Proton makes strong sales comeback in February

                SUBANG JAYA: National car maker Proton has rebounded in February with a 107% jump in sales after a challenging January where its production line was badly affected by unresolved flooding issues.

The company sold 9,225 units of combined domestic and export vehicles last month, allowing it to reclaim second position in the automotive sales table and putting it on track to recover lost sales from January.

Proton’s domestic market share for the month is estimated at 20.2% while for the first two months of the year,
the cumulative market share is estimated to be at 15.9%.

For the automotive market in general, total industry volume (TIV) for the year is estimated to have grown by 11.4% compared to the first two months of last year.

With the full resumption of production in Shah Alam and Tanjung Malim, there was a marked increase in Proton’s sales numbers across the board.

However, models such as the Proton Saga only managed half a month of normal production and sales activities, suppressing its full potential.

The Saga achieved 2,951 units in February, and while this is less than its usual monthly average, the numbers are expected to return to their previous level in the coming months.

Other models fared better in comparison to their sales targets.

The Proton X50 and X70 closed February with 3,002 and 1,119 units sold, allowing both to retain their
hold on first place in their respective segments.

The Proton X50 was also the best-selling SUV in the country and has attracted over 100,000 bookings in just 16 months.

The Proton Exora also returned to the head of the C-segment MPV table while big improvements for the Proton Iriz and Persona saw them ending the month in fourth and second position in their respective segments.

While domestic sales still trail last year’s volume, export sales are trending upwards and have grown by 72.8% in 2022.

For the first two months of the year, 323 units have been sold in export markets compared to just 187 units of various Proton cars in 2021.

Proton Edar chief executive officer Roslan Abdullah said February’s rebound in sales was a direct result of the company being able to produce more cars.

“This was only made possible by the outstanding joint efforts of our vendors and Proton staff, who worked and continue to work ceaselessly to get us back on track.

“Thankfully, our order bank remains healthy, and we remain hopeful of catching up to our targets for this year.

“As for the Malaysian automotive industry, the first two months of the year has seen strong demand as evidenced by the growth in TIV compared to 2021.

“This is good news for both car companies and the vendor community and is also testament to the effectiveness of policies set by the government,” he said.

Roslan also said the company would continue to add to its sales and service network to better serve its customers and enhance sales growth.

The 147th 3S/4S outlet was officially opened in Alor Setar on Wednesday and is the tenth outlet for EON.

It is also the fifth Proton Platinum Showroom facility in the country and is housed at the iconic Souq Albukhary.

By adding to its industry leading number of 3S/4S outlets, the company is also taking steps to improve the quality of after sales service for its customers.

The Proton EON 3S-Platinum outlet comes with a built-up area of 35,992 sq ft and can accommodate up to seven display cars.

It also features a spacious and comfortable customer lounge equipped with amenities such as a F&B corner, laptop/mobile charging stations, free Wi-Fi, Netflix and Kid’s room for the pleasure and convenience of customers.

 (From left) Proton Edar director of sales Edmund Lim, Roslan, DRB-Hicom group managing director Datuk Seri Syed Faisal Albar, Akkbar and EON COO Shamsul Haq at the launch of the Platinum outlet.

The service centre has six hoisted bays, three non-hoisted bays, an alignment bay and an Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) bay.

EON chief executive officer Akkbar Danial said the Platinum outlet in Alor Setar further augments EON’s commitment to strengthen Proton’s presence especially in the north.

“This is part of EON’s expansion plans and continuous effort to cater to the evolving needs of the Malaysian auto market,” said Akkbar.


Tesla weighs reset for China retail strategy even as sales boom

                SHANGHAI: Tesla is reevaluating the way it sells electric cars in China, its second-largest market, and considering closing some showrooms in flashy malls in cities like Beijing where traffic plunged during Covid restrictions, two people with knowledge of the plans said.

The shift would put more emphasis on stores in less-costly suburban locations that can also provide repairs as the company works to meet Elon Musk's goal of improving service for existing customers, many of whom have complained of long delays, they said.

As part of that push, Tesla is looking to ramp up hiring of technicians and other staff for service jobs in China, one of the people said.

Tesla's China recruitment website showed more than 300 openings for service jobs as of today.

Musk said last week on Twitter, in response to a Tesla owner in Texas who complained that he had been waiting a month to get his vehicle fixed, that he had made "advancing Tesla service to make it awesome" a top priority.

Unlike mainstream automakers, Tesla owns all of its own stores, rather than relying on dealers. It also sells its cars online. That has allowed it more leeway to adjust a retail strategy that had been initially modelled on Apple's stores.

Tesla didn't immediately response to a request for comment.

The US automaker sold 400,000 China-made Model 3 and Model Y cars in the first eight months of the year, with 60% of them sold locally, according to the China Passenger Car Association. That was 67% more than a year ago.

