen-powered supercar, now it needs money

                LOS ANGELES: With little more than sketches and not fully baked prototypes, a crowd of electric vehicle startups have rounded up billions from investors. Can that fund-raising engine drive a hydrogen-powered car?

Hyperion Companies Inc., a decade-old Los Angeles outfit, is entering the race for speculative transportation capital today when it pulls the cover off a supercar that it says will turn oxygen and hydrogen into water and speed.

The car will purportedly sprint from a standstill to 100kph in 2.2 seconds and travel 1,600km before running out of fuel. The speedometer will top out at around 350kph.

"We’re proposing what the penultimate hydrogen car should be,” said CEO Angelo Kafantaris. "This car is meant to showcase the beauty of hydrogen.”

On a highway, hydrogen is cleaner than gasoline and doesn’t require a massive battery and the precious lithium and recycling headaches that go with it.

However, producing the fuel is expensive, both in carbon and dollars. Both gas-powered and electric vehicles are cheaper to own and operate, according to a March report from BloombergNEF.

And Tesla CEO Elon Musk has dismissed hydrogen vehicles as "mind-bogglingly stupid,” given how difficult it is to make and store the fuel.

To date, US residents have only bought about 8,000 hydrogen-powered cars and sales declined last year.

There are only three hydrogen models to choose from: the Honda Clarity, Hyundai Nexo and Toyota’s Mirai, all relatively bare-bones sedans that cost about $60,000.

Not surprisingly, hydrogen filling stations are hard to come by. There are only 44 in the US, almost all in California.

There’s little evidence that Hyperion can succeed where Toyota and other auto empires have faltered.

Kafantaris, 36, studied automotive design and previously engineered Matchbox cars for Mattel. The company touts at least six rounds of venture capital investment, but won’t disclose how much money it has raised.

Production on the XP-1 won’t start until 2022, at the earliest. In the meantime, Hyperion is looking for investors.


Facelifted BMW 7 Series driven in Faro: Luxury made bold

                Faro is easily one of BMW’s favourite haunts when it comes to media drive venues in Europe.

With sunny skies and predictable weather, this southern coastal town in Portugal’s Algarve can be relied on to provide the setting for a successful car campaign. It helps that Faro is picturesque and laidback, known for its seafood, birdlife and rich history where the Romans and the Moors once held sway centuries ago.

The last time we were in Faro was for the G20 3 Series drive last year. We were back again in March for a dose of the latest 7 Series -- and the 8 Series Convertible.

The new 7 Series had just launched in Malaysia on July 11. As for the open-top model, we will save it for another day as BMW Group Malaysia has not indicated it’s coming.

The 7 Series is a case of where BMW said it really listened to its customers and responded to what they wanted. “Make it more aggressive, make it more digitalised,” they said. And BMW complied.

With China accounting for 44% of 7 Series sales last year, it’s the most important market by far for a model favoured by senior managers. The brash facade in the latest 7 Series was ostensibly designed to please that clientele, which are also younger as they are typically in their late 30s. Like the rest of the world, Malaysia included, the long wheelbase variant finds favour with 80% of buyers.

Change a constant

Ripe for a midlife facelift, the sixth-generation 7 Series has undergone more than a few nips and tucks to refine it and give it greater presence.

BMW has altered the exterior styling, upgraded the interior and improved long-distance comfort.

Lending visual presence is a flat front end that’s 50mm taller. The new bonnet has more sharply cut contour lines and a bigger BMW roundel.

Slimmer adaptive LED headlights create a sporty appeal and can be replaced with BMW Laserlight that offers even greater light throw.

The outer air intakes in the lower section of the front apron are overlaid with large air deflectors to cool the brakes and air curtains help minimise drag around the wheel arches.

Everyone we know has an opinion on the twin kidney grille, which is 40% bigger than before. Although it looks similar in size to that monster grille of the X7, we were told the sedan version’s is wider. It’s a divisive design to say the least and takes some getting used to. Or maybe not. Customers in China seem to like it though.

Moving on, the air breathers on the front side panels are longer and more upright with side strips that extend into the rear apron.

The modified rear apron adopts the design language of the front air intake trim. The exhaust tailpipes are integrated into the bumper and have broader chrome surrounds.

The rear LED lights are three-dimensional and slimmer than before. A distinctive feature at the back is a thin light bar below the chrome strip that extends across the full width of the tailgate and links the rear lights with one other.

BMW offers customisation with the M Sport package, Design Pure Excellence line and new additions to the selection of exterior paint finishes and light-alloy wheels. In the Design Pure Excellence package, as is provided for the new 7 Series in Malaysia, there is even more chrome accents for the exterior with an Alcantara headliner and extensive wood inlays for the interior.

 The 745Le PHEV.At your service

Slip into the cabin and it’s more techy upfront, more quiet and more posh.

A full digital instrument cluster is now standard, and the latest BMW OS 7 on the infotainment system makes for easier access to various settings and controls. The system also understands more gesture controls.

Voice command accuracy is improved but still have rough edges. It forms part of the smart features in a digital helper that learns routines and habits to personalise settings and preferences of the driver.

 The 750Li front and rear (below) cabin.

Triggered by “Hey BMW” command followed by user request, the personal assistant can perform a myriad of functions automatically from selecting radio channels to helping you stay alert. Say “Hey BMW, I’m tired” turns on for 3 mins a vitality programme that adjusts the lighting mood, music and temperature, among other things, in order to make the driver feel more alert. The trigger words can be customised if one is so inclined. So “Hey Angie” works just as well as “Hey BMW” if set as such.

The leather steering wheel looks like the X7’s, with a chrome fascia element where control buttons for driver assistance systems have been re-arranged. The wireless charging tray is now in front of the cupholders instead of under the centre console armrest.

With a wheelbase of over 3.2m, the long wheelbase 7 Series offers an extra 14cm space that means more room for rear passengers.

Dakota leather upholstery is standard but can be swapped for Nappa leather with extended quilting for that extra posh effect.

The optional Rear-seat entertainment system now comes with a pair of 10-inch, full-HD touchscreen displays including Blu-ray player.

The cabin is noticeably quieter due to generous insulation added to rear wheel arches, B-pillars and seatbelt outlet covers in the rear as well as thicker windows all round. However, this new construction for the side and rear windows is standard only for the 750i/750Li and M760Li xDrive variants; it’s an option for lower liners.

Drive time

We spent time with the 750Li and 745Le, both with xDrive all-wheel drive, and garbed in Pure Excellence and M Sport kit respectively. On static display was the most potent version – the M760Li xDrive, with a 6.6-litre V12 cranking out 585hp and 850Nm of torque. It zooms from 0 to 100kph in 3.8s.

The 750Li xDrive taps into a turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 producing 530hp and 750Nm of torque, with acceleration done in a sportscar-quick 4.1 seconds.

Cleanest of the lot is the 745Le plug-in hybrid (PHEV). It represents the first BMW PHEV with 6-cylinders. The 3.0-litre turbocharged engine makes 286hp, paired with a 113hp electric motor built into the gearbox. Combined system output is 394hp and 600Nm of torque. It’s no slouch with sprint time of 5.3s.

The 12kWh lithium-ion battery is stored under the rear seats but still eats into boot space, reducing it to 420l compared to 515l in non-hybrid variants.

Top speed for all variants peak at 250kph.

Note that the pre-facelift variant was using a turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine. However, a BMW spokesman said the China market will still hold on to a 4-cylinder-engine variant as the base.

Malaysia is the only country where BMW is rebadging the 745Le as 740Le to maintain its hybrid incentives. Likewise, the price of the locally assembled PHEV is still the old one at RM594,800.

Tighter emissions rules may see the demise of V12 and V8 7 Series in the next generation.

You don’t need the M760Li to experience monstrous power. The 750Li is a glorious example of excess.

Out on the Portuguese highway, the V8 unit, egged on by two turbos, lays on some expressive acoustic accompaniment for its instantaneous and ceaseless power build-up.

The standard flap-controlled M Sport exhaust system produces a rousing soundtrack to complement the sumptuous power delivery. The ZF 8-speeder is faultless, gearing up to move in lock step to everything the engine could throw at it.

Whether as driver or passenger in the boss seats behind, you feel cosseted by all that’s going around outside as the car rockets steadily into the horizon at silly speeds, buoyed along on a carpet of torque.

The steering is nicely weighted and precise but lacks overall feedback.

Tight corners are handled well enough to give the 750Li some degree of sporty panache, with little lean though you do feel the weight transfer as the brakes bite and the car swings in.

