Will targeted fuel subsidies work?

                PETALING JAYA: In 2009, the government spent about RM23.5bil on fuel and energy subsidies. According to a recent statement by Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, spending on fuel subsidies may reach RM28bil this year if global oil prices continue to trend above US$100 (RM422) per barrel.

Fuel subsidy spending this year may thus come in higher than in 2009 despite fiscal consolidation and subsidy rationalisation programmes undertaken since the 2008 Global Financial Crisis (GFC).

The government is now mulling a targeted fuel subsidy mechanism to replace the blanket subsidy approach to contain the fuel subsidy bill. To be clear, this idea is not new, but it never took off because of inherent weaknesses; to put it crudely, it cannot work.

Perhaps the government’s underlying idea is to lay the groundwork for the reintroduction of the managed float system – presumably, in hopes of reducing the fuel subsidy bill.

However, it makes little sense to “target” fuel subsidy while keeping retail oil prices at today’s rates because of the huge retail-market oil price differential.

There are two reasons why targeted fuel subsidy is unsound.

Firstly, the textbook explanation: subsidies, for all intents and purposes, distort market prices.

And this is by no means unethical in any way because subsidies, as well as taxes, can be the right solution to market imperfections.

With subsidies, it can lead to overall productivity gains and higher national output. However, subsidies can also reward inefficient industries and/or wasteful consumer behaviour. It is all relative, as they say it.

Considering that vehicles in Malaysia are subject to high taxes and duties (between 70% and 145%), fuel prices must be kept artificially low through subsidies. This is not to imply that fuel subsidy is justified, but rather to illustrate the dynamics between taxes and subsidies from the transportation sector standpoint.

Since low production cost is Malaysia’s competitive advantage, fuel subsidy plays an active role in controlling inflation.

At the very least, fuel subsidies help suppress the cost of car ownership and aid the mobility of most Malaysians since public transportation is not widely accessible/available.

The problem is that amid high global oil prices, the targeted fuel subsidy idea will only address the issue at the fuel consumption level, not at the production level.

The ongoing Ukraine-Russia military conflict has pushed global oil prices to a decade high when the supply chain is already severely disrupted amid worldwide lockdowns.

As a result, Malaysia’s producer price index (PPI) has surged to the highest level since the GFC at 13.2% in October 2021, then declining to 9.2% in January 2022 but rising again to 9.7% a month later.

Targeted fuel subsidy may help but not by much. Diesel, gas and electricity made up about 64.5% of Malaysia’s total final energy demand in 2019, so consumers will eventually feel the pinch from these channels – directly or indirectly.

Compare this with motor petrol which accounted for only 20.8% of the total final energy demand in the year.

And secondly, no one really knows how to target fuel subsidy correctly.

The subsidy distribution channel can never be foolproof, so the government may unintentionally over- or under-subsidise the targeted group.

Three ideas are being floated around so let us explore this further.

The first is the show-me-your-MyKad method, where the recipient enjoys fuel subsidy (via a lower retail oil price, presumably) when refuelling.

Herein lies the typical principal-agent problem where the agent(s) will behave in a manner that benefits them the most and not necessarily the principal. If one can use another person’s bank card to make a purchase, MyKad is no different.

Besides, what about a Malaysian taxpayer in a foreign country, say in Singapore, but refuels in Malaysia?

What about a foreign taxpayer in Malaysia? How can such a policy treat them fairly?

In sum, this method is costly and notoriously complex to administer.

The second one is the show-me-your-engine capacity method, where fuel subsidy is only given to motorcycles of 125cc capacity and below and cars of 1300cc and below.

The contentious point here is that, in this day and age, engine capacity does not necessarily determine the car price, and by extension, an individual’s income level. One could easily find a T20 with a 1300cc car (say, Mercedes-Benz A200) and a B40 with a bigger engine capacity car (say, an old boxy Volvo).

Should fuel subsidy benefit the rich with a new energy-efficient vehicle and not the poor with an old car? There are glaring ethical problems here, and one that is prone to abuse as much as the previous method.

The final one is the income supplementation method via universal cash transfers (UCT). Instead of giving the fuel subsidy at the transaction point, a determined sum of cash is given to the recipient to cushion price shocks.

Since a decade ago, Malaysia has had this system in place, so the real problem is whether we have the proper fiscal setup for higher UCTs.

For the record, this column had argued in the past that for UCTs to work, the goods and services tax (GST) must return.

We should not dismiss the targeted fuel subsidy idea despite its inherent weaknesses or imperfections. We must acknowledge that pro-poor policies are generally, by nature, inefficient and ineffective.

Since Malaysia is still reeling from the scarring effects of the pandemic-induced lockdowns, an immediate remedy to economic problems is very much needed.

To sum up, will fuel subsidy work? In its present form, and in the short term, yes, at least from the perspective of alleviating the financial pain of the vulnerable segments of society.

In the long term, no, because it will put pressure on the government’s fiscal position. Also, subsidies do not necessarily lead to positive behavioural change.

Will targeted fuel subsidy work? A resounding no. Will the government proceed with it anyway? Most probably yes, but with a managed float fuel pricing system and GST back in the game.

Instead of a targeted fuel subsidy, this article argues that UCTs provide a better buffer for the overall impact of rising prices.

After considering all possible scenarios, income supplementation is the goldilocks choice. Oh well, cash is king, after all. — FIRDAOS ROSLI

> Firdaos Rosli is chief economist at MARC Ratings Bhd. The views expressed here are the writer’s own. This article first appeared in StarBiz


LG Innotek develops two new hybrid lenses to improve autonomous driving

                SEOUL: South Korea's LG Innotek says it has successfully developed new types of high-performance hybrid lenses for autonomous driving that have reduced size and thickness while increasing price competitiveness compared to existing products in the market.

Cameras are key components of autonomous driving solutions as they help detect the driver's movements.

The company said last week it has developed new lenses for its driver monitoring system (DMS) and advanced driver assistance system (ADAS).

What distinguishes them is that the company cross-applied plastic and glass inside the lens, while other lenses use only glass to prevent structural deformation due to alteration in temperature or external force.

In particular, the company is the first in the industry to apply plastic materials to ADAS lenses with a high resolution of 8Mp. The company was able to decrease the size and price of the lenses by using plastic. Given that cameras are increasingly being used inside the car, the new lenses will give carmakers more flexibility in vehicle design, according to the company.

"The high-performance lenses are 20 percent to 30 percent thinner than all-glass products. As they get thinner, they have the advantage of increased freedom in interior and exterior designs," a company spokesman said.

"The higher level of self-driving, the more sensing the devices will be used. So, it is important to reduce the size of the parts."

The company said it increased the performance of its new lenses to match all-glass lens thanks to its technology that maintains consistent performance regardless of temperature.

LG Innotek expects the company will command an edge in the in-cabin camera lens market. The camera lenses employed in autonomous vehicles are mounted in camera modules.

They are key components of autonomous driving for driver assistance and driver recognition. In Europe, all vehicles are recommended to be equipped a DMS after 2025.

According to data by Strategy Analytics, the global self-driving camera market is expected to grow by around 17 percent annually to 7.9 trillion won in 2025 (RM27bil), up from 4.2 trillion won in 2021.

"We expect LG Innotek's high-performance hybrid lens, which has overcome the limitations of plastic with innovative technologies, to create a huge wave in the market," said LG Innotek chief technology officer Kang Min-seok.


Traffic volume higher than usual on highways

                PETALING JAYA: Major highways in the peninsula are seeing higher traffic flow than normal as voters travel back to their hometowns ahead of polling day on Wednesday (May 9).

Sporadic traffic congestion was reported on Tuesday (May 8) along the North-South Expressway, Kuala Lumpur-Karak and Gua Musang highways, while traffic within the city is lighter than usual.

The Malaysian Highway Authority reported on Twitter that the biggest crawl can be seen on the Karak highway as voters head towards the north and east of the peninsula.

Selangor Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief Supt Azman Shari'at, however, said traffic in the state was still normal.

"We are still monitoring the situation," he said when contacted.

He advised anyone travelling back to vote to be careful and courteous on the road.

"Follow the speed limit and don't be in a rush," he said, adding that carpooling is also recommended.


Audi e-tron Sportback and RS Q8 to debut at LA show

SINGAPORE: The brand with the four rings will be showcasing the series-production version of its electric Audi e-tron Sportback at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The four-door model combines the elegance of a large coupe with the progressive character of an electric vehicle.The e-tron Sportback features innovative Digital Matrix headlights – a first for a series-production vehicle.These can light the way in front of the car with unprecedented precision thanks to a million or so micromirrors.The e-tron Sportback shares its powertrain with the Audi e-tron SUV and will be built at the same production location in Brussels.The top model in the Q product line will be appearing for the first time in the form of the Audi RS Q8. Powered by an eight-cylinder twin-turbo engine, the RS Q8 will offer performance to match.Its capabilities will be complemented by exceptional efficiency. That is because it features a mild hybrid (MHEV) system based on a 48-volt main electrical system. With its belt alternator starter, the RS Q8 can recover up to 12kW of power to its lithium-ion battery.As a result, it can “glide” for up to 40 seconds with the engine switched off at speeds between 55 and 160kph. Under partial load and at low engine speeds, the Audi RS Q8 offers another weapon in its armory for improving efficiency: cylinder deactivation.The Audi e-tron Sportback and the Audi RS Q8 will be on show at the Audi stand during the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show starting on the press day on Nov 20.


Igniting motorsports with Gazoo Racing

PETALING JAYA: Season three of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival and Toyota Vios Challenge one-make race series will launch tomorrow to the delight of motorsports fans and Toyotaenthusiasts.

The opening round will be held on a 1.65km temporary street circuit around the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium in Kuala Terengganu.

“Toyota wants to establish an even bigger footprint in Malaysian motorsports and at the same time make a significant contribution by giving it a further boost.