The change in Tesla's approach in China, where it has become the second-largest EV brand behind BYD, would reflect a recognition that it has to build customer loyalty now that it has established its brand in the world's largest car market, one analyst said.

"It's not necessary to open showrooms in expensive shopping malls, especially when the repair business has become lucrative," said Yale Zhang, managing director at Shanghai-based consultancy Automotive Foresight.

"It makes better sense to keep only one or two showrooms downtown to keep the brand positioning but move more to suburbs.”

Tesla opened its first store in central Beijing in 2013 and now has over 200 outlets across the country that display models and arrange test drives for potential buyers.

More than half of the stores, however, do not offer maintenance service since they are in high-rent locations where space is limited. That includes Tesla's first store in Beijing and its first store in Shanghai.

More than half of Tesla's showrooms in seven of China's biggest cities, including Shenzhen and Chengdu, are now in downtown areas, according to a Reuters count based on Tesla's China website.

Like other companies, Tesla has seen traffic in its stores heavily disrupted by China's tough approach to containing Covid-19, which has involved lockdowns of varying scope and duration, including in Shanghai where it has a factory.

Reuters could not determine how many urban showrooms Tesla was considering closing, how many new locations in fast-growing suburbs could be opened or what the cost of that shift would be.

The carmaker has been the target of a series of customer complaints and lawsuits in China, including a well-known case last year which saw an unhappy owner clamber atop a Tesla at the Shanghai auto show to protest the company's handling of her complaints about faulty brakes.

The incident received significant attention in China and prompted state media outlets to criticise the company.

Tesla later apologised to Chinese consumers for not addressing the complaints in a timely manner and pledged to review its service operations.

Tesla's EV rivals in China have taken a mixed approach to retail distribution. Apart from self-run stores, BYD and Xpeng also rely on third-party dealers.

Nio, like Tesla, has a network of high profile urban stores in China. It has also invested in door-to-door service, dispatching workers, many of whom were hired from the hotel industry, to pick up cars for repairs and drop them off when work is complete.


Mercedes-Benz Berlin plant boss to join Tesla, union takes it badly

Daimler said Reif (seen here) would go into early retirement at the end of the year at his own request.
FRANKFURT: The head of the Berlin engine plant run by Mercedes-Benz has defected to rival Tesla, German union IG Metall said on Wednesday, calling on employees to protest over his departure.

IG Metall declined to name the head of the plant, which has been run by Rene Reif, one the most experienced manufacturing executives at Mercedes-Benz who helped expand manufacturing capacity for Daimler in China.

Reif used to be head of engineering and manufacturing at Beijing Benz Automotive Co. Daimler’s Chinese joint venture, which has a manufacturing capacity of around 480,000 cars and started building the electric Mercedes-Benz EQC last year.

Tesla declined to comment on whether it had found a new manager for a Gigafactory being built on the outskirts of Berlin but the electric carmaker is on a global manufacturing expansion push, building or expanding new factories in Texas, Germany and China.

Last month, a source told Reuters that a Tesla manager who oversaw the construction of the electric carmaker’s Gruenheide plant, had left his position.

Daimler said on Wednesday that Reif, 57, the manager of its Mercedes-Benz Berlin plant, which makes powertrains, would go into early retirement at the end of the year, at his own request.

German unions have lamented the fact that traditional carmakers are cutting investment into combustion engine technologies as regulators clamp down on emissions and as demand for vehicles is hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

IG Metall said there would be a protest in front of the Mercedes factory today and called on Daimler to present solutions that would help to guarantee the future of the plant.

The union said Daimler managers had outlined cost savings plans and union officials fear the Berlin plant’s future is at risk.

Daimler said Clemenz Dobrawa, who currently heads up the Mercedes-Benz battery plant in Kamenz, had taken over leadership of the Mercedes-Benz plants in Hamburg and Berlin earlier this month.

“Thanks to his activity as representative in Kamenz, he brings important know-how for the transformation toward electromobility,” Daimler said, adding the Berlin plant would be restructured to serve an "Electric First" strategy.


Local councils under fire over inaction on abandoned cars

                PETALING JAYA: Ratepayers are slamming local councils for not acting against the growing number of abandoned cars in their neighbourhoods.

Those who have lodged reports with the authorities in Selangor say phone calls and emails to the relevant authorities have fallen on deaf ears. The lack of enforcement has emboldened more people to abandon their vehicles at public areas.

A tenant along a row of shoplots in Glenmarie Industrial Park in Shah Alam said the place had become a graveyard for abandoned cars for more than two years now.

The 20-year-old development had few problems until workshops moved in and cars that could not be salvaged were left by the road.

“When we asked around, we found out that the cars were not being towed away because the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) could not issue compound notices to the owners for the towing and storage charges,” said the tenant, who wanted to be known as Shan.

He said his suspicions were raised after they had lodged many reports with MBSA but no action was taken on the complaints.