Such agility is atypical of a limo but there you have it. It is indeed possible, backed by an ensemble of electronic and mechanical wizardry that includes active roll stabilisation, two-axle adaptive air suspension, integral active steering and some chassis tuning.

On a less stratospheric level, the 745Le turns in a pretty good show. We had less than an hour with it, running up and down the well-kept roads of an affluent neighbourhood.

As the badge would suggest, the 745Le is an improvement over the 740Le of yore. The straight six engine is more in keeping with its image as a starting point for a flagship model.

First thing you notice is the buttery smoothness of the hybrid engine as you prod it.

Push it harder and the free-revving engine gets louder and more emotive though it’s muted in the cabin by heavy insulation. In the default Hybrid mode, the engine-motor transition happens seamlessly.

The brief time we had with the plug-in hybrid showed it had a similar driving dynamics as the 750Li, but with far less of the aggression.

Still, it offers ample reserves to waft along in stately elegance.

The battery and management software have also been uprated so that electric mode range has been extended up to 58km with top speed capped at 140kph. But a 40km range is probably more realistic.

The car has a feature that allows it to save battery charge for use later, say, in downtown city driving. It takes 4.4 hours to fully charge the battery at a rate of 3.7kW.

Sum of it all

With the latest updates, the 7 Series is refined further to be even more luxurious and comfortable.

While the 750Li highlights the height of performance such a big car can reach, the 745Le (aka new 740Le in Malaysia) strikes a sensible balance in the parameters that define a luxo barge.

FULL SPECIFICATIONSBMW 750Li GalleryBMW 745Le Gallery


Hyundai Mobis to set up second tech centre in India

                SEOUL: Hyundai Mobis Co., South Korea's biggest auto parts maker, said Monday it will expand its technical centre in India in the latest move to strengthen software development for autonomous vehicles, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The second technical centre, which will be set up near Hyundai Mobis' first one in Hyderabad, will focus on the development of recognition algorithms for cameras, radars and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) as well as other technologies for autonomous vehicles, Hyundai Mobis said.

LiDAR is one of the key components in the overall sensing package required to make autonomous cars a reality.

In January, Hyundai Mobis said it will invest US$50 million in US autonomous vehicle technology firm Velodyne Lidar as part of efforts to mass-produce Level 3 autonomous driving systems by 2021.

A Level 3 car, if fully developed, will allow lane changes and other autonomous driving functions to work without intervention by the driver.

Hyundai Mobis has developed Level 2 technology in which the driver can initiate a lane change on a highway, as well as exit and join highways, if the driver merely uses the indicator light.

Hyundai Mobis has about 5,000 employees at its technical centres in South Korea, the United States, Germany, China and India.

Hyundai Mobis, a key affiliate of Hyundai Motor Group, said it aims to clinch overseas orders worth US$2.7 billion this year, up from US$1.7 billion last year.


Spanish EV charging maker Wallbox to debut first home DC charger

                BARCELONA: Spanish electric vehicle charging equipment manufacturer Wallbox is to introduce the first-ever DC electric vehicle charger for the home.

The company is also unveiling speech recognition and artificial intelligence software, which simplifies the management of electric vehicle charging. And adding important upgrades across its range of domestic and public space charging systems, including online payment.

The new DC charger puts energy created and stored in the home, straight into the electric vehicle through a CCS or ChaDeMo connector. Home generation and storage are now becoming much more cost effective considerations as electric vehicle range and battery size increase and reduce ROI timescales.

The charger’s unique bi-directional power electronics reconcile the alternating (AC) and direct (DC) energy that flows between vehicle charging, rooftop PV generation or garden wind turbines, and home battery storage.

The new Wallbox charger is light-weight and compact enough to fit within a domestic setting. And it has all the premium styling cues and brand language of the Wallbox design influence. First sales are planned for mid-2019.

Wallbox is also making it easier to manage electric vehicle charging at home. The company is introducing software that allows spoken commands, and cognitive intelligence that learns about an owner’s charging behaviour and preferences, in order to predict optimum energy balance with home and grid.

This unique two-tier combination of software technologies means that you can speak directly to your home charging system and it will interpret your requirements in the most energy efficient manner.

For instance, you can simply say: "I need my car fully charged for the morning" and Wallbox will take care of the rest, with consideration for all other home energy demands during the same period of charging.

The ability for Wallbox software to automatically manage charging in this way adds another smart layer to dynamic load balancing between between vehicle and the home, and vehicles parked in the same area.

Wallbox operates in 30 markets around Europe, New Zealand and China. It began UK operations in September 2018.


Load up and let’s get a move on in the Hyundai Tucson

                Korean vehicles have made their mark felt in Malaysia and offer good value for money. With a spacious capacity and comfortable ride, the Hyundai Tucson shows it can be a compelling choice for any balik-kampung drive.

There are many reasons for the Hyundai Tucson being a good choice for those looking for a compact sport utility vehicle (SUV).

Chief among them are the premium materials in the cabin, and a tonne of safety and comfort features, in line with the Korean automaker’s “Modern Premium” brand direction.

Our test drive unit was the top-range Executive trim, which is priced about RM13,000 higher than the Elegance variant.

Paying extra gets you a tonne of nice kit including side and curtain airbags, sporty-looking chrome coated radiator grille and door handles, puddle lamps on the wing mirrors that light up automatically when you approach the car with a smart key, automatic headlamps, navigation system, a powered driver’s seat, electronic parking brake, front fog lamps, LED daytime running lights, smart key with push-start ignition, and front parking sensors.

The extra money also gets you a Safe Drive Recorder, which records video in the event of a road mishap, as well as a Drive Mode switch with three choices - normal, sport and eco.

Black leather upholstery is standard but our test drive unit came with the optional White Nappa leather seats (RM1,988 upgrade).

The white leather upholstery makes a striking contrast with the black plastic surfaces.

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors also offers red leather upholstery as a RM1,288 option.

This locally assembled Tucson was launched late last year, and the new-generation SUV is slightly wider and longer compared with its predecessor.

There is very decent rear legroom, with a 2,670mm wheelbase as well as more than adequate 488-litre rear cargo room.

While it is not the most refined of powertrains, there is plenty of grunt from its 2.0-litre Nu petrol engine with 155ps and 192Nm of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

According to Hyundai, the Tucson has a 1,435kg kerb weight and thus, the best power-to-weight ratio in its class.

The motor-driven power steering is not the most communicative sort, but it is precise and direct.

The Tucson runs on Continental ContiContact MC5 tyres sized 225/60 wrapped around 17-inch wheels, and handling is decent enough when we threw it into road curves at speed, although it’s far from a performance-oriented SUV.

When driven at 80kph on smooth highways, we noted that the tachometer needle was hovering between 1,500rpm and 1,750rpm.

At 110kph, the needle hovered around 2,250rpm.

For infotainment, you get an Android-powered system with touchscreen display, and USB and Bluetooth connectivity.

The interface is similar to smartphones, and you can drag your finger across the touchscreen and scroll through options on the display.

There are quite a number of apps here, including a Papago! GPS navigation app.

We also liked the space-saving electronic parking brake and Auto Hold function, which automatically holds the brakes once the car is at a standstill.

The car remains stationary even if you release the brake pedal, and the gear shift lever is in D mode.

The brakes are released when you step on the accelerator pedal.

This reduces work for our left arm and right leg in a traffic jam.

Other features we like in the Tucson Executive include the 4.2-inch colour TFT LCD display in the meter cluster, which shows useful data such as travel distance remaining before refuelling, and average fuel consumption.

There are also rear air-conditioning vents, and a removable black plastic cover for the fabric surface of the rear cargo floor - which is great for wet items or sweat-stained clothing.

There is plenty to like about the Tucson Executive, which offers a value for money proposition, especially when you need a comfortable vehicle for the long journey or balik kampung drive.

Our only niggle was the lack of automatic air-conditioning.

It has ample power under the hood, and is quite well-equipped, comfortable and roomy.

In summary, the Tucson Executive is not the most exciting SUV to drive but it scores high marks when it comes to practicality and comfort, especially for those of us who get caught in bad traffic congestion and commute long distances (27km from home to office) on a near-daily basis.

Photos by IBRAHIM MOHTAR


Singapore immigration to conduct exercise at checkpoints

                SINGAPORE: An "operational exercise" will be conducted at the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints early Thursday (Feb 25) morning, Singapore's Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) announced in a statement.

The exercise, which will take place from midnight to 2.30am, is meant to validate ICA's operational procedures and plans in response to certain scenarios, it said on Tuesday.

