VW joins sustainable mining initiative to boost scrutiny

                LONDON: Volkswagen has joined a group that sets environmental and social standards in mining as the world's No.2 carmaker steps up efforts ensure its raw materials are sustainable, especially in electric vehicles (EVs).

Big companies have come under increasing pressure from shareholders and consumers to meet stricter standards relating to the environment, social issues and governance (ESG).

VW is the biggest member company by revenue to join the
Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA), the carmaker told Reuters ahead of an announcement later on Thursday.

Other carmaker members of IRMA include General Motors and Ford.

"In many cases, it is not the Volkswagen Group itself that is going to purchase the raw materials," said Murat Aksel, VW's board member for purchasing. "But we want to know where they come from and under what conditions they are mined and processed."

IRMA, which launched in 2006, includes both buyers and producers of minerals, investors, labour unions, community representatives and independent experts.

VW is making a huge push to ramp up EV output and has boosted spending in the area by around half to 52 billion euros, compared to the previous five-year rolling investment plan, it said in December. read more

Cobalt, a key component in EV batteries, has been in particular focus because the bulk of production comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has a large informal sector with a legacy of unsafe working practices and child labour.

VW is participating in a pilot project in Congo with a mine operator to test new certification standards developed by another organisation, CERA, Aksel added.

He said VW also supported a European initiative to develop domestic sources of supply for critical minerals, which has targeted rare earth magnets used in EVs and wind turbines as its top priority. read more

"The development of sustainable supply chains for raw materials is a core strategic goal for us. We believe that strengthening our European supplier network plays an important role in this," he said, without giving details.

In 2020, Volkswagen and Daimler launched a study to push for more "sustainable" mining in Chile of lithium, another key EV battery ingredient.


Be careful: Sprint Highway to Damansara Link before Damansara Uptown exit

                PETALING JAYA: The dangerous section along the busy highway of the Damansara Link, just beside Damansara Uptown is a popular route for those entering into the Petaling Jaya area from the Plus highway.

Unfortunately, it can also be one of the most slowest sections due to traffic merging from the left.

The thing is, the road's 'lineage' clearly indicates that this isn't supposed to happen and in doing so would actually cause the flow of traffic on the right to be disrupted.

Take for example the black pickup truck, now take a look at the sequence of action that follows.

Looks like someone else decided to follow in the D-Max's erroneous ways.


Thailand eyes tax rate for electric vehicles as part of ‘net zero’ target

                BANGKOK: Thailand's Finance Ministry has called on the Excise and Customs Department to come up with a tax rate for electric vehicles (EVs) soon, as part of the nation's goal to achieve zero emissions by 2065.

Deputy Finance Minister Santi Promphat said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha reminded world leaders at the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) that there is no “Planet B”.

The premier also promised that Thailand would aggressively tackle climate change and strive to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 and net zero emissions by 2065.

Many world leaders are attending COP26, which kicked off in Glasgow, Scotland on Oct 31 and will wrap up next Friday.

Santi said relevant agencies must come up with an attractive tax rate that encourages more people to use EVs and draws investors to use Thailand as a manufacturing base.

He said that once a tax rate is set, it will be presented to the National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee for approval.

Santi added that the development of EVs is important in the battle against global warming, but said the shift should be made gradually as Thailand still does not have a proper network of charging stations. He added that the government should also consider consumers and manufacturers, as shifting completely to EVs takes time.

Instead, he said, the government should initially support the use of hybrid vehicles. - The Nation


Infiniti to debut electric QX Inspiration concept in Detroit

                HONG KONG: Infiniti will preview its electrified future through the new QX Inspiration concept at the 2019 North American International Auto Show this month.

The new concept represents Infiniti’s plans for high-performance electrified vehicles that offers a long range.

The development of new electric vehicle platforms enables the formation of spacious, lounge-like interiors. The QX Inspiration concept cabin has been hand-crafted using traditional techniques and a choice of materials inspired by a subtle Japanese sensuality. New interior technology follows the Japanese hospitality principle of omotenashi, creating a welcoming environment while assisting drivers and connecting occupants to the world around them.

“QX Inspiration is the beginning of a new era for Infiniti and an illustration of where we want to go with the brand. New technology has given us the opportunity to evolve our design philosophy – and the new vehicle communicates the serene strength at our core,” said Infiniti executive design director Karim Habib.

Infiniti’s new concept will be revealed in Detroit on Jan 14.


Volvo Cars charts record global sales

                GOTHENBURG (Sweden): Volvo Cars' transformation strategy is working well, as the Swedish car marque saw record global sales in 2014 of 465,866 cars and reported 18 consecutive months of sales increases.

The record global sales in 2014 were partly driven by strong European results, said Volvo Cars in a statement.

According to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), Volvo Cars’ sales grew twice as fast as its nearest competitors in Europe last year.

Volvo’s 10.6% growth during 2014 outpaced its main competitors in the premium segment.

Sales at Audi during the period rose 4.2%, while BMW was up 5.1% and Mercedes 5.3%, according to ACEA.

“We are delighted with the pace of our growth, but not surprised,” said Alain Visser, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing.

“Volvo makes some of the safest, most environmentally friendly and attractive cars on the market, so it is only natural that customers seek to own them.”

Across the European continent, Volvo Cars performed especially well in Sweden, the UK and Germany.

According to Volvo’s own figures, sales in Sweden grew 17.4% on strong demand for the Volvo XC60 and XC70 crossover models, while the UK and Germany were up 25.5% and 18.3% respectively, driven by the Volvo V40 hatchback and the XC60.

This year, the all-new Volvo XC90 will reach showrooms in Europe during the first half.

The entire model range of Volvo Cars will be replaced within the coming five years.

Since 2010, Volvo Cars has been owned by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd (Geely).

Volvo Cars is midway through a global transformation that involves the creation of a global industrial footprint, the complete renewal of Volvo’s product range over the next five years, the introduction of a new modular chassis technology, world first safety technologies, a new design language, a new powertrain architecture and a range of class leading connectivity services.


Second-gen MINI Countryman gets JCW treatment

                LOS ANGELES: John Cooper Works (JCW), the tuning house for all things..."MINI", has gotten its hands on the latest second-generation Countryman compact SUV and has pepped it up to punch out 228hp for its ALL4 all-wheel drive system.

The latest addition to the MINI line-up in the United States can now sprint from 0-100kph in about 6.0 seconds  with a 6-speed manual or optional 8-speed Steptronic Sport Automatic transmission with paddle-shifters - making it 0.8 to 0.9 seconds quicker than the standard Cooper S Countryman ALL4.

Under the hood, the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine from BMW now plays to the tune of 228hp from 5,000 to 6,000rpm and 350Nm of torque from 1,450 to 4,500rpm.

The performance is partially thanks to an increase in charge-pressure up to 2.2 bar, allowing the compact SUV with 1,657kg of kerb heft (1,639kg M/T) to reach a top speed of 233kph.

In JCW trim, it rolls on 18-inch light alloy wheels with 225/50 series run-flat tyres that partially obscure the Brembo sports braking system and hides the new sports suspension system.

There's also another set of 18-inch wheels available as an optional extra as well as a larger set of 19-inch wheels fitted with lower profile 225/45 series run-flat tyres.

While having a freer-flowing and raspier dual-tailpipe sports exhaust system with an internal flap that opens up when Sport-mode gets selected, it also dons new external parts that redirects air more effectively to provide cooling and aerodynamic functions - give the Countryman a drag coefficient of 0.34Cd.

Inside, there's a model-specific cockpit with a John Cooper Works sports seats that allows access to the MINI Driving Modes (Sport, MID and Green), LED headlamps, keyless entry and push-start button, 6.5-inch screen for the MINI Connected infotainment system and...Launch Control.

The new MINI JCW Countryman will formally present itself at the Shanghai Motor Show in April with vehicles making their way to US dealerships in the same month.


High-end luxury homes all the rage in Miami

A Porsche arriving in a condo in the automated car elevator in the Porsche Design Tower on Sunny Isles Beach, — All images by AFP
MIAMI: Property developer Gil Dezer owns 29 cars. And he plans to admire some of them from his couch in a swank Miami high-rise building, with the ocean in the background.

Yes, Dezer is planning to park the cars IN his apartment.

Miami's 60-floor Porsche Design Tower — the first of its kind in the world — has glass-enclosed elevators that bring sports cars up to the plush homes of their owners.

The residential skyscraper, which has 132 units and opened in March, is the latest of several super-luxury buildings dotting the Miami coastline.

But what if you don't own a Porsche? "Why wouldn't you have a Porsche?" asked the 42-year-old Dezer, who developed the project at the request of the German automaker.

Of course, if you paid between US$5.5 million and US$33 million for your apartment, chances are you own a Porsche.

The tower, which was designed by the Sieger Suarez architectural firm, is located on Sunny Isles Beach, a barrier island off Miami.

The apartments include balcony pools, all with a glorious view of Miami Bay, high above the pristine sands.

 Dezer explaining how the completely automated car elevator operates in the Porsche Design Tower.

But the building's signature feature is of course the three US$40 million "Dezervators" — named for the developer — that lift the vehicles of the billionaire tenants into their living rooms.

"If you love your car and you see it as a piece of art ... this is the kind of place you're going to want," said Dezer, who also played a role in the rise of Trump Palace and Trump Royale on Sunny Isles.

"Instead of hanging your art on the wall, you have your art right behind your glass divider in your living room."

Tennis courts, saunas, gyms — those amenities are banal by Miami standards. In the southern Florida city's uber-luxurious market, "Dezervators" are the kind of thing needed to impress the super-rich.

From the balconies of Porsche Design Tower, you can see the twin 16-story towers of Prive, also designed by Sieger Suarez. The complex is located on a private island connected to the mainland by a members-only bridge.

How much will it cost? A cool US$2-8 million.

 The view out from Porsche Design Tower.