 Another spot in Selangor for abandoned cars. This time, it's at Glenmarie Industrial Park, making the place look like a graveyard for vehicles.

Taman Sri Muda Zone A Rukun Tetangga chairman T. Mogan said the residents had gathered the licence plate numbers of all the abandoned vehicles and submitted it to MBSA.

“Nothing, however, was done."

In Subang, residents have given up waiting for councillors and the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) to take action on abandoned cars in the municipality.

In each neighbourhood, Joe Mahinder Singh said, there were at least three cars that have been left to rot.

“It is just ugly and an eyesore. These cars are ruining the grass and more importantly, they are taking up precious parking space,” he added.

Former Petaling Jaya councillor Derek Fernandez said it was the duty of the council to tow the cars away whether the action generated income or not.

He said a sticker would be put on cars with no road tax or invalid road tax and a 30 day leeway would be given before it was towed away.

“MBPJ tows quite a number of cars on a daily basis and this costs at least RM500 to RM600 a day and RM150,000 a month. So buying more tow trucks is justified and will help generate revenue,” he said.

Moreover, the abandoned vehicles can be sold off as scrap metal once it is towed away since a 30-day notice had already been given before the towing exercise.


Mercedes-Benz opens new R&D centre in Shanghai

                SHANGHAI: Mercedes-Benz Group AG said today it has opened a research and development (R&D) centre here that will focus on mobility technology.

The centre, its second R&D facility in China, will work in tech fields such as connectivity, automated driving and big data, the company said in a statement.

Mercedes-Benz did not elaborate on the size of its investment in the new tech centre, nor how many engineers it plans to eventually hire for the new location.

It said it is "aiming to attract hundreds of new tech talents".

The establishment of a new Shanghai tech centre follows a move last year by the German premium carmaker to significantly upgrade its R&D capabilities in Beijing, by opening a new R&D facility in China's capital.

With 1,000 engineers, the new Beijing tech facility is more than three times the size of the one Mercedes-Benz opened in 2014, and the first outside Germany that is more "on par" technically with the firm's far bigger R&D headquarters near Stuttgart, a person close to the centre said at the time.


2018 Honda Accord and Toyota Camry: A closer look

                DETRIOT: The recent world debut of the 2018 Honda Accord in Detriot, came hot on the heels of the launch of the 2018 Toyota Camry, and showed how ferocious the competition is in the midsize sedan segment in North America.

Carsifu takes a closer look at the design and packaging for these two popular 2018 D-segment models, which carry themes that would eventually be featured on the Accord and Camry models for other markets.

2018 Honda Accord 2018 Honda Accord Touring

The 10th-generation Accord gets a tonne of new technologies including direct-injected and turbocharged engines, the world's first 10-speed automatic transmission for a front-drive car and a new generation of Honda's two-motor hybrid technology.

It's also sportier looking and more spacious, with a longer wheelbase, a lower overall height and wider body, wider wheel tracks, a shortened overall length and lower, sportier seating position.

Also, the longer wheelbase allowed the second-row seats to be moved substantially rearward, giving Accord almost 2 extra inches of rear leg room.

 2018 Honda Accord Touring

Overall aerodynamic efficiency is improved by 3 percent to make it the most streamlined Accord yet.

The new Accord has a 10mm lower center of gravity.

It also has crisper turn-in and steering response, due to lighter-weight turbocharged engines and other body design changes that reduce the vehicle's moment of inertia.

In the United States, for 2018, all Accords will feature the full suite of Honda Sensing safety and driver-assistive technologies as standard equipment.

 2018 Honda Accord Touring

Honda Sensing includes Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Departure Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow and new Traffic Sign Recognition.

Other driver-assistive technologies include Blind Spot Information, front and rear parking sensors, Cross Traffic Monitor and Driver Awareness Monitor; and all models feature a Multi-Angle Rearview Camera with dynamic guidelines.

2018 Toyota Camry 2018 Toyota Camry

The 2018 Toyota Camry, the best-selling car in America for the past 15 years, has a face accentuated by a two-piece grille based on Toyota's “Keen Look” design philosophy.

The eighth-generation sedan also has a sleeker profile, with a curvaceous 1.6-inch-lower aluminum hood that sits neatly above the grille’s uppermost section.

Building on the Camry’s undisputed reputation as an extremely smooth and quiet car in its class, Toyota engineers incorporated a variety of new noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) countermeasures that were previously found exclusively on luxury models.

These include sound absorbing/insulation through the fitment of a hood insulator and upper and lower fender separator.

Wind noise has been suppressed through a newly-designed rain gutter molding and a reduction in the step at the bottom of the windshield.

The new Camry also gets a new Direct Shift-8AT eight-speed automatic transmission and a new double wishbone rear suspension, for a more refined drive.

The new Direct Shift 8-speed automatic transmission provides crisp-yet-smooth, quick-shifting capability of a performance-oriented gearbox.