Travellers using the checkpoints during the stated period are advised not to be alarmed, ICA said.

Signs will also be put up at all exercise areas to inform travellers.

"ICA will seek to minimise any inconvenience arising from the exercise," the statement added. "We seek travellers' understanding and cooperation when using the land checkpoints during this period."


Jail, 20 years’ driving ban for businessman who caused crash

 Phua was sentenced to 14 weeks in jail on Tuesday.- ST PHOTO by JAMIE KOH
SINGAPORE: A businessman who caused a crash that injured four people had been driving while over the alcohol limit and subject to a 10-year road ban, a court heard.

Alvin Phua Lai Soon, 32, was jailed for 14 weeks and banned from driving for 20 years yesterday after he admitted causing grievous hurt through his negligence, driving under disqualification, drink driving and taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Kavita Uthrapathy said Phua had been drinking with a friend at Clarke Quay when he met two Vietnamese women at a pub on March 28 last year.

He and the two women took a taxi to his home as he wanted to drive them to Geylang for supper.

His parents and sister were asleep when he took his father’s Volvo car keys from the kitchen cabinet. While travelling along Changi Road, he saw a green traffic light but did not check to ensure it was showing green in his direction. He drove straight into the junction with Frankel Avenue and hit a Nissan car which had right of way.

The Nissan’s driver suffered liver laceration, broken ribs and head injuries while his passenger suffered head injuries and fractures. One Vietnamese woman suffered chest injuries and lost two litres of blood. All three were warded in hospital.

The other Vietnamese woman was also injured.

After the accident, a police officer noticed that Phua had bloodshot eyes, a flushed face and reeked of alcohol. He failed a breathalyser test.

Phua was arrested and found to have 56 micrograms of alcohol in 100 ml of breath, exceeding the prescribed limit of 35 micrograms.

Phua had been fined and disqualified from driving three times between 2003 and 2014 for either driving without a licence or while under a driving ban.

He was last sentenced to five weeks’ jail and banned from driving all vehicles for 10 years in May 2014 for traffic-related offences.

DPP Kavita cited aggravating factors when she sought a life ban for Phua. She said he made a deliberate choice to return home, take the keys of his father’s car, and drive even though he knew he had no licence and had consumed alcohol.

He also chose to take passengers in his car and risked their lives, she said. It was “entirely fortuitous’’ that there was no death, she added.

Pleading for leniency, Phua said he has a young son, is a business owner and the family’s sole breadwinner.


2020 Kia Telluride: 8-seater is largest Kia ever

                LOS ANGELES: The 2020 Kia Telluride flagship SUV is the largest Kia ever, powered by a potent 3.8-litre GDI V6 engine with 291hp and 355Nm of torque, mated to a 8-speed automatic transmission.

The Telluride is the first Kia designed specifically for the United States and it will not be sold in Europe.

Designed at Kia’s design studio in California, and assembled in Georgia , the Telluride is all about big skies, desert roads, mountain passes, shady forests, smooth highways, and long coastal drives.

It provides comfortable seating for up to eight people, available active on-demand all-wheel drive, four-wheel independent suspension, and a self-leveling rear suspension.

It gets a host of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) such as:

- Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian detection (FCA)
- High Beam Assist (HBA) (available)
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
- Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
- Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist-Rear (BCA-R)
- Blind Spot View Monitor (BVM) (available)
- Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
- Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
- Parking Distance Warning – Forward (available) and Reverse
- Surround View Monitor (SVM) (available)
- Lane Following Assist (LFA)
- Highway Driving Assist (HDA)

In addition to the powerful exterior design, Kia designers also set out to create an upscale cabin with an abundance of premium materials, attention to detail, and an array of convenient features including:

- double-stitched, quilted and extra-padded Nappa leather trim upholstery
- Simulated brushed metal and matte-finished wood
- Interior hooks to keep packs and bags off floor and away from feet
- heated and ventilated first- and second-row seats
- ceiling-mounted second-row climate control
- HVAC diffusing ceiling vents provide wider spread of airflow for increased comfort
- reclining third-row seats
- leather-wrapped, tilt and telescoping steering wheel
- heated steering wheel

There are four drive modes – Smart, Eco, Sport and Comfort – each using different settings for powertrain, drivetrain, and steering effort mapping.

Also, drivers can select from two different settings, Snow and AWD Lock, for specific driving conditions.


2024 Mercedes-Benz GLB gets updated looks and kit

                STUTTGART: The new 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLB compact SUV (sport utility vehicle) gets a significantly upgraded interior, more extensive standard equipment, and an updated front and rear design.

It is offered in Europe with four petrol and four diesel engine options, and the range includes four‑cylinder units with seven- or eight-speed DCT (dual-clutch transmission) as standard.

The two most powerful petrol engines come with variable 4MATIC all-wheel drive as standard.

To reduce consumption and emissions, all petrol units are electrified.

These mild hybrids are equipped with an additional 48-volt electrical system for the belt-driven starter generator.

Its briefly available additional power of 14ps supports agile starting and is used for faster acceleration via boost.

The starter-generator also increases comfort: in addition to low-vibration and low-noise engine starting, it enables coasting with the combustion engine switched off.

In addition, it recuperates during braking and acceleration – and in this way supplies the 12-volt on-board network and the 48-volt battery with electrical energy.

The four turbocharged petrol engine models are the GLB 180 and 200 (1.33-litre), and 220 4MATIC and 250 4MATIC (2.0-litre).

The GLB 180 outputs 136ps at 5,500rpm and 230Nm of torque, while the GLB 200 produces 163ps at 5,500rpm and 270Nm of torque.

The GLB 220 4MATIC outputs 190ps at 5,500rpm and 300Nm of torque, while the GLB 250 4MATIC produces 224ps at 5,500rpm and 350Nm of torque.

Meanwhile, the 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine is offered in three power and torque levels from 280Nm to 400Nm, and features single-stage turbocharging with variable turbine geometry.

The cylinder head and crankcase are made of lightweight aluminium.

The Nanoslide coating developed by Mercedes-Benz reduces friction between the cylinder wall and the steel piston, and thereby reduces consumption and emissions.

The four 2.0-litre diesel models are the GLB 180 d and 200 d, as well as the 200 d 4MATIC and 220 d 4MATIC.

The GLB 180 d outputs 116ps at 3,400rpm and 280Nm of torque, while the GLB 200 d produces 150ps at 3,400rpm and 320Nm of torque.

The GLB 200 d 4MATIC outputs 150ps at 3,400rpm and 320Nm of torque, while the GLB 220 d 4MATIC produces 190ps at 3,800rpm and 400Nm of torque.

Its updated exterior gets a redesigned front bumper with visual underbody protection, as well as new full-LED headlights and rear lights.
In the cabin, one highlight is the freestanding double screen.

Standard are a 7-inch and a 10.25-inch display for the respective instrument cluster and multimedia screens, with two 10.25‑inch wide-screen displays available as an option.

Comfort seats come as standard in the new GLB, which are upholstered in Artico man-made leather and black fabric.

As for the kit, basic equipment includes Highbeam Assist, a reversing camera and the USB package.

Buyers can configure vehicles individually in terms of colours, upholstery, trim and wheels.

For further connectivity, the GLB now has an additional USB-C port and increased USB charging power while all USB ports are illuminated.

The Mercedes-Benz intelligent voice assistant is becoming even more capable of dialogue and learning thanks to online services in the Mercedes me app.

It can suggest personalised infotainment, comfort and vehicle functions.

As for safety, the new GLB shines with Active Steering Control, an upgrade of the Driving Assistance Package that enables more comfortable control of Lane Keeping Assist.

The next generation of the Parking Package also supports longitudinal parking with 360-degree visualisation for camera-assisted parking.

For the first time, the GLB also offers Trailer Manoeuvring Assist, which facilitates reverse manoeuvring with camera support.

The prerequisite is the trailer hitch with ESP trailer stabilisation in conjunction with the Parking Package with 360-degree camera.


Brake service promo for Renault cars

                PETALING JAYA: In conjunction with the upcoming public holidays, TC Euro Cars (TCEC) is offering a service campaign on brake parts and labour for Renault customers.

The Renault Brake Service campaign is applicable to all Renault models, excluding the electric vehicles and the new Koleos models.

The campaign offers customers 20% discounts on selected brake parts (pads, shoes and discs) and a 10% reduction on labour charges on the related brake servicing job.

Meanwhile, RENCARE customers will enjoy an additional 10% off labour costs for the relevant brake repairs and service.
This campaign ends on Oct 31 at all 14 authorised Renault service centres nationwide.