“After carefully considering all factors, we believe the best approach to grow local interest and appreciation in motorsports is by bringing the races closer to the people,” said UMW Toyota Motor president Ravindran K.

 UMW Toyota Motor president Ravindran K (right) with Vios Challenge one-make series race car driver Hayden Haikal.

He added that the concept of street racing also helps to provide local drivers with a different challenge of competing on new tracks.

The race series has gone through two seasons already with 16 races which were held at venues located in Kuala Terengganu, Johor, Penang, the Klang Valley and the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).

This has attracted almost 100 drivers consisting of celebrities, amateurs and professionals as well as roughly 200,000 spectators and approximately 1.1mil live-stream viewers.

For Season Three, the races will be held on three street circuits with the SIC saved as the fourth and final round just as it was in Season Two.

Before any form of racing can be permitted, the street circuit must first be built strictly to the requirements of the international motorsports governing body Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) before being inspected, tested and certified.

 UMW Toyota Motor Chief Motorsport Officer Akio Takeyama holding a t-shirt with his name.

Because of this, the event is known as the sole premier street racing series within Malaysia.

To build the circuit for the upcoming race to be held in Kuala Terengganu, some 800 four-tonne reinforced concrete barriers that can withstand an impact of up to 200kph have been interlocked together to provide the layout.

The concept of a one-make race series limits the number of modifications allowed to the vehicle thereby making it more affordable for local amateur and professional drivers to participate.

Meanwhile, this creates a more competitive and level playing field for all where drivers rely on their skills and not on vehicular performance.

“Affordability is the keyword here and to make motorsports more accessible to the masses, but these efforts are not only confined to racing but also includes reaching out to the younger generation via other platforms including E-Sports,” said Ravindran.

Those who participate in the one-make race series are offered a special package for the purchase of the race car and includes all tyre and fuel requirements for the season as well as subsidised prices on spare parts and attractive prize monies.

UMW Toyota Motor has also taken motor-racing into the virtual world with the introduction of the Gazoo Racing Velocity E-Sports racing series.

“There must be continuity in motorsports and E-Sports is one platform that reaches out to millions of young people globally, especially children, who may or may not one day aspire to indulge in real racing.

“What Gazoo Racing and the Toyota GazooRacing Festival hope to accomplish on a global and domestic level respectively, is to ignite a strong passion and interest for motorsports,” said Ravindran.

Because of affordability, it makes the race series an ideal platform for young drivers which allowed 14-year-old Hayden Haikal to transition from karting to saloon car racing. His return to the race series has attracted another young newcomer - 17-year-old Bradley Benedict Anthony.

“Affordability was absolutely a deciding factor for Hayden’s participation in the Toyota Vios Challenge. At the same time, the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival Racing School programme was a value-added opportunity for Hayden to prepare under the guidance of instructors,” said Hayden’s father Haikal Zubir.

Like all competitors, Hayden too had to first obtain a racing licence from Malaysia’s motorsports governing body.

Meanwhile, UMW Toyota Motor deputy chairman, Akio Takeyama, explained that the series served the bigger agenda of introducing and promoting Toyota’s global Gazoo Racing activities.

Toyota has been competing in global motorsports since 1957, but in 2015, the company took steps to unify all its motor-racing activities under Gazoo Racing.

This has since led to winning many of the world’s most gruelling and prestigious motorsports events that include the 24 Hours of Le Mans, The World Sports Car Endurance Championship, Dakar Rally and the World Rally Championship.

“In order for Toyota to evolve into a performance brand, you need credibility and a strong motorsports heritage and this is what Toyota brings to the forefront with the Gazoo Racing branding. Gazoo Racing will eventually spur the introduction of special vehicles that will wear the ‘GR’ brand,” said Takeyama who is also UMW Toyota Motor’s chief motorsports officer.

“Gazoo” originates from the Japanese word, “gazo”, which means “picture” or “image” and in its early days, Toyota engineers had a mental image of garages filled with unique cars – an initiative that is already underway with the launch of the GR Supra, the very first model to wear the GR badge.

He said the development of new cars was better achieved in extreme conditions.

“This is why Toyota competes in motorsports around the world. Toyota’s philosophy is ‘the road shapes the driver as well as the vehicle’, in other words - roads build people and people build cars.

“Evolution is all about pushing limits and the extreme conditions of motor-racing to reveal the full potential of vehicles – potential that is not seen in day-to-day driving,” he said.


Indonesia to provide incentives to boost EV sales, attract investment

                JAKARTA: Indonesia will provide incentives to boost sales of electric vehicles (EVs) starting March 20, as part of efforts to accelerate adoption and attract investment from companies like Tesla, senior cabinet minister Luhut Pandjaitan said on Monday.

The incentive programme will cover sales of 200,000 electric motorcycles and 35,900 electric cars, said Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita. It will also cover the conversion of 50,000 combustion engine motorcycles, he added.

The two ministers, who spoke at a news conference, did not disclose the budget set aside for the programme, but said 7 million rupiah (RM2,044) will be disbursed to producers and retailers for each new motorcycle sold and for each converted into an electric bike.

Indonesia is keen to develop domestic EV production facilities to take advantage of its rich nickel reserves, an important material to produce batteries.

"We are finalising negotiations with two big global car producers. We hope this new policy will make our position much stronger than before," Luhut said without naming the companies.

"If we don't give (incentives), they will not come to us," he added.

Asked about discussion with Tesla, Luhut said he plans to talk with the US carmaker in coming days.

Tesla announced last week it would build a new "gigafactory" in Mexico, raising questions about whether it would invest in a similar facility in Asia.

Luhut played down doubts and said the Mexico facility would serve the North American market, adding he believed Tesla has a separate commitment in Asia.

"Whether it would be Indonesia, we will see," he said.

Officials have been trying to attract investment from electric car makers such as Tesla and China's BYD Auto.

South Korea's LG and Hyundai have started construction on plants to assemble batteries and electric cars in the Southeast Asian country.

Agus said that companies eligible to join the incentive programme are required to have a plant in Indonesia and meet certain local content requirements.


New Honda HR-V open for viewing from this weekend

                KUALA LUMPUR: Pending its local official launch in the third quarter of the year, prospective buyers of the all-new Honda HR-V will be able to view the compact sports utility vehicle (SUV) at selected Honda showrooms from this weekend.

June 18-19
> Sri Utama One Auto, Damansara, tel: 03-7890 0055
> MJN Auto, Kuala Selangor, tel: 03-3281 2933
> G-Mart AutoWorld, Kuala Lumpur, tel: 03-4022 8822
> Sri Utama Auto, Setapak, tel: 03-4024 2266
> Peringgit Sri Motor, Kuala Lumpur, tel: 03-7980 0000

June 21-22
> Elmina Motors, Shah Alam, tel: 012 421 9268
> Maxcom Motor, Bangsar, tel: 2287 0000
> Global Amity Nilai, Nilai, tel: 06-790 4000
> Ban Lee Heng Motor, Seremban, tel: 06-601 7815

June 24-25
> Edaran Kemaman, Kemaman, tel: 09-859 5888
> Ban Chu Bee, Kota Bahru, tel: 09-744 5893

June 25-26
> Greater Tampin Oto, Tampin, tel: -6-441 0306
> Wang Loo Motor (JB), Skudai, tel: 07-555 0033
> Kah Motor Co - Tebrau, Johor Bahru, tel: 07-393 0011

June 27-28
> Restu Auto, Bentong, tel: 09-223 9308
> Chuan Thye Motor, Temerloh, tel: 09-223 9308

July 2-3
> Ban Hoe Seng (Auto), Ipoh, tel: 05-292 7333
> Kah Motor Co - Ipoh, Ipoh, tel: 05-527 3500
> Vivahill Auto Sdn Bhd, Batan Lepas, tel: 04-644 1111

July 4-5
> Tian Siang Auto (Intan), Teluk Intan, tel: 05-623 3787
> Motoria, Seberang Prai, tel: 04-390 5313

The HR-V was developed with the concept of "Amp Up Your Life" with the vehicle's stylish and pemium design while offering a practical usability as a daily drive.

Honda Malaysia will be offering the HR-V, which comes with a large bonnet, slim LED headlights and fastback rear styling, in hybrid and petrol-powered variants.

The top RS variant has a length of 4,385mm, width of 1,790mm and height of 1,590mm, making it 39mm longer and 15mm lower compared with its RS predecessor.

Among the new RS features are front LED sequential turn signals, LED daytime running lights, LED taillight strip, front LED fog lights and 18-inch alloy wheels.

The RS variant will also be the first HR-V model to get the e:HEV hybrid powertrain, featuring the intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) system that delivers a powerful performance.

The e:HEV system combines the benefits of a dual cam 1.5-litre i-VTEC Atkinson cycle petrol engine and an electric traction motor to provide maximum power and fuel efficiency.

The electric powertrain delivers 131PS and 253Nm of torque for a thrilling driving experience in addition to three drive modes of ECON, Normal and Sport.

Other advanced features include Honda LaneWatch which is a camera-based advanced safety technology that reduces rear leftside blindspot by providing real-time visual, Hands-Free Power Tailgate with Walk Away Close function, Remote Engine Start and Walk Away Auto Lock.

Also available in the RS variant is the next generation Honda Sensing advanced driver assistance safety system that comes with:

> Lead Car Departure Notification (LCDN)
> Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
> Low Speed Follow (LSF)
> Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
> Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
> Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS)
> Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)
> Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
> Auto High Beam (AHB)

To do a pre-launch booking, customers can log on to prebook.honda.com.my or download the HondaTouch app on their smartphones.

For more information, customers can visit any Honda authorised dealerships nationwide or call Honda’s Toll-Free number at 1-800-88-2020 or log on to www.honda.com.my.

READ MORE: First drive of Honda HR-V RS e:HEV in Phuket


Continental touts longer fleet tyre service life with Conti SupRim Technology

                KUALA LUMPUR: Continental Tyres, the leading German tyre manufacturer, has introduced Conti SupRim Technology, its next-generation robust and durable bead technology for enhanced durability and better retreadability into its range of commercial vehicle tyres.