At The Grove at Grand Bay, designed by Danish architect Bjarke Ingels, two 20-storey glass towers twist up into the sky with views over the waters of Coconut Grove.

The towers have rooftop pools — and a pet spa.

"Generally if you're going to do anything wild and crazy, Miami's the place to do it," Dezer said. "This was a test bed for us, and the market here was always very good for new things."

Florida has a history of zany investments. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, clever developers seduced millionaires with exotic proposals to invest in the mosquito-ridden swamp area.

Some of the earliest Florida developments were made by people like oil and railway magnate Henry Flagler, and railroad millionaire Henry Plant.

They entered the Sunshine State's real estate and tourism market "by trying to attract as many of their fellow millionaires that they could," said Craig Pittman, author of "Oh, Florida!" a book about the state's eccentricities.

Since then, Miami has been defined by the flashy and ostentatious, people "who want to say, 'Yes, I have a lot of money, and look at all of my possessions'," said Pittman.

He added: "Miami really is all about flash. The nickname is Magic City. You can't get much flashier than that."

A prime pop culture example is the 1983 movie "Scarface," starring Al Pacino as a Cuban immigrant who becomes a millionaire drug lord.

The film "was all about the ostentatious use of ill-gotten wealth, and what happens to you when you do that," Pittman said.

"People don't see that as a cautionary tale. They see that as something to emulate."

Miami's not-so-secret secret is that it is a safe haven for foreign investments -- sometimes shady foreign money.

In early May, federal police in Brazil launched a money laundering probe linked to the real estate market in Miami. The investigation was named "Operation Miami Connection."

More than half — 54 percent — of Miami foreign real estate buyers come from Latin America, according to the National Association of Realtors. Another 18 percent are Europeans and 13 percent Canadians.

A closer look at the figures show that Canadians were the top buyers of luxury apartments in 2016, followed by Venezuelans and Brazilians.

"When people feel like they want to put money into a secure investment, they think of the luxury apartment market in Miami and Miami Beach," said John Stuart, a professor at Florida International University's College of Architecture + The Arts.

The south Florida real estate market lost steam in 2016 due to the US presidential campaign, but experts predict it will stabilise this year.

"Pricing is adjusting to reflect more supply on the market," said Antoine Charvet, corporate communications director at Integra Realty Resources.

But for Dezer, the Miami luxury market is in a world of its own, immune to market ups and downs.

For Charvet, south Florida is "the French Riviera of the eastern United States, and Miami is Monaco."

 A general view of the Porsche Design Tower.


Driving up the sex appeal at Taiwan auto parts fair

TAIPEI: There was plenty of eye candy at the 2015 Taipei AMPA (international auto parts and accessories) trade fair as a lineup of sexy and stunning models added a touch of glamour to the event.

Surrounded by enthusiastic photographers, the female promoters appeared to be getting equal if not more attention at the mega automotive trade fair.

Held from April 8 to 11 in the Taiwanese capital, the annual event featured 1,401 exhibitors and a record high of 3,816 booths.

Held at two venues, namely the Nangang Exhibition Hall complex and the Taipei World Trade Centre, it attracted 7,300 international buyers and 60,000 visitors.

The five-in-one show had display sections for auto parts and accessories, automobile electronics, electric vehicles, tuning and car care, and motorcycles.

There were also exhibitors from Malaysia, Thailand, China, Germany, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam.

The Malaysian pavilion was led by the Malaysian Rubber Export Promotion Council (MREPC) and seven automotive part makers.

The products by Malaysian companies included O-rings, oil seals, gaskets, rubber boots and bushings, performance auto parts, rubber and plastic components for motorcycles and cars, and rubber hoses.


CarSifu Auto Show 2022: EVs in the spotlight

                Although Malaysia has started moving towards a bigger scale of electric vehicle (EV) adoption under Budget 2022, the current unfavourable global affairs continue to dampen the Malaysian economy, resulting in the public focusing their expenditure on more ‘bread and butter’ issues.

While supporting the government’s incentives for the growth of EVs, the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) president Datuk Aishah Ahmad informs CarSifu that the incentives could be tweaked to generate better results.

CarSifu: MAA has targeted a Total Industry Volume (TIV) of 630,000 for 2022 while analysts are predicting softening car sales in 2023 as volatility and inflationary pressure persist. What is MAA’s outlook for 2023?Aishah: During our MAA bi-annual press conference held on July 21, we made a forecast of 636,600 units for 2023.

This was on the assumption that there will be further growth in our country’s economy and therefore MAA has set a modest growth of 1% for the automotive market for TIV 2023 (i.e. at 630,000 units), after registering impressive growth for the first six months of 2022 then.

However, the world is currently facing a very volatile environment both at the global as well as regional levels.

Many issues ranging from the Russia-Ukraine war, China-USA tension over Taiwan, escalating oil prices, inflationary concerns, increase in food prices, logistics and shipping costs, supply chains disruptions, etc. appear to have dampened global economic growth outlook and overall consumers’ sentiments.

This in turn will impact our local economy too and local consumers’ demand for new vehicles.

MAA will review and decide again on the TIV 2023 forecast sometime in January 2023 after taking into consideration all the latest prevailing factors.

What are MAA’s views on the potential growth of EVs in Malaysia especially with the current incentives now? What more can be done by stakeholders?

At present, the local market for EVs is still very small, not even 2.0% of annual TIV.

Customer interest and demand for EVs in Malaysia remains low.

Price and availability of charging stations are the main reasons.

Even with tax exemption incentives provided by the government, the cheapest electric car is still beyond the reach of most ordinary rakyat.

For example, the cheapest EV such as Nissan LEAF which cost more than RM150,000 is way higher than our national cars (which cost below RM60,000 for a B-segment car).

Nonetheless, MAA is very appreciative of the government’s recent incentives for EVs.

It is a move in the right direction.

The Malaysian government is targeting 30,000 EVs by 2025.
 Aishah.
In most successful EV markets, policy support has so far played a key role.

The key driver at the moment is supply-side incentives; lowering the purchase price of EVs to a level comparable to Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) version.

Without support and incentives from the government, it is not easy for the EV market to grow.

The implementation of the EV industry in Malaysia ought to be carried out in stages for the industry to sustain itself in the longer run.

For example, start with incentivising the industry to introduce models (in CBU vehicles) followed by CKD vehicles subsequently in stages.

More infrastructure, particularly charging stations ought to be built throughout the country, not only in major cities like Kuala Lumpur.

Currently there are around 700+ charging stations throughout Malaysia and the government is targeting 10,000 charging stations by 2025.

More direct incentives to buyers of EVs such as corporate incentives to employers providing EV corporate cars, individual tax reliefs, etc should be explored to encourage more buy-in from the consumers.

Government fleets should also be encouraged to be EVs.

The present EV charging infrastructure in Malaysia looks sufficient to support the small number of EVs on the road. How much more of the infrastructure needs to be built for future EV growth?

The government has announced that up to now, over 700+ EV charging facilities have been installed nationwide currently.

This is not enough to cover the entire length of the country, from Perlis to Johor, east coast states as well as Sabah and Sarawak.

As such, the government plans to set up 10,000 charging stations for EVs in Malaysia by 2025 under the Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint (LCMB) 2021-2030.

What is MAA’s take on the government’s aim to grow the EV market share to 38% by 2040 through the Low Carbon Nation Aspiration (Aspirasi Rendah Karbon) 2040, which is part of the National Energy Policy 2022-2040 (Dasar Tenaga Negara, or DTN)?

We are not privy to how the government had decided to fix the target of 38% by 2040 nor do we have the details of this target.

Is it based on total vehicle population or annual sales (i.e. TIV)?

However, we do know that the government is seriously focusing to grow the EV market in Malaysia and will introduce new policies to spur EV growth.

Perhaps there will be more new incentives and measures to be introduced and announced by the government in the coming years to drive the country towards achieving the Low Carbon Nation Aspiration.

Nonetheless, we support the move to grow the EV market share in line with global trends and the need to protect our environment given the devastating impact of climate change that we have witnessed lately.

Kindly elaborate on MAA’s proposal for extension of EV incentives for up to 10 years?

At this moment, the incentive validity period approved by Government is too short.

The incentives announced during Budget 2022 for EVs are rather short-term in nature.

For example, only a two-year incentive for CBU EV (it will end by Dec 31, 2023).

The industry has yet to see long-term oriented policies for EV development.

For the past many years, MAA had been advocating for the government to consider providing a longer validity period of incentives, for example, 7 to 10 years.

This is to follow vehicle lifecycle development and perhaps committed volume for the investment by the car companies.

For the automotive industry which is very capital intensive, it is not viable for MAA members to consider short-term oriented investment projects.

It will be difficult for our members to get support and buy-in from their overseas principals.

Does MAA expect the internal combustion engine (ICE) cars to still play a major role in Malaysia’s transportation sector for the coming 10 years?

This is very difficult to assess.

A lot will depend on what policies and initiatives the government is going to provide in the coming years in our efforts towards achieving Low Carbon Nation Aspiration.

It will also depend on whether our country can afford to provide so much funding and incentives to the EV sector while there are many other pressing social issues faced by the rakyat.

For example, low-cost housing, public transportation in towns and rural areas particularly outside Klang Valley, healthcare facilities, etc.

Technological improvements especially in the systems like the EV battery and the cost of EVs will also be a key factor as to whether the switch towards EVs will be successful or not.

In the next 3 to 5 years, we foresee ICE cars will continue to form the bulk of new car purchases by consumers.

However conversion from ICE to EV is being seriously studied and focused to convert current ICE cars to EVs.

What are the steps that could be taken so the lower income group will be able to enjoy the benefits of EVs?

As mentioned earlier, price is the main reason.

Even with tax exemption incentives provided by the government, the cheapest electric car currently is still beyond the reach of most ordinary rakyat.

Perhaps the government should consider reducing the import duty imposed on EVs which is very high now at 30% for CBU EVs without incentives.

