Shootout: Toyota Harrier 2.0T Luxury vs Mercedes-Benz GLC 200

                If you are about to embark on your first luxury SUV, then congratulations are in order. Now, its up to you to decide what that would be as there are enough choices in the luxury market in Malaysia.

We at CarSifu have narrowed it down to the Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 and the Toyota Harrier 2.0T Luxury because in the luxury segment, it would, more often than not, boil down to either a German or Japanese marque.

Where luxury is concerned, Mercedes-Benz has a solid reputation for it and most Malaysians will agree that driving a Three-Pointed Star immediately elevates one’s status in terms of the level of earning power or, at the very least, is someone with good taste in motorcars.

Toyota is also a favourite among generations of Malaysians. Its foray into the luxury segment however started in the late 1990s with the formation of its luxury division, Lexus, to take the fight straight to the Germans.

The Harrier however, is Toyota’s own interpretation of luxury without being a Lexus especially where this generation of Harrier is concerned.

One can think of it like a Seiko Presage dress watch where it has all the hallmarks of a luxury timepiece without it being a Grand Seiko. Also, the Harrier is fully imported from Japan while the GLC 200 is locally assembled from the plant in Pekan, Pahang.

So let’s see what these two vehicles have to offer.

CarSifu pits two luxury SUVs priced below RM300K with completely different aesthetics so you can decide on your first luxury SUV.

Mercedes-Benz GLC 200

THE GLC is a much younger model than the Harrier, having debuted in 2015 to replace the GLK-Class. Since then, the GLC has become an important growth driver for Mercedes-Benz. To widen the appeal, Mercedes-Benz has sliced and diced the model range and put together an entry version that’s more affordable.

How does RM276,351 sound? But it won’t stay this way once the re-introduced Sales & Services Tax is applied on Sept 1.

The GLC 200 is a chunky, attractively styled SUV and appeals as much to soccer mums as those aspiring to acquire their first luxury SUV.

Despite the GLC 200 being only rear-wheel driven, Mercedes-Benz has, oddly enough, pitched it as being offroad-oriented. The GLC 200 receives off-road suspension package with raised ride height, an imitative underguard and aluminium-look running boards with rubber studs to round off the effect. It also gets generous amounts of exterior chrome. Just check out the front, the sides and the rear to see what we mean.

Like most non-4WD SUVs, the GLC 200 is able to perform light offroading and we reckon this is one way to give it a clear differentiation from the sportier GLC 250 4Matic. At the very least, the higher ground clearance of the GLC 200 should make it easier to cross flooded roads.

LED headlamps with the curly LED DRLs flanked an intricate grillework with the huge Mercedes star as the centrepiece. Keeping cost down, the headlights have the adaptive high beam assist and cornering feature deleted. Keyless entry is also absent.

The cabin, with all its meters and controls, is a spitting image of the C-Class except that the GLC has a higher ride height advantage.

Obviously for less money you get less kit but Mercedes has been careful to ensure the lowest-priced GLC still have what we call essential luxury so that you won’t feel this is any less of a Mercedes.

Black synthetic leather upholstery pairs well with Brown Ash wood trim. Seating space for five is comfortable and adequate. The SUV has a good-sized boot, which can be expanded by flattening the one-touch split-folding rear seats.

Safety equipment levels are high and they include Collision Prevention Assist Plus, seven airbags, Attention Assist, Crosswind Assist, Pre-Safe system. and adaptive brake lights.

The GLC 200 is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4 in-line engine, which produces 184hp and 300Nm of torque. Power is relayed to the rear wheels via a 9-speed auto gearbox.

The GLC 200 is no sluggard. On the move, the power surge is progressive.

We enjoyed the way momentum builds up as we toggle to the more aggressive drive modes. It’s equipped with paddle shifters; but we rarely found the need to use them, as the gears shift quickly and smoothly. Steering feel is muted but can be improved somewhat in S and S+ modes.

The GLC 200 tackles corners confidently and oversteer is easily handled with the onboard electronic nannies. The SUV is in its element when cruising on the highways, making for a very pleasant and pliant ride.

In hilly ascents, the SUV shows it’s up to the task once the engine revs up to its power band and stays there. It tackles rough roads with poise. In wet slippery conditions, the Pirelli tyres grip strongly and effective stoppers make for a short and safe braking distance.

Toyota Harrier 2.0T Luxury

THE Harrier originally started out as a Japan Domestic Market (JDM) model when production began in 1998 and it shared a similar design with the Lexus RX, which was offered for the international market.

A little over 10 years later in 2009, the RX, now in its third generation was released for the domestic Japanese market and Toyota decided to develop an all-new design for the Harrier due to its popularity.

Malaysians were also equally impressed with the Harrier but had to depend solely on parallel importers to own the vehicle.

That has all changed as UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) is now offering the latest Harrier SUV, imported from Japan and with two variants to choose from: the Harrier 2.0T Premium and 2.0T Luxury, priced (on-the-road without insurance and GST) RM224,573 and RM245,233 respectively.

The latest Harrier has a cleaner overall design and, what stands out is the distinctive grille which has sharp, angled features with the eye-catching hawk emblem to produce an aggressive yet elegant front fascia.

As the top of the range SUV for Toyota, both variants of the Harrier are packed with safety, comfort and convenience features.

The safety system it comes with is off the chart with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) Package, which consists of the Pre-Crash System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping System and Adaptive High Beam which keeps the driver and passengers safe. It also comes with seven airbags.

 The Harrier's massive moonroof.

The cabin of the Luxury variant is wrapped in premium Nappa leather and in the review unit, it was black leather with red stitching all around providing for a comfortable and luxurious surrounding. Meanwhile, the Premium variant comes with Ultrasuede upholstery.

What sets the Luxury variant apart is the inclusion of a panoramic moonroof, a power-operated boot and rain-sensing windscreen wipers.

The Harrier is also equipped with the DVD-AVX infotainment system with six speakers, smartphone connectivity. It also features the 7-inch Capacitive Colour Touchscreen which also serves as the rearview camera.

The driver gets access to the vehicle through its Multi Information Display (MID) placed in the middle of the instrument cluster. The meters are Optitron types which were originally developed for Lexus models and gives a clearer view in any lighting condition.

There is the dual zone air-conditioning climate control with rear vents to keep the cabin cool but, on top of this, the driver and front passenger seats come with a ventilation system for even more comfort and convenience. And it has an 8-way power adjustment for the former and 4-way for the latter.

Everything from engaging (or disengaging) the lane departure alert which beeps consistently if the radar detects you are edging off the lane without using the indicator, to enjoying the everyday convenience of the brake hold function or dazzled by the Adaptive High Beam system which illuminates the path ahead through its LED headlights, the Harrier is simply a friendly car to operate and a joy to drive.

The 2.0L turbo-charged engine pulls the car along effortlessly with 228hp and 350Nm of torque. The Harrier is built for comfort and as such, the cabin is very well insulated from external noise and the exhaust note is thrilling but not in-your-face.

That doesn’t mean the car can’t be pushed. It has enough power on tap to pull away quickly and accelerating hard does excite.

VERDICT

Each SUV has its strengths and weaknesses.

At RM276,351, the GLC 200 is around RM30,000 more expensive than the Harrier, banking on its German heritage to command that premium.

The Harrier counters by offering richer amenities like the moonroof and more safety for its asking price.

While appearance is subjective, we think the GLC has a more expressive face with detailing that is more winsome. Viewed from the sides and the rear however, the Harrier is the sleeker and more elegant SUV on account of its extra length and the slimmer, stretched-out tail lights.

Although the Harrier is longer, narrower and taller than the GLC, it has a 21cm shorter wheelbase, translating to a smaller interior space. In second row, the narrower space is offset by a near-flat floor unlike the GLC which has a prominent centre transmission tunnel.

We like the dash and centre console of the GLC - except the thick bezel of the infotainment screen - more than those of the Harrier, which looks rather conventional.

The Harrier’s boot space is also 110 litres less. Although both have low wide loading bays, the GLC’s makes deeper inroads into the cabin.
However, the Harrier wins on the performance front with a far more potent engine that endows it with a spritely 0-100kph sprint of 7.3s (vs 8.7s for GLC 200). The driving experience is also more punchy but then higher fuel consumption is the sobering fact.

While the German has its innate appeal, we lean towards the Harrier as the better buy.

We believe the Harrier offers very good value for the luxurious appointments, the comfort it provides, its practicality and high level of safety features.

It stands at the top of the pyramid as a luxury vehicle from Toyota and you would be hard pressed to find a car offering so much below the RM300K mark. Sweetening the package is a 5-year warranty as opposed to the 4-years offered for the GLC 200. — GEORGE WONG
and RIZAL JOHAN

SPECIFICATIONS
Toyota Harrier 2.0T LuxuryEngine: 1,998cc, twin-scroll turbocharged, 4-cylinder, 16 valve, DOHC with VVT-iW & D-4ST
Maximum power: 228hp from 5,200rpm to 5,600rpm
Maximum torque: 350Nm from1,650rpm to 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic with SuperECT
Features: Seven airbags, automatic Bi-LED with Sequential Turn Signal, LED cornering lamps, LED Daytime Running Lights, LED front fog lamps and rear combination lamps, panoramic moon roof, power tail gate, rain sensing wipers, DVD player with 7-inch touchscreen, smartphone connectivity, Wi-Fi, Internet Browser, Voice Recognition, HDMI, USB, Bluetooth, Navigation and reverse camera, dual zone automatic climate control, Nappa leather seats, driver seat 8-way power adjustable with memory, passenger seat 4-way power adjustable, ventilated seats, electrochromic rearview mirror, leather steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustment, Toyota Safety Sense featuring Pre-Crash System, Lane Departure Alert, Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control and Adaptive High-beam System, vehicle stability control, anti-lock braking system, brake assist, emergency stop signal, electronic parking brake with automatic brake hold,
front and rear parking sensors,
Isofix
Acceleration (0-100kph): 7.3s
Combined fuel consumption: 7.6 l/100km
Top speed: 180kph
Warranty: 5-years, unlimited mileage
Price: RM245,233 (on-the-road without GST and no insurance)