Conti SupRim Technology sees the rim strip compound re-engineered to deliver superior anti-ageing properties that enhance tyre bead flexibility, strength, and tear resistance.

Frequent mounting, demounting and retreading tyres will strain the bead areas making them brittle and susceptible to breakage.

In conventional tyres, bead durability tends to deteriorate up to 75% by the end of its first life.

The Conti SupRim Technology ensures that the bead retains its initial durability throughout its first life and only results in a marginal decline of up to 18% by the end of its first retread.

This technology provides three times the bead durability of conventional compounds, further minimising damage caused by mounting and dismounting.

Currently, Conti SupRim Technology is incorporated into all radial tyres manufactured at Continental Tyres’ plant in India.

The technology ensures superior retreadability as well as ease of mounting throughout the lifecycle of tyres while delivering lower cost of ownership to customers.

Customers who have tested tyres with Conti SupRim Technology agree that it is four times easier to mount compared to a tyre with a conventional compound.

Continental Tyre Malaysia managing director Andrea Somorova said Conti SupRim Technology ensures superior retreadability as well as ease of mounting throughout the lifecycle of tyres while delivering lower cost of ownership to customers.

“Continuous commitment to providing sustainable solutions to fleet operators “Conti SupRim Technology is truly a technological breakthrough for Continental.

“With the incorporation of Conti SupRim Technology, we bring safe, durable, and robust tyres to Malaysian fleets. Our customers have shown great confidence in this technology to enrich their long-term product experience,” she added.


New Mitsubishi ASX debuts in Europe

Looks similar to the Renault Captur, doesn't it? That's because the new ASX for Europe is based on the Captur.
TOKYO: Mitsubishi Motors' subsidiary in Europe, has premiered the new generation ASX for the European market at an online event.

ASX (RVR or Outlander Sport in some markets), a compact SUV, is one of Mitsubishi' core models which was introduced to Europe in 2010.

Based on the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance CMF-B platform, the new ASX is a compact SUV supplied by Renault and developed specifically for the European market.

The model, based on the Captur, will be manufactured at Renault's Valladolid plant in Spain and will be in Mitsubishi Motors' showrooms in select European markets from March 2023.

The new ASX features a flowing silhouette from the front to the rear, and the character line which rises toward the rear combines with the floating roof to give the vehicle a dynamic styling.

An element of Mitsubishi' Dynamic Shield design concept is added to the front face, with a robust grille staging the iconic three-diamond logo. The SUV also features sleek side panels and wide shoulders.

The new generation ASX features a wide range of powertrain options to match today's varying needs in Europe.

Topping the line-up will be the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model with a 1.6-litre petrol engine, two electric motors (an alternator-starter and a main motor), an automatic, multi-mode gearbox, and a 10.5kWh battery.

The full hybrid (HEV) model comes with a 1.6-litre petrol engine with two electric motors, an automatic, multi-mode gearbox, and a 1.3kWh battery.

The mild hybrid model combines a 1.3-litre direct injection turbo with a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed double-clutch automatic transmission (7DCT), and the entry model is available with a 1.0-litre turbocharged gasoline engine and a 6-speed manual transmission.

Inside, a spacious cargo area and sliding rear bench enhance convenience for users.

A Smartphone-link Display Audio (SDA) is located at the centre of the instrument panel, and the Multi-Sense system controlled via the SDA allows the driver to select the drive mode that best suits their preference.

In addition, advanced driver assistance systems such as MI-PILOT single-lane driver assistance technology for highways, which integrates Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Centering Assist (LCA), are available to support safe driving.


About time for a 'World Urban Car' award

TORONTO: The people who gave us the prestigious World Car of the Year awards are coming up with a new award to tap into the reality of today's world.

The World Car Awards is introducing a new entry for 2017 – the "World Urban Car" award. With more than 50% of the world’s population now living in towns and cities, and that figure expected to increase in the years ahead, urban cars are the future, and this new award recognises the responses of carmakers to this growing trend.

Cars contesting in this new category cannot be large but don't necessarily need to be that small. Contenders could even be a 4-metre long car that, through clever packaging, has multiple seats and serve multiple purposes.

According to World Car Awards vice-chairman Mike Rutherford, the global motor industry is scratching the surface when building less than 100 million vehicles annually for a population that currently stands at around 7.4 billion but is expected to reach 9 billion-plus by 2050 - with the majority of citizens cum drivers cum car users living in packed town and cities.

 A Shell concept car unveiled recently. — Shell/Justin Leighton

He predicted smaller, smarter designed, built for purpose vehicles would become the biggest sellers on the planet. "And that, in turn, is why we at the World Car Awards are urging manufacturers to think more seriously about such cars," he said.

“Our newly created award will give jurors a chance to evaluate and vote on a small vehicle category that is becoming far more prevalent across the globe and resonates with countless millions of motorists. The award’s time has come of age,” said World Car Awards chairman Peter Lyon.

The World Car Awards are administered by a not-for-profit association, under the guidance of a steering committee of top automotive journalists from Asia, Europe and North America.

In the latest World Car Awards ceremony held at the New York Auto Show in March, the Mazda MX-5 roadster was adjudged the 2016 World Car of the Year. Mazda announced last month it had produced its millionth MX-5 at its Hiroshima plant after 27 years and four generations of the iconic roadster.


Toyota's Nov global vehicle production rises 1.5% to record 833,104

                TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp reported on Monday a 1.5% rise in November global vehicle output, reaching a new record of 833,104.

Domestic production slid 3.3% to 266,174 vehicles, while overseas output rose 3.8% to an all-time high of 566,930 for the month.

Global sales and production in November exceeded last year's levels due to solid demand, particularly in North America, and a recovery in parts supplies that had been impacted by Covid-19 slowdowns, Toyota said.

The automaker reported earlier this month it expected to produce 700,000 vehicles in January and held to a reduced goal of 9.2 million in the year through March.

Toyota had previously expected to make 9.7 million autos this fiscal year, but was forced to lower the target in November as it struggles with rising materials costs and a shortage of semiconductors. read more

That's still ahead of last year's production of about 8.6 million units.


Team Proton R3 wins Sepang 1000KM

                SUBANG JAYA: Team Proton R3 (R3) has defended the Sepang 1000KM Endurance Race (S1K) title it won in 2017 by claiming a second successive win in the event.

Fariqe Hairuman and Syafiq Ali drove their Proton Iriz to the top of the podium in the 181-lap race, simultaneously getting the first major win for the car as well as a fourth S1K title for R3.

By winning the 2018 race, Proton and R3 set new records for the S1K.

A fourth overall victory means R3 is the most successful team in the event’s history.

It was also the fifth time a Proton car crossed the finish line in first place while the Proton Iriz is the fourth different Proton model to win following victories by the Proton Satria Neo in 2012, Proton Prevé in 2014 and Proton Suprima S in 2016 and 2017.

Both achievements are records and making things even sweeter, this was the third time Syafiq Ali won the race, making him the most successful driver in S1K history.

Going further back in history, Proton also has three additional victories in Malaysian endurance racing events. R3 won the 2005 and 2006 Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race (MME) while the Proton Eon Racing Team (PERT) were the winners of the inaugural MME event in 2000.

“The 2018 S1K was a tough and exciting race run in hot weather conditions at a very fast pace. There were many lead changes with multiple safety car periods adding to the complexity of our race strategy. We managed to get a good lead over the rest of the field with 40 laps to go and thankfully we were able to then stretch our advantage to over 2 minutes at the end of the race,” said Gary Lee, team principal of Proton R3.

A key partner and sponsor to R3 is Petronas which supplies lubricants to the team.

R3 was also the most well supported team at S1K as evidenced by the sea of fans dressed in yellow team t-shirts seated in the grandstand during the race.

An estimated 2,000 R3 supporters comprising Proton car clubbers, vendors, dealers and even bankers attended the event and their support helped push the team to success.

“At Proton, we truly believe motorsports improves our products. It’s not easy to succeed in a race like the S1K as cars have to run flat out for nearly 9 hours, but our wins prove Proton cars have exceptional handling and are engineered to perform even when driven in such extreme conditions. To be both fast and reliable is very difficult, so when we manage to achieve it we make sure what we learn on the racetrack is transferred to our cars on the road,” said Abdul Rashid Musa, CEO of Proton Edar.


Dec 2-8: RON97 petrol down 3 sen

                KUALA LUMPUR: The retail price of RON97 petrol will decrease by three sen per litre, to RM3.02, from Dec 2 to Dec 8, says the Finance Ministry.

In a statement today, it said the retail price of RON95 petrol and diesel would remain unchanged at RM2.05 and RM2.15 per litre respectively over the same period.

The statement also said that the government will continue to monitor the trend of global crude oil prices, and take appropriate measures.


J.D. Power 'returns home' after buyout by US private investors

                SAN FRANCISCO/CHICAGO: US private equity investment firm Thoma Bravo announced it has reached an agreement to acquire J.D. Power, a global leader in data analytics and consumer intelligence, resulting in its return to US control.

XIO Group, backed by investors from China, is the seller.

The transaction is expected to close by year end.

Upon closing, Thoma Bravo plans to partner with J.D. Power's existing team in the ongoing expansion of the company, with a focus on continued development of enhanced industry insights, advanced analytics and innovative new offerings.

As part of the transaction J.D. Power's existing management team and employee owners will be rolling over their ownership interest in the company.

"We are thrilled to partner with Thoma Bravo, a firm that clearly understands our space and is well-positioned to help us develop new growth opportunities and continue on our current path of rapid expansion," said J.D. Power president and CEO Dave Habiger.

"This is an exciting step forward for our company, and we look forward to a fruitful partnership that will help us maximise our company's fullest potential."

Thoma Bravo, armed with over US$30 billion in funds, focuses on investments in the software and technology-enabled services sectors.