This could be a transition period until the stage where there are sufficient locally assembled EVs at very competitive prices available in the market.

Government should also encourage cheaper EVs to be introduced in Malaysia.

How ready are MAA members for the EV rollout especially when it comes to aftersales support and maintenance of electrified hybrid vehicles and full EVs?

MAA members are ready.

As a matter of fact, our members representing Mitsubishi and Nissan have been selling EVs since 2013. In the early days, these companies had taken their efforts to set up sales and promotion channels, after-sales support services, etc and develop the necessary requirements including charging facilities in order to generate interest and provide confidence to our local consumers.

At the Budget 2022 announcement on Oct 29 last year, the government agreed to provide more incentives to support the development of the EV industry.

After this announcement, other well-known international brands such as Hyundai, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo have started to introduce their models into our domestic market.

Of course, our MAA members are aware of the importance of ensuring all the necessary support facilities and services are in place before a holistic selling of EVs to the consumers.

Without these support facilities and services, it will be difficult to entice consumers to buy EVs.

What are MAA’s views on the proposed ‘Lemon Law’?

In general, MAA welcomes any measure by the government that will be beneficial to the rakyat who are consumers of our products too.

However, it is always our position that any new policy or law introduced must be beneficial to all stakeholders i.e, consumers, industries, authorities, etc.

This topic on Lemon law should be studied thoroughly and in a holistic manner prior to introducing the law in our country. It is a big subject by itself involving various products, industries, issues, stakeholders, etc.

This is also to avoid any potential confusion and complications which may hamper the growth and orderly development of the industries, society and ultimately our country’s economy.

The automotive industry involves many aspects ranging from manufacturing or assembly of new motor vehicles, distribution, dealerships, after-sales services, maintenance, spare parts, financing, insurance, etc.


Hyundai unveils 2020 Ioniq lineup with increased electric power

                FRANKFURT: Late last week, Hyundai announced that the Ioniq electric lineup had received a mid-cycle refresh.

In 2016, Hyundai launched the Ioniq, a model with three variants spanning the most popular electrification segments: hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric. Two years after the release, the car has received its midcycle refresh, giving all trims a new look and the all-electric version a longer range.

The 28-kWh battery has been swapped out for a 38.3 kWh one that increases the range output from 200km to 295km. Furthermore, the motor has been equipped with a 7.2-kW charger (from 6.6-kW) which can charge the battery to 80 percent in 54 minutes with a 100-kW fast-charging station.

In terms of model design, both the interior and exterior have received some upgrades. The headlights and taillights benefit from more LED lighting elements, though the shape of the lights themselves has not changed. The front and back bumpers have been redesigned too, but the modifications are subtle. The grilles have gained some silver elements, and the running lights have thicker bezels.

On the inside, in addition to a handful of new trims and upholstery options, the control panel now has a glossy finish. Additionally, the console display in the all-electric trim has been improved with mood lighting to visualize the different drive mode themes," according to Hyundai.

Hyundai's complementary vehicle app Blue Link has been updated to include remote start, remote stop, and battery status updates.

While the prices have not yet been announced, the lineup's starting prices currently range from US$22,400 to US$29,815. Though the prices will likely all go up, these will probably be minor increases, as the update is simply a refresh.


Ford releases new Focus

                DETROIT: There have been plenty of spy shots doing the rounds and Ford itself even released a set of camouflaged images, but now the new fourth-generation of the big-selling Ford Focus has finally been officially unveiled.

The Focus will turn 20 years of age later this year, and Ford is billing this all-new version as the "most accomplished and technically-competent" incarnation of its popular family compact to date.

Although this is the first time the production version of the new Focus has been seen in all its glory, we won't have to wait long to get up-close and personal with it as it's set to go on sale as soon as July. In Britain, it will be available in hatchback and estate wagon body styles, but in Europe and the United States, it will continue to also be offered as a sedan.

The lineup will be made up of four different trim levels, and Ford promises a vast array of new technology to make the fourth-generation Focus the most advanced car it will have on sale in Europe when it lands with dealers.

What will remain the same is the agility, great handling and engaging driving characteristics that have made the car such a big-seller for the Blue Oval over the past two decades.

"Focus and a class-leading fun-to-drive experience go hand-in-hand and we have no intention of letting any competitor steal that crown," said Helmut Reder, global vehicle line director C-car, Ford of Europe. "Our all-new chassis combined with sophisticated technologies like Drive Modes and Continuously Controlled Damping deliver the agility and responsiveness of a hot hatchback, with the refined ride of a large executive car."

As with the new Fiesta, the Focus will be offered in sporty ST-Line trim with a 10mm lower suspension setting than the standard car, as an Active-badged high-riding variant that's close to being a crossover, as an upmarket Vignale, and as a regular Titanium trim for the masses.

Amko Leenarts, Ford's European Design director said of the Focus: "We wanted our all-new Focus to be a product customers fall in love with, and stay in love with. Inside and out, our new design philosophy is about creating memorable moments of interaction that build and maintain the relationship between human being and machine."

Prices have yet to be announced, but expect a small uplift from the current model. And although a hot ST version is set to follow, there's so far been no official confirmation of a fire-breathing RS model.


Heavy vehicles banned from KL city centre during peak hours

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Territories Ministry, through Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), has banned heavy vehicles exceeding 7.5 tons from entering the city centre with immediate effect.

Its deputy minister Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias (pic) said the enforcement measure was decided on Tuesday (June 21) by a special committee looking into solutions, methods and actions to disperse traffic congestion in the capital.

He said any heavy vehicle found entering the capital during peak hours will be subject to action under Section 79 of The Road Transport Act 1987 by the police and the Road Transport Department (JPJ).

"Those who violate this ban will be subject to mandatory compounds and we will take a tough stance by not considering any appeals,” he told a press conference that was also attended by KL mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah after chairing the first meeting of the special committee here.

Congestion in the city was also found to be due to a large increase in the number of vehicles after the easing of the movement control order since last August, with 46.76 million recorded in December last year compared to 26.51 million in December 2019.

The committee also decided to ban vehicles from parking on the curb during peak hours and will be phasing out parking spots along major roads in stages.

"We also are banning traders from conducting business on pavements during peak hours and will phase out trading spots in stages from the pavements of major roads,” he added.


Ford launches Ranger Splash Limited Edition at RM139K - only on Lazada

                PETALING JAYA: Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC), the sole distributor of Ford in Malaysia, has unveiled a Limited Edition Ford Ranger that's revived the Splash moniker from the 1990s.

Launched in conjunction with the upcoming Lazada 11.11 Shopping Festival, the limited-edition Ranger Splash has been priced at RM138,888 (on-the-road without insurance) and is available for pre-order through Lazada’s Chup Dulu function.

For differentiation from a standard Ranger pickup truck, its sheet metal has been "blacked-out" while featuring fluorescent ‘Ranger Splash’ decals on each side.

As for the equipment list, it includes a matte black front kangaroo bar, newly designed front grille, side mirror cover, rear bumper, sports bars, alloy wheels and fender flares.

For extra convenience and safety, it also features a built-in toll reader and a 360-degree Around View Monitor Camera system.

The sporty Ranger Splash will be the first pickup truck in the country to be sold via an eCommerce platform.

Customers interested in view the truck are invited to visit its showroom at Ford Petaling Jaya 2, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion before going on sale.

In tandem with the year 2019, only 19 examples will be made available for sale and all will be sold exclusively on Lazada’s eCommerce platform - starting Nov 11 at the start of Lazada’s annual 11.11 Shopping Festival.

Customers simply need to pay a 1% booking fee of RM1,389 to reserve a unit.

From Oct 28 to Nov 10, shoppers can "Chup" the Ranger Splash by paying a non-refundable 10% deposit on the booking fee (RM139) via the Lazada app.

Simply check-out and pay the balance of the booking fee (RM1,250) on Nov 11 to secure the booking.

Once the final booking fee payment has been completed, the full amount of the booking becomes refundable.

Buyers will then be contacted by a Ford representative to complete the purchase of the Limited Edition Ford Ranger Splash at their preferred Ford showroom.

The first 11 buyers who complete their booking process during Chup Dulu will also receive a RM500 PETRONAS Gift Card upon successful delivery of their vehicle.

The Ranger Splash uses a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission that manages power output at 180PS 420Nm.

Other goodies fitted include an Easy Lift Tailgate, keyless entry with push-start button, Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS), LED daytime running lights and HID bi-xenon headlights.

The in-truck infotainment system uses an 8.0-inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth connectivity and SYNC 3 that's compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Limited Edition Ford Ranger Splash comes with a three-year warranty or up to 100,000km (whichever comes first) and five-year free maintenance or up to 100,000km (whichever comes first).

“We always look at new ways of reaching out to our customers by forging ahead in transforming and providing unique shopping experiences, with more things to come in the spirit of ‘Go Further’," said Sime Darby Auto ConneXion managing director Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz.


Flying car prototype almost ready for take off, says minister

                KUALA LUMPUR: Work to construct Malaysia’s first flying car is 85% complete, says Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof.

The prototype, he added, is being built by a Malaysian company in Japan, as the economic powerhouse has the supporting ecosystem for the flying-car industry.

“I am going to Japan in September for the Aviation Conference and I hope to get to see the almost complete (flying) car that we will be going to bring back towards the end of the year, ” Mohd Redzuan told reporters after attending the SME Leadership Conference 2019 here yesterday.

The ministry he said, was in discussion with various ministries involved in the aviation sector to create available space for flying cars in Malaysia, similar to efforts undertaken in several other countries, to complement skills of local entrepreneurs to develop a flying car.

“We don’t control them (investors) on what they want to do but we need to create an industry (flying car) in Malaysia, ” he added.

On whether the country’s first flying car would be launched by year-end, Mohd Redzuan said it would depend on Malaysia’s ecosystem for flying cars, especially in term of availability to fly at that time.