SPECIFICATIONS
Mercedes-Benz GLC 200Engine: 1,991cc, turbocharged, 4 cylinder
Maximum power: 184hp at 5,500 rpm
Maximum torque: 300Nm at 1,200 rpm
Transmission: 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic
Features: Seven airbags including driver kneebag, off-road suspension, cruise control, Dynamic Select, Exterior Chrome Package, Exclusive Line Interior, Eco Start/stop Function, Active Brake Assist, Pre-Safe System, Interior Monitoring System, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, adaptive brake lights, 19-inch run-flat tyres, reversing camera, LED High Performance Headlamps, Audio 20 CD, ambient lighting, automatic climate control, Keyless-Go starting, Parking Pilot with Parktronic, touchpad with controller, electrically-folding exterior mirrors, running boards, four-way lumbar support, Stowage Space Package, double cup holder, Easy-Pack Tailgate, electrically-adjustable front seats, anti-theft warning system, Garmin Map Pilot, sunshades for rear doors, front door sill panels with ‘Mercedes-Benz’ lettering, brown open-pore Ash Wood Trim, polished aluminium roof rails, Isofix
Acceleration (0-100kph): 8.7s
Combined fuel consumption: 7 l/100km
Top speed: 210kph
Warranty: 4-years, unlimited mileage
Price: RM276,351 (on-the-road without GST and no insurance)


Nissan plans UK solar farm big enough to build every LEAF sold in Europe

                LONDON: Japanese carmaker Nissan said today it has received planning permission to build a 20-megawatt solar farm at its plant in northeast England that should generate enough power to build every fully electric LEAF car sold in Europe.

Nissan said construction will begin immediately and be completed by May 2022. The new solar farm will double the amount of renewable electricity generated at Nissan's Sunderland plant to 20% of its needs.

In July, Nissan said it would spend £1 billion (RM5.6bil) with its Chinese partner Envision AESC to build a battery plant that will power 100,000 vehicles a year, including a new crossover model.

Earlier this week, Nissan said it will spend 2 trillion yen (RM75bil) over five years to accelerate vehicle electrification to catch up with competitors in one of the fastest growth areas for car makers.


Audi EV models now has e-tron route planner

                INGOLSTADT: The e-tron route planner is installed on all of Audi’s fully electric e-tron models as standard equipment and as part of the Audi connect services, it offers customers elementary route planning, which can be done before starting a trip, either using the myAudi app or the in-car navigation system.

Once on the road, drivers can rely on always traveling the fastest of all possible routes, supported by the system ideally planning the required charging stops – whenever the destination is located outside of the car’s range.

Using new algorithms, the extended e-tron route planner is geared to more effectively taking the unique characteristics of electric driving into account. Daily data updates and individual routes enhance everyday usability.

On the battery-electric models, the Audi e-tron route planner extends the previously known navigation functions of the Audi MMI (Multi Media Interface) by the specific needs of e-car drivers.

In addition, it assists them in optimally handling the requirements of electric mobility especially when traveling medium and longer distances.

The e-tron route planner calculates the fastest route, considers traffic and road data, includes the driver’s driving style, calculates the duration of the charging stops and incorporates them in planning the total travel time.

Users receive important information such as the charging capacity or charging connections and plug types for the relevant charging stations.

Moreover, the system indicates dynamic availability, for instance, whether or not charging stations are vacant or occupied, always with a bias for moving forward quickly.

For example, two short charging processes with high charging capacity may yield time-related advantages over one long stop with low charging capacity.

Alternative routes with better charging infrastructure are considered in the calculation of the optimal total travel time as well.

The Audi e-tron route planner gives preference to the powerful HPC charging stations (HPC = High Power Charging).

They are able to charge the high-voltage battery, for instance in the Audi e-tron Sportback 55 quattro, with up to 150 kW direct current (DC).

Under ideal conditions, charging from 5 to 80% of the battery’s capacity takes only around half an hour. A push notification on the myAudi app indicates to the driver when the desired state of charge (SoC) has been achieved and the trip can be continued.

Since 2020, the third generation of the Modular Infotainment Matrix (MIB 3) with ten times higher computing power has been offering e-tron route planner functions that have been enhanced once again.

A new algorithm improves everyday usability of the extended route planner: daily data updates of potential charging stations and a portfolio of alternative routes that have been optimized for the requirements of e-cars assist drivers even more effectively.

Among other things, the daily data updates include detailed information such as payment and authentication opportunities, accurate station operator data and potential access restrictions.

The Audi e-tron route planner is available in all of Audi’s sales regions. In Europe, the e-tron route planner benefits from a well-established network of Audi’s proprietary e-tron Charging Service currently comprising about 180,000 public charging stations.

A particularly convenient aspect of the service makes it possible for customers to travel in 26 European countries using just one charging card and paying the same country-wide prices.


Aston Martin DB11 V8 Coupe — Magnetic Silver arrives at RM849,200

                KUALA LUMPUR: Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur has unveiled the customised DB11 V8 Coupe — Magnetic Silver.

Available from RM849,200 (excluding duties and taxes), the special variant features beautiful materials, exquisite craftsmanship as well as traditional techniques such as ornate brogued leather.

It gets the exterior colour of Magnetic Silver and exudes Aston Martin’s renowned quality and timeless style.

Its carbon fibre trim inlay and exterior black pack reflect the sporting character of the DB11.

The 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 engine delivers 503bhp and 675Nm of torque, rocketing the coupe from 0-100kph in four seconds and on to a top speed of 301kph.

The desirability of the DB11 V8 Coupe — Magnetic Silver can also be elevated with optional packs and items.

Exterior Black Pack
> Black Front Grille, Tailpipe and Side Strake
> Gloss Black Roof Strake -Gloss Black
> Exterior Meshes - Black (Bonnet)
> Gloss Black Splitter, Diffuser and Side Sills

Technology Pack
> Auto-Park Assist
> Powered Armrest
> Touchpad Control
> Aston Martin Premium Audio

Luxury Pack
> Nexus Quilting
> Celestial Perforation

Other optional items
> Brake Calipers - Red Painted
> Seatbelts - Spice Red
> Seating - Headrest Embroidery Aston Martin Wings
> Interior Pack - Jewellery Dark Chrome
> Tail Lights – Smoked
> Wheels - 20-inch Y Spoke Forged Gloss Black Diamond – Turned
> Trim Inlay - 2x2 Carbon Fibre Twill

Also offered are a three-year factory warranty with 24 months complimentary of Aston Martin Extended Warranty and five-year scheduled servicing with labour.

For details, call Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur +60 3 2163 1196 or email to astonmartinkl.enquiries@wearnes.com or visit astonmartinkualalumpur.com.


Didi Automotive takes over Royal Enfield in Malaysia

                KUALA LUMPUR: Royal Enfield, one of the oldest motorcycle brands in the world, has a new caretaker in Malaysia.

Didi Automotive Sdn Bhd has been appointed as the official distributor in Malaysia, taking over from SNH Bhumi Corp Sdn Bhd with immediate effect.

Aside from Royal Enfield, Didi Automotive's sister company Didi Resources is the sole importer and distributor of the largest group of  motorcycle brands in Malaysia.

The brands include Harley-Davidson, Piaggio, Vespa, Moto Guzzi and Aprilia.

Didi Automotive and Didi Resources are part of Didi Group.

Didi Group chairman Rewi Hamid Burgo said the group is looking forward to having new Royal Enfield dealerships across Malaysia soon.


Fine Ferrari's going under the hammer

                LONDON: Two beautifully refurbished exotics - a 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GT and a 1998 Ferrari F355 Berlinetta are being offered to fans and collectors of the cars that bear the prancing horse.

Both cars will be offered at Silverstone Auctions’ Race Retro Classic Car Sale at Stoneleigh Park on Feb 25 and 26.

The eighth owner acquired the right-hand drive Dino on Jan 27, 1995 and will now be auctioned with a guide price of £300,000 to £350,000 (RM1.73 to RM2.02mil).

It is one of 13 examples in the UK bearing just 34,935 miles (56,595km) on the clock, which features the rare factory-fitted flared wheel arches, finished in Rosso Chiaro with a black vinyl interior and Campagnolo wheels. The Daytona seats were added at a later date, creating what Ferraristas know as the 'Chairs and Flares’ model.

Over the course of 10 years, the owner used the car sparingly, reserved for fine weather driving only, before deciding to send it to Ferrari Specialist Nick Cartwright for a comprehensive refurbishment in March 2014.

More than a year was spent addressing aspects of the car including mechanics, bodywork and interior, including a bare metal strip of the chassis, engine bay and bodywork as well as a full respray.

Now offered for sale for the first time in 22 years, the Dino is accompanied by a complete toolkit and jack, as well as a Ferrari Warranty Booklet, Dino Owner's Manual and a UK V5c.

 (Not actual car)

As for the F355 with a manual gearbox and 7,017 miles (11,000km) on the clock, it will be offered at a pre-sale estimate of £85,000 to £100,000 (RM490,000 to RM580,000) and was purchased new from Mortimer Houghton Turner Ltd on Mar 20, 1998.

The right-hand drive F355 is finished in Rosso Corsa with Nero Black leather interior and black carpets,

It will be supplied with an MoT until Oct 14, 2017, a full tool kit, tyre inflator, bespoke car cover, and leather book containing all the relevant manuals.

“Rarely do Ferraris of this calibre come to market for buyers, and we are delighted to have been entrusted with both cars by the vendor, who has cherished them for many years,” said Silverstone Auctions classic car consignor Adam Rutter.


Tesla pushes US to boost fuel economy penalties

                WASHINGTON: Tesla Inc is pressing US President Joe Biden's administration and a US appeals court to move quickly to hike civil penalties for automakers failing to meet fuel economy requirements.

Electric vehicle maker Tesla sells credits to other automakers to help them meet government vehicle emissions requirements, and says those credits are less valuable due to changes in rules made by former President Donald Trump's administration.

Tesla met virtually on Aug 30 with officials from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), according to a document filed by the agency last week.

On Aug 18, the NHTSA issued a notice saying it could impose higher penalties for prior model years for automakers failing to meet fuel efficiency requirements but will first consider public comments.

Automakers have warned that hiking penalties could cost them at least US$1 billion annually, both for failing to meet the rules and higher prices for credits used to meet the rules.