Reuters reported in May that XIO was exploring a sale of the US customer survey and car ratings company that could value it at close to US$1.9 billion, including debt.

The report cited people familiar with the matter.

XIO’s acquisition of J.D. Power in 2016 attracted US government scrutiny because the buyout firm has investors from China. XIO has decided the time has come to sell the company so it can score a profit on its investment, according to the sources.

XIO has hired investment bank Evercore Partners Inc to run a sale process for J.D. Power, which has 12-month earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation of about US$135 million, the sources said.

Based in Costa Mesa, California, J.D Power provides consumer insights, advisory services and data and analytics to companies.

J.D. “Dave” Power and his wife Julie started the eponymous company in 1968 from their home in Calabasas, California, and landed Toyota Motor Corp as their first client.

While J.D. Power’s roots are in car research, it also conducts annual customer satisfaction surveys on industries, from credit cards to hotel loyalty programs and cable companies, that are often cited in advertisements and commercials.

S&P Global bought J.D. Power in 2005 for an undisclosed sum before selling it to XIO for US$1.1 billion in 2016. In the last three years, XIO has recouped from J.D. Power through dividends about a third of the US$1.1 billion purchase price, one of the sources told Reuters.


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Electric motor and related components in a BMW plug-in hybrid.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Proton to re-enter Chile again, says envoy

                KUALA LUMPUR: Proton is set to re-enter the Chilean market next month, said Malaysian ambassador to Chile, Datuk Dr Mohammad Rameez Yahaya.

He said Proton's three models - Saga, Preve and Exora - would arrive in Chile as the test cars before they were scheduled to be launched next April by its distributor in the country, Andes Motor.

"I had met Andes Motor general manager, Jorge Greene, and commercial manager, Maximiliano, last Thursday to discuss the matter. The company signed a distributor agreement with Proton and will receive its first three models in December," he was quoted as saying in his Facebook.

Mohammad Rameez said Andes Motor was expected to import a minimum of 500 Proton cars each year for the next five years.

"That will increase trade between Malaysia and Chile to US$6 million a year," he said.

Last week, the three units were tested for approval before being transported from Port Klang. The cars are expected to arrive in Chile next month.

In April, Chile's ambassador to Malaysia, Christian Rehren, said Proton could re-enter the Chilean market this year following the signing of the Malaysia-Chile Free Trade Agreement.

Proton was selling in Chile in the 1990s and has become a familiar name there.

In a related development, DRB-Hicom Bhd said it was eyeing sales of RM45 million at the three-day DRB-Hicom Autofest 2015 which ended on Sunday.

At the weekend sales, the company was promoting 11 vehicle brands under the group and the entire ecosystem of the car industry within its stable such as Puspakom, Avis and Pos Malaysia at this year's event.

Among the brands featured are Proton, Lotus, Spyder Can-Am, Audi, Volkswagen, Honda, Jeep, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Tata and Modenas.


Cycle & Carriage roadshows at 1 Utama and Gurney Paragon in July

                KUALA LUMPUR: This July, Cycle & Carriage, a leading Mercedes-Benz dealership in Malaysia, will have roadshows at 1 Utama Shopping Centre and Gurney Paragon, Penang.

The roadshows will have a curated collection of Mercedes-Benz's latest vehicles for visitors to check out.

Visitors can also snag these special promotions:

● Mercedes-Benz and Cycle & Carriage Merchandise up to 20% off
● Trade-in services to get the best value for your Mercedes-Benz
● Attractive prices for selected Mercedes-Benz vehicles

Cycle & Carriage Roadshow at 1 Utama Shopping CentreWhen: 5 - 9 July 2023, from 10.00 am to 10.00 pm
Where: Oval Concourse, LG, 1 Utama Shopping Centre
Mercedes-Benz vehicles on display: EQS 500, A 200 FL, GLC 300 e Coupe, EQA, EQB, EQE, A 45 S, GLC
300 SUV, C 200, E 200

Cycle & Carriage Roadshow at Gurney Paragon, PenangWhen: 13 - 16 July 2023, from 10.00 am to 10.00 pm
Where: Main Concourse Area, Gurney Paragon
Mercedes-Benz vehicles on display: GLC300, C300, EQS500, EQA250, A200 FL

To find out more, visit https://cyclecarriage.com.my/ or https://www.instagram.com/cyclecarriagemy/.


Prepare for tighter MCO regulations from April 1-14

                PUTRAJAYA: Come April 1, the Government will impose tighter restrictions on people's movement in the country.

Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said today this was necessary to ensure measures taken to break the Covid-19 chain of infection achieve the desired goals.

The Government yesterday announced that the movement control order (MCO) has been extended by another two weeks from April 1-14. The first phase of the 14-day MCO is in force from March 18 to 31.

Ismail Sabri said under the ongoing phase one, the people are still allowed to move around, with some restrictions.

"The National Security Council has been asked to draft a new standard operating procedure for phase two of the MCO, where the rules and regulations are tighter and more stringent, that what is in place now.

Ismail Sabri said he would not announce the new measures yet, adding that the NSC would present the new standard operating procedure on Saturday.

Even with heightened restrictions, the Government has assured that that the supply of essential goods during the MCO period will remain unimpeded.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry announced that another 235 new Covid-19 cases have been reported, bringing it to a total of 2,031 cases as of noon today. A total to 215 patients have recovered and the death toll is now at 23.


The electric car revolution is coming, but not until 2025

                MUNICH: Though the future of personal mobility will be electrically driven, don't expect to see traditional gas stations disappearing into the automotive history books any time soon.

"There will be no such thing as a 'one-size-fits-all' solution," said Klaus Fröhlich, Member of the Board of Management at BMW AG, Development. "We see the approach of using myriad [drivetrain] technologies continuing for many years."

By the end of 2016, there will be 2 million electric vehicles on the world's roads. Between January and June alone, a record 312,000 plug in cars were sold globally -- that's a 49% increase on the same period in 2015. Little wonder that many industry experts are forecasting that battery-powered car sales are set to hit the 1 million mark by December.

In isolation, those numbers may signify that a new age of greener motoring is here, as would even a cursory glance at the pure-electric concept cars from the likes of Mercedes and VW on show at this month's Paris Motor Show.

But the reality is that there are 1 billion+ cars already on the world's road network. Just 0.2% of them are battery propelled. The above figures include all cars that use a plug-in battery system so represent combined electric/gasoline hybrid and pure electric car sales.

What's more, every year, 70 million to 80 million cars are sold globally, and, currently, pure electric cars represent just 0.6% of that figure.

Still according to Jürgen Schenk, the head of Mercedes-Benz electric car unit, a tipping point is coming very soon. When EV sales hit 1% of all sales in mid-2017, the electric car will be here to stay and that's when the technology will be more aggressively marketed and breakthroughs in areas such as range will come quicker.

Fröhlich points out that current EVs are already good enough for people who cover fewer than 100km a day and only require a small-to-medium sized car. But for those that need more space and greater range, the only practical green option is a plug-in hybrid that gives emissions free motoring in urban areas and gasoline range on the open road. It's also why all car companies, not just BMW, are going to continue actively investing in internal combustion engine technology. In the short-to-medium term, gasoline engines are going to be "vital," in Fröhlich's words.

Mercedes thinks it will take a decade until pure electric cars make up 25% of its total annual sales. And in 2025, the hydrogen fuel cell car could also be ready for mass consumption. On paper hydrogen is the perfect replacement for gasoline. But the reality is that massive infrastructure investment is needed first.

"BMW will enter the fuel cell market early in the next decade, starting with very small production runs. However, until 2025 at least costs will remain too high and the hydrogen infrastructure too sparse to allow broad-based market penetration. By the time the fundamentals are in place, the BMW Group will also have marketable products ready that are attractive to customers," Fröhlich said.


Mazda6 more refined

COLOGNE: Mazda has updated the Mazda6 sedan and tourer models for the Europe market to enhance driving enjoyment and improve refinement. Highlights across the range include technology updates, interior improvements and the introduction of G-Vectoring Control.

Already regarded as one of the best-handling and most engaging cars in its segment, the Mazda6’s dynamic setup has been refined with the introduction of G-Vectoring Control (GVC), the first application of Mazda’s new series of SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS technology. Using integrated control of the engine, transmission and chassis to enhance the connection between car and driver, GVC varies engine torque to optimise the load on each wheel.

This system improves driver confidence, passenger comfort and vehicle handling via subtle manipulation of the powertrain.

Retaining an unchanged engine line-up, the upgraded Mazda6 features a choice of four engines: 145ps and 165ps 2.0-litre SKYACTIV-G petrol, plus 2.2-litre 150ps and 175ps SKYACTIV-D diesels. The 2.2-litre SKYACTIV-D engine features two key improvements designed to increase responsiveness and reduce engine noise: Transient Control and Mazda’s Natural Sound Smoother Technology (NSS).

By reducing turbo lag and boosting torque, Transient Control provides a more positive throttle response, ensuring that the diesel engine reacts better than ever to the driver's intentions, while refinement has been enhanced thanks to the introduction of NSS technology.

Designed to reduce diesel knock noise during starting and low-speed acceleration, NSS suppresses resonance from the piston and connecting rod by using a dynamic damper inside the piston pin to suppress the three critical frequency bands in which engine components typically vibrate most loudly.

This increase in engine refinement is complimented by a comprehensive improvement in sound insulation, including the adoption of upgraded door seals, tighter tolerances between panels and sound deadening materials added to the underbody, rear console, headliner and doors, while laminated front side windows further suppress wind noise.

The Mazda6 is available in eight colours including Mazda’s new Machine Grey Metallic, which having starred on the all-new Mazda MX-5 RF at the 2016 New York Motor Show, goes into production on the Mazda6.

Inside, the revised Mazda6 features a new leather steering wheel that on Sport Nav models is heated. Other premium upgrades to range-topping Sport Nav models include an enhanced head up display that features colour and Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) for the first time, plus electric memory seats that now also adjust the head-up display. While from SE-L Nav models upwards auto power-folding mirrors are standard, and Mazda’s Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) low-speed collision mitigation braking now features pedestrian recognition.