The one-day SME Leadership Conference 2019 is organised by ATCEN Sdn Bhd and targeted small and medium enterprises (SME) owners, chief executive officers, general managers, senior managers and executives from multiple industries.

Prominent speakers on business and leadership topics have been invited to share their expertise with the guest and participants.

According to the organisers, nearly 450 delegates would be able to learn from industry experts, their best practices, and get exposure to better business models as part of leadership transformation. — Bernama


Dec 19-25: Fuel prices up

                PETALING JAYA: Fuel prices continue to surge upwards across the board from Dec 19 to Dec 25.

The Finance Ministry said RON97 petrol would be priced at RM2.08 per litre, up by five sen from RM2.03 per litre previously.

The price of RON95 will also increase by five sen from RM1.73 per litre to RM1.78 per litre, while the price of diesel will increase by three sen from RM1.93 per litre to RM1.96 per litre.

"The government will continue to monitor the trends of global crude oil prices and take appropriate measures to ensure the continued welfare and well-being of the people," the ministry said in a statement today.


Shell Malaysia releases limited edition Shell Motorsports Collection

                KUALA LUMPUR: Shell has announced the sale of the latest Shell Motorsports Collection featuring Bluetooth-controlled cars from some of its partnerships in motorsports.

For the first time, an array of OEM and motorsports partnerships were brought together to promote Shell’s V-Power fuel performance.

The collection of high-performance cars features seven models from some of the world’s top motorsport teams partnered with Shell.

These models are: Ferrari SF90; BMW M4 Motorsport; Nissan Formula E Gen 2 Car; Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC; Shell V-Power Racing Team Ford Mustang GT; Team Penske Indycar; and Team Penske Ford Mustang GT.

The collection comes with a proprietary battery which integrates a Bluetooth chip within a rechargeable lithium cell, developed in partnership with BrandBase and 12 right holders who include Ferrari, BMW, Hyundai, Ford and Nissan.

Each car comes with an electric motor and can be controlled by the player’s smartphones via the Shell Racing app.

The free app, which is available on App Store and Google Play, combines both remote and digital play.

The limited-edition Bluetooth remote-control cars are being released one model per week only at Shell stations nationwide from Oct 8 to Dec 8.

Customers can buy the collectors box at RM80 when they pump Shell V-Power Racing fuel for RM80 in a single receipt.

Separate car models or a smart Bluetooth battery are available at RM30 with a minimum fuel purchase of RM50 to complete the collection.

Alternatively, customers can get the Ferrari SF90 racing car and one smart battery for free when they buy selected Shell Helix Lubricant 4L at Shell stations.

To mark the launch of the latest remote-controlled collection, Shell is organising an event at KL Sentral from Oct 17-23 and at Mid Valley Megamall from Oct 26-30 to let the public try all seven racing car models on racetracks designed to present each car in their winning atmosphere.

Visitors will be treated to a viewing of the Hyundai i20 WRC replica that clinched the latest WRC Championship title in Greece
on site as well, as an introduction to Shell’s motorsport partnerships over the years.


Daimler set to spin off truck unit by year end, says report

                BERLIN: German carmaker Daimler is on track to spin off Daimler Truck, the world's largest truck and bus maker, by the end of the year, its finance chief was quoted as saying on Sunday.

"We are right on schedule with the detailed preparations for this complex project and want to float Daimler Truck on the stock exchange as an independent company by the end of this year," CFO Harald Wilhelm told the Automobilwoche weekly.

"We are convinced of the industrial logic and benefits of the planned realignment of Daimler and the spin-off of Daimler Truck."

The plan - announced in February - is aimed at increasing Daimler's investor appeal as a focused electric, luxury car business, as the Mercedes-Benz brand challenges Tesla Inc, Porsche, BMW and others.

LBBW analyst Frank Biller told the magazine Daimler Truck could join the German DAX index of blue chip companies next March.

In the truck market, Daimler faces traditional rivals such as Sweden's AB Volvo, Volkswagen AG unit Traton and Paccar Inc.

Under the planned spin-off, a significant majority stake in Daimler Truck would be distributed to Daimler shareholders.

Daimler could not immediately be reached for comment outside normal business hours.


Ford helps roadside workers stay safe with lit rear panels for vans

                LONDON: Ford has developed new, first-of-its-kind electronic high-visibility panels, which do not rely on other light sources to be clearly visible in the dark.

The red stripes, available on Transit and Transit Custom models, are illuminated by electricity passing through a thin layer of phosphorus gas – technology already used in aeroplane cockpits and on screens for medical and military equipment.

When installed, these are activated by a switch behind the driver’s seat.

Many roadside workers, such as those repairing cars, fixing potholes, or maintaining gas and water supplies operate in high-risk environments and standard reflective panels are reliant on the headlights of other vehicles for illumination.

As a result, these panels can be less effective when approached from around a bend - especially on long, dark winter nights.

“Roadside working is a necessary and sometimes dangerous part of the job for many of our customers”, said Simon Robinson, chief program engineer, Special Vehicle Engineering, Ford of Europe. “We want to ensure that what is often essential work can be carried out as safely and effectively as possible. Creating panels that can be illuminated without having to rely on other sources of light was literally a ‘light bulb’ moment.”

Ford trialled its panels in collaboration with Northumbrian Water Group, enabling engineers to monitor their effectiveness in real-world scenarios and to gauge the benefits of panels that light up – even when other drivers neglect to activate their headlights. Now Northumbrian Water Group, which includes Essex & Suffolk Water, are the first commercial users.


2020 2nd-gen Nissan JUKE launched in Europe

                LONDON: The new 2020 second-generation Nissan JUKE compact crossover made its global debut recently in five cities across Europe (London, Paris, Milan, Barcelona and Cologne).

The B-segment crossover has grown up and dimensions are now 4,210 mm length; 1,595 mm height; and a width of 1,800 mm for better roominess while remaining compact and lighter by 23kg.

A re-imagined interior offers rear-seat knee room increased by 5.8 cm, rear head room by 1.1 cm and a boot capacity of 422 litres – providing 20% more storage room.

Thanks to high strength steel, the new model features a more rigid platform that offers better stability, performance and cornering capabilities.

The JUKE is powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder DIG-T turbocharged petrol engine with 117PS mated to a 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch (DCT) paddle-shift transmission, and a driving mode selector (Eco, Standard, Sport).

Nissan's ProPILOT technology, which offers electronically assisted steering, acceleration and braking, is offered on the JUKE for the first time.

Designed for highway use in single-lane traffic, ProPILOT makes long commutes and heavy traffic easier.

Safety features can include Intelligent Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Cyclist Recognition, Traffic Sign Recognition, Intelligent Lane Intervention, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Blind Spot Intervention as a Nissan premiere that is unique to the segment.

Blind Spot Intervention warns the driver when a car gets into its blind spot and brings JUKE back in the lane.

Also offered is a 8-inch touch screen display, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Equipped with full LED technology as standard, and Nissan’s V-Motion grille, the JUKE also has striking 19-inch alloy wheels and a coupé style ‘floating roof’ design.


Bosch AA Malaysia launches safety video for "balik kampung"

                PETALING JAYA: Bosch Automotive Aftermarket Malaysia is reminding drivers to service their cars for a safer balik kampung journey

The festive season is a very busy period as people are travelling near and far to visit loved ones.

Road accidents are also more prevalent during this season due to increase in traffic on the roads, which increases the potential of road accidents and risks in road fatalities.

Bosch Automotive Aftermarket Malaysia recently launched the  ‘Drive for Life’ campaign advocating safer cars and safer roads through emphasizing the importance of proactive car care and maintenance using quality car parts to lower the risks of road accidents.

Bosch AA is bringing you a short video to remind all drivers to service their cars for or perform this simple 6-point car inspection check for a safer balik kampung journey.

Watch the video here:

https://www.facebook.com/BoschAA.MY/videos/801336960239826/

“Well maintained cars reduce the risks of road accidents and helps deliver a safer and smoother drive. This 6-point check is simple to perform and can help increase reliability of the car especially for long distance travels during festive seasons”, said Pang Yoon Kong, country manager of Bosch Automotive Aftermarket Malaysia.

To further promote car and road safety, Bosch AA is collaborating with Petron to give drivers free vehicle inspection services on battery condition, engine oil and fluid levels, tyre thread and brake pad thickness on the last two weekend in May at selected Petron stations in Klang Valley.

6-point Car Inspection Check

- Check the car service schedule sticker for the service due date
- Check the car’s tyre pressure, tyre thread condition and don’t forget to inflate the spare tyre
- Check the engine oil levels
- Check the battery condition
- Check the wipers
- Check all lights – head, rear, brake and signal lights

The stations involved are:

Petron Sg. Besi Toll Southbound – 18 May
Petron MRR2 Safari – 19 May
Petron MRR2 Selayang 25 May
Petron KESAS Eastbound – 26 May

In addition, this Ramadan, stand a chance to win Bosch merchandise from the “Drive for Life” contest.

Log on to Bosch Autoparts Malaysia Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/BoschAA.MY) to participate now.


AIR Alliance expands in move to regulate car cabin air quality post-pandemic

                LONDON: Sanitised air will become a key selling point in future cars, and the AIR Alliance (AIR), publishers of the AIR Index, continues to grow with the addition of Sanity Systems International Limited (Sanity System).

Sanity System is an Italian company founded in 2010, to prevent diseases, allergies and infections by sanitising the air, water and surfaces we come into contact with.

The company promotes sanitisation with ozone to provide a high level of hygiene and safety, including a dedicated solution for in-cabin vehicle environments.

Car cabin air quality is ripe for regulation, and Massimo Fedeli, co-founder of AIR said: “The AIR Alliance provides independent, trusted and practical solutions to address the consequences of harmful vehicle emissions. The AIR Index ratings for urban NOx and CO2 now provide clear information for consumers and policy makers about tailpipe emissions for cars and vans, but pollution inside the cabin remains un-regulated despite the well-understood links between exposure to harmful emissions and health.