The Trump administration in its final days in January delayed a 2016 regulation that more than doubled penalties for automakers failing to meet Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) requirements.

The government memo said Tesla suggested NHTSA withdraw Trump's action immediately, saying it "produces continuing uncertainty in investments and transactions across the industry, and any delays will continue to have deleterious effects on the credit market until the issue is resolved."

It added Tesla believes "any delays will continue to have deleterious effects on the credit market."

Tesla on Aug 27 separately again asked the Second Circuit US Court of Appeals to quickly reinstate higher penalties. The court rejected Tesla's request in April for immediate action pending NHTSA's review.

"The uncertainty perpetuated by NHTSA’s sluggish rulemaking pace is thus compounded by the likelihood of yet another round of litigation," Tesla wrote, warning uncertainty "may linger for several more years."

A group representing major automakers including General Motors, Toyota Motor, Ford Motor and Volkswagen, asked the court to reject Tesla's request.

"That Tesla might benefit from more certainty about the worth of the CAFE credits that it has amassed is hardly a reason to cut off an ongoing administrative process," the group wrote in a court filing.

Under former President Barack Obama, higher penalties were to start in 2019 model year, but Trump set the effective date as the 2022 model year. NHTSA is considering reinstating the Obama rule.

Those prior year CAFE penalties, which have still not been assessed, could cost Chrysler parent Stellantis hundreds of millions of dollars, while boosting the value of credits sold by Tesla.

Stellantis said in August costs related to potential higher CAFE penalties could be about US$609 million. Fiat Chrysler paid nearly US$150 million for failing to meet 2016 and 2017 requirements.


Mercedes teases Maybach S-Class, launch imminent

                STUTTGART: Following the recent launch of the new S-Class, Mercedes-Benz has just announced that they will be premiering their latest iteration of its Mercedes-Maybach S-Class.

Due to be held virtually on Nov 19 at 2.00pm CET (9.00pm Malaysian time), the German automaker says that this stunning new model combines the perfection and high-tech solutions of Mercedes Benz’ top luxury saloons with the exclusivity and century-long tradition of Maybach.

The Maybach S-Class has been made 180mm-longer than the standard S-Class for the benefit of its rear-seated passengers of course.

The carmaker said that it will be fitted as standard with executive seats that feature a massage function in the calf rests as well as heating for the neck and shoulders and come equipped with a chauffeur package.

Within the options list is a two-tone paintwork with a dividing line, large wooden trim on both the front seat's backs and between the two rear passengers - a typical Maybach feature it seems.

Holding your breathe for more information will get you nowhere, not until the clock strikes 9.00pm local Malaysian time Nov 19.


Volvo turns 90, starts production of new XC60

                GOTHENBURG: Volvo Cars, the premium car maker, will this month start production of its new XC60 mid-size sport utility vehicle (SUV) in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The new XC60 will leave the factory 90 years to the month after the first-ever Volvo, the ÖV4, was rolled out on April 14, 1927, and sold a total of 275 vehicles in its lifetime.

Volvo’s original XC60 became a phenomenon, with climbing sales every year since it was introduced in 2008. Seven years after it was revealed, it became the bestselling premium mid-sized SUV in Europe, and in its ninth year it is still the best seller.

The current XC60 today represents around 30% of Volvo’s total global sales, and this month the number of original XC60s produced will surpass the one million mark.

“Volvo is very proud of its history. The past 90 years have been exciting, but the 10 years left until the 100-year anniversary may come to be more exciting as industry focus shifts to autonomous driving, electrification and connectivity,” said Volvo Cars chief executive Håkan Samuelsson.

“The new XC60 is in many ways the embodiment of these trends.”

The new XC60 is one of the safest cars ever made and offers the latest in safety technology, including the new Oncoming Lane Mitigation system, which uses Steer Assist to help mitigate head-on collisions.

Volvo’s semi-autonomous driver-assistance system, Pilot Assist, which takes care of the steering, acceleration and braking on well-marked roads up to 130kph, is available in the new XC60 as an option.

With the new XC60 now on the market and gradually becoming available for order on markets across the globe, Volvo is now bullish for another record year of sales in 2017.


Jan 19-25: RON95 & RON97 petrol up six sen, diesel up 12 sen

                PETALING JAYA: Fuel prices are up across the board for the fourth week of January.

The prices of both RON95 and RON97 will increase by six sen per litre, while diesel will go up by 12 sen.

With the increase in petrol prices, RON95 would now retail at RM1.98 per litre, RON97 (RM2.28) and diesel (RM2.17), the Finance Ministry said in a statement today.

The new prices would take effect from 12.01am tomorrow until Jan 25.

The weekly fuel pricing mechanism was reintroduced on Jan 5 under the new Automatic Pricing Mechanism.

Under the mechanism, weekly fuel prices are announced every Friday and will remain in force for one week.


Porsche to suspend Taycan production in Stuttgart plant

                FRANKFURT: Volkswagen's luxury division Porsche will suspend production of its electric Taycan model at the group's Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen plant until the end of next week, the company said in a statement, citing a lack of components.

This means that about 200 Taycan cars cannot be built per day, Porsche said.

However, production at Porsche's Leipzig plant, which has been suspended until the end of this week, will be partially resumed from Monday due to an improved supply situation, the group added.

European carmakers are struggling to obtain crucial wire harnesses as suppliers in western Ukraine have been shuttered by Russia's invasion, forcing them to curtail production.


Land Rover reveals two special edition Discovery

                LONDON: The appeal of Land Rover has grown, especially with the British marque having just launched two new special editions - the Landmark and the Graphite.

The fourth generation Discovery features new exterior designs for both editions as well as a unique interior particularly for the Landmark to heighten the levels of luxury and exclusivity.

Orders for the special edition Discovery models will begin by November with deliveries scheduled to take place by January 2016 onwards.

Externally, the Discovery Landmark special edition priced from £55,995 (RM380,000), includes full length roof rails, black fender vents, grille and mirror caps, silver bonnet and tailgate badges and a set of 20-inch five twin-spoke alloy wheels, while coming in a choice of five body colours such as Zanzibar, Waitomo Grey, Santorini Black, Yulong White and Indus Silver.

Inside, the Landmark gets Windsor Leather seats and the Extended Leather Pack throughout the cabin that furnishes the dashboard, door casings and fascia; and will also be available in three colourways of Ebony, Almond and Tan.

Additionally, customers may choose from a selection of standard and optional steering wheels to complement the choice of veneer and includes the Grand Black Lacquer or Straight Grained Walnut Wood & Leather steering wheel.

The Discovery Graphite special edition is priced from £47,495 (RM320,000) and builds on the success of the Black Pack and introduces a modern and distinctive look to the model range with striking finishes.

A grey Graphite finish to the fender vents and grille, which also sports a gloss black and lighter grey frame, blend with existing grey highlights appointed to the door handles and the Discovery badging to the bonnet and tailgate and rolls on 19-inch seven twin-spoke alloy wheels in a high gloss dark grey as standard.

Furthermore, nine body colours spoil the customer for choice and includes three interior colourways too.

The seven-seater with 2,600 litres of stowage capacity is capable of towing up to 3,500kg and gets trailer stability assist and tow hitch assist to add to the list of safety equipment such as blind spot monitoring, closing vehicle sensing, reverse traffic detection, terrain response, hill descent control and wade sensing technology.

Passengers sit comfortably thanks to the height-adjustable air-suspension with loading and unloading made convenient with the split tailgate and the optional Land Rover InControl Apps adds to the existing infotainment system to provide in-car connectivity that's second to none.

The Land Rover Discovery continues to drive power and all-terrain capability with efficient diesel and petrol engine options when matched with fuel-stretching stop-start technology and the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission.

There are three 3.0-litre V6 force-induced petrol engines available with outputs ranging from 206bhp to 335bhp / 450Nm of performance.

"We have launched two new special editions - the Landmark and Graphite, which offer the customer greater on-road presence and enhanced comfort to complement the Discovery's existing versatility and capability attributes," says Jaguar Land Rover product marketing director Finbar McFall.


2016 Paris Motor Show girls. Need we say more?

                PARIS: Let's keep it short and sweet. You landed on this article because you wanted to see who are preening at the latest motor show alongside the newest cars being showcased.

As this is Paris we are talking about, most of the models of the two-legged variety are mostly Caucasians. Asian faces are few and far between though we caught sight of one doing her tour of duty with the Lexus UX concept.

The following list of images represent a random snap-a-thon of the girls at the Paris show and is not an exhaustive display. Enjoy the scenery.


Tesla's Musk says Model S Plaid may come to China by March

                SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla chief executive Elon Musk said in a tweet today that the Model S Plaid will "probably" be coming to China around March.

In June, Tesla launched the Model S Plaid, a 836km range sedan that can reach top speeds of up to 320kph.

It was Musk's attempt to fend off rivals such as Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Lucid Motors in the luxury electric vehicle market.

Tesla redefined electric cars in 2012 when it launched its high-end Model S with a sleek design and long driving range, and Musk said the new version was designed for a future where cars drove themselves.

Musk cancelled another variant, Model S Plaid+, which would have had a 33% higher driving range than the Model S Plaid and used advanced battery technology, known as 4680 cells.

The US$129,900 Plaid is not without its share of problems. One driven by its owner for just three days caught fire in June. The driver managed to escape and has hired a lawyer to file for damages against Tesla.


Audi ex-boss becomes first VW board member sentenced over diesel scandal

Stadler (left) standing in the Munich court room to await the verdict today. — Reuters
MUNICH: Former Audi boss Rupert Stadler was handed a suspended sentence of one year and nine months by a Munich court today for fraud in the 2015 diesel scandal, becoming the first former Volkswagen board member to receive such a sentence.

The ex-boss was fined 1.1 million euros (RM5.6mil), which will go to the state treasury and non-governmental organisations, the court said.

Further ongoing cases include a criminal case against other former managers of Volkswagen taking place in Braunschweig, and a case against former Volkswagen boss Martin Winterkorn on hold due to problems with his health.

Stadler's sentence is in the middle of the 1.5-2 year timeframe the judge had said the former CEO would face if he confessed to the charge.