“While Renault is constantly developing new safety systems that are aimed at avoiding accidents and protecting vehicle occupants, the importance of practising safe and responsible driving habits cannot be emphasised enough,” said TCEC chief executive officer Kuan Kim Luen.


Why BMW is embracing predictive maintenance at its plants

                MUNICH: BMW is increasingly using predictive maintenance across its plants around the world to improve efficiency and sustainability.

The system makes use of sensors, data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to achieve a state where a machine knows in advance that it needs to undergo repairs.

Rather than using the previous approach of rule-based maintenance at regular intervals, predictive maintenance is carried out, based on the current condition of the system.

This not only prevents unscheduled downtimes in production but also makes an important contribution to sustainability and the efficient use of resources by ensuring optimum system availability. Cloud-based predictive maintenance solutions are currently being rolled out across the global production network.

The increasing digitalisation of maintenance has made a predictive approach more and more important. By monitoring equipment and status data, predictive maintenance can forecast system failures before they actually happen.

To optimise the upkeep of systems, data is used to decide when to replace components as a precaution so as to prevent unnecessary downtimes. Predictive maintenance also enhances efficiency and sustainability by ensuring intact components are not exchanged too early.

Predictive maintenance uses a cutting-edge cloud platform to obtain early warnings about potential production downtimes.

The data comes directly from the manufacturing systems themselves, which are connected to the cloud only once, via a gateway, for monitoring, and then constantly transmit data – usually once a second.

Individual software modules within the platform can be switched on and off flexibly, as needed, to accommodate changing requirements immediately.

And with a high degree of standardisation between its individual components, the system is globally accessible, highly scalable and allows new application scenarios to be implemented easily and existing solutions to be rolled out fast.

Predictive maintenance allows maintenance and repair processes to be carried out as required by the actual condition of the system and planned into already-scheduled production downtimes.

Repairs can be more accurately targeted and carried out more cost- and resource-efficiently. In addition, extending running times prolongs the service life of tools and systems significantly. The guiding principle behind the provision of this solutions is: Developed once, rolled out often – across the BMW Group production network.

In vehicle assembly, predictive maintenance helps prevent downtimes in conveyors. At BMW Group Plant Regensburg, for example, the control units of the conveyor systems work 24/7 to send data on points such as electrical currents, temperatures and locations to the cloud, where it is constantly evaluated.

The data specialists can then identify the position, condition and activities of every conveyor element at any given time. Predictive AI models use the data to detect any anomalies and locate technical problems.


BMW X7 (G07) xDrive40i impresses at RM890K, sales start September

                KUALA LUMPUR: Here it is folks, BMW's flagship Sport Activity Vehicle (SAV), the imposing-looking X7 (G07) xDrive40i has finally rolled in.

At RM888,800 on-the-road without insurance, this seven or six-seater SAV will only be available at all authorised dealerships nationwide from September onwards.

As its nomenclature suggests, this SAV is available in seven colour choices of Mineral White, Black Sapphire, Artic Grey, Sophisto Grey, Phytonic Blue, Terra Brown and Vermont Bronze.

The interior upholstery can be had in perforated Black Leather Vernasca, Coffee Leather Vernasca (not available in the six-seater) and Cognac Leather Vernasca complete with Black dashboard, or Canberra Beige Leather Vernasca complete with Mokka dashboard.

For peace of mind, the X7 is accompanied by a five-year unlimited mileage warranty as well as free scheduled service programme and tyre warranty programme.

Power comes from a 3.0-litre (2,998cc) turbocharged B58 inline-six engine producing 340hp from 5,500 to 6,500rpm and 450Nm of torque from 1,500 to 5,200rpm.

An eight-speed Steptronic sport transmission (with paddle shifters of course) manages power delivery to all four 21x9.5-inch lightweight Y-spoke style 753 Bicolour wheels with 285/45 series run-flat tyres.

This gives the roughly 2.4-tonne (kerb) SAV the ability to sprint from 0 to 100kph in 6.1 seconds and onwards to a top speed of 245kph.

Externally, this SAV sports the largest kidney grilles ever, which happens to be flanked by a pair of LED fog lights and of course the automatic adaptive laser headlights with high-beam assist which can illuminate up to 600m ahead.

It also comes fitted with automatic anti-dazzle exterior mirrors with fold-in function, a pair of aluminium running boards, satinated aluminium roof rails and the Sky Lounge function for the panoramic glass roof - to give the night some colour perhaps.

Conveniences include the BMW Live Cockpit Professional with a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster, keyless-entry with push-start button, automatic wipers, powered roller sunblinds (rear side windows) and a powered split tailgate with hands-free operation and Parking Assistant Plus with Reversing Assist.

The interior's headliner is a combination of Alcantara and Anthracite while highly glossy brown Fineline Stripe wood trim accents the cabin together with Galvanic embellishers for the controls, leather for the sports steering wheel and specifically Vernasca leather upholstery for the seats.

There's also active for the powered front seats, five-zone automatic climate controls, electrically-adjustable steering column, soft-sealing doors, heads-up display,

Entertainment comes from the 16-speaker 464-Watt Harman Kardon surround sound system that's controlled by the 12.3-inch BMW Navigation system Professional touchscreen with gesture control as well as reverse and surround view camera.

There's is also the rear-seat entertainment Professional which includes a pair of 10.2-inch touch screens monitors behind the front seat's headrests.

WATCH: Video review of BMW X7 in Texas

Also included is a hard drive for storing audio files as well as Bluetooth connectivity, USB ports and a wireless charger for smartphones.

For added convenience, this SAV possesses the BMW Connected Package Professional that includes Intelligent Emergency Call, Teleservices, Concierge Services and Remote Services, BMW Digital Key and intelligent personal assistant.

For safety, there are the usual inclusions of six airbags, an antilock braking system with brake assist, dynamic stability control, dynamic traction control, cornering brake controls, and dynamic brake control.

These are further bolstered by Driving Assistant Professional with Active cruise control with Stop&Go function, lane departure warning, lane change warning, lane keeping assistant with active side collision protection, steering and lane control assistant, lane Change assistant, front collision warning with brake intervention, crossing traffic warning front and rear, rear collision prevention and crossroads warning with city braking function.


US tells Tesla to recall 158,000 vehicles for touchscreen failures

                WASHINGTON: The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Wednesday asked Tesla Inc to recall 158,000 Model S and Model X vehicles over media control unit (MCU) failures that could pose safety risks by leading to touchscreen displays not working.

The auto safety agency made the unusual request in a formal letter to Tesla after upgrading a safety probe in November, saying it had tentatively concluded the 2012-2018 Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles “contain a defect related to motor vehicle safety.”

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment but it must respond to NHTSA by Jan 27. If it does not agree it must provide the agency “with a full explanation of its decision.”

It is unusual for the agency to formally demand a recall. Automakers typically voluntarily agree to a recall if sought in discussions by regulators.

The agency said it sought the recall after considering “Tesla’s technical briefing presentation ... and evaluated Tesla’s assertions.”

NHTSA added that “during our review of the data, Tesla provided confirmation that all units will inevitably fail given the memory device’s finite storage capacity.”

NHTSA said other automakers have issued numerous recalls for similar safety issues, the agency told Tesla, including a detailed list of prior callbacks.

The agency said touchscreen failures pose significant safety issues, including the loss of rearview/backup camera images. It noted nine prior recalls by other automakers for similar problems.

The Tesla vehicles that lose touchscreen use may see driver assistance Autopilot system and turn signal functionality impacted due to potential loss of audible chimes, driver sensing, and alerts associated with these vehicle functions, NHTSA said.

It added that loss of alerts tied to systems like Autopilot “increases the risk of a crash occurring because drivers may be unaware of system malfunctions.”

Touchscreen failures result in drivers being unable to use windshield defogging and defrosting systems that “may decrease the driver’s visibility in inclement weather, increasing the risk of crash.”

NHTSA noted that “Tesla has implemented several over-the-air updates in an attempt to mitigate some of the issues ... but tentatively believes these updates are procedurally and substantively insufficient.” It noted that under law “vehicle manufacturers are required to conduct recalls to remedy safety-related defects.”

NHTSA said in November it reviewed 12,523 claims and complaints about the issue, which would affect roughly 8% of the vehicles under investigation.

Many complaints said Tesla requires owners to pay to replace the unit once warranties expire.


Hyundai i30 Fastback N WorldSBK Safety Car unveiled

                SEOUL (South Korea): Hyundai Motor Unveiled its specially customized i30 Fastback N WorldSBK Safety Car ahead of the the 32nd season of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK).