The cars will be arriving in European dealerships later this autumn and pricing remaining unchanged.


Vehicle pedestrian safety systems struggle to see in the dark

                DETROIT: Many of the automatic braking systems automakers are using to prevent vehicles from hitting pedestrians do not work well in the dark, according to test results released today by the US non-profit group Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The group, backed by the insurance industry, said 12 of the 23 sedans, midsize SUVs and small trucks it evaluated earned a "basic" rating or no credit at all, because they failed to detect or slow adequately for a dummy pedestrian in nighttime tests. About three-quarters of pedestrian deaths happen at night, the IIHS said.

Starting with the 2023 model year, the IIHS will require vehicles to earn a "superior" or "advanced" rating on the new nighttime pedestrian detection test to receive a "Top Safety Pick +" rating from the organisation.

Automakers strive for top ratings from the IIHS, as they do from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The IIHS is focusing on pedestrian detection technology as fatalities involving people on foot being struck by vehicles are rising sharply on US highways. Pedestrian fatalities rose in 2021 to 7,342 deaths, up 13% from the year before and up 80% from the low point in 2009, according to federal data.

There is not yet a government test or performance standard for pedestrian-detecting automatic braking systems. And there is no federal requirement for nighttime testing of such systems, said IIHS president David Harkey.

The IIHS found wide variation in systems performance both between competing automakers and between different models sold by the same automaker.

Nissan Motor Co's 2022 Pathfinder was rated "superior," while the company's Altima sedan received "no credit" in the IIHS tests.

Nissan said in a statement it is "still evaluating the results from the latest IIHS testing, including the difference in results in combination with the performance of the equipped headlights."

Volkswagen said in a statement that the vehicles IIHS tested only use radar.

"We are confident that the next versions of the Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport and Tiguan should perform better because they fuse camera and radar sensors and will hopefully achieve an Advanced rating.”

Toyota said its Tacoma pickup, which received a “no credit” rating in the IIHS test, is not equipped with a system that can detect pedestrians at night. The Toyota Highlander and Camry received “superior” ratings, and have more advanced pedestrian detection technology. Toyota did not comment on the IIHS testing method.

Ford and General Motors did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Eight of 12 vehicles that earned low, "basic" or "no credit" scores in the nighttime test had systems that earned "superior" or "advanced" ratings in daytime testing, the IIHS said.

The IIHS is using its tests to push automakers to improve the performance of automatic braking systems, but Harkey said the rise in pedestrian deaths is driven by multiple factors, including vehicle speed, pedestrian behaviour and the growing share of larger, heavier, taller trucks and SUVs.


Brief test drive of D55L SUV in Rawang: most refined Perodua ever

                RAWANG: The new  Perodua D55L compact sports utility vehicle (SUV) is really the most refined and impressively engineered car the national automaker has ever produced, based on a brief test drive Carsifu experienced at the company's newly upgraded test track in Rawang.

Bookings for the new SUV have opened, and there are three variants - X, H and AV - at prices estimated between RM62,500 and RM73,400, on-the-road before insurance in Peninsular Malaysia.

The new SUV will be officially launched on March 3 via an online platform, and the Internet is rife with rumours that the small SUV would be called the Ativa.

As full specifications and features of the new SUV are under a media embargo until March 3, Carsifu is somewhat constrained in our reporting on the new SUV.

However, it is an open secret that it shares key underpinnings with the Daihatsu Rocky (also offered as the Toyota Raize in Japan), which is the second DNGA (Daihatsu New Global Architecture) car after the Daihatsu Tanto.

The five-seater Rocky/Raize was launched in Japan in November 2019, and has a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine mated to a D-CVT (dual mode continuously variable transmission), which produces 97hp and 140Nm of torque.

With a kerb weight of less than a tonne (at 970kg to 980kg), it has a better power-to-weight ratio than some non-turbocharged B-segment sedans.

The D-CVT has a split gear ― used in a Toyota vehicle for the first time ― to enable better fuel efficiency, acceleration feel, and quietness.

Toyota bills the 1.0-litre turbocharged Raize as providing the torque of a 1.5-litre engine at a variety of engine speeds, from low speeds upwards, which results in powerful acceleration.

If the driver needs even quicker throttle response, there is a Power button (which changes the powertrain mapping) on the steering wheel on the Rocky/Raize.

In Japan, the two-wheel drive Rocky/Raize is rated with a fuel efficiency of 18.6km per litre on the WLTC (World Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Cycle).

The Rocky/Raize in Japan is fitted with 17-inch wheels.

It measures 3,995mm (length); 1,695mm (width) and 1,620mm (height) which means it is 440mm shorter and 120mm lower than the seven-seater Perodua Aruz SUV.

The distance between the front and rear seats is a generous 900mm, thus delivering spacious rear legroom.

The Rocky/Raize has a 369-litre rear luggage area which is designed with a moveable deck board that covers an 80-litre under-trunk compartment (to store a tyre repair kit and tools).

As Perodua has revealed, the new SUV is its most advanced car with an array of advanced functions and safety technologies.

Equipped on all variants is the Advanced Safety Assist (ASA), which is similar to Daihatsu's Smart Assist crash-avoidance assist system, that detects vehicles in front and avoids the risk of a crash or minimises damage at low speeds.

Daihatsu's Smart Assist has functions such as automatic braking to assist low-speed crash avoidance (Pre-collision warning and braking) , accelerator pedal mis-operation control, and notification of motion of a vehicle in front (Front Departure Alert)- similar to the current Myvi's ASA.

The latest ASA on the new SUV features higher operating speeds than the current version on the Myvi and is capable of detecting two-wheeled vehicles.

Also on all variants are Lane Departure Warning and Prevention - alerts driver of unintended lane departure using buzzing sound and warning indicator light.

The top AV exclusively gets Lane Keep Control, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Adaptive Cruise Control.

All these features make the D55L SUV the first Perodua model to satisfy Level 2 Autonomous Driving standards.

Lane Keep Control can detect road lines on both sides, keep car in the middle of the lane, via automatic steering control.

Adaptive Cruise Control allows for automatic acceleration and deceleration, depending on speed of vehicle in front; it can detect both cars and motorcycles, and the driver can set vehicle speed from 30kph to 125kph.

Blind Spot Monitor alerts the driver of vehicles in the blind spot, via a buzzing sound and flashing indicator on the left wing mirror.

Rear Cross Traffic Alert alerts the driver of oncoming vehicles passing behind when reversing, via a buzzing sound.

Test drive at Perodua test track

As abovementioned, full specifications and features of the new SUV are under a media embargo until March 3, and Carsifu is somewhat constrained in our reporting on the new SUV.

Still, at the Perodua test track in Rawang, the new SUV did not feel underpowered at all, with two adults inside.

The test track has a mix of long straight stretches and hilly areas, as well as bumpy and irregular-surfaced stretches to simulate bad roads, and sharp banked corners.

Acceleration was smooth on mild hill climbs, and on the straight stretch of the test track, we quickly picked up speed to 110kph.

Power delivery was smooth and linear.

As expected, the electric power steering felt very light and vague - perfect for those who like effortless steering.

We took the sharp banked corners at some speed, and the SUV felt composed, with hardly any discernible body roll.

The test drive was very brief, but the overall impression is the SUV provides a quiet, smooth and refined drive.

While a highway and B-road drive might provide a different story, we felt that the new SUV sets a new benchmark for a Perodua car in terms of driving refinement.

The test drive units provided were the flagship AV variants fitted with 17-inch wheels, and the fit and finish in the leather-clad cabin was of a high quality.

Unlike Perodua cars like the Bezza, Axia and Myvi, this SUV does not have the uniquely Malaysian market features of the "shopping bag" hooks on the front seat-backs, or anti-theft "handbag" hook on the side of the front passenger seat.

What you get is a deep centre storage box with an arm-rest lid, between the front seats.

We also used the Lane Keep Control and Adaptive Cruise Control features, and it is amazing that they are in a Perodua car here at RM73,400.

These are advanced driving assistance features found in more expensive cars. and you would need to pay a lot more (around RM30,000 extra) to find them in the flagship Proton X50 variant.

This is the best-looking interior ever for a Perodua, and in terms of features, design, fit and finish, powertrain technology and pricing, the new SUV delivers on a level that the non-national B-segment sedans will find hard to match.

We dare say the new SUV will be flying off the shelves, and be the most popular SUV in Malaysia.

ALSO READ:All-new Perodua D55L SUV starts from RM62,50010 new cars coming in 2021Perodua SUV coming in 2020: DNGA platform, turbo engine


Nissan LEAF or BMW i3s?

                PETALING JAYA: The BMW i3s finally has a competitor with the advent of the Nissan LEAF, so how does this German fair against its new Japanese rival on paper?

Before getting into their respective differences, let's begin with a few similarities.

For starters, both belong to the hatchback segment of vehicles that are fully powered by a lithium-ion battery installed into the floor to power an electric motor and can be charged via a regular household plug or dedicated fast-charger.

Other than that, these two vehicles take different approaches in terms of design, use of materials and ergonomics.

Price, warranty and colour

The i3s costs almost RM280,000 (on-the-road without insurance) and that's almost RM90,000 more than the LEAF's RM188,888 asking price.

For peace of mind, the i3s comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty which includes free scheduled service, a two-year tyre warranty programme, access to BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline and the BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App – BMW White Card and BMW Service Online.

The battery comes with an eight-year or 100,000km warranty with one out of its eight modules costing RM7,300 - not including RM1,140 for labour.

The i3s is available with a Balloon Financing Plan from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia and based on an 80% loan over a five-year tenure, it can be had with a monthly instalment of RM3,188.

For colour choices, the i3s can arrive in either Fluid Black or Mineral Grey (metallic), paired with Capparis White and accented by BMW's i Blue highlight.