The case is among the most prominent in the aftermath of the diesel scandal, when parent group Volkswagen and Audi admitted in 2015 to having used illegal software to cheat on emissions tests.

Stadler was accused of failing to stop the sale of the manipulated cars in Germany after the scandal became known.

He had previously rejected the allegations.

But speaking on Stadler's behalf in May, his lawyer Ulrike Thole-Groll said that while he did not know that vehicles had been manipulated and buyers had been harmed, he recognised it was a possibility and accepted that there he should have taken more care.

Prosecutors had originally wanted a 2-million-euro fine, citing Stadler's salaries at Audi and Volkswagen and his financial and real estate assets.

Two further defendants accused of manipulating motors — former Audi executive Wolfgang Hatz, and engineer Giovanni P. — were sentenced today, with Hatz facing a two-year suspended sentence with a 400,000 euro (RM2mil) fine and Giovanni P. a year and nine months and a 50,000 euro (RM256,000) fine.

The prosecutor's office and the accused can appeal until July 4.


McLaren gets creative with carbon fibre for Geneva

LONDON: Alongside a brand new model, British supercar company McLaren will be showing off a completely bespoke take on its P1 hypercar and its track-focused 675LT Spider, which are focused on celebrating carbon fibre.

It's not just supercar customiser Mansory that can get creative with carbon fibre. At this year's Geneva Motor Show, McLaren will be demonstrating what its in-house bespoke creations department (MSO) is capable of with not one but two very individual cars.

The McLaren P1 by MSO is described as a carbon fibre tribute to the company's sold-out hybrid hypercar. As such its hand-laid carbon fibre shell is fully exposed so that every line of the intricate weave can be seen and, thanks to a unique ‘lio blue' tinted lacquer, greatly accentuated.

Other bespoke external touches include black gloss alloy wheels, while the cabin has been completely trimmed in black Alcantara with contrasting blue stitching.

Although nothing has been done explicitly in the individualisation process to up the P1's power or speed — still 0-100kph in 2.8 seconds, an electronically limited top speed of 350kph and a total output of 903bhp — this car does boast a 24-carat gold exhaust heatshield. But as well as looking incredibly impressive when the rear section of the car is open, the precious metal is one of nature's best heat conductors and this could give the car an edge on the track.

The P1 will be joined by an equally individual version of the 675LT Spider with an equally gold-plated heatshield. However, this one is more clearly on show thanks to way the rear deck exposes the engine bay.

As well as precious metals, the MSO 675LT Spider gets a special ceramic grey external paint finish that helps to set off extra unique carbon fibre elements such as louvres in the front wings. The retracting roof mechanism and cover are also both made from exposed carbon fibre and the underside of the car's elongated airbrake (hence the name, LT - Long Tail) is also finished in exposed carbon fibre.

But as impressive as both customer cars are (they will be heading to client homes immediately after the Geneva show), they're simply appetisers to give people a taste of what McLaren can now do for discerning customers and to build up excitement for a new model launch, which is expected to be the 570S Spider — an "affordable" all-day, everyday convertible supercar — also scheduled for March 1.


New Toyota GR Supra launched from RM568K

                KUALA LUMPUR: UMW Toyota Motor has launched the much anticipated GR (Gazoo Racing) Supra (A90 or Mk5) after a 17-year hiatus when production ceased.

Priced from RM568,000 (on-the-road without insurance), the new fifth-generation Supra retains the use of an inline-six engine that's been co-developed with BMW and after five years, the turbocharged B58B30C direct injection engine was born.

The Supra is available in eight colour choices namely Prominence Red, Lightning Yellow (+RM5,000), White Metallic (+RM5,000), Deep Blue Metallic (+RM5,000), Silver Metallic (+RM5,000), Matte Storm Grey Metallic (+RM12,000), Black Metallic +RM5,000) and Ice Grey Metallic(+RM5,000).

As a result of German antitrust laws, Toyota was prevented from fully developing the new Supra with BMW, but Germany allowed the two carmakers to work on the platform, transmission, suspension components and engine.

Other than that, tuning of the chassis, suspension and drive-train as well as interior and exterior designs were done independently to further differentiate the new Supra from the third-generation BMW Z4 (G29). Malaysia gets the mid-specced Z4 sDrive30i with a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine.

Getting its good looks from the FT-1 Concept first seen during the 2014 North American International Auto Show, the new Supra has a wheelbase of 2,470mm (-100mm) and also has a lower centre of gravity while having a 50:50 (front-rear) weight-balance when compared to the Toyota 86.

The Supra's body structure uses a combination of aluminium and steel to achieve a body rigidity that's 2.5 times higher than that of the 86 as well as the Lexus LFA which uses a carbon fibre reinforced polymer cabin cell.

Additionally, it also features a double-bubble roof to reduce wind resistance just like the Toyota 2000 GT and fourth-generation Supra (A80).

In terms of measurements, the 1,570kg Supra comes in at 4,379mm-long (+139mm), 1,854mm-wide (+79mm) and 1,294mm-tall (+9mm) and has a tighter cabin.

The equipment list includes items such as automatic wipers, reverse camera, aerodynamic underbody panel, dual brushed stainless steel exhaust tips as well as LEDs for the automatic adaptive front headlights, daytime running lights and rear light clusters before providing a 288-litre boot.

It rolls on 19-inch forged wheels as standard with staggered 255/35 (front) and 275/35 (rear) Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres for grip while the front double-jointed MacPherson struts and rear multi-link suspension setup for the Adaptive Variable Suspension tries to smoothen out irregular road surfaces.

For Malaysia, the Supra's performance comes from a 3.0-litre (2,998cc) turbocharged inline-six engine that feeds from a 52-litre fuel tank to produce 340PS from 5,000 to 6,500rpm and 500Nm from 1,600 to 4,500rpm.

The "twist" is sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed ZF 8HP automatic transmission with paddle-shifters and also features adaptive cruise control, launch control and an Electronically Controlled Limited Slip Differential (LSD).

The Supra takes 4.3 seconds (1.1 seconds faster than the turbocharged A80 Supra) to sprint from 0 to 100kph. Top speed is electronically limited to 250kph.

The LSD uses an electronically controlled multiple plate clutch that teams up with the vehicle stability control (VSC) system to optimize the continuously variable control of the rear-wheel diff lock ratio across the full range during its century sprint.

Upon entry into a bend, the system selects a "lock ratio" to deal with the car's cornering performance and stability. During acceleration out of the turn, it increases the lock ratio to maximize traction performance.

Inside, the two-seater's cabin looks BMW-esque with features including an 8.8-inch touchscreen TFT infotainment display with Supra Command featuring a touchpad control, navigation, voice recognition, USB port and Bluetooth connectivity for the 500-Watt 12-speaker JBL audio system.

There is also an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, normal and sport driving modes, electric parking brake, dual-zone automatic climate controls, wireless charging, keyless entry with push-start button, leather upholstery, heads-up display, 14-way powered leather sports seats with dual memory function, an electrochromic rearview mirror and a 7.0-litre glove box.

For safety, the Supra has been equipped with seven airbags, anti-lock braking system, vehicle stability control, traction control, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, emergency stop signal, hill-start assist, blind-spot monitor and tyre pressure monitoring system.

To further bolster safety, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, adaptive high beam system, rear-end collision warning and speed limit info, as well as parking sensors with emergency braking function, has been added.

"This time, as never before in the past, so much attention has been paid to its handling capabilities. This is a sports car in its purest form, with no compromise,” said UMW Toyota chief motorsports officer and deputy chairman Akio Takeyama.

In conjunction with the launch of the new Supra, Takeyama also announced the arrival of the Gazoo Racing (GR) Garage - a "Shop in Shop" concept.

It will be available at selected authorized Toyota dealers to sell GR products that include the Supra, high-performance products and merchandise.

For starters, five outlets are currently available and are Fokus Tetap (Shah Alam), PCM Klang Motor (Klang), Wing Hin Automobile (Balakong), Telagamas Motors (Kulim) and Mutiara Motorsports (Masai).

The GR Garage makes Malaysia the first market outside of Japan to offer such products to consumers.


RON95 and diesel prices to remain unchanged until year-end

                PUTRAJAYA: RON95 and diesel prices will remain unchanged at RM2.20 per litre and RM2.18 per litre, respectively, until the end of this year, says Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.

He said the government had allocated RM3bil in subsidies for both RON95 and diesel, to ensure the price of these fuels would not be floated in the market.

“That amount ( of subsidy) can be less depending on oil prices but I don’t want to give the figures because it fluctuates week by week.

“However our estimation is RM3bil ‘(subsidy) until year-end,” he said, adding that even if prices were to increase later, the government was committed “not to raise prices”.

On RON97 which was now fetching RM2.59 per litre, the minister said the price would be based on market movements.

“RON97 is not a problem, because it’s for more expensive vehicles,” he added.


Car buyers using more research sources to find best deal, says J.D. Power study

                SINGAPORE: Customer satisfaction with their new-vehicle sales experience has increased in Malaysia, as shoppers are conducting more preliminary research across a greater variety of sources in advance to find the best deal in the market, according to the J.D. Power 2017 Malaysia Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study,SM released today.

More than 3 in 10 (31%) customers are using the Internet to research their new-vehicle purchase, compared with 27% in 2016. Online searches are predominantly centred on vehicle pricing/ financing and promotions (91%) as well as vehicle features and specifications (63%). Three of the most often visited websites are auto consumer websites/ portals (55%), car websites/ forums (45%) and dealer websites (28%).

Furthermore, customers are becoming increasingly knowledge-driven and are using various information sources when shopping for their new vehicle. The study finds that 44% of customers research price guides prior to their purchase decision, an increase of 13 percentage points from 2016, and 62% of customers either visit auto shows and/or displays at shopping malls, compared with 53% in 2016.

Overall sales satisfaction in the mass market segment averages 804 points in 2017, compared with 789 in 2016. Isuzu and Toyota rank highest, in a tie, with a score of 823 each. Isuzu performs particularly well in the sales initiation, dealer facility and delivery timing factors. Toyota performs highest in the deal, salesperson and delivery process factors.