The safety car is the carmaker's new partnership with WorldSBK (announced in September last year) that will make its public debut in Australia during the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit from Feb 22 to 24.

The safety car bares the South Korean carmaker's high-performance N brand livery derived from its i20 World Rally Championship (WRC) car that includes Performance Blue, Active Red, darker Hyundai Blue and black and new for this season - black.

For the WorldSBK, the Hyundai Blue has been replaced with white to clearly distinguish itself from other race cars.

Other modifications include the rear light bar which is now sleeker and has been positioned further back to help improve aerodynamics while providing better visibility to following riders.

Also fitted are Sabelt bucket seats, Active Red and Hyundai Blue coloured 19-inch forged Braid wheels with Pirelli P Zero tyres and Pagid brake pads while the A-pillar shows the independent URL website address - a usual for Hyundai Motorsport vehicles.

Since the announcement of N brand at the Frankfurt Motorshow in 2015, Hyundai has taken part in numerous motorsport events, including the World Rally Championships, Nürburgring 24 Hours and WTCR.

The Hyundai N brand promises to deliver high-performance vehicles that are fun to drive, with everyday usability and track capability.

The i30 Fastback N was the company's third high-performance N vehicle and made its debut at the Paris Motor Show in October 2018 - making it the first five-door coupe in the C segment and unique in its class.

“The i30 Fastback N Safety Car is the most elegant safety car yet it will safeguard the world's fastest production-based motorbikes,” said Hyundai Motor executive vice president and head of product planning and strategy division Thomas Schemera.


VW kicks off over-the-air updates with ID.3

                WOLFSBURG: Volkswagen is taking the next big step towards becoming a software-oriented mobility provider.

Starting this summer, the brand will regularly send software updates “Over-the-air” to models in its ID. family.

This makes Volkswagen the first and only high-volume manufacturer to make this innovative technology available to its customers on a broad basis.

The first model to benefit is the ID.3. The latest software version “ID.Software2.3” will be delivered to “First Movers Club” customers via mobile data transfer this month.

The first update comes with many functional improvements: these include enhanced ID. Light functionalities, optimised surroundings recognition and dynamic main beam control, improved operability and design modifications for the infotainment system, as well as performance and stability improvements.

Updates for all ID.3, ID.4 and ID.4 GTX customers will follow gradually. In the future, Volkswagen will update the software in its ID. cars every 12 weeks.

The software updates are delivered via mobile data transfer, straight to the central high-performance computers in the ID. models (In Car Application Server, ICAS for short).

In the case of cars based on the modern MEB platform, these take on functions that were previously distributed across a host of control units in earlier vehicle generations.

The new electronics architecture is not only more powerful and intelligent, it also simplifies the exchange of data and functions between systems in the car. This makes it possible to reach and update up to 35 control units via the over-the-air updates.

In line with Volkswagen's ACCELERATE strategy customers in the future will no longer need to decide on functions for their car when buying it – or which configuration will make for a higher resale value. This is because the hardware will be standardised to a great extent. In the future, additional functions and innovative technology can be added later via software updates.

“Over-the-air updates are a central functionality of the digital, connected car,” said Dirk Hilgenberg, CEO of CARIAD, the Volkswagen Group’s car software organisation. “They will become the norm for customers – just like downloading the latest operating system or apps on your smartphone.”


China's Geely buys stake in Renault Korea, eyeing US exports

                SEOUL: China's Geely Automobile will buy just over a third of Renault's Korea unit for roughly US$200 million (RM877mil), potentially helping it boost US exports, and freeing up funds for the French automaker to invest in its electric business.

Renault, which can assemble 300,000 vehicles a year in its factory in Busan, South Korea, is in the middle of a turnaround aimed at increasing margins and separating its electric vehicle (EV) business to catch up with rivals such as Tesla.

The French firm's move to sell the stake to Geely - which owns Volvo Cars and a 9.7% stake in Daimler AG - follows an announcement by the two companies in January to develop hybrid vehicles for South Korea and abroad, produced at the Busan plant.

For Geely, which has typically grown its business through global partnerships, the deal goes beyond selling cars in South Korea and is a way for the Chinese automaker to export cars made in South Korea to America, a person close to the company said.

"It is an open door into the US," said the person who declined to be named because the plans are confidential.

The person said that while the details of how the partnership would work had not yet been sorted completely, Geely might initially use the Busan plant to make electric robotaxis for Waymo, Alphabet Inc's self-driving unit with which it has an existing supply agreement.

"With the South Korea-US free trade agreement, Renault or Geely would not face tax burdens if they export vehicles manufactured in South Korea to the United States," said Song Sung-jae, an analyst at Hana Financial Investment.

Song noted, however, Geely would face higher manufacturing costs in South Korea, where labour costs are greater and the auto market is dominated by local champions Hyundai Motor and Kia Corp.

"For Chinese firms, building a successful track record in South Korea can help sell EVs in other emerging markets, as well as Europe and US, which the firms continue to knock the door of, but they are difficult markets," said Kim Jin-woo, an analyst at Korea Investment & Securities.

Renault owned 80% of the unit at the end of last year. The rest was owned by credit card company Samsung Card, which said in December that it intended to sell its stake but gave no details.

Renault's decision to sell 34.02% of Renault Korea Motors for 264 billion won (RM907mil) also comes weeks after media reports the automaker, the top shareholder in Nissan Motor, may lower its stake in the Japanese company.


Lucky winner gifts mum with Renault Twizy

                PETALING JAYA: TCEC, the sole franchise holder for Renault vehicles in Malaysia, recently handed over the Renault Twizy 100% electric vehicle to the lucky Grand Prize winner of the Renault ‘Buy & Win’ contest.

At the prize-giving ceremony held at the Renault Petaling Jaya showroom, Lam Ming Wei, 26, from Johor shared that he will be passing on the Twizy to his mother for her daily commute.

“This is an unexpected win and I feel very fortunate as I thought my chances were slim. The Twizy will be ideal for my mother as her workplace is a short distance from home,” said Lam, who won from his purchase of the Renault Captur.

Meanwhile, three other winners from the final draw of the Renault ‘Buy & Win’ contest drove away with RM1,500 worth of travel vouchers each.

The three winners are Nur Izzati binti Rozali, 24, from Bangi, Chang Jun Wei, 26, from Ampang and S. Suraindiran a/l Sathiamurthy, 50, from Puchong.

“Customer satisfaction is a top priority for us and campaigns like the Renault ‘Buy & Win’ contest is one of many ways through which we show our appreciation for their support,” said Kuan Kim Luen, CEO, TC Euro Cars Sdn Bhd.

The Renault ‘Buy & Win’ contest ran from 1 January to 30 June 2018. During the campaign period, customers who purchased any Renault model were automatically in the running for the grand prize and holiday prizes. Winners of the holiday prizes were drawn every two months (three winners respectively from January to February, March to April and May to June ), with the final draw also including the grand prize winner.


Citroën becomes first car maker in UK to introduce sign language across its retail ops

                LONDON: Citroën has become the first automotive manufacturer in the UK to offer customers visiting its retail sites and aftersales departments the opportunity to communicate with the brand using British Sign Language (BSL).

With more than 11 million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK, Citroën has partnered with SignLive to offer its intuitive video relay service across its 190-strong sales and aftersales network. SignLive allows deaf and hard of hearing users to communicate using British Sign Language through a video feed linked to a live, fully qualified interpreter.

Citroën has also pledged to enhance accessibility for the deaf community, including BSL representation across its UK advertising, as part of the brand’s "The French Car that Speaks your Language" initiative.

"British Sign Language is used by 150,000 people in the UK, and as a brand, we recognised the need to do more for our customers," said Citroën UK managing director Eurig Druce.

"We are very proud at Citroën, to be the first manufacturer to offer this new level of customer service and hope the rest of the industry follows in our footsteps. Each one of our retailers now uses SignLive, making our network premises more accessible and inclusive than ever before."

SignLive is an online interpreting service that allows deaf and hard of hearing people to connect with others through a phone or tablet for support via a live interpreter. The service can be accessed through a web browser or a dedicated app service.


Night track plan to tame 'mat rempit' menace, draws flak

                KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur is planning to set up a night track around the city centre for mat rempit (illegal motorcycle racers) to race.

Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the night track would be modelled after the bi-weekly Car-Free morning, where several roads here would be closed to traffic for few hours to enable cyclists to ride on it.