The LEAF, on the other hand, is covered by a three-year or 100,000km warranty that includes a three-year or 60,000km maintenance service as well as an eight-year or 160,000km lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery warranty.

This is accompanied by a three-year Owners' Privilege Programme that allows a LEAF owner the ability to borrow a Nissan X-Trail sport utility vehicle, Serena multipurpose vehicle or a Navara pickup truck for a period of 23 days within a year.

Size and practicality

Size-wise the i3s with its coach doors is the smaller of the two while having a wheelbase of 2,570mm and measuring in at 3,999mm-long, 1,775mm-wide and 1,578mm-tall.

The larger LEAF has a wheelbase that's 120mm longer at 2,690mm and measures in at 4,480mm (+481mm), 1,790mm-wide (+15mm) and 1,540mm-tall (-38mm).

For luggage space, the i3s has a 260-litre boot (expandable to 1,100 litres) which is dwarfed by the LEAF's 435-litre boot (expandable to 1,176 litres).

Battery and range

Because the i3s is more compact, it has a lower kerb weight at around 1,300kg thanks to the use of aluminium at the base of its platform and carbon fibre for the passenger cell.

Despite its size, it uses a slightly larger 42.2kWh (120Ah) Li-ion battery that's capable of realistically travelling up to 260km.

Costing RM8,897, the BMW i Wallbox facilitates speed charging at home with 11kW of charging power for an electric range of 180km in under three hours.

The i Wallbox is equipped with WiFi access and can be operated via a smartphone, smartwatch, PC or tablet, and can also access all features of the BMW Digital Charging Service.

When charging in public, the i3s gets access to the local ChargEV network which is part of the BMW 360-degree Electric programme and depending on location, the network provides for outputs of 3.7kW, 7.0kW and 22kW.

As for the LEAF's battery, which is slightly smaller at 40kWh, the Japanese automaker claims that it can achieve up to 311km on a full charge.

Via a usual A/C 6.6kW wall-plug, fully charging the LEAF's battery will take about seven hours or roughly one hour with a quick D/C 50kW CHAdeMo Charging facility.

Currently, CHAdeMO quick chargers are available free-of-charge at ABB Malaysia in Subang Jaya, Nichicon Sdn Bhd in Bandar Baru Bangi and PLUS Ayer Keroh R&R (Malacca - Southbound) as well as one of Edaran Tan Chong Motor's (ETCM's) 17 locations nationwide.

There are plans to have chargers available at more ETCM locations in the future.

Power and performance

For power, the electric motor of the i3s provides 181hp and 270Nm of torque which allows it to sprint from 0 to 100kph in 6.9 seconds and with a drag coefficient of 0.32Cd, top speed is at 160kph.

The LEAF's electric motor provides 148hp and 320Nm of torque, but due to its 300kg of excess weight, 0 to 100kph times are dispatched in 7.9 seconds while boasting of a sleeker 0.28Cd and an electronically-limited 155kph top speed.

In terms of operating modes, the i3s has four driving modes of Comfort (default), Eco Pro, Eco Pro+ and Sport and is capable of providing between 130 to 160km in everyday driving conditions, even less if it is in Sport mode.

Switching to Eco Pro mode increases the driving range by around 12% (145 to 179km) by desensitising the throttle pedal so that less electrical power is unnecessarily used.

Taking efficiency a step further is Eco Pro+ mode which increases range by 24% from Comfort mode (160 to 198km) by putting the car into maximum efficiency. This limits its maximum speed to 90kph and its climate controls enter energy-saving mode.

The LEAF has five driving modes of e-Pedal, D Mode, B Mode, ECO Mode and B-ECO Mode.

In e-Pedal mode, the accelerator pedal is capable of taking on braking duties and is touted to be particularly convenient in stop-go traffic.

While D Mode indicates normal driving mode, B Mode puts regenerative braking into its most aggressive setting to help to minimize the use of the braking system.

In Eco Mode, this limits the electric motor's output while slightly increasing regenerative braking to help improve the Leaf's overall range.

Weight, wheels and suspension

For ride and handling, the i3s gets a sportier suspension setup over the standard i3 and comes with custom-made springs, dampers and anti-roll bars.

The front end uses MacPherson struts while the rear employs a more sophisticated multi-link setup.

It's also 10mm lower than the i3 and has a wider 40mm track while rolling on larger 20-inch BMW i lightweight double-spoke (style 431) alloy wheels with 175/55 (front) and 195/50 (rear).

The LEAF uses front independent struts as well but the rear uses a torsion beam suspension setup and sports smaller 17-inch Turbine-design wheels with 215/50 series tyres all-round.

Interior

The i3s' interior features Dark Truffle Vernasca leather upholstery and Carum Spice Grey headliner while (for the sake of sustainability) recycled plastics, natural fibres and unbleached eucalyptus wood accent the cabin.

Two screens have been fitted inside, one of which is a 5.7-inch TFT- LCD digital instrument cluster while the second is a larger 10.25-inch screen for the BMW Navigation System Professional infotainment system and iDrive operating system.

The LEAF's cabin sports leather-Alcantara seats, leather-wrapped speed-sensitive multifunction electric power steering wheel, keyless entry with push-start button, power windows with driver one-touch function and automatic climate controls.

Entertainment comes from a four-speaker sound system connected to a 5.0-inch display with radio, USB and AUX ports as well as Bluetooth connectivity.

Safety

For safety, the i3s is further equipped with the Driving Assistant Plus package in addition to its standard safety equipment of six aibags, anti-lock braking system and electronic stability control, among others.

This includes a rear-view camera, Park Distance Control (front and rear), active cruise control with Stop & Go function, Collision and Pedestrian Warning with City Braking function and a Traffic Jam Assistant.

Owners will also have access to BMW ConnectedDrive services including Intelligent Emergency Call, Concierge Services and Remote Services.

In comparison, the LEAF is fitted with six airbags, anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution, vehicle dynamic control and hill-start assist.

It also adds on Nissan's Safety Shield technologies which includes forward-collision warning, forward emergency braking, around view monitor with moving object detection, driver alertness ride control and trace control.

BMW i3s

Nissan LEAF


Plastic shields protect China's ride-hailing drivers against virus

A worker installing a plastic sheet to separate the driver and passenger compartments in a car at a disinfection station for Chinese ride hailing company Didi, in Beijing. — AFP
BEIJING: At a Beijing "disinfection station", a driver for a ride-hailing company is installing a plastic shield between the front and rear seats of his car to reassure passengers during the deadly coronavirus outbreak.

Zhao Haijun, a Didi Chuxing driver, says the shield helps isolate him from passengers, and prevents the virus being spread through droplets in the air.

"Now, I don't chat with the passengers," said Zhao. "In an extraordinary period, it's better to be careful."

The car-hailing giant has nine disinfection stations in the capital, each of which can sterilise around 400 vehicles a day.

In addition, there are also 46 plastic shield installation points around the city handling up to 100 cars each per day.

China has implemented unprecedented measures to try and contain the spread of the virus — which has killed more than 2,600 people in the mainland — including locking down tens of millions of people in the city's epicentre, Hubei province.

There have also been tight restrictions on transport.

Across the country, residential buildings, offices and shopping centres are regularly spraying disinfectant, and checking the temperature of visitors.

In Beijing, all taxi drivers have to wear face masks, must direct customers to sit in the rear, and disinfect their cars twice a day.

But Didi — which says it has 30 million drivers and more than 550 million users across its various services — is hoping to reassure its customers with extra measures.

Wang Weijia, driver service manager at Didi Beijing, said that given the current mood even a sneeze "could cause tension between the driver and the passenger".

Staff in protective suits spray medical disinfectant work inside and outside, while handles, pedals and steering wheels are doused in cleaning fluid.

After attaching the dividing shield, Didi staff also post a health reminder with a cartoon of a car with a large red heart next to it.

"Safety means protection, and love can cross the plastic cover," the notice reads.

As well as visiting the disinfection stations, Zhao says he also takes his own measures.

"When the passengers get out, I open the window to ventilate, and I disinfect before I receive a new order," he said.


Pininfarina lays out retail groundwork to sell Battista electric hypercar

                GENEVA: Ahead of Automobili Pininfarina’s global reveal of its revolutionary Battista electric hypercar at the Geneva Motor Show, the company has announced details of the first phase of retail specialists appointed in its new global network.

When the world’s first pure Pininfarina road car comes to market in 2020, these partnerships will be defined and managed by Automobili Pininfarina’s new Munich-based sales team.

The Battista, which takes its name from Pininfarina SpA’s founder Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina, will be a ground-breaking hypercar offering unrivalled performance combined with ultra-luxury.

Thanks to its carbon fibre construction and electric motors, a combined output of 1,900hp and 2,300Nm of torque is targeted, and it is expected to accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in less than two seconds and on to 300 km/h in less than 12 seconds, all with a potential zero emissions range of more than 450km.

Automobili Pininfarina has also announced that in Asia, luxury retail specialists will be located in Hong Kong and Singapore, whilst Middle East partners are confirmed in Dubai and Riyadh.

The Battista is planned to come to market in 2020 but with no more than 150 set to be produced – 50 for North America, 50 for Europe and 50 for the Middle East and Asia markets – potential customers are invited

to apply to own Battista now using an online service within the company’s website: APPLY NOW.


Auto industry facing serious labour shortage, say vendors

                KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's automotive manufacturing industry is facing an acute shortage of workers which could derail the national automotive manufacturing (NAM) ecosystem if not resolved immediately.

Proton Vendor Association president Datuk Dr Wan Mohamed Wan Embong said the ecosystem risks a collapse with the loss of more than 500,000 jobs and wiping out up to 4.5 per cent of national gross domestic product (GDP).

"Malaysia should allow the intake of foreign workers without further delay and lower the recalibration cost of about three to five million illegal immigrant workers in order to address the shortage,” he said.