The new gearbox features a torque converter that offers a wider range of lock-up (when compared to the previous 6-speed automatic transmission) for a more direct driving feel while contributing to improved fuel efficiency through suppressed engine revving.

READ ALSO: Toyota unveils redesigned CamryREAD ALSO:2017 Detroit auto show: New Toyota Camry debutsREAD ALSO:New Honda Accord radically revised to appeal to younger buyersREAD ALSO:Honda reveals details of all-new 2018 Accord More Photos: 2018 Honda Accord2018 Honda Accord Touring2018 Honda Accord Touring2018 Honda Accord Hybrid2018 Honda Accord Hybrid More Photos: 2018 Toyota Camry2018 Toyota Camry hybrid2018 Toyota Camry hybrid2018 Toyota Camry hybrid


Volkswagen anniversary sale

                KUALA LUMPUR: In conjunction with Volkswagen’s 10th year anniversary in Malaysia, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has launched a “Volkswagen Anniversary Sale” campaign.

The campaign runs from now till 31 December 2016.

Malaysians looking to buy a new car before the year end can enjoy amazing savings on selected models.

Those interested in the Polo Hatchback will save RM4,000, while the Golf now with RM10,000 savings, the Beetle with RM16,000 savings, the Vento with RM10,000 savings, and the new Jetta with RM2,000 savings.

Additionally, members of the public can also make their way to the Volkswagen Roadshow at South Court, Mid Valley Megamall from 2nd to 6th November 2016 to take advantage of the Anniversary Sale.


2017 Frankfurt Motor Show: BMW i Vision Dynamics hints of future

                FRANKFURT: BMW i unveiled its Vision Dynamics is a four-door Gran Coupe with a range of 600km, a top speed of over 200kph and acceleration of 0-100kph in 4 seconds, aiming to provide sporting e-mobility in an elegant body.

The outline of the Vision Dynamics represents a further evolution of the classical BMW proportions; a long wheelbase, flowing roofline and short overhangs create a basic profile brimming with elegance and dynamism.

This silhouette is fleshed out by large, fluently contoured surfaces, the exterior appearing as if cut from a single mould.

Aerodynamic requirements define the car’s progressive appearance down to its details.

Barely visible joins and the flush integration of glass into the main body lend the study a modern and technical overall impression.

The prominent, enclosed “kidneys” in the minimalist front end bring together the past and the future of BMW.

The eye-catching rear end L-shaped lights helps accentuate the car’s wide stance on the road.

“With the BMW i Vision Dynamics, we are showcasing how we envisage future electric mobility between the i3 and i8 - a dynamic and progressive, four-door Gran Coupe. We are therefore electrifying the heart of the BMW brand and, at the same time, elevating BMW i into a totally new dimension.” said BMW AG board of management chairman Harald Krüger.


Mercedes-EQC and EQB previewed at EQS launch

                KUALA LUMPUR: The EQC 400 4MATIC and EQB 350 4MATIC were previewed at the launch of the EQS today.

The EQC will launch in September, while the EQB will roll out in October, tentatively priced at RM390,000 and RM330,000 respectively.

EQC 400 4MATIC

The EQC 400 4MATIC is the pioneer of the brand’s electric vehicle generation.

The EQC features the AMG Line exterior and AMG bodystyling, further finessed with a 20-inch AMG multi-spoke light-alloy wheels, aluminium-look running boards with rubber studs, MULTIBEAM LED headlights, and Windscreen wipers with rain sensors.

The cabin is specified with the AMG Line interior that includes DIRECT SELECT shift paddles.

The Interior Light package is also installed, and an Aluminium-look trim with the Multifunction sports steering wheel in nappa leather and the Dashboard in man-made nappa leather look with the upholstery in leather black.

Enhancing the comfort are heat and noise-insulating acoustic glass, electrically adjustable front seats with memory function and a 4-way lumbar support.

It also includes the KEYLESS-GO Comfort package, featuring KEYLESS-GO, HANDS-FREE ACCESS and EASY-PACK tailgate.

Coupled with the KEYLESS GO starting function and EASY-PACK load compartment cover.

As standard, the EQC comes with THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control, ambient lighting, AMG floor mats, roof liner in black fabric, roller sunblinds in left and right rear doors and wireless charging for mobile devices.

The vehicle also includes a Stowage Space package, twin USB charging ports in the rear (Type C) and a 12V socket on the left of the luggage compartment.

The EQC’s lithium-ion battery weigh 655kg and offers high power density to provide a usable energy content of 80kWh (WLTP).

This is made possible by a modular system design with two modules of 48 cells and four modules of 72 cells, allowing the battery to be installed in the vehicle floor for a favourable centre of gravity.

The EQC features an alternating current charging system of up to 11kW and a direct current charging system of up to 110kW.

A 5m charging cable for wallbox and public charging stations is part of the package.

Also in the mix are acoustic ambient protection and DYNAMIC SELECT drive modes.