He said he had discussed the proposal with Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Mohd Amin Nordin Abd Aziz.

Tengku Adnan said safety barriers would be placed along the identified routes at predetermined time to enable the “mat motors” to race.

“It is not meant to encourage them to race, but to control the situation," he said.

He said the authorities are also looking at turning the event into a carnival, where food trucks would be invited to peddle their food.

Aside from that, Tengku Adnan said they are also planned to organise workshops to teach these motorcyclists to repair their machines, assisting them in developing a skill

However, he said, the proposal is still in a preliminary stage with no location identified yet.

However, Tengku Adnan’s proposal was criticised heavily by The Star Online readers who took to The Star Online Facebook page to share their thoughts.

“It’s a bad idea to always race. What’s your objective?” questioned Facebook user Encik Jman, adding that the move would encourage more people to become mat rempit.

Commenter Nicholas Daniel Raj questioned the importance of the proposal, saying the ministry should instead place priority on the need to provide places to stay for the homeless around the city.

“What about the poor who walk the streets and beg for money just to buy a meal? This is more important?” he questioned.

Tech website TechRod.NET commented: “Most of the bikes used for this illegal racing are stolen bikes or bikes using stolen parts.

“Some don’t t even have road tax and insurance.

“I don’t understand how this proposal would reduce bike theft and other problems that arise from the activity.”

Poster Mona Shari said the move would only encourage more youngsters to take part in illegal racing.

“This won’t stop them from racing illegally since they will obviously practice on the roads and highways in order to enter the night race,” she said.


Asian and European motorists face record petrol prices as winter sets in

                LONDON: Asian and European motorists may have to contend with high petrol and diesel costs for months to come as a rise in crude prices, resurgent fuel demand and taxes drive up prices at the pump to or near record peaks.

The jump in road fuel prices comes as countries in Asia and elsewhere are grappling with soaring power prices going into the northern hemisphere winter and could hurt consumer spending, undermining the global economic recovery from the pandemic.

They are expected to remain elevated as analysts and traders expect the price of Brent crude - the global benchmark - to stay around current levels of about US$85 a barrel for the remainder of the year.

"High fuel prices put pressure on overall price levels and poses a downside risk to the recovery in mobility and the economy in general," said Kavita Chacko, a senior economist at CARE Ratings in India.

"The rise in transportation costs have been feeding into costs across segments and could be a dampener for consumer spending."

A rebound in demand as road traffic returns to pre-pandemic levels is outpacing growth in supply amid low investment in fossil fuels, subdued refinery output and delayed maintenance due to Covid-19 and logistical bottlenecks.

In Britain, where disruptions in distribution networks prompted its worst fuel crisis in decades in late September, the average price of unleaded petrol at the pump rose to £1.41 (RM8.07) this week, near a high of £1.42 (RM8.13) hit in April 2012, data from automotive services firm RAC unit Fuel Watch shows.

That means a driver is now paying £15 more to fill a 60-litre tank compared to last year when the average price of petrol was around £1.15 after nationwide lockdowns slashed demand.

Petrol prices in India, the world's third biggest consumer of crude oil, hit a record 106.89 Indian rupees (RM5.92) a litre on Friday while in France, the cost of a litre of diesel reached a new record last week of €1.55 (RM7.49) a litre on average, according to data from the Ministry of Ecological Transition.

Some filling stations, like one in London's affluent Chelsea neighbourhood for instance, have almost doubled the price to £2.70 (RM15.42) per litre, roughly equivalent to US$10 (RM41.50) per US gallon.

This has drawn the ire of consumer groups who say oil prices are nowhere near the record high of US$147 a barrel hit in 2008 to justify the recent spike at the pump.

Fuel suppliers, however, say the price rises are no way near the jump in crude.

A spokesman for the UK Petroleum Industry Association said while UK average pump prices have risen by 21% for petrol since the beginning of the year, the price of Brent crude - the global benchmark - has jumped 66%.

Tax and duties

The surge at the pump also reflects high taxes on fuel in countries like India, France and the United Kingdom where they account for roughly 60% of the retail price of petrol and diesel, data from government and auto services firms show.

"We already pay £50 billion a year in tax on our motorbikes, cars, vans, and trucks," said Howard Cox, founder of lobby group FairFuelUK.

"VED, fuel duty, VAT on duty, insurance tax, VAT on repairs, parts, benefit in kind on company cars etc. That’s nearly 7p in tax for every mile travelled."

In Japan, the retail price of petrol rose to 164 yen (RM6) per litre this week, the highest in seven years, according to the industry ministry’s weekly data.

It has risen more than 20% so far this year.
Japanese consumers pay a gasoline tax of 53.8 yen (RM1.97) per litre plus an oil and coal tax of 2.8 yen (10 sen) per litre. A retail tax of 10% will be added to the price as well.

Petrol and diesel demand gained traction this summer as people avoided public transport and travelled around the country by car amid flight restrictions.

Road traffic in major European capitals like London, Paris, Rome and Berlin, has been on the rise since the start of the year, Apple Mobility Trends showed, and remained above a baseline volume in January 2020.

The price of petrol is tracking crude more closely in the world’s largest gasoline market - the United States - and is far from a record high.

The average retail price of a gallon of petrol has risen to US$3.36 (RM13.94), more than a dollar per gallon higher than the average at this time last year, according to AAA figures.

However, US consumers feel the pressure of higher petrol prices when they approach the US$4 per gallon threshold, according to industry analysts.

Winter fuel costs are expected to surge, according to the US government.

US President Joe Biden said on Thursday he expects gasoline prices to fall in 2022 and that any further price reduction depends on factors such as the actions of Saudi Arabia.


This is the Final Edition of Mercedes-Benz G 500

                STUTTGART: The "Final Edition" of the Mercedes-Benz G 500 is available in three colour variants, each limited to 500 units - metallic paint obsidian black, the Manufaktur paint opalith white magno and the new Manufaktur paint olive magno.

“The Final Edition is our 30th birthday gift for the G 500, which in 1993 was considered the trendsetter and harbinger of the high-end off-roader in the luxury class. With its exclusive equipment details, the limited special model is also a fitting parting gift from the V8 biturbo engine in the G 500,” said Dr Emmerich Schiller, chairman of the managing board of Mercedes-Benz G GmbH.

The 4.0-litre, 421hp engined "Final Edition" also features 20-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a 5-twin-spoke design, which are painted in the body colour and have a high-sheen finish in combination with the Manufaktur olive magno paint finish.

For the other two variants, they are black and have a high-sheen finish.

The Superior Line with the Burmester surround sound system, the Active Multicontour Seat Package Plus and the seats in two-tone Manufaktur Nappa leather are standard for the special edition.

The "Final Edition" of the G 500 is exclusively equipped with the new Manufaktur full leather package, which is matched to the respective exterior paintwork.

Almost the entire interior is lined with Nappa leather, from the luggage compartment to the roof lining and the panels on the seat adjustment switches.


JPJ rules out personalised licence plates for the moment

                KUALA PILAH: Car owners hoping to get personalised registration numbers will have to wait as the Road Transport Department (JPJ) is not planning to introduce vanity plates anytime soon.

“Personalised numbers may be unique but it is not easy to implement it based on current legislation, ” said JPJ director-general Datuk Zailani Hashim.

He said the Road Transport Act would have to be amended before it is allowed.

He also cited situations where people with similar names wanted to buy the same registration number.

“How are we going to regulate this? And if there is more than one car with the same vanity plate, then the wrong person may end up getting fined for a traffic offence,” he told reporters after opening the new Kuala Pilah JPJ office here.

In 2012, then JPJ director-general Datuk Solah Mat Hassan said owners of all types of vehicles could bid for personalised numbers once JPJ’s computer system was upgraded and new security features incorporated.

JPJ was allocated RM282mil to upgrade its system as part of the Government Transformation Programme which, among others, allowed motorists to renew their licence and road tax online.

Yesterday, Zailani said JPJ’s e-bidding system, which enabled vehicle owners to apply for registration plates of any state from their homes, had helped boost its revenue.

Last year, the department earned RM178mil from the exercise compared to RM62mil the previous year.


Stronger together: Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot join forces to create world's No.4 car maker

                MILAN/PARIS: Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot’s owner PSA said today they would join forces through a 50-50 share swap to create the world’s fourth-largest automaker.

The boards of the two groups have mandated their respective teams to finalise discussions and reach a binding memorandum of understanding in the coming weeks, the two automakers said in a joint statement.

FCA’s chairman John Elkann will chair the combined group, while Peugeot’s chief executive Carlos Tavares will be the new CEO.