“Last year we initiated a European CEN workshop to agree the methodology for gathering in-cabin pollutant data and as part of our research we encountered Sanity System whose ozone sanitisation technology is used to cleanse in-cabin air and systems.

“Sanity System joins international organisations and world-leading scientists in the AIR Alliance, bringing global expertise and commitment as we bring transparency to the effectiveness of vehicle ventilation systems on cabin air quality.”

“The team at Sanity System brings more than a decade of experience delivering practical, safe and environmentally sound solutions in the most sensitive and important environments including hospitals, ambulances, laboratories and emergency vehicles. We look forward to working with the AIR Alliance and to play our part in enabling the most effective route to reduce harmful emissions.”


Geely to help Proton drive into future, says Minister

                IPOH: The decision by Proton to embark on a partnership with China’s Zheijiang Geely Automotive Co Ltd is timely because cars are predicted to be next in line to undergo sweeping innovations.

International Trade and Industry Minister II Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan said that in light of Industrial Revolution 4.0, bringing in Geely as Proton’s strategic partner would ensure the Malaysian company’s survival as cars increasingly adopt digital technology.

Industrial Revolution 4.0, or Industry 4.0, is the current trend of automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies which include cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things and cloud computing.

“After attending the Hannover Messe, the world’s biggest trade fair for industrial technology, I learned that self-driving cars are the next big thing.

“This means that you are looking at a future where cars will have no steering wheel.

“With just the touch of a panel, the car will bring you to your destination,” Ong said after witnessing the swearing-in of the new committee of the Perak Chinese Cemeteries Management Association yesterday.

He said Geely would be Proton’s channel to embracing technological innovations.

“I’m not saying to expect Proton to be a frontliner in this, but at least with a strategic partner it can move along with the times,” he added.

He said Geely would also open a new market for Proton, which was important for the national carmaker’s survival.

He said it was not a decision made purely in favour of China.

“Over the years, it’s been no secret that Proton accumulated losses and will need a big market to cater to in order to settle all the debts. This is the reality.

“Proton only narrowly met its sales target of 580,000 units last year, while Chinese brands sold 28 million units,” he said.

In view of its small volume, Ong said it would be difficult for Proton to fund sophisticated research and development initiatives.

“We need a larger market for things to work out. The Industrial Revolution 4.0 is all about innovation. We can’t do it ourselves, which is why working with advanced nations is our best bet,” he added.


Renault serves up a 'catertainment' van

                PARIS: Renault has teamed up with outdoor cooking guru DJ BBQ to offer festival-goers a feast of “catertainment”.

The new partnership will see DJ BBQ, aka Christian Stevenson, visit some of this summer’s essential festivals in a one-off Renault Master, where he will serve up his trademark signature dishes to the backdrop of thumping beats and shooting flames!

A star of Jamie Oliver’s Food Tube television channel and with a lifelong passion for barbequing and music, the latter including a career as a professional radio DJ, DJ BBQ is renowned for his fun-filled take on outdoor cooking. Using its extensive conversion experience and crafted with the same imagination that DJ BBQ demonstrates in his unique style of cooking, Renault has created the “catertainment” vehicle for the innovative chef.

Based on the Renault Master Chassis Cab that forms the backbone for many of the brand’s LCV conversions that are either completed at the factory or by Renault-accredited convertors, the DJ BBQ “catertainment” vehicle features a fully equipped kitchen, DJ and sound system and even an in-built pyro technic display. Highlights of the unique Renault Master include a 24-inch griddle, an electric rise speaker box on the roof and vertical exhaust flame throwers.

Through the two-year partnership, DJ BBQ will take the bespoke Renault Master on tour to many of Britain’s festivals and will also support Renault at its own events, offering visitors a truly memorable catering and entertainment experience.

On the modified Renault Master, DJ BBQ said: “I think it’s the best thing since steak! No one has ever done anything like this before – it’s a total one-off and we’ve got the loudest catering van in history, the sound system is better than most music stages!"


Angry Tesla Shanghai workers vent to Elon Musk over bonus cuts

                SHANGHAI: Workers from Tesla's Shanghai factory are taking to social media to appeal to Elon Musk and the Chinese public after being informed over the weekend about plans to cut their performance bonuses, according to online posts and workers.

Several of the posts also criticised Tesla's handling of a fatal accident in the plant, its biggest worldwide, earlier this year and questioned whether the deductions were linked to it.

The situation marks a rare outburst of discontent at Tesla's Shanghai plant, its largest and most productive site, whose workers Musk praised last year for burning "the 3 am oil" to keep operations running during the city's two-month Covid-19 lockdown.

Posts began appearing on forums such as Baidu Tieba late last week. Some took to Twitter, owned by Musk and blocked in China, to tweet to the billionaire, his mother Maye Musk, and Tesla's accounts.

"Please pay attention to the performance (bonus) of frontline workers at Tesla's Shanghai factory being arbitrarily deducted," said a person with the handle @AFeiywu on Twitter in a tweet directed at Elon Musk and Tesla's Asia unit.

Two workers at the plant, where Tesla employs around 20,000, said they were informed by their supervisors over the weekend about a cut to their quarterly bonus payout, which is linked to the factory's performance.

The workers said Tesla supervisors mentioned a "safety incident" when they were asked about reasons for the bonus cut. They declined to be named out of concern for their jobs.

Several online posts claimed workers at the Shanghai plant were being unfairly punished for an incident this year at the factory where one worker died in February.

According to a report published by the local Pudong government on April 12, there was a mechanical accident in the welding workshop at Tesla's Shanghai plant on Feb 4 that killed one worker.

The local government's investigation concluded an oversight in Tesla's safety management indirectly contributed to the accident and said the deceased worker was directly responsible.

Tesla and Elon Musk did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

His mother, Maye Musk is a model who has attracted a following in China. She recently completed a two-week tour in the country where she promoted her memoir.

Upcoming results

Some workers said in online posts their quarterly bonuses had been cut by around 2,000 yuan (RM1,286).

Base salaries at the Shanghai plant start from around 5,340 yuan (RM3,434) per month, with additional income in some cases coming from over-time work, shifts and annual and quarterly bonuses.

Before tax, workers can earn around 110,000-120,000 yuan (RM77,159) a year, including bonuses and overtime pay, according to a recruitment post on state-owned Lingang Group's official Wechat account, which provides hiring services for companies in the region.

That level of pay is in line with other international and Chinese manufacturers in the region.

Tesla is set to report first-quarter results on Wednesday. A key focus for investors and analysts will be how its round of price reductions on its electric vehicles have cut into its industry-leading margins.

Tesla Chief Financial Officer Zach Kirkhorn said last quarter that Tesla expected to sustain a gross margin of 20% on autos, excluding leases and regulatory credits, with an average-sale price for its EVs globally above $47,000.


Two associations vetting their drivers as deadline for eHailing licence nears

                PETALING JAYA: As the deadline for the special eHailing licence nears, two associations have claimed that stringent checks on their drivers were already being carried out.

Grab Drivers Malaysia Association president Arif Asyraf Ali said Grab was already conducting its own internal checks on drivers even without the Public Service Vehicle (PSV) vetting process.

“If you compare both PSV and Grab, basically we have already been carrying out these procedures, including background checks on our drivers,” he said.

Arif said the PSV licence was just part of the government’s regulations and most drivers were willing to go through it on a yearly basis, but lamented the cost.

“Drivers who feel that it is an additional burden for them will not continue driving,” he said.

“If there are any issues, the necessary information can be obtained from Grab.

“The problem is that most of these Grab drivers are part-timers. Since they are driving on a part-time basis, they do not want a lot of hassle as the procedure to be a driver directly with Grab was much easier,” he said.

Pertubuhan Pemandu Berasaskan Aplikasi Elektronik Malaysia secretary-general Catherine Yee said checks conducted by eHailing companies were different from Puspakom.

“It’s cheaper if we do the PSV tests ourselves. Our cost is very high as well, as eHailing companies take 20% of each trip and we don’t have the special 50% toll discount enjoyed by taxi drivers,” she said.

Yee also said the new regulations would likely affect part-time drivers due to its cost.

“Full-time drivers agree to be regulated because without any law to protect us, eHailing companies will bully us,” she said.

“But many part-time drivers found it costly and they don’t want to drive anymore.”

Starting April 1, eHailing drivers must apply for the PSV licence at driving institutes or eHailing operator centres approved by the Road Transport Department (JPJ).

Drivers have to undergo a six-hour training session at driving centres and pay up to RM200 for the PSV licence.

They must also get initial and annual vehicle checks at Puspakom, pass criminal background and medical checks, contribute to Socso, purchase an eHailing add-on car insurance and equip their cars with safety equipment, including fire extinguishers.

The JPJ will start taking action against offenders from July 12.


Updated Range Rover Evoque going to Geneva

                LONDON: Land Rover has updated the Range Rover Evoque, its fastest-selling model globally.

The luxury compact SUV features a range of new design features and technologies to reinforce its status in the market.

The distinctive exterior design of the Evoque has been further enhanced with a new front bumper, two new grille designs, all-LED headlamps and three new alloy wheel designs.

Interior changes include new seats and door casings, new infotainment system, accessed via an eight-inch touchscreen, and the introduction of new colour and materials such as Lunar Ice, Vintage Tan and Dark Cherry (Autobiography only) complementing the architectural forms of the Evoque.

The 2016 Evoque is the first model from Jaguar Land Rover to be offered with full-LED adaptive headlamps, providing additional visibility at night.

Creating a striking visual statement, the indicator function is now integrated into the LED daytime-running lights (DRLs) sweeping across the full width of the light clusters.

Elsewhere, the distinctive hood vents, previously fitted only to coupe models, are introduced on the five-door HSE Dynamic and Autobiography specifications.