The EQC comes with a Driving Assistance package which includes the Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, PRE-SAFE system and Active Steering Assist.

The vehicle is also equipped with Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus and URBAN GUARD vehicle protection, which features an anti-theft alarm system and an interior monitoring system from the driver’s Mercedes me app.

Also included is the Parking Package with 360-degree camera that includes a 360° camera and Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC.

The EQB comes with Mirror package that offers automatically dimming exterior mirror on the driver’s side and the rear-view mirror, and also features electrically folding outside mirrors and surround lighting in the exterior mirror.

As standard includes a tyre pressure monitoring system, TIREFIT, knee airbag for driver and the Mercedes-Benz emergency call system.

For infotainment, the EQC provides the latest MBUX multimedia system, a head-up display and MBUX Interior Assistant.

The hi-fi system onboard is from Burmester. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported.

Mercedes-Benz says the EQC rolls off the factory floor ready for such services as navigation and live traffic information services.

EQB 350 4MATIC

The EQB 350 4MATIC is the first luxury electric vehicle available as a seven-seater.

The two seats in the third row can be used by people up to 1.65 metres tall, and child seats can also be fitted there.

The EQB offers a generous amount of space and a maximum boot capacity of 1,710 litres, thanks to having the long wheelbase of the GLB (2,829mm).

The backrests of the seats in the second row can be adjusted in several stages as standard, and this row features fore/aft adjustment.

The EQB also features Electric Art and is complemented further with 19-inch 5-spoke light-alloy wheels.

The vehicle also includes polished aluminium roof rails, LED High Performance headlamps, surround lighting with projection of brand logo, and the vehicle key set (one key in rosé gold) and the standard Windscreen wipers with rain sensors.

After the EQA (link), the EQB is the second all-electric compact car from Mercedes-EQ.

It will be introduced with an alternating current charging system of up to 11kW and a direct current charging system of up to 100kW.

Like the EQC, the EQB will also include a 5m charging cable for wallbox and public charging station and will also have acoustic ambient protection. The vehicle is fitted with Comfort suspension and DYNAMIC SELECT.

The EQB is installed with an intelligent navigation system that contributes to the journey. It calculates the fastest route to the destination, taking into account maximum charging power and the duration of possible charging stops.

In addition, it ensures that the high-voltage battery is brought to an optimal charging temperature before a planned charging stop, if required.


NSC meets on Tuesday to discuss possible MCO extension

                KUALA LUMPUR: The National Security Council (NSC) will meet Tuesday to discuss a possible extension of the movement control order, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

"The meeting will be chaired by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and we will hear the report from the Health Ministry before any decision is made." he told reporters after visiting roadblocks at Sentul and Gombak today.

When asked if more sectors should be closed owing to the high number of daily Covid-19 cases, especially within the last three days, he said the government has to strike a balance.

"We don't want our rakyat to die from Covid-19 but at the same time we also don't want them to die of starvation. I went to a roadside stall to buy food recently and the operator told me that their income had decreased by as much as 50% because they can only offer take-out,” he said.

"Some of them depleted their savings completely during the last MCO which lasted three months. Can you imagine how they will survive if we implement the same MCO now?" he said.

Ismail Sabri added that this was why it was important to strike a balance between safeguarding lives as well as economic interests.

He said some small and micro business operators rely on their daily income to put food on the table for their families.

As for Chinese New Year, Ismail Sabri said standard operating procedures for the celebrations are being drawn up.

The Senior Minister (Security) said the NSC, Health Ministry and National Unity Ministry will come up with the SOP.

"The Technical Committee has asked them to come up with the SOP and they are currently drawing it up and will present it to us soon.

"We do not want to make any decisions now as the status of the MCO could change within two weeks," he said, adding that the SOP would be announced one week before Chinese New Year or at the latest, two to three days in advance.


Earn extra income by subscribing out your car to Flux

                KUALA LUMPUR: Flux has unveiled a new plan which lets owners of underused cars make some income by subscribing out their vehicles to the car-sharing company.

Typically, Flux sources its inventory from automotive retailers, but has now opened its doors to individual car owners, allowing them to host and tap over 4,000 Flux members.

In a statement, Flux said: "For those households who find themselves with a spare car, sitting idle at home, they can now subscribe out their car and earn a passive second income as a Flux host.

"Today, in a Covid-19 world, many of us have had to adjust to a working from home arrangement, helping our children with their online classes and as a result, driving a lot less."

To be a Flux host, go to the “Become A Host” portal on driveflux.com or via Flux Customer Service touchpoints.

The company would then schedule an appointment to inspect the car and take the owner through the process, including a detailed explanation of his unique monthly earnings.

After all the details specific to the car are agreed upon, the car would be photographed and uploaded to the Flux platform.

Once the car gets a reservation, Flux will co-ordinate with the owner for the most convenient collection date from a location of the owner's choosing by Flux Concierge.