“Customers are taking the initiative to become more self-informed, with more carrying out their due diligence before making any purchase decisions,” said Muhammad Asyraf Bin Mustafar, Country Head of Malaysia at J.D. Power. “Dealerships are consequently stepping up and becoming more proactive while focusing more closely on their customers. Automotive dealers that are better focused on engaging with their customers can benefit from a higher level of sales satisfaction among their customers.”

Moreover, the percentage of customers who have seriously considered another model has increased by 24 percentage points year over year (44% vs. 20%, respectively). The study also shows a year-over-year increase of 11 percentage points in the proportion of customers who have had their salesperson provide comparisons with other models (49% vs. 38%, respectively).

Salespersons are also providing customers with more explanations of vehicle features and benefits, such as showing catalogues/ brochures (75% vs. 69% in 2016) and demonstrating features during test drive more often (49% vs. 42% in 2016).

Furthermore, 91% of customers indicate they were asked about their customer profile, usage, needs and requirements, an increase of 3 percentage points from 2016. Satisfaction among customers who were asked about their profile by their salesperson increases by 47 points (on a 1,000-point scale) to 808 from 761 among those who were not asked.

Following are some key findings of the study:

> Overall satisfaction has increased: Customers are more satisfied this year with their overall purchase experience, compared with 2016 (12% vs. 8%, respectively). Overall satisfaction among delighted customers has increased to 923 points in 2017 from 901 points in 2016.

> Test drives increase satisfaction: Overall satisfaction among customers who are offered a test drive averages 810, which drops to 783 among those who are not offered a test drive. The percentage of customers offered a test drive this year increases 13 percentage points from 2016 (80% vs. 67%, respectively).

> Gifts are appreciated: More customers indicate receiving additional freebies from their dealer this year, with accessories (51%) and gifts (39%) being the most received. Satisfaction increases by 36 points when customers receive any freebies, than those who did not (811 vs 775, respectively).

> Faster delivery time pays off: More than 4 in 10 (43%) customers indicate they experienced a better-than-expected delivery time, a 3-percentage-point increase from 2016. The incidence of the delivery time being rescheduled by the salesperson from the original time has decreased in 2017 from last year (42% vs. 50%, respectively). Overall satisfaction is higher when no rescheduling of the delivery date is needed (820), compared to when there is rescheduling (782).

Now in its 15th year, the study is based on responses from 2,130 new-vehicle owners who purchased their vehicles from August 2016 through May 2017. The study was fielded from February through July 2017.


Renault names Ghosn stand-ins amid tension over Nissan probe

Lagayette is Renault interim chairman. — Reuters

PARIS/TOKYO: French carmaker Renault tapped its chief operating officer and a senior board member to fill in for embattled boss Carlos Ghosn, after an investigation by alliance partner Nissan led to his arrest on suspicion of financial misconduct.

Thierry Bollore, Ghosn’s operational second-in-command, will become deputy chief executive, while lead independent director Philippe Lagayette assumes the function of interim chairman, Renault said after a board meeting late on Tuesday.

But the board refrained from firing Ghosn while awaiting more detail on the allegations - in a decision that could also buy more time for an accelerated, permanent succession process.

“Mr Ghosn, temporarily incapacitated, remains chairman and chief executive officer,” Renault said in a statement. “During this period, the board will meet on a regular basis under the chairmanship of the lead independent director.”

Ghosn, one of the car industry’s best-known leaders, was arrested on Monday after Nissan said he had engaged in years of wrongdoing, including personal use of company money and under-reported earnings. The Japanese company plans to remove him as chairman on Thursday.

The French government, Renault’s biggest shareholder, had begun to distance itself from Ghosn, calling for new interim leadership before the meeting, as the Japanese investigation expanded to include Renault-Nissan alliance finances.

“Carlos Ghosn is no longer in a position where he is capable of leading Renault,” Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said earlier in the day. “Renault has been weakened, which makes it all the more necessary to act quickly.”

Statements by Le Maire, Renault and its board all echoed French preoccupations over the future of the alliance first articulated by President Emmanuel Macron within hours of Ghosn’s arrest on Monday.

Following talks between Le Maire and his Japanese counterpart Hiroshige Seko on Tuesday, the ministers re-affirmed their “shared wish to maintain this winning cooperation”.

But in a sign that Nissan may now seek to loosen its French parent’s hold on the partnership, the Japanese company informed Renault it also had evidence of potential wrongdoing at Renault-Nissan BV, the Dutch venture overseeing alliance operations under Renault’s ultimate control, three people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

The private communication came from Nissan chief executive Hiroto Saikawa, whose company is 43.4 percent-owned by Renault in a complex alliance forged by Ghosn over almost two decades.

 Ghosn with Bollore in this file pic. - ReutersMajor player

Close to bankruptcy when Renault bought its stake in 1999, Nissan has recovered to be the engine of an alliance that generates synergies for both companies and allows them to rival Volkswagen and Toyota Motor Corp on the global stage.

But there have long been tensions as Nissan, while almost 60 percent bigger than Renault by sales, remains the junior partner in their shareholding hierarchy with a smaller reciprocal 15 percent non-voting stake in Renault.

In its board statement, Renault invoked “principles of transparency, trust and mutual respect set forth in the alliance charter” to demand that Nissan provide “all information in (its) possession arising from the internal investigation.”

Mitsubishi Motors’ CEO Osamu Masuko said it could be hard to manage the alliance without the unifying figure of Ghosn.

“I don’t think there is anyone else on Earth like Ghosn who could run Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi,” he told reporters in Tokyo.

Difficult time

The end of Ghosn’s leadership poses questions and risks for an alliance he had pledged to consolidate with a deeper tie-up, before eventually stepping back from its operational leadership.

It comes at a difficult time for the industry, already grappling with tighter emissions regulations, a diesel sales collapse and big investments in electric and self-driving cars.

Ghosn’s alleged improprieties also raise questions over governance at the alliance, over which he presided relatively unchecked as chairman of all three partners’ boards.

Japan’s Nikkei business daily, citing unidentified sources, said Ghosn had received share price-linked compensation of about 4 billion yen (RM152mil) over a five-year period to March 2015, but it went unreported in Nissan’s financial reports.

The financial reports also did not mention annual compensation of 100 million to 150 million yen (up to RM5.6mil) Ghosn received from the automaker’s overseas subsidiaries, the newspaper said.

Nissan declined to comment on the report.

Japanese public broadcaster NHK also said Nissan had paid billions of yen to buy and renovate homes for Ghosn in Rio de Janeiro, Beirut, Paris and Amsterdam, citing unnamed sources. The properties had no business purpose and were not listed as benefits in compensation filings to the Tokyo bourse, NHK said.

There has been no comment from Ghosn on the allegations, and Reuters could not contact him for comment.

A French diplomatic source said the country’s ambassador in Tokyo had seen Ghosn on Tuesday as part of usual procedures for a French citizen being held in Japan.


Aston Martin considering EV supercar to rival Tesla Roadster, says report

                LONDON: Makers of supercars and hypercars don't like to be outdone by a rival, so Elon Musk's claim that Tesla's new roadster will be the fastest accelerating car in the world has obviously caused something of a stir. Aston Martin appears to be considering its own all-electric supercar to take on the next-generation Tesla Roadster, but as part of a wider push towards the electrification of its portfolio.

Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer was recently quizzed by Auto Express about the possibility of his company going head-to-head with Tesla in the future. When pushed about whether the British brand would consider an all-electric, lightweight supercar smaller than the current Vantage, Palmer admitted, "It's possible, yes. There are various challenges involved in making an EV, and the one everyone focuses on is the battery – the management system and the chemistry involved."

"The interesting thing is that the other three key components of any electric car – weight, aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance – are areas sports car manufacturers, and us in particular, are really good at mastering," he said.

The company has something of a headstart when it comes to producing a lightweight all-electric roadster, and that's because it's already adopted the kind of aluminum-intensive platform needed for such a car with the current DB11 and Vantage models. Having such a platform in place could cut down considerably on development costs through component sharing, which is another reason why Aston is considering such a move.

It's already been revealed by Aston Martin that it will be offering 155 units of its RapidE all-electric car next year. But that's just the start of the company's electrification plans as it's also committed to having at least a mild-hybrid version of every model available by 2025.

Unfortunately, there's not much chance of a Tesla Roadster-fighter from Aston until the early part of the next decade as the company already has ambitious plans in place to launch a brand new model ever year right through until 2022.

Although electrification is a big part of the British manufacturer's plans going forward, 48v hybrid technology will be employed before full electrification comes in, so there won't be any plug-in hybrids. Palmer said, "We won't offer plug-in hybrids. I don't see the point."


SAIC Motor opens design studio in London

                LONDON: China's SAIC Motor, ranked 35th in the Global Fortune 500 and 7th largest automotive company, has today (19th September 2018), opened its Advanced London Design Studio (Advanced London), based in a newly-renovated building in the heart of London on the Marylebone Road.

The ground-breaking new creative space is the first SAIC Motor studio in the world to specialise in Advanced Digital Design Technology, and will work in conjunction with the automotive manufacturer’s other studios to support future product designs for brands including MG and Roewe.

Advanced London is the second SAIC Motor design studio to be established in Europe, following Birmingham which was opened in 2011.

The London Design Studio will focus more on advanced design research projects and creative exploration of conceptual ideas.

Commenting on the launch, Design VP of SAIC Motor Technical Centre and Global Design Director, Mr. Shao Jingfeng, said: “We are really excited to have this new Design Studio in the heart of London opening today. The team is already taking advantage of the cutting-edge creative environment. Design is a huge element of the SAIC Motor vision, as we continue to explore the possibilities of the rapidly evolving automotive sector across the globe. The new Advanced London studio will allow us to focus on concept studies and pre-concepts for future production projects.

“We are also investing in new technologies as part of our design process, and have recently introduced advanced VR technology into our studios around the globe. This allows our designers to fully immerse themselves into the design concepts, greatly improving the level of detail at which ideas can be reviewed before they are turned into more costly physical models. Using state-of-the-art functions such as this will allow Advanced London to explore innovative design concepts, broadening design possibilities.”

London was chosen by SAIC Motor for the next stage in its continued expansion, due to the city’s internationally established design culture, an outstanding fashion scene and a host of institutions working at the forefront of innovation.