He said the current cost for legalisation of illegal foreigners stands at RM4,500 per person, which he said was too expensive especially when companies were struggling to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, lockdowns and also the recent flash floods.

Wan Mohamed also stressed that hiring of foreign workers does not rob locals of job opportunities as the industry has been striving to hire locals even though most of them often resign within six to 12 months.

"We must understand that severe shortage derails the economic recovery for the automotive industry, causes stoppages and under-production at original equipment manufacturers.

"The current situation faced by the industry is that because vendors do not have enough workers and they cannot produce the parts, other vendors are being affected too, hence the production cannot move according to target.”

He also said the situation has caused delivery delays of cars to buyers with a maximum waiting period of four months.

As a result of the labour shortage, he said the cost of manpower had also increased from RM80 per day last year to RM125 per day to date resulting in high turnover or higher wastages.

Perodua Suppliers Association president Musa Zahidin Ahmad Zaidee said the industry has been equipped with training facilities for the people especially for locals but unfortunately, many of them quit within a few months, leaving vendors to face challenges in upskilling and increasing production to meet the demand.

"We must also bear in mind that foreign workers are not cheap as it becomes costly with the accommodation, levy and permit expenses. This is why the legalisation of illegal foreigners is crucial,” he said.

Moreover, he said, the automotive manufacturing industry needs 100 per cent operation in order to built a car which has 20,000 to 25,000 parts in total.

"Even if 0.1 per cent of the suppliers could not operate, the whole line of a few thousand people cannot fix a car. This is the serious issue we are facing now,” he pointed out.

Apart from the shortages of manpower, Wan Mohamed said many vendors were also facing lack of capital to operate efficiently because of the prolonged economic, health and environment crisis as well as ringgit depreciation in the last one year.

"These people face lower revenue because of continued supply chain disruptions and operational stoppages caused by the pandemic and shortage of raw material supply,” he said.

He proposed the government consider providing RM250 million in soft loans at less than two per cent interest to all vendors in need to continue operating and save the whole ecosystem.


No decision yet on method of reducing toll, says Dr M

                PUTRAJAYA: The government has not yet decided on the method for reducing toll, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said on Monday.

Commenting on former chairman of Council of Eminent Persons Tun Daim Zainuddin’s statement that the government is capable of cutting toll rates by up to 25 percent, Dr Mahathir said there were several suggestions from the private sector to take over the highway concessions but the possible toll rate cut was not up to 25 percent.

"We are now facing problems; we promised to abolish tolls, but if tolls are abolished the government’s burden will increase tremendously.

"For example if we abolish the North-South Highway (PLUS) toll, the government has to buy over the highway for RM30bil. Better to use that money to pay debts, can reduce our burden a bit,” he told a media conference after chairing the National Finance Council meeting here.

While agreeing with Daim’s view that the people’s support for the Pakatan Harapan government would increase if toll rates are reduced, Dr Mahathir said: "The people will be relieved for not having to pay toll but the government will not feel so because toll has to be paid by the government.”


January vehicle sales see shortfall of over 6,000 units

                KUALA LUMPUR: Total vehicle sales in January 2016 dropped to 44,591 units from the 50,602 units recorded in the same month last year, the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) said.

The sales volume for the month was 20.5 per cent or 11,501 units lower than December 2015 due to heavy discounting and offers by car companies, which led to higher sales recorded for the month.

"The continuation of more stringent hire purchase loan approval also influenced market performance in January 2016," MAA said in a statement.


Caterham to relocate to new HQ as it marks 50th anniversary

                LONDON: Caterham has announced it will open a brand new manufacturing facility and headquarters later this year as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Still located in Dartford, Kent, the new state-of-the-art building will be home to Caterham’s production, engineering, motorsport and commercial teams. It is about 30km east of London.

The multi million pound investment from owners VT Holdings – one of Japan’s largest retailer groups – will see Caterham increase its production capacity by 50%, meaning around 750 units could be built annually.

The 54,000 sq ft facility is situated in a brand new nine-acre industrial park development called Dartford X.

It is within close proximity to the existing factory, enabling the retention of the skilled workforce who are responsible for hand assembling all cars. The new building will undergo a full fit out in the coming months with completion anticipated towards the end of 2023.

In the future, Caterham plans to offer a range of customer experiences at the site including factory tours, events and vehicle handovers.

“It’s fitting that, in our 50th anniversary year, we can invest in new premises to facilitate our ambitions, for the future of the Seven and the brand as a whole," said Caterham CEO Bob Laishley.

The south-east of England has been home to Caterham since it started building cars in 1973 in the town of Caterham, Surrey. In 1987, production moved to Kennet Road in Dartford where its cars have been assembled ever since.


Grab updates fare structure, rides during peak hours to cost more

                PETALING JAYA: Grab Malaysia announced changes to its fare and incentive structure in a bid to compensate its drivers for time spent stuck in traffic during peak hours.

The fare per minute has been increased from 20 sen to 43 sen, while the fare per kilometre has been reduced from 70 sen to 25 sen effective today, Jan 16, in the Klang Valley.

The base and minimum rates remain unchanged at RM2 and RM5, respectively.

The company claimed the fares were revised based on feedback from its drivers.

"We hear you, and we will be revising the fare structure so that fares are based more on the time taken to complete the ride and less on the distance of the ride," it said in a statement.

The fare will still be "calculated upfront based on system-estimated distance and system-estimated trip time".

The fare formula is listed as: Base fare + (trip distance x fare per kilometre) + (trip duration x fare per minute).

A 10 km ride that takes 30 minutes, for example, will cost RM18 instead of RM15 under the new fare structure, while a 10km ride that takes only 15 minutes will cost RM11 instead of RM12.

Grab listed peak hours as 7am to 9am and 5pm to 8pm.

Mohd Azril Ahmat, vice president for the Grab Drivers Malaysia Association (GDMA), found the fare adjustment disappointing, as drivers prefer to work during non-peak hours.

"Based on the feedback I’ve gotten from some drivers today, they are expecting at least a 30% reduction in earnings.

"This is because they reduced the earnings based on distance, which is down to just 25 sen. My concern now is that other ride-hailing companies will follow the same fee structure," he said.

GDMA is a non-governmental organisation with 575 registered members, according to Mohd Azril.

Fazal Kamarudin, the founder of Ehailing.fm, an online radio station focused on the gig economy, said the fee adjustment was "shocking".

He added that most drivers have long expressed their dissatisfaction about performing rides during peak hours.

"From 70 sen per kilometre to 25 sen doesn’t make sense.

"I hope that Grab can study the fee structure again, and the relevant authorities should look into the matter," he said.


Tesla readies revamped Model 3 with project 'Highland', say sources

The current Model 3.
AUSTIN: Tesla is developing a revamped version of Model 3, according to four people with knowledge of the effort, as the top EV maker aims to cut production costs and boost the appeal of the five-year-old electric sedan.

One focus of the redesign codenamed "Highland" is to reduce the number of components and complexity in the interior of the Model 3 while focusing on features that Tesla buyers value, including the display, according to the people, who asked not to be named because the revamp has not been announced.

The previously unreported redesign comes as the electric sedan faces increased competition from models from the likes of China's BYD, Hyundai and coming releases from other major automakers.

The revamp of the battery-powered sedan, which could also include some changes to the Model 3’s exterior and powertrain performance, will go into production at Tesla’s factory in Shanghai and the company’s Fremont, California plant, two of the people said. Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory will put the redesigned Model 3 into production in the third quarter of 2023, they said.

It was not clear when production would start at the Fremont plant or how large a cost savings Tesla would achieve from the redesign as it works with suppliers.

The effort spotlights an approach to vehicle development pioneered by Tesla and now being copied by other automakers, including Toyota Motor, that removes complexity – and cost – in production.

It is also an example of a key project at Tesla that has rolled ahead even as Chief Executive Elon Musk has focused on his troubled acquisition of Twitter in recent months, an area of concern for Tesla investors.

Tesla did not respond to a written request for comment from Reuters.

Change you can see

The redesign for the Model 3 builds on the revamp of the Model S -- Tesla’s premium EV sedan -- that was released last year. That redesign added an airplane-style yoke in place of a traditional steering wheel and removed buttons and traditional air vents as part of a minimalist interior where the centerpiece is a 17-inch electronic display.

The Model 3, Tesla’s cheapest EV starting at just under US$47,000 in the United States, had been the automaker’s best-seller but is being overtaken by the Model Y crossover. With only four models in production, styling changes to any part of Tesla’s lineup carry an outsized importance compared to established automakers.

Ed Kim, president of AutoPacific Group, which tracks market trends and production, said the current Model 3 has already been updated from the version that first went on sale in 2017 because of the way Tesla updates battery performance, information and entertainment options through software, even if it still looks the same.

“Having said that, consumers still tend to equate visual changes with newness,” he said. “Tesla knows visually tangible changes are in order.”

“The upcoming changes that potential customers can see and feel will be very important in ensuring that EV customers still have Tesla at the top of their minds as truly excellent alternatives to Tesla are starting to flood the market,” he said.

Keep it simple

Musk has pushed a simplified approach to design and production at Tesla that the Highland project extends, said the people with knowledge of the development.

Tesla has pioneered the use of massive casting machines known as Giga Press and built by IDRA Group in Italy to make single, larger pieces of a vehicle in assembly, reducing cost and speeding production. It has also designed a structural battery pack that does away with more expensive modules.

Musk has said Tesla is looking to drive costs down through simplification and working on a small-car platform that would be half the cost of the Model 3.

"Over and over, we found parts that are not needed. They were put in there just in case or by mistake. We eliminated so many parts from a car that did nothing," Musk said in an interview at a Baron Funds conference earlier in the month.

The approach is part of what has made Tesla the most profitable electric vehicle maker while many rivals are still running at a loss. In the third quarter, Tesla made a profit of just over US$9,500 for every car sold, compared to roughly US$1,300 for Toyota, according to disclosures by both companies.