In addition with working with established partners so that the car is adequately covered while it is on the road, the company would also monitor the status of the car and its occupants with onboard telematics.

"Protection of your asset is our utmost priority, alongside creating a safe and positive experience for our members," Flux said.

Flux’s payment management system automatically pays out the monthly earnings to a bank account of owners choosing.

"Everything is seamless, done online and you get paid on time," Flux said.

Owners can earn up to the following figures for popular cars on Flux every month:

Flux founder and CEO Aziz Ayman said the past 18 months have been tough on everyone.

"That’s why we must all do our part to help our community. At Flux, we wanted to offer a way Malaysians can bolster their income without requiring much effort.

"While other car-sharing services focus on short-term rentals which require you to manage each and every trip, Flux helps turn your car into a long-term money maker without costing you any time or effort.


Introducing the Maserati Cipollini BOND

                MODENA: Maserati has teamed up with Italian bike brand, Cipollini, to create a one-of-a-kind Maserati Cipollini BOND road bicycle in conjunction with the inaugural Rouleur Classic event.

The £4,500 (around RM30,000) bike, which will be signed at the show by Mario Cipollini, will be the centrepiece of the Maserati Lounge, where visitors will be invited to join a silent auction to win the bike and raise money for Action Medical Research.

Action Medical Research has been funding medical innovations since they began back in 1952. Breakthroughs such as the first polio vaccines in Britain, ultrasound in pregnancy and the rubella vaccine have helped to save thousands of children’s live.

Guests will be able to enter the silent auction at the Maserati Lounge throughout the Rouleur Classic as well as via www.championsofcyclesport.com. The auction will then continue on stage at the Champions of CycleSport Dinner on Nov 26 when the overall highest bidder will be announced at the end of the evening.

The Cipollini BOND frame is painted in Maserati blue and white and features Rouleur Classic and Maserati branding, including the Maserati trident in red on either side of the seat tube.

Rouleur is a road cycling journal and was founded in 2006 catering to professional and amateur cyclists.

The bike has an 11-speed Ultegra mechanical groupset, Selle San Marco Aspide racing saddle and a Fast Forward F2A alloy clincher wheelset.


As EV costs tumble in China, an export wave builds

                SHANGHAI: Elon Musk has said the only thing holding back electric vehicle (EV) sales is their price.

Companies like BYD are solving that problem in China – and getting ready to solve it for the world.

China's largest EV maker unveiled this week the Seagull at the Shanghai auto show, shocking analysts and rivals with the car's specs: a battery range of more than 300km and a starting price of just over US$11,000 (around RM50,000) – about a quarter of the price of most EVs now on the market in Europe.

"The Seagull is another manifestation of the aggressive deflationary pressures coming from (Chinese) automakers," Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas said in a note for investors, predicting a "more aggressive push" from Chinese companies to sell entry-level EVs outside China.

Musk's Tesla cut prices in the US for the sixth time since the start of the year on Tuesday, looking to drive demand in the face of economic uncertainty and growing competition. Tesla's price cuts have prompted other automakers, including in China, to follow suit.

But the Shanghai show and the Seagull highlight a related dynamic: Chinese automakers are now leading the world in making EVs that compete on price and technology for the average budget.

And many more of those cars from BYD and its rivals will be headed to Europe, Southeast Asia and other overseas markets, threatening established automakers, executives and analysts said.

Patrick Koller, chief executive of French auto supplier Faurecia, said the entry-level EV market in Europe was an open lane for Chinese automakers.

“I think an attractive car for Chinese consumers will be an attractive car for a European consumer,” he said.

Koller said he had met with the CEO or chairman of more than two dozen Chinese automakers here. Many are looking to export to Europe, he said.

Because of their "fantastic competitive advantage," Koller predicted Chinese automakers could look to sell one million cars per year in Europe, equivalent to 8% of the market last year.

‘Our fair share’

Nio, which competes against the likes of BMW with its premium electric cars in China, said this week it would launch a new, more affordable EV brand with its first target market Europe, and is also evaluating the US market.

“If the overall user experience we can provide to European users is better somehow, we can establish our competitiveness,” Qin Lihong, Nio’s president said. “We can get our fair share.”

Zeekr, a premium EV brand held by China’s Geely, said it would be in most European markets by 2026.

Other established automakers are taking advantage of China's more competitive supply chain by exporting from China. BMW, for example, exports the iX3 from China to Southeast Asia and Europe.

Renault’s Dacia ships the Spring EV, an entry-level hatchback like the BYD Seagull, to Europe and ranked as the second-largest EV exporter from China last year after Tesla.

Tesla shipped more than 271,000 Model Y and Model 3 sedans from its Shanghai factory last year to Europe and other markets, roughly a fifth of its sales.

But the biggest rise in exports is coming from Chinese automakers. China’s car exports grew four-fold between 2020 and 2022 to top two million vehicles. Exports of all vehicle types are on track to top three million vehicles this year if the first-quarter pace is sustained.