The opening event also saw the conclusion of the European region sixth annual SAIC Design Challenge, in which students studying in Europe were challenged to develop a flagship electric vehicle for the iconic MG Motor brand to meet 2025 transport requirements.

The top three finalists will now progress to the next stage, with a scale model to be presented at a grand final ceremony held at SAIC Design headquarters in Shanghai this October.

Advanced London is managed by SAIC Design European Advanced Design Director, Carl Gotham, who directly reports to Mr Shao Jingfeng.

Mr. Gotham commented: “Our annual SAIC Design Challenge will be the first output of Advanced London, bringing together some of the keenest young minds in the European design sector, with concepts being put forward that can only come from people looking at the industry with a fresh perspective. Advanced London, alongside our Birmingham studio, is ideally positioned to help provide an environment to explore new concepts and help drive the brand forward, maintaining the same talent training system as SAIC Design China headquarters.”

Over the next two years, it is expected that the team in London will grow to a few dozen creative designers from all over the world, working on projects that will help shape the product line-ups of SAIC Motor’s brands across the globe, working and operating in conjunction with SAIC Birmingham’s advanced studio.

The Birmingham studio is also being rebranded to SAIC Design Advanced Birmingham ensuring the two European sites work in tandem with each other, collaborating with the best designers across the region.

In the UK, SAIC Advanced London’s influence will be seen best within MG Motor UK. Under SAIC Motor’s guidance, MG Motor UK continues to go from strength-to-strength, announcing record car sales in 2018.

The August sales results, taken from the latest SMMT market report, show that MG has achieved an impressive 5,685 new car registrations so far this year, more than 1,000 units higher than it achieved in the whole of 2017.

This success comes on the back of last year’s launch of MG ZS compact SUV and more recently, new MG3.


Byton's massive screen lives on in production version of electric SUV

                FRANKFURT: The Chinese electric car company Byton has brought its first car to the series production finishing line, unveiling its electric SUV with a unique, giant display in the cockpit.

On display at the Sept 12-22 Frankfurt car show, the M-Byte SUV is set to roll out to its first customers in China in mid-2020, Byton boss Daniel Kirchert says. The US and Europe will follow in the first half of 2021.

Deliveries are expected to start three months later than originally planned, but the company said the car will now be launched in Europe at the same time as the US and not afterwards.

"This has nothing to do with the trade dispute, but we can see that thing's are really happening in Europe now," Kirchert says. That was not foreseeable two or three years ago, he says.

In the US, Byton is currently set to be hit by an additional tariff of 30 per cent, but even if this is still the case in 2021, Byton says it will stick to its planned market entry.

This would result in fewer vehicles being sold, "but the product would still have a market, even with the higher price." The M byte is set to cost €45,000 (RM207,000) in Europe before VAT.

Byton is one of several new suppliers who are benefiting from the switch to electromobility. The company received a lot of attention right from the start, both because it was founded by ex-BMW managers and for its unusual interior concept.

The central display with a massive diagonal of 48 inches practically reaches from door to door, and has managed to survive from prototype to production model.

Maintaining the screen is an impressive feat, since eye-catching features like this are often lost on the way from the concept car to the final model.

The touchscreen in the steering wheel, however, was forced to shrink from seven to eight inches to make room for the airbag.

The left side of the large display, which shows key information for the driver, runs on the QNX operating system, which is often used in cars because of its stability.

The right side, with navigation and infotainment controls, is run with the open source version of Google's operating system Android for cars.

Byton has no plans to support Google and Apple's smartphone connectivity platforms - Android Auto and CarPlay. The screen size would cause resolution problems, digital systems manager Jeff Chung says. That's why the company needs to rely on special versions of apps for its cars.

Byton says it hopes to hit a production target of 100,000 cars per year, and its plant in China is designed to produce a total of 300,000 vehicles.

In view of the trade conflict, Byton is also considering manufacturing in the US, but no steps have yet been taken in this direction, Kirchert said.


VW delivered 500,000 ID.s a year ahead of schedule

                WOLFSBURG: Volkswagen has delivered half a million ID.s a year ahead of schedule, saying this meant they are well accepted by customers globally.

The order bank at Volkswagen remains high, said Imelda Labbé, Board Member for Sales, Marketing and After Sales at Volkswagen.

“We are doing our utmost to deliver the roughly 135,000 ID.s on order to our customers as quickly as possible. However, due to the persistently strained situation as regards the supply of parts we are repeatedly having to adjust production,” said Labbé.

The first ID.3 models were handed over to customers in September 2020.

Volkswagen will only produce electric vehicles in Europe from 2033.

By 2030, all-electric vehicles are already to account for at least 70 percent of Volkswagen’s unit sales in Europe.

In the USA and China, the company is targeting an electric vehicle share of more than 50 percent for the same period.

READ MORE: VW ID.4 previewed in Malaysia in October 2022 ahead of launch

Norway is the forerunner in electric mobility. The ID.4 topped the registration statistics there in October.

Volkswagen is to launch 10 new electric models by 2026.

“Volkswagen will have the broadest portfolio of electric vehicles in the automotive industry: From the entry-level e-car with a target price of under €25,000 to the new flagship Aero B we will have the right offer in every segment,” said Labbé.

MEB is the backbone of the electric mobility campaign

The modular electric drive matrix (MEB) is a decisive factor in the accelerated boost to the global electric mobility campaign under the brand’s ACCELERATE strategy.

Designed especially for Volkswagen’s electric drive system, this vehicle architecture offers long ranges, plenty of interior space and the possibility for over-the-air software updates. The MEB serves as the technical basis for all the fully-electric and fully-networked vehicles in the ID. family.


Chevrolet offers customers ability to ‘see’ the future

                DETROIT: Chevrolet is introducing the industry’s first predictive technology, enabling your vehicle to warn you about a potential maintenance need before it occurs.

The technology is similar in concept to that on the Boeing 787, which can send in-flight messages to ground crews alerting them of parts needing inspection before the plane arrives. For Chevrolet drivers who opt-in to the service, OnStar Proactive Alerts continually monitors the health of the vehicle’s starter motor, fuel pump and 12-volt battery. If anomalies are detected, OnStar will notify drivers to take their vehicle in for service, reducing unexpected repairs.

The service, is available now for OnStar subscribers who own a 2016 Chevy Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, Corvette and Equinox.

Proactive Alerts collects a small batch of data each time the vehicle is started, and monitors it on an ongoing basis. Then, sophisticated systems analyze and refine billions of pieces of data, accumulated across the fleet of vehicles. If the data indicates a particular vehicle’s component is not performing as expected, the system will automatically send the driver a message through an in-vehicle notification, and either an email or text message based on customer preference.

“Accuracy is the key to our prediction algorithms,” said Steve Holland, chief technologist for Vehicle Health Management at General Motors. “We will be able to inform dealer service departments so they can spend less time testing for a condition we have already diagnosed. They can replace the necessary part quicker and minimise the amount of time a customer’s vehicle is at the dealership.”

Proactive Alerts is offered with all OnStar service plans on eligible models, including the OnStar Basic Plan that comes standard for five years on new Chevrolet vehicles. In the future, plans are in place for Proactive Alerts to monitor additional vehicle components and expand to other Chevrolet models.


BMW Group Malaysia announces zero GST prices

                CYBERJAYA: Buyers of new BMW and MINI cars and BMW Motorrad motorcycles will enjoy zero GST prices until further notice from the Ministry of Finance Malaysia.

BMW Group Malaysia has announced its prices for BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad vehicles with the Goods and Services Tax (GST) at 0%.

Harald Hoelzl, managing director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia said, “While we await further announcements and confirmation from the Ministry of Finance Malaysia, we look forward to continue serving our customers seamlessly. Rest assured, BMW Group Malaysia continues to offer the complete Premium Ownership experience.”

The BMW Group Malaysia Premium Ownership experience include:

BMW 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service Program.
MINI 4 Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service.
BMW 2-Year / 24 Month Tyre Warranty Programme for its Run Flat Tyre offering and services.
BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline.
The BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App – BMW White Card, MINI Black Card and BMW Excellence Club membership programme.
BMW and MINI Service Online.


McLaren shows off 570S Coupé, its most usable car

NEW YORK: McLaren has announced the global reveal of the McLaren 570S Coupé, the first of three in its Sports Series family.

The sports car, with driver optimised layout and high performance, shares its DNA with the McLaren Super Series and Ultimate Series that sit above it in the range hierarchy. The Sports Series introduces McLaren race-derived technologies and design values to a new segment and audience.

As its names suggests, a power output of 570PS (562bhp) with light weight construction to give a class leading power-to-weight ratio of 434PS per tonne. The 570S accelerates from 0 to 100kph in 3.2 seconds, while 200kph is reached in just 9.5 seconds with the pace not letting up till the car reaches a top speed of 328kph.

The Coupé is the first bodystyle to be shown in the Sports Series, highlighting the latest evolution of the McLaren design philosophy.

The ‘shrinkwrapped’, aerodynamically-optimised form will be seen in public for the first time at the 115th New York International Auto Show. The McLaren design team has created a shape of beauty highlighted by details such as the rear flying buttresses that increase downforce as well as adding grace, and complex door tendons that direct additional air to cool the mid-mounted V8 engine.

The Sports Series features an evolution of the 3.8-litre V8 twin turbo engine, named M838TE, with 30 percent of components bespoke to the new model. Engineered by McLaren, it produces 570PS (562 bhp) at 7,400 rpm, and 600Nm of torque at 5,000-6,500 rpm.

Power is delivered through a seven-speed SSG transmission, and transferred to the road through the rear wheels. This power is brought under control with standard-fit carbon ceramic brakes, fitted behind a newly designed range of forged alloy wheel options with P Zero Corsa tyres as standard from McLaren technical partner, Pirelli – 225/35/R19 on the front and 285/35/R20 on the rear.

The Sports Series has its own newly-developed suspension system ensuring enhanced levels of driver engagement and refinement on both road and track. It uses independent adaptive dampers with front and rear anti-rollbars – distinct from the Super Series –  and dual wishbones, with the set up controlled by the familiar ‘Normal’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Track’ handling settings. In ‘Normal’ mode, the system provides a refined yet engaging ride, while the ‘Sport’ and ‘Track’ settings allow the 570S to become more track-focused when required.