A new tailgate spoiler includes a wider, slimmer high-level LED rear brake light that cleanly integrates within the spoiler and optional eye-catching new roof fins feature an integrated cellular antenna, for improved mobile phone signal.

The 2016 Evoque comes with Land Rover's advanced 240hp petrol engine. Delivering strong performance, the Evoque can accelerate from 0-100kph in 7.6 seconds and achieve a top speed of 217kph and return fuel economy of 7.8l/100km on the highway.

The range of improvements engineered into the 2016 Range Rover Evoque includes a series of new convenience features, with an all-new eight-inch Land Rover InControl® Touch™ touchscreen infotainment system providing a more intuitive experience5.

Land Rover InControl Touch is fitted as standard equipment on Evoque SE models, featuring easy-to-navigate menus and allowing users to swipe between screens just like a smartphone. InControl Apps allows owners to access many popular smartphone apps using the centrally-mounted touchscreen on the centre console.

All-terrain capability of the Evoque has been enhanced by the introduction of the innovative All-Terrain Progress Control (ATPC).

The technology is designed to maintain a pre-determined speed (selected using the cruise control function) in forward or reverse gears between 1.8kph to 30kph), allowing the driver to concentrate on negotiating tricky terrain.

ATPC is said to make off-road capability more accessible and enjoyable than ever.

The refreshed Evoque will show up at the Geneva Motor Show in March.


Sime Darby Auto Selection and TREVO introduce new twist to car ownership

                PETALING JAYA: How would you like to buy a used car and let other people help fund most of the ownership cost? On top of that, get a guaranteed resale price should you resell the car back to the dealer at the end of a 12-month period.

That's the basis of a tie-up between multi-brand used car dealer Sime Darby Auto Selection (SDAS) and TREVO, SOCAR Mobility Malaysia’s people-to-people car sharing marketplace.

The so-called "Fund Your Drive" programme, the first of its kind in Malaysia – seeks to make car ownership more affordable and accessible, by providing the means for buyers of SDAS cars to also generate income from their vehicles by listing it on TREVO and a guaranteed resale price at the end of a 12-month period .

The programme runs from today until Nov 18 and offers a variety of reliable, refurbished vehicles of various makes from SDAS, a division under Sime Darby Motors.

The guaranteed income from rental of the car to TREVO helps offset the costs of ownership such as loan repayments and maintenance fees.

The guaranteed income is expected to cover at least 70% of the monthly loan repayments, and provides car owners with loan instalment support for 12 months. As part of the programme, car owners will also enjoy free auto servicing from SDAS for the 12-month period.

SOCAR Mobility Malaysia CEO Leon Foong said a TREVO host who owns a 2015 Hyundai Grand Starex, for example, can earn around RM850 a month if the car is booked for 7 days in each month, while also keeping the car for personal use on the other 23 days in the month. The supplemental income is estimated to cover almost the full amount of the monthly loan instalment.

Interested buyers can choose from a range of car models marked with the TREVO logo on SDAS’ website https://simedarbyautoselection.com.my/ to enjoy the special privileges.

More information on the "Fund Your Drive" programme can be obtained through WhatsApp at +6019-205-2803, by emailing supply@trevo.my or by visiting https://simedarbyautoselection.com.my/trevo.

This programme is open to all Malaysians.


Indian ride-hailing firm Ola plans to start producing EVs in 2024

Aggarwal posing in front of an Ola cab in Mumbai in 2015. — Reuters

NEW DELHI: Indian ride-hailing firm Ola Electric plans to start producing electric cars in India in 2024 with a range of up to 500km, chief executive Bhavish Aggarwal said on Monday.

Ola, which is backed by Japan's Softbank Group and currently makes e-scooters, did not give an investment figure or production target.

Aggarwal said that while companies like Tesla are leading the way in building electric vehicles more suited for Western markets, India can lead in the area of small cars, scooters and motorcycles for which global demand is higher.

Ola's electric car with the most advanced features would go from 0 to 100kph in four seconds, he said.

The company was setting up an electric vehicle ecosystem, aiming to produce cars, two wheelers and batteries all at a single plant in the state of Tamil Nadu, he said.

The company has sold over 70,000 electric two wheelers in the last seven months, and was in the process of setting up 100 hyper charging electric stations in major cities in India, Aggarwal said.

Ola had planned to go public in the first half of 2022, but the initial public offering has been postponed, possibly due to volatility in the market and lacklustre listings of some start-ups in India this year.


Lexus NX 350 F Sport: Accomplished achiever

                SINCE its local launch in 2015, the first generation Lexus NX mid-size premium sports utility vehicle (SUV) has been well accepted and accounted for a third of Lexus Malaysia’s overall sales volume.

After a good seven-year run keeping Continental rivals at bay, the NX is now being replaced by an all-new successor that features bolder styling as well as massive uptick in performance, smart tech and refinement.

Lexus says the new NX is ushering the brand’s “Vital x Tech Gear” concept that combines vital dynamism with advanced technology.

The second generation model will be offered locally in two variants of the 250 Luxury featuring a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated engine and the 350 F Sport with a new 2.4-litre turbocharged block.

The 250 Luxury’s A25A-FKS engine, is already used in the Lexus ES 250 sedan, delivers 204hp and 243Nm of torque, while the 350 F Sport’s T24A-FTS block is punchier with 275hp and 430Nm of torque.

With a Direct Shift eight-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive (AWD) and a top speed of 200kph in both variants, Lexus says the 250 Luxury can do the 0-100kph sprint in 9.1 seconds while the 350 F Sport is much quicker at 7 seconds.

Lexus Malaysia has started taking bookings for the 250 Luxury which has an on-the-road without insurance price of RM370,888, while the 350 F Sport arrives at RM389,888, in Peninsular Malaysia.

We managed to get a drive in the 350 F Sport organised by Lexus Malaysia at the Sepang International Circuit last week.

Brandishing a larger F Sport exclusive spindle grille with interlocking L-mesh design in jet black and lower splitter in satin silver finish, the 350 F Sport looks fancier.

Adding to the new persona are redesigned ultra slim 3-Beam LED projector headlamps with integrated LED daytime running lights and Adaptive High-beam System.

The 350 F Sport appears more pumped-up this time with chiselled lines, flared wheel arches and 20-inch wheels in Super Gloss Black Metallic Finish.

At the rear, there is the long light bar that links up the L-styled LED tail lights to create a more eye-catching appearance.

Inside, our unit came with Flare Red leather upholstery that imparts a more adventurous feel.

There is no lack of space as the new NX is 20mm wider and has a 30mm longer wheelbase compared with the out-going model.

To make the NX more intuitive to drive, Lexus is banking on the ‘Tazuna Concept’ that draws on the symbiotic relationship between a jockey and his horse.

Multi-information display, multimedia screen, gauges and head-up display are grouped so they can be easily read at a glance.

The number of switchgears have also been reduced from 78 to 45 for easier operations.

The NX’s dashboard features a large 14-inch touchscreen multimedia system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via wireless or USB as well as having a built-in navigation system.

The door release latches are the electric e-Latch type that allows effortless opening of doors by the press of a button or lever.

Unlike typical performance SUVs that tend to unleash raw power at take-off, the 350 F Sport’s delivery is silky with muted exhaust note.

With the smooth Sepang track, the 350 F Sport’s driving civility and cabin quietness, there were times that we did not realised that we were actually going much faster than we had thought.

It also has five drive modes of Eco, Sport S, Sport S+, Normal or Custom for drivers to choose their preferred driving set-up.

The 350 F Sport also gets the Lexus-first electronically controlled full-time AWD that continuously varies driving force distribution between the front and rear axles from 75:25 to 50:50 depending on the situation.

Built on the Lexus Global Architecture K (GA-K) platform that offers 30% improvement in rigidity than previously, the NX has improved cornering control and dynamic handling.

The 350 F Sport exhibited surefootedness with minimal body roll as we charged around the twisty stretches of the Sepang track as well as a slalom course specially laid out for us.

Setting the 350 F Sport’s drive mode to Sport S+ amps up the Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) system and electric power steering for even better handling and thrills.

The NX has the latest generation of the Lexus Safety System+ (LSS+) that increases the level of active safety and driver assistance.

It even gets a new Road Sign Assist (RSA) that uses a camera to recognise speed limit signs and display the information on the head-up display and multi-information display.

With loads of improvements, the new NX looks set to continue the appeal of the previous model.

Lexus Malaysia will be holding a weekend event at all its showroom nationwide on May 21 and 22 where prospective buyers can test drive the NX and place a booking.


More details of Mercedes pickup truck emerge

                FRANKFURT: Daimler today said it would expand its cooperation with partner Nissan to develop a mid-sized pickup truck for Mercedes-Benz, as the German premium auto maker seeks to narrow the sales gap with rival BMW.

The new Mercedes-Benz pickup targets commercial and private clients in Europe, Latin America, Australia and South Africa, and will share some of the underpinnings with an all-new Nissan NP300 Navara (or Frontier, depending on market) truck, Daimler and Nissan said in a joint statement.

"Entering the rapidly growing segment of midsize pickups is an important step in continuing our global growth path," Daimler chief executive Dieter Zetsche said.

"Thanks to our well-established partnership with the Renault-Nissan Alliance, we are able to drastically reduce the time and cost to enter this key segment."

 The handsome-looking NP300 Nissan Navara of 2014. The vehicle is produced in Thailand and Mexico. The new Merecdes pick-up will share some of the underpinnings of the next iteration of the Nissan model.

Late last month, Mercedes announced it will build a medium-sized pickup truck for customers outside North America.

Mercedes, Nissan and Renault have shared engines, plants and vehicle underpinnings for small cars since an alliance was struck between the carmakers in 2010. Since then, collaboration has expanded from three common vehicle projects to 13.