BYD’s exports were up four-fold just last year, nearing 56,000 vehicles, led by its Yuan Plus EV, data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers shows.

BYD has not announced export plans for the Seagull, which is priced below what is now the best selling EV in China, the BYD Dolphin, which is priced from 116,800 yuan (RM76,000) in China. BYD will start delivering Dolphin in Europe from the fourth quarter.

“Maybe we see it in Rome, Warsaw or Lisbon sooner than later,” Morgan Stanley’s Jonas, said of the hatchback. “No wonder Tesla keeps cutting price.”


Maserati Formula E race car livery revealed

                MODENA (Italy): Maserati MSG Racing has unveiled the livery of the Maserati Tipo Folgore Gen3 - the first fully electric racing car in the history of Maserati - that will compete in Season 9 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

Unveiled on the streets of Modena, home of Maserati – the first Italian automotive brand to enter Formula E – the Maserati Tipo Folgore brings racing back to the people right in the heart of the city.

Inspired by the Trident’s iconic blue hue, the Maserati Tipo Folgore Gen3 is the ultimate in electrifying high performance efficiency and cutting-edge technology that will ‘Race Beyond’, a platform to transfer innovation from circuit to road.

The first racing car to bear the Trident logo was the Tipo 26, which debuted in 1926 at the Targa Florio, finishing first place in its class with Alfieri Maserati at the wheel.

Now, 96 years later, the Maserati Tipo Folgore, audaciously portraying the Trident, enters the electrification era, accelerating Maserati’s commitment to Folgore, the brands 100% new electric range.

The new livery for the Tipo Folgore was created to give a contemporary and pure look.

The Maserati Trident is naturally prominent on the nose cone along with the Maserati Corse logo containing the Italian Tricolore sitting either side of the bulkhead.

The Gen3 will be the fastest and most efficient Formula E car yet, with front and rear powertrains delivering 600kW of regenerative power and 95% power efficiency allowing for more than 40% of the energy used within a race to come from regenerative braking alone.

The track expertise, technology and software used in Formula E is a key part to this competitiveness and will transfer to Maserati’s high-end road cars with the imminent introduction of its Folgore range.

The Tipo Folgore will soon head to Valencia, Spain, for pre-season testing before taking to the track of Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez City in Mexico City on Jan 14 next year to begin the 17-race calendar and the start of a season that breaks ground in a new era of electric racing.


Sell fuel below govt-stipulated prices, petrol stations urged

                PUTRAJAYA: Petroleum products can be sold below government-stipulated prices if petroleum companies want to compete among each other, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

The Domestic Trade, Consumer Affairs Minister said all 3,500 petrol stations from the six main industry players are selling petroleum products according to the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM), which is RM2.08 per litre for RON95 petrol.

If the six petroleum companies practise the principle of competition through innovation and efficiency apart from focusing on the business based on petroleum, they could reduce the retail price of petroleum products," he said.

"If it is implemented, we can see petrol stations selling at different prices. For instance, if Shell is selling at RM2.06, Petron RM2.07, then go to BHP which is retailing at RM2.04," he told reporters after attending a Symposium on Fair Competition and Cost of Living here today.

Saifuddin said petrol station operators can implement this if it generates a larger volume of sales everyday.

"Petrol retailing business is a business of volume, not margin, which means competition among station operators can take place.

"How much to be reduced depends on the operator as they need to make comparison in terms of costs and quality of service offered," he said.

He said the Government had taken into account the importance of petrol station operators by increasing their margin by 2.81 sen per litre to 15 sen per litre for petrol and 3 sen per litre to 10 sen per litre for diesel.

Saifuddin Nasution said the Government was also prepared to provide support, including giving certain benefits for petroleum companies which reduce their prices.


EU antitrust regulators raid auto companies, associations in several EU countries

                BRUSSELS: EU antitrust regulators on Tuesday raided several companies and associations in the automotive industry in several EU countries, saying that they may have breached the bloc's cartel rules.

The European Commission said it also sent out requests for information to the companies. It did not provide any names.

"The inspections and requests for information concern possible collusion in relation to the collection, treatment and recovery of end-of-life cars and vans which are considered waste," the EU competition enforcer said in a statement.

Companies found breaching EU cartel rules face fines up to 10% of their global turnover.


BMW and MINI revise price list for Malaysia

                PETALING JAYA: BMW Group Malaysia will be offering full Sales & Services Tax (SST) reduction for selected 2019 Year-of-Make CKD models from the BMW and MINI portfolio.

The SST reduction on the selected 2019 Year-of-Make CKD models are only valid until Dec 31, 2020.

The full SST support is also applicable on top of the on-going RM33,000 campaign for the BMW 630i GT, along with the MINI ‘Add Independence’ campaign that features a range of cash rebates and installment support for selected MINI models.