The unique carbon fibre MonoCell II chassis has been newly designed with more of a focus on day-to-day usability, offering improved ingress and egress from the cabin. It is strong and stiff yet weighs less than 80kg, offering optimum levels of protection. This lightweight structure, and the use of aluminium body panels, contributes to a dry weight of as low as 1,313kg, almost 150kg lighter than its closest competitor.

Like all McLarens, the cabin of the 570S has been designed around the driver, with a focus on engagement, visibility, functionality and more than any McLaren before it, day-to-day usability and space. As standard, the sports seats are leather upholstered – racing seats are optional – offering  long distance comfort and support.  The dashboard and steering wheel are also all leather trimmed. Ergonomic design provides extended stowage space, with the most usable space of any McLaren model to date. This adds to the 150 litres of storage in the front luggage bay.

The 570S is comprehensively equipped with a full infotainment system including an all new TFT digital instrument cluster that changes configuration according to driving mode, a seven-inch IRIS touchscreen, now with integrated climate control functionality, Bluetooth connectivity and DAB digital / SIRIUS satellite radio (depending on market), mounted on a ‘floating’ centre console. Despite the extensive specification list, weight-saving is still a key focus on the interior and the McLaren Audio four-speaker system balances optimal sound quality with the lowest possible weight.

With the Sports Series, an even greater variety of interior customisation is available with a variety of factory available Alcantara, nappa leather and carbon fibre options. In addition, McLaren designers have created a range of "By McLaren" bespoke interior specifications, similar to those also available on the 675LT, teaming carefully selected colours and materials designed to best showcase the stylish cabin space and co-ordinate with each exterior paint colour. In addition to this, a McLaren Audio Plus 8-Speaker Upgrade System and bespoke Bowers & Wilkins 12-Speaker Premium Audio System with 1280W surround sound upgrade is also available.

The 570S also delivers high fuel efficiency and emissions for a car that is also a member of the 200mph club, with fuel economy of 9.2l/100km on the EU combined cycle, and emissions of 258g/km.  For the US market, this means exemption from gas guzzler tax.

The 570S will be introduced at the April 3-12 New York Auto Show.


Skoda updates Superb range for 2018

                MLADÁ BOLESLAV (Czech Republic): Apart from the entry-level Superb S, every other version of the Skoda flagship sedan is getting updated for 2018, and there's also going to be the addition of a second SportLine badged variant.

To be fair, the updates to the Skoda Superb for the new model year are reasonably light, but the new specification Superb SportLine and adding a new SportLine Plus model at the pinnacle of the lineup is sure to inject some renewed vigour into the Superb family.

Updates to the regular SportLine are minimal, but the main focus is actually concerned with reducing the price of the SportLine. This means the 9.2-inch Columbus infotainment and navigation has been removed and has instead been replaced by the smaller, older eight-inch system from Amundsen. So, regardless of body style, gearbox, drivetrain or engine, every version of the SportLine will now cost around €500 (around RM2,400) less than it did before.

The addition of the new SportLine Plus model is the big news for the 2018 Skoda Superb, which enters the range with an impressive array of standard equipment and features. That aforementioned 9.2-inch Columbus system that's been cut from the regular SportLine is included, but there are also heated front seats, blind spot detectors, and an electronic tailgate that all come standard.

Away from the sportier high-end of the Superb range, every other model apart from the base S trim has also had at least a modicum of updating, although there will be no uplift in retail prices as a result. SE and SportLine models now include front and rear parking sensors, and it's the same story with the SE L Executive models, which also now get blind spot detection, keyless entry and a color trip computer. Plus L&K cars now go as far as the luxury of a heated steering wheel and ventilated seats, and a reversing camera has also now been made part of the car's standard equipment.

The majority of the updated range is available now, but European buyers will have to wait until June to get their hands on the new Superb SportLine Plus model.


GM builds pickups without certain modules due to global chip shortage, hurting fuel economy

                DETROIT: General Motors Co said on Monday that due to the global semiconductor chip shortage the US automaker is building certain 2021 light-duty full-size pickup trucks without a fuel management module, hurting those vehicles’ fuel economy performance.

The lack of the active fuel management/dynamic fuel management module means affected models, equipped with the 5.3-litre EcoTec3 V8 engine with both six-speed and eight-speed automatic transmission, will have lower fuel economy by one mile per gallon, spokesman Michelle Malcho said.

Malcho emphasised all trucks are still being built, something GM has repeatedly stressed it would try to protect as pickups are among GM’s most profitable models. She declined to say the volume of vehicles affected.

“By taking this measure, we are better able to meet the strong customer and dealer demand for our full-size trucks as the industry continues to rebound and strengthen,” Malcho wrote in an email.

The change runs through the 2021 model year, which typically ends in late summer or early fall, she said.

Malcho said it would not have a major impact on the Detroit automaker’s US corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) numbers.

“We routinely monitor our fleet for compliance in the US and Canada, and we balance our portfolio in a way that enables us to manage unforeseeable circumstances like this without compromising our overall (greenhouse gas) and fuel economy compliance,” she said.

GM’s fleetwide fuel economy in the 2018 model year was 22.5 mpg and was projected to rise to 22.8 mpg for 2019, according to a report by the Environmental Protection Agency.

To meet federal CAFE requirements, automakers like GM often use credits from either earlier years where they faced less stringent rules and performed better than the requirements or buy credits from other automakers.

GM said last month the chip shortage could shave up to US$2 billion from this year’s earnings. It subsequently said it expected global chip supplies to return to normal rates by the second half of the year.

GM’s US rival Ford Motor Co previously said the shortage could hurt 2021 profits by up to US$2.5 billion and said it had curtailed production of its flagship F-150 pickup.

The shortage, which has hit automakers globally, stems from a confluence of factors as carmakers, which shut plants for two months during the Covid-19 pandemic last year, compete with the sprawling consumer electronics industry for chip supplies.

Also on Monday, BMW chief technology officer Frank Weber said things would be tough in the short term.

“We hope that this situation is going to improve as we get closer to summer,” he told reporters.

“But April and May we expect will be very tough. Predictions, I cannot make because really we are working from week to week. So far we have been very successful and we have not lost a single day in production.”


Ruling on tinted windows soon but implementation remains a challenge, says Loke

                KUALA LUMPUR: There will be a new policy on tinted windows for vehicles in the near future, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

“I will announce a new policy very soon, after proposing the JPJ (Road Transport Department) amendments to parliament later on this month,” Loke said after launching the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2018 (KLIMS 18), at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) today.

He added that there were also proposals for electronic number plates in the pipeline.

However, the bigger challenge for the latter, he pointed out, was implementation, taking into account there were a lot of existing businesses and industries involved.

“But as far as enforcement, JPJ is under the ministry. Therefore, I have given a strict message to JPJ to enforce any new rulings,” he told the press.

The minister was responding to questions on spotty enforcement of tinting standards, as well as non-standard number plates, which he acknowledged were legacy issues.

Loke also toured the exhibition, which showcased new technologies on vehicle safety, including programmes and applications to encourage better road behaviour.

 Loke speaking at the opening of KLIMS;18.

“Just now, Petronas engaged me, they have a programme to reward good behaviour on routes, and some of these concepts we will be introducing next year,” Loke said.

He pointed out that currently, there were applications on development to test or evaluate driver behaviour on the road that could earn points, and this would entitle well-behaved drivers to benefits such as rebates on petrol or toll charges.

“My approach will always be the carrot and stick approach, give ‘carrots’ to motivate behaviour change, but if the behaviour remains bad, then the 'stick' must come,” Loke said.

The minister was referring to disincentives such as the demerit system and linking the settlement of JPJ summonses to renewing one’s road tax and vehicle insurance, and the issue of fine-tuning its implementation.

In response to a question on Malaysian roads being saturated with old vehicles, Loke said there was a need to phase out older vehicles, but there should be a transition period.

There should also be a plan formulated to incorporate new technology trends such as autonomous cars and electric vehicles, as Malaysia did not have an end-of-life vehicle policy, with 15mil cars already registered in Malaysia.

“The database actually has 30mil vehicles, including motorcycles... I cannot give an exact answer on what the exact policy will be, but the national transportation policy will take this into consideration,” Loke said.

Other issues Loke has raised in the past week included the rampant use of aftermarket high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps.

Recently, Sinchew Daily reported Loke as saying that the use of illegal HID headlamps would be banned for safety reasons. As they are up to three times as bright as halogen lights, and often fitted without auto self-levelling, they tend to blind oncoming traffic at night.

Those found using such lights would be fined up to RM2,000 or jailed up to six months. However, factory-fitted HID lights that are type-approved are allowed.

KLIMS 18, organised by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA0, returns after a five-year hiatus, and aims to attract 350,000 visitors, said MAA president Datuk Aishah Ahmad.

Aishah was also thrown a friendly gauntlet by Loke, who hoped to see the motor show being held every two years, rather than three if the visitor number did hit 350,000.


Stellantis’s China partner blindsided by possible carmaker's exit

                WUHAN: Stellantis NV’s Chinese partner says it was blindsided by the European automaker’s suggestion that it may end manufacturing in the world’s biggest car market.

Speaking at the Paris auto show earlier this week, Stellantis chief executive officer Carlos Tavares said the producer of Peugeot and Citroën cars may implement an "asset-light” strategy for those brands in China, repeating a phrase he used earlier in the year to describe his decision to pull out from the company’s only Jeep plant in the country.

Local partner Dongfeng Motor Group Co. said it was "very surprised” by his comments.

"Dongfeng Motor Group had never received any notice before,” a company representative said in a response to Bloomberg News.

"Our group is in active discussion with Stellantis about the improvement plan of Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën Automobile Co.,” the Chinese automaker said.

The joint venture has posted year-on-year sales growth for the past 23 months, it added, stressing that Dongfeng has made an "extremely large effort and contribution to the growth.”

When questioned by reporters in Paris on his view on China, Tavares said he didn’t think having factories in the country is "indispensable” for the carmaker’s strategy.

A spokesman for Stellantis in China said they had no comment on Dongfeng’s statement.