The deal comes at a time when car makers are grappling with a global downturn in demand and looking to develop technologically advanced, cleaner car models to meet ever more stringent anti-pollution rules.

The merger, once completed, is expected to generate €3.7 billion (RM17.2bil) in annual synergies, without any plant closures, they said.

READ MORE: PSA could help Fiat Chrysler modernise its vehicle platforms

Prior to the completion of the deal, Fiat Chrysler (FCA) will pay its shareholders a €5.5 billion (RM25.6bil) special dividend and hand them its shares in its robot-making unit Comau, they said.

In addition, Peugeot will distribute to its shareholders its 46% stake in auto-part maker Faurecia.

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire welcomed the deal, saying it would give the two groups the critical mass needed to invest in cleaner technologies and meet industry challenges.

“The government will be particularly vigilant over preserving (the group’s) industrial footprint in France,” the finance ministry added in a statement.

The combined group, which will be headquartered in the Netherlands, will have an 11-person board, with six members coming from Peugeot including chief executive Tavares, and five from FCA including chairman Elkann.

Shares will be listed in Paris, Milan and New York.


2017 Geneva Motor Show: Renault Captur

                GENEVA: The new Renault Captur has been unveiled at Geneva International Motor Show.

Europe’s best-selling urban crossover in 2016 with sales of 215,670 vehicles, has reinvented itself to feature more distinctive styling and new advanced technologies, without sacrificing any of its user-friendliness.

For the first time, a range-topping Captur Signature S Nav version will be available.

Full-LED ‘Pure Vision’ front lights (depending on version) enhance both the vehicle’s look and safety, while reducing glare.

At the bottom of the bumper, New Captur incorporates the C-shaped LED Daytime Running Lights that have become recognised as the brand’s lighting signature.

Captur has evolved by taking a step closer in style to its bigger sibling, the Kadjar.

The radiator grille has been modified to bring it more into line with the Renault brand’s other crossovers, with the addition of a chrome strip.

New Captur can be specified with a fixed glass roof (depending on version). Available exclusively in the vehicle’s two-tone configuration, this new feature provides an even brighter cabin.

“We also enhanced the quality inside the cabin by replacing injection-moulded plastic with trimmed materials, and the choice of colours and fabrics is now more sophisticated too,” said Mario Polla, who is Captur design project manager.

The new Captur also comes in a all-new Signature S trim level.

A chrome-detailed grille immediately sets the New Captur Signature S apart.

Signature S versions enjoy a specific range of colours, including the new Amethyst launch option.

The interior ambience of the New Captur Signature S gets heated Nappa leather seats, full-grain Nappa leather trimming for the steering wheel, chrome embellishments, leather-trimmed doorpanels, aluminium pedals and aluminium door sills.

Finally, all of the in-car technologies available as options for the New Captur, including Blind Spot Warning, Easy Park Assist, hands-free entry and keyless ignition, are standard in the Signature S.

These features are complemented by a premium BOSE audio system which transforms the Captur’s cabin into a veritable concert hall, producing authentic, clear and realistic music, worthy of a live performance.

This audio experience is achieved via a system based on seven high-definition BOSE loudspeakers including a subwoofer in the boot.

For the first time, the Captur incorporates Blind Spot Warning, available on certain versions.

Another new addition – available for higher-end versions – is the Hands Free Parking function, which significantly facilitates parking manoeuvres.


Indian tribunal orders restoring ex-Tata Sons chairman Cyrus Mistry

A 2012 file pic showing ex-Tata Sons chairman Ratan Tata (left) with Mistry. — AFP
NEW DELHI: An Indian tribunal today ordered restoring Tata Sons’ former executive chairman Cyrus Mistry to the position he had held until 2016, a lawyer involved in the case said.

Tata Sons has four weeks to appeal the order, given by the quasi-judicial National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), according to the lawyer, who wished to remain anonymous as he was not authorised to speak to media.

Tata sons did not immediately respond to a request for a comment.

Mistry launched legal proceedings against Tata Sons after his ouster from the company, one of India's oldest and largest conglomerates.


CLS 300 buyer whose protest video went viral settles with Mercedes-Benz

                HONG KONG: A Mercedes-Benz customer in China who turned her complaint about a dealer’s handling of an oil leak in her new CLS 300 into a viral social media video has reached an agreement with the showroom to resolve her complaint.

The woman, surnamed Wang, picked up her 660,000 yuan (RM408,000) car at Shaanxi-based Xian Lizhixing Auto at the end of last month. Before she had driven a kilometre, she said in the video filmed weeks later as she sat frustrated and crying on a showroom Mercedes, an oil leak warning appeared.

On Tuesday, Xian Lizhixing Auto agreed to provide a replacement car and refund 15,000 yuan (RM8,271) it charged her for financial service fees on the loan she took out to buy her CLS 300, Thepaper.cn reported.

Mercedes-Benz representatives witnessed the signing of the agreement and invited Wang to visit the company’s production base in Germany. It also said it had suspended the showroom’s licence.

Wang’s showroom protest video drew 200 million hits.

“We are launching a compliance investigation of the dealer,” Mercedes said. “Before the conclusion is made, we decided to suspend the showroom.

“If any practice of this dealer is found to have violated regulations or compliance rules, we will terminate its showroom licence.”

After her video blew up a storm on the Internet, market regulators in Xian, the capital of Shaanxi province, launched an investigation, the People’s Daily reported.

The tax authorities said they were checking Lizhixing Auto’s affairs, while the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission asked its branch in Beijing to investigate whether Mercedes-Benz China’s financial business had charged other customers service fees through its dealers, state news agency Xinhua said.

In her video, Wang claimed Lizhixing Auto had changed its position on her complaint several times, from promising a new car, to offering her a refund, and finally to an offer of a new engine.

She said the dealer persuaded her to take out a loan to buy the car, which involved a financial service fee.

When she made her complaint, Wang said, she asked to speak to senior management, but sales staff did not supply the information.

After attempts to involve the authorities failed, Wang said she had no other option than to use social media to be heard. In the video filmed on April 9, she sat on the bonnet of a car and cried to staff and other customers about how she was treated.

On Saturday, she met the general manager of the showroom, who was not named in media reports, in the presence of market supervisors. The negotiations failed because Wang said she felt the dealer was arrogant and lacked sincerity, a Zhejiang TV report said.

In the agreement, Wang was also offered a decade-long one-on-one VIP service and a belated birthday celebration. She turned 30 on Saturday.

“I think everybody, whether it is a big company or an individual, has rights to have dialogue on an equal basis,” Wang told Thepaper.cn.

“In the past, they did not treat me equally. Perhaps they thought they are a big company and I am just nobody,” she said. “Now, I am receiving so much attention from Internet users. This result is probably not what I expected, but am satisfied with it.” — South China Morning Post


Schumacher's wife says F1 great 'different, but here'

Schumacher at the 2012 Brazil's F1 Grand Prix at the Interlagos racetrack in Sao Paulo. — AFP

LONDON: Michael Schumacher's wife, Corinna, said the Formula One great is "different, but he's here" as the 52-year-old continues his rehabilitation from a brain injury suffered in a skiing accident in December 2013.

The family have kept updates to a minimum since the accident and in an upcoming Netflix documentary, set to premiere on Sept 15, Corinna said privacy was very important to them.

"He still shows me how strong he is every day," she said.

"We live together at home. We do therapy. We do everything we can to make Michael better and to make sure he's comfortable. And to simply make him feel our family, our bond.

"And no matter what, I will do everything I can. We all will. We're trying to carry on as a family, the way Michael liked it and still does. And we are getting on with our lives.

"'Private is private', as he always said. It's very important to me that he can continue to enjoy his private life as much as possible. Michael always protected us, and now we are protecting Michael."

Schumacher won two Formula One championships for Benneton in 1994 and 1995 and then five consecutively for Ferrari, between 2000 and 2004. He retired in 2006 but returned for a stint with Mercedes from 2010 to 2012.

Michael and Corinna's son Mick is in his debut Formula One season with Haas.


Renault Korea to make EVs in city of Busan, says city govt

                SEOUL: Renault Korea Motors plans to build infrastructure at its plant in the south-eastern city of Busan to make electric vehicles (EVs), the Busan city government said.

The automaker aims to produce 200,000 EVs a year at its Busan facilities, a statement issued by the city cited Renault Group executive vice president Guido Haak as saying.

The plan was unveiled when Haak met with Busan mayor Park Heong-joon during a visit to France last week, where Haak called for South Korea's support to turn the Busan plant into its future manufacturing hub, Park's office said.