The Mercedes-Benz 1-ton pickup truck will be built by Nissan in Cordoba, Argentina, along with the Nissan NP300 and a Renault-branded truck, for Latin America, Daimler said.

The three trucks will also be built in the Nissan plant in Barcelona, Spain, for other markets, excluding North America. Production of the trucks at the two plants will start by the end of the decade, the companies said.

The Barcelona plant will produce about 120,000 vehicles annually for the three partners, while the Cordoba plant will produce nearly 70,000 vehicles a year.


Proton sees strong start to 2020

                SHAH ALAM: Proton saw 8,506 new registrations in January 2020, representing a 20.2% increase over the same period last year.

This also marks Proton's most successful January sales in 4 years.

Market share was another key area of growth as the company’s position increased by 4.9% to 19.5%, compared to the same period last year.

“This is a great start to the year on the back of our performance in 2019. January is always a tough month but we still managed to have our best showing in 4 years”, said Proton CEO, Dr. Li Chunrong.

The Proton X70 continues to hold station as the segment leader with a total of 1,367 units being registered.

The Saga continues to be the mainstay representing nearly half of total sales with 3,871 units sold.

This represents a 72% increase over the same period last year.

The Persona, Iriz and Exora also performed well in comparison with January 2019.

The Persona in particular nearly doubled in sales with 2,109 units delivered to customers.

This represents an 84% increase in comparison with the corresponding period.

At the same time, the Iriz grew nearly five-fold, with 785 units finding their way to new customers.

This is an increase of 465%.

“Clearly our customers see the value in our much improved product line. This is especially for the Saga, Persona, Iriz and Exora which were all launched last year. We believe that our strong emphasis on technology, safety and quality is what is driving sales” said Li.

“However, we will not rest on our laurels and will continue to push the envelope on raising standards both in quality and service”, he added.


Tesla registers Shanghai construction unit in acceleration of China plans

                SHANGHAI: Tesla Inc has registered a construction company in China, a business registration filing shows, the latest sign Tesla is pushing ahead with its plans in the world’s biggest auto market.

California-based Tesla has opened a wholly-owned construction unit in Shanghai with registered capital of $1 million, according to China’s National Enterprise Information Publicity System.

Its scope includes architectural design, construction and building materials, the document said. It listed the firm’s legal representative as Zhu Xiaotong, Tesla’s boss in China.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

While the purpose of the construction company remains unclear, Tesla has been building car manufacturing facilities here since January with an estimated annual capacity of 250,000 vehicles for the initial phase.

The US$2 billion factory, Tesla’s first in China, was a major bet by the company as it faces more competition from domestic electric vehicle makers and its earnings have been hit by increased tariffs on US imports.


GM overhauls North American commercial vehicle sales operations

                DETROIT: General Motors Co will consolidate North American sales operations for commercial vehicles, parts and telematics services under a new brand umbrella, GM Envolve, that will compete with Ford Motor Co's Ford Pro unit and others for revenue from business vehicle fleets.

GM executives said the reorganization is aimed at making it easier for commercial fleet customers to negotiate electric and combustion vehicle purchases and sign up for services and software offerings that GM is developing to generate revenue after the vehicle sale.

Previously, commercial customers would get called on by representatives from GM's traditional vehicle brands, its new BrightDrop delivery van unit, a new energy services operation and the OnStar telematics unit, said Steve Hill, GM's vice president for commercial growth strategies.

"We were basically stepping on each other," he said during a briefing for media. Hill said the restructuring is not aimed at reducing staff.

GM is battling with Ford and Stellantis NV for a bigger share of the commercial fleet market.

Ford created its Ford Pro commercial fleet unit in May 2021, and is aiming to increase its annual revenue to US$45 billion by 2025, driven in part by software-enabled services.

Both Ford and GM say they are leaders in commercial fleet sales, using different definitions of the market.


Polish priest offers drive-thru confessions to beat virus

                WARSAW: A parish priest in western Poland is offering his flock the possibility of Easter confessions from the comfort of their own car as social distancing to fight the coronavirus becomes the new norm.

"We've already done a practice run... I have an appointment with a family of five tomorrow and next week I'm due to hear a parishioner confess every sin from his entire life," said Father Adam Pawlowski.

The priest from the western village of Rogalin plans to park his car in an alley by the church and will roll down his window for the parishioner parked at least 1.5 metres away to avoid any potential coronavirus infection.

Every year, many Poles attend confession before Easter in the majority Catholic EU member of 38 million people, which has 1,120 confirmed cases of Covid-19 including 14 deaths.

The religious authorities have reminded the faithful that confession via telephone or the Internet is not valid but says the in-person location does not have to be a church confessional.

Drive-through confessions have appeared the US and online mass and other initiatives are also appearing as people try to live a normal life in the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic.


The new Kia Rio available in East Malaysia

                PETALING JAYA: Continuing its momentum into 2017, Naza Kia Malaysia, the official distributor of KIA vehicles in the country, introduced the all-new Kia Rio in East Malaysia, starting with Kuching, Sarawak.

Speaking at the launch of the new Kia Rio, Head of Company, Naza Kia Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Nazman Yusof,  said, “For East Malaysia, the Kia models in the local market has grown year-on-year. Seeing this increasing demand especially for SUVs in East Malaysia, we made the bold decision to make Kuching a springboard for other models to further strengthen Kia’s position here.

“The acceptance of the Kia models in East Malaysia has been accelerating since we made our presence here in Kuching more than 15 years ago. We are happy to see a positive market response and hope that this will increase our presence in Kuching.”

 (From Left) Nazman and BP Hong, Executive Director, Yu Lee Hong Motors Sdn Bhd at the launch of the all new Kia Rio in Kuching, Sarawak.

The new bold dynamic design of the all-new Kia Rio begins from the front with the redesigned lower bumper and the sleek integration of the headlamps and the trademark ‘Schreyer’ tiger- nose grille.

At the rear, the unique tail lights are immediately distinguishable as a Rio while the tailgate handle also doubles as the housing for the rear-view camera.

The arch-shaped dashboard, sculpted in three dimensional geometric curvature, emphasizes a spacious and airy interior. The centre of the dashboard comes fitted with a floating-type audio system with 5-inch LCD touchscreen and Bluetooth connectivity, emphasising the latest technology in a trendy modern styling.

The interior further boasts practicality with its fully automatic air-conditioning, and its 60:40 folding rear seats that provide even more storage space than before.

It also comes with keyless entry, push start button, powered windows, and automatic headlights with static bending lights and even LED daytime running lights.

The Kia Rio is powered by a 1.4 MPI DOHC engine with D-CVVT. The engine is mated to a four-speed gearbox and produces 100PS and 133Nm of torque from just 4,000rpm.

Safety features include six airbags strategically placed up front and at the sides of all passengers, ISOFIX baby seat mounts, speed sensing automatic door lock, impact sensing automatic door unlock, rear sensor, and active safety systems like ABS, ESC and HAC.

It is offered in four different colours – Clear White, Signal Red, Smoke Blue and Silky Silver.

In conjunction with the 60th Merdeka celebrations around the corner, Naza Kia Malaysia has prepared a special Merdeka Sale throughout the month of August for the Kia Sportage GT and Kia Cerato 1.6 SX models, complete with added privileges.

Every purchase of either the Kia Sportage GT (at RM126,388) or Kia Cerato 1.6 SX (at RM88,888) during this Merdeka month
will come with these privileges:

3 Years Free Maintenance Service – includes parts and labour fees for a hassle-free car maintenance experience.
Access to Sky Lounge – Free exclusive access for owner and a guest to premium facility at Subang Skypark.
5 Years Warranty – Worry-free ownership experience with unlimited mileage.

The Merdeka deals are available for a limited time only and valid at all Naza Kia showrooms nationwide from now until Aug 31st 2017, while stocks last.


Proton gets new chairman

                SUBANG JAYA: Proton has announced the appointment of Datuk Sri Syed Faisal Albar as non-executive chairman effective from today. He will also be chairman to the car maker's subsidiary Lotus.

He succeeds Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who stepped down from Proton on March 31.

 Syed Faisal

Prior to this appointment, Syed Faisal was the group managing director of DRB-Hicom Bhd.

Proton said in a statement today that Syed Faisal’s experience and track record would be critical in helping it to recover and return to profitability.

Syed Faisal started his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers and was the chief executive officer of The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad from 2003 to 2008. Other roles he has assumed over the years were group managing director of Pos Malaysia Bhd, executive director of Konsortium Logistik Bhd, CEO of Malakoff Corporation Bhd and CEO of Gas Malaysia Bhd.


VTL-land: Govt plans to increase daily quota to 2,100 travellers each way

                KUALA LUMPUR: The government plans to increase the daily quota for Malaysian and Singapore citizens travelling through the Vaccinated Travel Lane-Land (VTL-Land) facility to 2,100 people each way according to the development in the Covid-19 situation.

International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said so far, no quarantine was required due to the high vaccination rate in both countries.

However, he said the government was constantly monitoring the current health situation, adding that the Health Ministry would provide appropriate advice if there are any indications related to Covid-19.

"That is why we are opening the border carefully and not abruptly and the daily quota remains at 1,440 travellers each way. On Dec 20, if the situation permits, we will increase the quota to 2,100 travellers per day.

"This proves we are still monitoring the health situation so that the opening of the border will not burden any quarter in terms of health,” he said during the question and answer session in the Dewan Negara here today.

He was responding to a supplementary question from Senator Datuk Jefridin Atan on whether the government plans to consider imposing quarantine order on VTL-Land travellers as a precautionary measure to prevent the entry of the Omicron Covid-19 variant.

On Dec 14, the International Trade and Industry Ministry announced that all categories of travellers who are Malaysian and Singapore citizens will be able to enter both countries via the VTL-Land facility effective Dec 20 due to increased public demand.