In July, Guangzhou automobile Group, which partners with Stellantis’s Jeep brand, blasted the automaker’s decision to end local production and rely on imports after the two sides were unable to agree on Stellantis raising its stake in the joint venture.

The Guangzhou-based, state-backed company said comments Tavares made on how trust had broken down between the two companies over their Chinese manufacturing partnership were "unbelievable.”

Several Stellantis ventures "failed to achieve success, which is the result of a lack of respect for customers in the Chinese automobile market,” GAC Group said at the time.

In addition, Stellantis’s Opel brand said last month it’s pausing a planned expansion in China.

Tavares’ moves come as the Chinese auto market becomes more challenging, with foreign automakers facing a rising crop of domestic rivals.

The market is also swiftly pivoting electric, an area that some multinational carmakers have been slower to move on.

Domestic automakers accounted for almost 80% of EV sales through the first seven months of 2022, according to data compiled by the China Passenger Car Association.


Mercedes-Maybach S 600 Pullman Guard: Luxurious on the inside, bomb-proof on the outside

                STUTTGART: The Mercedes-Maybach S 600 Pullman Guard is less an example of gilding the lily and more a case of armour plating it.

When the first deliveries of this 6.5 metre long, 5.6-tonne limousine begin in earnest in the second half of 2017, clients will get a vehicle that challenges any Rolls-Royce or Bentley in terms of interior space and creature comforts. The Pullman Guard offers rear face-to-face seating so that four passengers can conduct a moving meeting while quaffing champagne from bespoke crystal glasses.

And when the conversation is over, the two seats in the third row recline, just like on a business class flight, complete with adjustable calf rest so that passengers can take a nap.

But, because this car conforms to protection class VR9 and Directive ERV 2010, even an attack from a rocket-propelled grenade shouldn't raise you from your slumber.

Everything from the floor to the windows is reinforced to withstand bullets, shrapnel and explosive devices. The armor plating on the doors is so dense that Mercedes has had to fit motors to the hinges so that someone other than Superman can open and close them easily without rupturing a muscle group.

The reason why it's able to offer such high levels of protection is because the reinforcing and other security elements are integrated into the car's basic structure, rather than added later. This approach also means that although the vehicle is considerably heavier than a ‘stock' Pullman (the S 600 Pullman is Mercedes' current absolute flagship), it should still behave like car, not a tank, on the open road.

Its V12 bi-turbo engine has been tuned for power over speed. There's 530hp on tap but a huge 830Nm of torque available at even low revs, so it will always be able to pull away. And though Mercedes has electronically limited the top speed to reduce the severity of a potential collision, it will still hit 160kph.

"Besides providing spacious seating in first-class comfort for high-ranking passengers, the Mercedes-Maybach Pullman is of course the embodiment of exclusivity at its highest level," said Ola Källenius, Mercedes-Benz Cars head of sales and marketing. "One can sense the significance and greatness of it in every detail."

Prices for the Pullman Guard will begin at €1.4 million (RM6.5mil).


Self-driving cars coming to public roads of Ontario

                TORONTO: Self-driving cars, including those backed in part by the phonemaker BlackBerry Ltd, have been approved for testing on Canadian public roads in the country's first such program, the government for the province of Ontario said on Monday.

Automated vehicles from the University of Waterloo and the Erwin Hymer Group auto manufacturer have also been approved for testing, Ontario said in a statement.

Ontario, home to nearly all of Canada's auto industry, launched the program on Jan 1, but had no applicants in the first half of the year. The province's auto sector has struggled as investment shifted to less expensive jurisdictions, and the government has sought to attract higher-paying research and development work.

Canada is a late-comer compared with parts of the United States, where Alphabet Inc's subsidiary Google has been testing self-driving prototypes since 2009.

BlackBerry's QNX software development subsidiary and the University of Waterloo will work with Ford Motor Co's Lincoln cars, while Erwin Hymer Group will test one of Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz vans, according to Ontario.

It was not immediately clear when the cars will hit the roads. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation said it was up to the applicants when they want to begin their tests.


Thailand lays out bold EV plan, wants all electric cars by 2035

                BANGKOK: Thailand aims to only sell zero-emission vehicles in the country from 2035 as it works to transform itself from a South-East Asian hub for the production of conventional autos to one making electric cars.

“We can see the world is heading in that direction so we have to move quickly,” Kawin Thangsupanich, an adviser to Energy Ministry’s national policy committee, said in an interview.

“We want to capture that growth post-pandemic, and we have the ambition to be the production center because we already have the existing supply chains.”

The automotive industry is one of Thailand’s most important sectors. It contributes to about 10% of the economy, employs 850,000 workers, and supports industries from iron and steel to petrochemicals and plastic.

About half of the cars made in Thailand are exported to countries including the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Thailand’s bold plan also sets a target of having electric vehicles account for 50% of all new car registrations by the end of the decade, up from 30% previously.

Charging forward

Now that the country has set a target date for phasing out combustion-engine cars, the next step for the government will be to facilitate that transition, by offering tax incentives, building out the appropriate infrastructure and developing regulations that promote EV manufacturing, Kawin said.

Consumers also need to be incentivised to buy such cars, he added.

”If we let the EV adoption happen naturally, it could take too long,” said Yossapong Laoonual, honorary chairman of the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand. “As a producer, setting a clear target makes the country more attractive for investment.”

Battery electric vehicles currently make up less than 1% of cars in Thailand, data from the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand show.

But while the Thai EV market is still small, it showed “great resilience” last year despite the pandemic denting overall auto sales, according to BloombergNEF analyst Allen Tom Abraham. EV car sales increased 1.4% in 2020, while regular auto sales slumped 26%.

READ MORE: Where is Malaysia in all of these shift to electrics?


Popularising EVs in Malaysia

                Malaysia registered an all-time high of close to 700,000 new vehicles in 2015. While this is promising for the industry at a whole, it could put our environment in serious jeopardy.

The rise in conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles emitting carbon as they are driven around will only worsen air quality which is already in a perilous condition according to a report by the United Nations which states that about two billion children live in areas where outdoor pollution exceeds minimum air quality guidelines.

Against this backdrop and to make sustainable transport a reality, there must be buy-in from the nation’s transport sector. This means tapping into the vast private consumer market and leveraging on the growing corporate vehicle fleet market.

Fleets are vital in building greater understanding and confidence in electric vehicles (EVs), including full battery and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), providing drivers prolonged hands-on time to fully experience the performance benefits and realise the potential of their investment.

Today, we examine the four key aspects to achieving success in popularising the fleet and private use of EVs - affordability, model variety, access to charging and the strength of the surrounding EV ecosystem.

Fleet and private usage of EVs have flourished in China and the US with nearly 400,000 electric cars between the two nations. This is thanks to an optimum combination of these four aspects creating a diverse range of green vehicles that are reasonably priced and capable of travelling long distances supported by strong charging infrastructure.

To emulate this success in Malaysia, there is a pressing need to address these aspects in a strategic manner to ensure the holistic development of the EV market.

Affordability
In terms of pricing, falling battery cost, which are projected to drop below USD100/kWh (RM420/kwh) by 2020, supported by tax incentives introduced by the Government for domestically manufactured green transport are seeing these vehicles steadily become more attractive to the mass market.

 Eclimo ES-11 electric scooters being used in Malacca.Model variety
The past year has seen an influx of plug-in hybrids introduced into the Malaysian market by world leading automotive brands including Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and BMW bringing the line-up offering in Malaysia to over 15 models.

At the recently concluded 7th International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia (IGEM 2016), this variety increased further with the launch of the locally assembled Mercedes-Benz C350e plug-in hybrid that would be ideally suited to the needs of corporate fleets representing a perfect blend of stylish elegance and eco-friendly efficiency.

 A charging station for two cars at a shopping centre in Petaling Jaya.Charging infrastructure
To effectively address drivers’ range anxieties, one of the main concerns drivers have when considering switching to EVs, and make it more feasible for them to travel long distances, Malaysian Green Technology Corp (GreenTech Malaysia) which operates Malaysia’s largest network of EV charging stations, ChargEV, tied-up with Petronas Dagangan Bhd, the nation’s leading retail petrol station operator.

The two organisations will work together to further expand the network by installing ChargEVs at 66 Petronas service stations along major highways.

To make this network available to private users, BMW Group Malaysia has launched the ChargeNow service in partnership with GreenTech Malaysia to enable BMW’s growing base of PHEV owners to use the increasing number of ChargEV stations around the country.

To replicate this outreach, discussions are also ongoing with other car makers to extend similar services to a wider user base.

Overall ecosystem
Looking to the future, the corporate EV fleet ecosystem is poised to expand further with the introduction of the Tesla leasing programme.

GreenTech Catalyst, a subsidiary of GreenTech Malaysia, is partnering with Insas Bhd and its subsidiary, PRAC Logistics to form a joint-venture company that oversees the leasing of the Tesla Model S, one of the world’s popular EV.

The vehicles will be made available to government companies, government-linked companies, corporate members and public listed companies, to allow key decision makers to experience the benefits of EVs on a long-term basis with an overarching objective of converting them to EV enthusiasts and championing supportive policies and incentives for EVs in Malaysia.

Conclusion
The successful incorporation of EVs through Cohesive Mobility Solutions’ (COMOS) burgeoning Renault Zoe corporate leasing programme and the Eclimo ES-11 electric scooter fleets at the police and KFC, coupled with the strong foundation that these new partnerships have laid, place Malaysia in a prime position to join the leading pack of nations in the EV movement.

This is vital as sustainable transport such as EVs and PHEVs provide greater fuel efficiency and not only helps individuals save cost in the long run but also reduces pollution creating cleaner and healthier skies for all Malaysians.

 GreenTech CEO Ahmad Hadri Haris. The BRT bus plying a sector of Petaling Jaya is fully electric.

As these initiatives begin to gain traction, private and fleet usage of EVs will rise in tandem and this could spell significant economic benefits for not only the individuals and companies but for the nation as a whole.

For our final chapter in the series, we will examine this vast economic potential on all levels to detail the knock-on effects a thriving EV economy can have.

> GreenTech Malaysia is an organisation under the purview of the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology & Water (KeTTHA) charged with the development and promotion of green technology. For feedback, email info@greentechmalaysia.my or visit www.greentechmalaysia.my for more information.