It was not immediately clear how much Renault planned to invest to build the EV production facilities.

Renault Korea did not have an immediate comment.

The announcement comes after Hyundai Motor said in May it will invest around 2 trillion won (RM7.2bil) in Ulsan, South Korea, to build a designated EV factory.


Ministry suspends Petrol Subsidy Programme microsite which exposed users’ bank account details

                PETALING JAYA: The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has suspended the newly-launched Petrol Subsidy Programme microsite after a tech portal reported that it exposed users’ bank account details.

The ministry's head of corporate communication, Yunus Tasim, said the ministry is aware and investigating the issue.

"Once we got the news, we decided to put the website on hold because we don't want to risk anything. We don't want users to be sceptical about our system.”

He added that once the issue is rectified, the ministry will restore the system.

Local tech forum Lowyat.net had reported that once a person’s MyKad number is entered in the portal, it will reveal the last four digits of the user’s bank account number.

However, when it looked into the source code, the full account number was visible.

Yunus said the ministry will be in touch with Lowyat for more information.

“We would like to thank all the users for their patience and feedback given to us," he said.

Cybersecurity company LGMS director Fong Choong Fook said the security flaw is mostly likely the result of the ministry rushing to launch the microsite.

The Petrol Subsidy Programme microsite, which went live on Oct 15, is for users to find out if they are eligible for petrol subsidy, as announced in Budget 2020.

“The bigger concern now is if someone can use the website as a tool to phish out information, just imagine what that person can do with the details,” Fong said.

“They could impersonate a bank officer and call a victim for extortion. A lot of exploitation can be done here."

Dr Aswami Fadillah Mohd Ariffin, president of Protem Digital Forensics Research Society (DFRS), said web-based development should go through security auditing at the staging level before production to avoid any security issues when the site goes online.

He said that the website developer must ensure secure coding and infrastructure design are followed before giving the go ahead for the launch.

Once the ministry rectifies the issue and rechecks again, it can give users access to the website, he added.

Fong said the issue can be rectified with a "quick fix on the coding side".


Mercedes-Benz E300 Cabriolet owner wins £850 payout over leather seats

                LONDON: A man in England, who recently paid for a used Mercedes-Benz E300 Cabriolet sought arbitration over the advertisement of its 'black leather' seats by its dealer, and was found that they were in fact made partially out of plastic - winning him an £850 (RM4,565) compensation.

It was Kerry Costello who paid nearly £35,000 (RM187,950) for the slightly used cabriolet at a Mercedes-Benz dealer in Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, England and became sceptical after having read a similar story in the Daily Mail in March, 2018 where another sceptical Mercedes-Benz owner sent samples of his leather seats to be analysed in a lab.

The 75-year old Costello - married to wife Lyn and writes crime thriller novels, went back to the dealer for an explanation, but instead failed to receive a satisfactory response.

He then sought the help of the Motor Ombudsman, which later found that the upholstery was in fact made partially out of polyurethane - a type of plastic.

Although a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson said it complied with rules which stipulate what can be described as leather upholstery in cars, the arbitrator ruled that if the seats were advertised as 'leather' then it should be 100% leather - nothing else, and added that the German carmaker's brochure was 'misleading'.

The ombudsman then paid Costello a compensation of £850 (RM4,565) - paving the way forward for more similar claims to emerge against car makers, while Mercedes-Benz customers are charged £912.50 (RM4,900) when opting for leather seats in a new car.

The Motor Ombudsman is the UK's automotive dispute resolution body that is fully-impartial - focusing solely on the automotive sector, and self-regulates the UK’s motor industry through its comprehensive Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI)-approved Codes of Practice.

-The Daily Mail


Genesis trials wireless charging in S. Korea

                SEOUL: Genesis has become the latest carmaker after Volvo to begin trials with wireless charging for electric cars, raising hopes that EV batteries will eventually become far simpler for drivers to refill.

The South Korean maker has set up 23 charging stations throughout South Korea. In order to charge, a car needs to line up exactly with an inductive charging pad using the onboard parking camera and lines on the infotainment screen.

Electric cars are not suitable for wireless charging as standard so Genesis has modified all the test vehicles, including a mixture of its GV60 and GV70 models.

The company said it hoped the trial will demonstrate how wireless, conductive charging can offer benefits to drivers who would rather not use a cable.

Once correctly located, the car starts charging automatically. The juice flows within seconds and there is no need for a jumble of cables and connectors. Payment is by contactless credit card.

The wireless chargers in Korea each deliver power at up to 11 kW which will not refill batteries particularly quickly. They are more powerful than many home chargers, which often run at only 7 kW, but will likely still take several hours to recharge.

Inductive charging has been used for buses in Europe, notably as part of the Primove system marketed by Bombardier.

Plans to use single-deckers on a route in the German capital Berlin were dropped several years ago after an extensive trial following technical problems.

These included fallen leaves and debris on the induction plates, which rendered the buses inefficient. The system has since been removed.

Volvo Cars is already testing a new wireless charging technology in a live city environment in Sweden together with selected partners.

Over a three-year period, a small fleet of fully electric Volvo XC40 Recharge cars are being used as taxis by Cabonline, the largest taxi operator in the Nordic region. They are charged wirelessly at stations in Gothenburg, Sweden.


Honda most searched car brand in S-E Asia, findings show

                PETALING JAYA: Honda was the most searched car brand in Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, while Toyota took the runner-up spot in most countries in the region during and after the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns.

These were among some of the findings by iPrice, a meta-search website, which sifted through and analysed the data on Google search interests. during the period of March-May 2020, which was compared against the December 2019-February 2020 period.

According to iPrice, this indicated that people in South-East Asia value affordable yet high quality cars.

Not surprisingly, Perodua and Proton were ranked at the top in Malaysia, accounting for 74,000 & 60,500 of search interests respectively.

With interstate travel finally allowed, it was also discovered that the majority of Malaysian motorists preferred SUVs and sedans instead of other automobile body types to drive out of state.

Besides Honda, Toyota and Mitsubishi were also on the minds of many in the region following the imposed lockdown measures. Google data indicated that Toyota was the most searched marque in the Philippines.

Among the most popular models searched in general were Honda (Civic Type R, City, Accord, and Jazz), Toyota (Corolla Altis), and Mitsubishi (Eclipse & Attrage).

The Continental players were very much in the game as searches for BMW and Mercedes-Benz cars jumped by 50% during the two timeframes under comparison. The Audi brand saw a substantial increase at 49% during the March-May period, said iPrice.

Although US electric car maker Tesla was the fifth most popular searched marque in the region, the company snagged the top spot in Singapore and Hong Kong. iPrice attributed this to the fact that Singapore and Hong Kong were strong proponents of reducing pollution through the use of electric cars by 2050. In Hong Kong alone, Tesla attracted an average of 246,000 search interests.

According to iPrice, it collected Google search data based on a list of keywords of 22 car brands in South-East Asia during the periods before and after the lockdowns. Data on the type of cars were obtained based on the keywords such as “SUV,” “MPV,” “WGN (wagon),” “Hatch,” “Sedans,” and “Coupe.”

> This content is adapted from a source article by iPrice.


Tesla to win approval for US$5.5bil Berlin gigafactory today

A general view of the construction site of Tesla's electric car factory is pictured in Gruenheide, near Berlin. — ReutersUPDATE:  It's official. Tesla gets green light to start production in Germany albeit a conditional one. It must first prove that it fulfils numerous conditions, including in water use and air pollution control. Only then will Tesla get its long-awaited operating permit.

BERLIN: The German state of Brandenburg has called a news conference today at which it is widely expected to approve Tesla's US$5.5 billion (RM23bil) gigafactory near here if certain conditions are met.

"The approval procedure for the e-car and battery factory of the US company Tesla in Gruenheide in Brandenburg is nearing completion," the state government said in a statement.

Tesla has for months been awaiting approval for a licence to begin production at the electric vehicle (EV) factory and adjacent battery plant in Gruenheide near Berlin, slowed down by red tape and local opposition.

CEO Elon Musk has made his irritation for German laws and processes known, saying in a letter to authorities last year that the country's complex planning requirements were at odds with the urgency needed to fight climate change.

Musk had hoped to have the plant - key to his ambitions to conquer the European market where Volkswagen currently holds the upper hand with a 25% share of electric vehicle sales to Tesla's 13% - up and running six months ago.

Following delays, he said in October last year that he hoped to have it operational by December. The company has not further updated its timetable for the launch.
US