AES cameras caught 140,000 traffic offenders in the act

                KUALA LUMPUR: Over 140,000 motorists were captured on camera for speeding or beating the red light over the past three months.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the summonses had been issued since the implementation of the Automated Awareness Safety System (Awas) on April 15.

“A total of 142,135 notices of summons were issued under Awas.

“Of this, 12,354 were for motorists who beat the red light while 129,781 were issued summonses for speeding,” he said in a written reply to a question by Datuk Mahfuz Omar (PAS Pokok Sena) in Dewan Rakyat.

He added that some 7,258 motorists had received points under the Awas demerit system.

At present, Liow said there were 21 Automated Enforcement System cameras (AES) operating under Awas.

He noted that Perak had eight AES cameras, three in Kuala Lumpur, two each in Putrajaya, Selangor, Johor and Terengganu and one each in Kelantan and Kedah.

Awas is the amalgamation of the demerit system under the Traffic Offences System (Kejara) and AES network of cameras.

Under Awas, traffic offenders captured by the AES would be issued summonses of between RM150 and RM300.

Motorists who accumulate a maximum 20 points under the demerit point system may either be issued warnings or have their driving licences suspended or revoked.


McLaren creates mini electric 720S supercar for children

                LONDON: McLaren Automotive has unveiled the 720S Ride-On, a small, electrified version of the iconic supercar designed for enthusiasts aged three to six.

After a tiny driver enters the tiny vehicle via a tiny butterfly door, puts the key in the ignition, and presses the accelerator pedal, the electric motor propels the car forward — a motion accompanied by artificial engine sounds.

The Ride-On can also move thanks to an "autonomous drive mode," which is actually just a remote-control mode that lets parents control the car from the stands.

When the young supercar driver puts on the brakes, the rear lights ignite just like on the full-size 720S. To ramp up the luxury, the mini version is also equipped with an infotainment system outfitted with a display screen on which kids can play music or watch movies.

The McLaren 720S Ride-On retails for £315 (RM1,651) and is available for order today. The mini model comes in a variety of characteristically McLaren colours.


BMW reveals new 3 Series Gran Turismo

 The 340i GT M Sport.

MUNICH: BMW has unveiled the new 3 Series Gran Turismo, which blends the characteristics of a coupe, sedan and wagon.

The new version of the Gran Turismo is said to be a sportier car, and the three petrol and five diesel engines in the range offer noticeably higher output. All the engines are turbocharged and burn up to 14 per cent less fuel.

The interior, meanwhile, offers higher-quality materials as usual, the new user interface for the Navigation system Professional and even better smartphone connectivity.

At 4,824mm in length, the 3 Series Gran Turismo is around 200mm longer than the other members of the 3 Series family. And that takes it close to luxury-class territory. The new, standard-fitted LED headlights for dipped and high beam and the LED front foglamps lend the 3 Series Gran Turismo a more sporting appearance. The car has a visually broader stance on the road. And the combination of updated LED rear lights and more zestful lines brings extra brawn to the rear styling.

The interior has an even more sophisticated feel, attributed to upgraded materials and accents. Extra chrome around the interior controls, and new decorative wood elements, colours and leather trim variants take perceived quality to another new level, while the interior’s haptic and ergonomic attributes have also been further enhanced.

According to BMW, customers of this variant buy it because it combines sportiness, the elegance of a coupe, the comfort and convenience of four doors, a seating position raised by 59mm with excellent all-round visibility, and generous space. The space argument is more persuasive in the rear compartment, where three full-size seats and legroom more familiar from a luxury sedan – courtesy of a wheelbase lengthened by 110mm (now 2,920mm) – await. The large tailgate, meanwhile, opens to reveal a boot offering 520 to 1,600 litres of load space and allowing extremely varied use.

 The 330i GT Luxury.

The latest version of the BMW Navigation system Professional is now offered in the 3 Series Gran Turismo – the first time a mid-size model has been available with the upgraded system. The most important menu items are now displayed in a clear, tile-based style, which makes operating the system even more intuitive. Linking up mobile phones has become more convenient, as smartphones can now also be charged and connected to the car’s external aerial wirelessly via an inductive tray.

A total of 18 engine, transmission and drive configurations are available for the 3 Series Gran Turismo.

The engine range consists of three all-new petrol units developing 184hp to 326hp and five diesel variants producing 150hp to 313hp – with classical rear-wheel drive or BMW xDrive all-wheel drive, with manual or Steptronic automatic transmission.

All the four- and six-cylinder petrol engines and four-cylinder diesels are taken from the newly developed, modular BMW EfficientDynamics engine family and enjoy the benefits of cutting-edge BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. The arrival of the updated 3 Series Gran Turismo sees the new petrol engines slotting into this model’s line-up as well. An all-new addition to the diesel ranks, meanwhile, is the 325d Gran Turismo. The other four-cylinder diesels have been available to customers since the launch of the new engine generation in summer 2015.

Considerable efficiency gains have been made with the new engines, despite their increased output. The reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions range from 4.5 per cent in the 318d Gran Turismo to 13,8 per cent for the 320d Gran Turismo.

The 320i Gran Turismo, 318d Gran Turismo and 320d Gran Turismo come as standard with the six-speed manual gearbox, but can also be ordered with the eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission as an option. All other engine variants feature the automatic as standard.

And that means three more variants of the car (the 330i Gran Turismo, 340i Gran Turismo and 325d Gran Turismo) are offered exclusively with the efficient Steptronic unit than was the case with the outgoing model. Improvements in efficiency, an increase in ratio spread and a reduction in converter slip during the gear-change process bring about a three per cent drop in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. At the same time, customers can expect both driving comfort and shift comfort to be heading in the opposite direction.

All petrol-engined 3 Series Gran Turismo variants and the diesel-powered 320d Gran Turismo and 330d Gran Turismo can be specified as an option with xDrive. The 335d xDrive Gran Turismo has this all-wheel-drive technology as standard.

The 3 Series Gran Turismo customers can choose between Sport Line, Luxury Line and M Sport variants. The Estoril Blue colour shade is available exclusively for M Sport models. The 3 Series Gran Turismo is fitted with an extensive selection of equipment items as standard, including automatic climate control, keyless engine ignition, Servotronic, six airbags, LED headlights for dipped and high beam, LED front foglamps, a high-resolution colour screen with iDrive Controller, a hands-free facility for phone calls – including a USB port and Bluetooth audio streaming – and a leather multifunction steering wheel.

Greater freedom with interior and exterior equipment combinations opens up a wider range of possibilities to customers. Two new metallic paint finishes are available, as are three new wheel rim designs and additional upholstery variants and interior trim strips.


Pothole barrage: Minister overwhelmed by calls after telling public to report damaged roads to him

                PETALING JAYA: Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim has been inundated by phone calls after revealing his personal phone number in Parliament for people to report on potholes.

Shahidan said he had received numerous phone calls regarding the potholes, adding that he was unable to pick up all the calls.

Instead, he now urged Kuala Lumpur residents to send him a text message.
 Shahidan.

"I urge them to send me an SMS and I will take immediate action," he told Utusan Malaysia today.

On Thursday, Shahidan, during his winding-up speech on the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) in the Dewan Rakyat, had said that the ministry will ensure that all complaints regarding damaged roads in Kuala Lumpur would be resolved within 24 hours.

Shahidan noted that anyone was free to contact him, his deputy Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias, as well as Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah to report on damaged roads.

He also read out his phone number (019-454 1111) as well as Jalaluddin’s (019-652 444) and Mahadi's (016-206 8883).


Toyo Proxes Sport 2 tyre: from RM700 to RM1,300

                KUALA LUMPUR: Toyo in Malaysia has unveiled two new tyre line-ups for local enthusiasts.

The new Toyo Proxes Sport 2 is billed as an ultra high-performance tyre for driving fans, while the Open Country (OP) AT III all-terrain tyre comes with increased lateral grooves for improved off-road traction.

"The Proxes Sport 2 is optimised for the high torque powertrains, to deliver an exciting ride for all sports drivers. We are confident that this series of tyres will quickly become a top choice for drivers seeking an ultra-high-performance tyre,” said Toyo Tyre Sales and Marketing Malaysia Sdn Bhd president and managing director Tan Song Chye at a launch event for the new offerings over the weekend.

Available in 31 sizes, prices for the Proxes Sport 2 range from RM700 to RM1,300 per tyre.

The Proxes Sport 2 features a unique asymmetrical design pattern optimised for both wet and dry conditions.

Its advanced asymmetric tread compound is said to ensure precise handling cornering stability and improves wet traction, which enables drivers to navigate corners with ease, while its exceptional wet grip promises superior traction on wet roads.

Compared with its predecessor, the Proxes Sport 2 is billed as enabling shorter braking distances in dry (4% shorter) and wet (16% shorter) conditions.

To demonstrate the capabilities of the new tyre, the company organised an experiential event for the media and tyre dealers.

Three cars namely a Mercedes-Benz C 200, BMW 3 Series sedan and a Lexus IS 300 were the premium mules for the event held at a car park area, where participants were told to accelerate quickly in the straight line, and as the car hit a wet and slippery patch of tarmac, bring the car to a complete stop by 'standing on the brakes'.

This was followed by a very brief dry slalom session to check out the handling and grip level of the new tyre design.

Meanwhile, the OP AT III all-terrain tyre is billed as a versatile tyre designed to handle both on and off-road adventures.

The OP AT III tyre highlights an aggressive tread pattern that provides excellent traction on various surfaces, including dirt and gravel.

It also features Toyo's proprietary T-Mode and Nano Balance technologies, offering a balance between comfort and performance.

To check out the capabilities of the OP AT III tyre, a Toyota Hilux and Mitsubishi Triton VGT were among the pick-up trucks involved in a short off-road experiential course, designed with a patch of 'elephant humps', a side slope and stiff 'timber rolls'.

The OP AT III tyre is offered in 14 sizes, with prices ranging from RM500 to RM1,200 per tyre.