The revamp of the Model 3 comes at a time when sales in China, its second-largest market after the United States, are under pressure. Sales for the Model 3 in China fell 9% in the first ten months from a year earlier, while BYD's Qin and Han electric sedans outsold the Model 3, according to China Passenger Car Association.

To boost sales, Tesla cut prices for Model 3 and Model Y in China by as much as 9% in October and offered an additional rebate for buyers who took immediate delivery.

Sam Fiorani, who tracks Tesla and industry-wide production at Auto Forecast Solutions, said the upcoming changes to the Model 3, which he understood were coming, showed the power of Tesla’s approach in taking out complexity.

“They are always looking for ways to make EVs profitable, and more profitable,” he said.


PSA’s board approves merger with Fiat Chrysler

Elkann (left) and Tavares are shown in this combo image. — AFP
MILAN: The boards of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV and PSA Group have approved another step towards a merger of the Italian-American and French manufacturers to create the world’s fourth-biggest carmaker, people familiar with the situation said.

Fiat Chrysler’s directors accepted the deal late Tuesday following a unanimous endorsement by PSA’s board, said the people, asking not to be identified discussing confidential matters.

The companies expect to announce the signing of a binding memorandum of understanding before markets in Europe open today, the people said.

PSA and Fiat Chrysler representatives declined to comment.

The merger would forge a regional powerhouse to rival Germany’s Volkswagen AG and have a stock-market value of about US$46 billion (RM190bil), surpassing Ford Motor Co. The tie-up would also bring together two auto-making dynasties — the billionaire Agnelli clan of Italy, led by Fiat chairman John Elkann, and the Peugeots of France.

When the two companies revealed their merger discussions six weeks ago, they sketched out a plan for a 50-50 Netherlands-based holding company led by PSA chief executive officer Carlos Tavares, with Elkann as chairman.

The combination will give Peugeot-maker PSA a long-sought presence in North America and should help Fiat gain ground in developing low-emission technology. Yet it doesn’t fix all of the their shortcomings, Juergen Pieper, an analyst at B. Metzler Seel Sohn & Co. told Bloomberg Television on Tuesday.

The combined business will still lack "very good premium brands” as well as "a good position in China,” he said.

PSA and Fiat have been in talks on and off for months, and were exploring a partnership to share investments and build cars in Europe as early as March, Bloomberg reported at the time.

China’s Dongfeng Motor Corp., which owns 12% of PSA, will see its stake in the combined company decline to 4.5% as a result of the merger and the sale of a portion of its holding to the French carmaker, people with knowledge of the matter said.

Dongfeng’s stake in PSA has attracted attention because of the possibility it could interfere with US regulatory approval for the deal. US economic adviser Larry Kudlow said last month the Trump administration would review the proposed merger because the deal would give the Chinese carmaker a stake in the combined company.


US agency drops plan to adopt international vehicle window safety standards

                WASHINGTON: The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Wednesday it was dropping a 2012 proposal to harmonise US vehicle window safety standards with international rules.

Under the Obama administration, the auto safety agency known as NHTSA proposed adopting international rules on glazing materials agreed to by a world forum in 2004.

But NHTSA said it was now withdrawing the proposal because it could not conclude that harmonising the rules “would increase safety.”

The agency cited crash data that suggests “current glazing materials are performing acceptably.” The rules were previously adopted by the European Union.

The United States already has performance requirements in place for car windows to reduce injuries resulting from impact, ensure transparency for driver visibility, and to minimise the possibility of occupants being thrown through windows in collisions.

NHTSA said safety issues around glazing had been substantially reduced since the 1960s, adding that it still planned to conduct additional glazing research.

In 2012, NHTSA said adopting the international rules would modernise US testing to account for “tempered glass, laminated glass, and glass-plastic glazing used in front and rear windshields and side windows” and would “better reflect real world conditions and eliminate redundant and unnecessary testing.”

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, a trade group that represents major automakers including General Motors Co, Ford Motor Co, Toyota Motor Corp and Volkswagen AG, said in August 2012 it supported NHTSA’s efforts to harmonise regulations.

“Differences, even small ones, in functionally equivalent regulations cause redundancy that adds cost to the product without benefit for the consumer,” the group wrote.


No reward points for Grab users paying cash from March 15

                PETALING JAYA: Grab will stop offering reward points to customers using cash from March 15.

On its GrabRewards page, it said it's updating its policy in support of the government’s effort to encourage the adoption of cashless payments through the e-Tunai Rakyat initiative.

However, not all Grab services allow cash payments – for instance, GrabFood delivery must be paid using credit/debit card or its e-wallet.

To encourage users to adopt cash payments, the service is also extending its GrabPay Year End Bonus Points programme where users get 3x points for each transaction.

This promo, which will now go on until March 15, is only applicable to customers not using cash.


Ferrari reports cyber incident with ransom demand, no impact to operations

                MARANELLO: Italian luxury sports car maker Ferrari SpA said on Monday that a hacker recently demanded ransom from the company related to certain client contact details, adding that the breach had no impact on the company's operations.

Ferrari said it notified its customers of the potential data exposure and the nature of the incident.

The company said it had started an investigation with a third-party cybersecurity firm and informed relevant authorities.


Driving tests backlog will be cleared by end of the year, says JPJ

                KUALA TERENGGANU: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) is targeting all tests involving 462,124 outstanding candidates at 232 driving institutes nationwide to be completed before the end of this year.

JPJ deputy director-general (Planning and Operations) Aedy Fadly Ramli said to achieve the target, JPJ would increase the number of testers by up to 20 per cent depending on the needs of each driving institute.

"JPJ in each state has identified the number of candidates for each driving institute and has sent data to the headquarters in Putrajaya for us to identify how many additional testers will be sent. Currently, JPJ has 530 testers nationwide.

"Besides that, we will also increase the daily quota of candidates to be tested at each driving institute. The number varies according to the capacity of the premises.... therefore, the number of additional testers to be sent is according to the needs of each institute," he said.

He said this to reporters after visiting the Bitara Driving Institute near Padang Midin here today. Also present was Terengganu JPJ director Zulkarnain Yasin.

Apart from that, driving institutes are also advised to give priority to overdue candidates as opposed to new candidates completing their tests which have been long delayed due to the enforcement of the movement control order since last year.

In the meantime, Aedy Fadly said starting today, JPJ will also monitor compliance with Covid-19 prevention standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the National Security Council (NSC) for all driving institutes on a regular basis.


BMW takes wraps off M8 Gran Coupe and M8 Competition Gran Coupe

                MUNICH: BMW M GmbH has unveiled the M8 Gran Coupe and M8 Competition Gran Coupe.

The high-revving 4.4-litre V8 M TwinPower Turbo engine of both variants produces 750Nm of torque, while the M8 Competition Gran Coupe (henceforth referred to as M8 Comp GC) has 25 horses more than the M8 Gran Coupe at 625hp.

The M8 Competition Gran Coupe goes from 0 to 100kph in 3.2 seconds, 0.1s faster than the M8 Gran Coupe.

Both cars will make their world premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show 2019 later this month. They are expected to go on sale in January 2020, with the M8 Gran Coupe First Edition being offered as an exclusive launch model from April 2020.

Cooling and oil supply systems are designed for track use.

Sports exhaust system with electronically controlled flaps delivers stirring engine soundtrack.

The cars come with eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic and M xDrive all-wheel-drive system linked with the Active M Differential.

There is a choice of three drive modes: 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD with pure rear-wheel drive and deactivated driving stability control.

The M8 Comp GC has a wheelbase 200mm longer than two-door M8 counterpart, dynamically flowing roofline, large air intakes, BMW kidney grille with double bars, M gills on the side panels, rear spoiler and rear apron with diffuser elements and twin exhaust tailpipes.

Its body has been lightened and rigidity optimised, complemented by a carbon-fibre roof, a low centre of gravity, wide tracks, and precisely tuned for aerodynamic balance.

The pedal feel has two settings to choose from: comfort focused or even more direct.

New Setup button gives direct access to the settings for the engine, dampers, steering, M xDrive and braking system. Two driver-composed overall setup options can be selected via M buttons on the steering wheel.

There is a new M Mode for individual configuration of driver assistance system interventions and instrument cluster / Head-Up Display screens.

The M8 Comp GC driver can select from ROAD, SPORT and TRACK settings.

Exclusive standard equipment includes BMW Laserlight, M sports seats, M-specific BMW Head-Up Display, BMW Live Cockpit Professional with navigation system and BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, Driving Assistant and Parking Assistant.


Ex-minister urges Beijing to lead in setting global EV battery standards

                BEIJING/SHANGHAI: China should standardise requirements for electric vehicle (EV) batteries in order to keep its edge over other markets such as the US and Europe in the rapidly growing industry, the country's former industry minister said today.

"Europe and the United States are ramping up efforts to develop local battery makers, while protectionism has resurfaced," Miao Wei told the World Power Battery Conference in China's south-western city of Yibin where he had an audience of policymakers and industry executives.

He said it was therefore urgent and important to standardise battery specifications and sizes for electric vehicles to secure China's leadership in the industry, adding there were currently 145 types of battery requirements in the country.

Miao is now deputy director of an economic affairs committee within the top political advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

China dominates EV battery supply, with 63% of the batteries installed in EVs in 2022 coming from Chinese companies, Miao said, adding the country also supplied 70% of lithium, 70% of cathode materials and 90% of anode materials used in batteries worldwide last year.

Finance leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) advanced economies discussed the need to make global supply chains more resilient by reducing over-reliance on China at a meeting in May.

The Biden administration has rolled out incentives for automakers to produce both batteries and EVs in the United States or in key trading partners like South Korea.

Miao said in light of the global consensus on the need to cut carbon emissions, it would help Chinese battery makers in world markets if they build a carbon footprint management system in line with global standards for the battery making industry.

Chinese battery giant CATL announced in April its targets to achieve carbon neutrality with all its battery making plants by 2025, and across its battery value chain by 2035.