Below are the list of prices for Peninsular and East Malaysia.


Tesla owners in China protest against surprise price cuts they missed

People protesting at a Tesla showroom in Chengdu, Sichuan, China, released Jan 6 in this picture obtained by Reuters from social media. — Reuters
SHANGHAI: Hundreds of Tesla owners gathered at the automaker's showrooms and distribution centres in China over the weekend, demanding rebates and credit after sudden price cuts they said meant they had overpaid for electric cars they bought earlier.

On Saturday, about 200 recent buyers of the Tesla Model Y and Model 3 gathered at a Tesla delivery centre here to protest against the US carmaker's decision to slash prices for the second time in three months on Friday.

Many said they had believed that prices Tesla charged for its cars late last year would not be cut as abruptly or as deeply as the automaker just announced in a move to spur sales and support production at its Shanghai plant.

The scheduled expiration of a government subsidy at the end of 2022 also drove many to finalise their purchases.

Videos posted on social media showed crowds at Tesla stores and delivery centres in other Chinese cities from Chengdu to Shenzhen, suggesting wider consumer backlash.

After Friday's surprise discounts, Tesla's EV prices in China are now between 13% and 24% below their September levels.

Analysts have said Tesla's move was likely to boost its sales, which tumbled in December, and force other EV makers to cut prices too at a time of faltering demand in the world's largest market for battery-powered cars.

While established automakers often discount to manage inventory and keep factories running when demand weakens, Tesla operates without dealerships and transparent pricing has been part of its brand image.

"It may be a normal business practice but this is not how a responsible enterprise should behave," said one Tesla owner protesting at the company's delivery centre in Shanghai's Minhang suburb on Saturday who gave his surname as Zhang.

He and the other Tesla owners, who said they had taken delivery in the final months of 2022, said they were frustrated with the abruptness of Friday's price cut and Tesla's lack of an explanation to recent buyers.

Zhang said police facilitated a meeting between Tesla staff and the assembled owners at which the owners handed over a list of demands, including an apology and compensation or other credits. He added the Tesla staff had agreed to respond by Tuesday.

About a dozen police officers could be seen at the Shanghai protest and most of the videos of the other demonstrations also showed a large police presence at the Tesla sites.

Protests are not a rare occurrence in China, which has over the years seen people come out in large numbers over issues such as financial or property scams, but authorities have been on higher alert after widespread protests in Chinese cities and top universities at the end of November against Covid-19 restrictions.

'Return the money'

Other videos appearing to be of Tesla owners protesting were also posted to Chinese social media platforms on Saturday.

One video, which Reuters verified was filmed at a Tesla store in the south-western city of Chengdu, showed a crowd chanting, "Return the money, refund our cars."

Another, which appeared to be filmed in Beijing, showed police cars arriving to disperse crowds outside a Tesla store.

Reuters was unable to verify the content of either video.

Tesla does not plan to compensate buyers who took delivery before the most recent price cut, a spokesman for Tesla China said on Saturday.

He did not respond when asked to comment on the protests.

China accounted for about a third of Tesla's global sales in 2021 and its Shanghai factory, which employs about 20,000 workers, is its single most productive and profitable plant.

Analysts have been positive about the potential for Tesla's price cuts to drive sales growth at a time when it is a year from announcing its next new vehicle, the Cybertruck.

"Nowhere else in the world is Tesla faced with the kind of competitors that they have here [in China]," said Bill Russo, head of consultancy Automobility Ltd here.

"They are in a much bigger EV market with companies that can price more aggressively than they can, until now."

In 2021, Tesla faced a public relations storm after an unhappy customer climbed on a car at the Shanghai auto show to protest against the company's handling of her complaints about her car's brakes.

Tesla responded by apologising to Chinese consumers for not addressing the complaints in a timely way.


A Rolls-Royce Wraith captures the heavens and earth

                LONDON: Rolls-Royce has announced a Wraith that is said to be inspired by Earth and the solar system.

The custom job was ordered by a Middle-Eastern customer through Rolls-Royce Abu Dhabi.

The exterior is finished in royal blue, representing the 75% of the Earth’s surface that is covered by water. The most striking feature, however, is the bonnet artwork, which depicts a satellite’s-eye view of the Middle Eastern region.

Centred on the United Arab Emirates, the panorama extends across the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman, all meticulously air-brushed by hand in a process that took over 100 hours to complete.

The exterior is finished with a hand-painted Emerald Green coachline incorporating the Sun and the eight planets of the Solar System - Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.

By contrast, the interior aesthetic focuses on the Earth’s surface and the human and natural life that inhabits it.

The seats are made from Moccasin leather to mimic the sands of the Emirates’ deserts; Navy and Cobalto Blue accents are suggestive of rivers and lakes and Emerald Green piping symbolises nature in all its forms. Arctic White ‘RR’ monograms and stitching hint at clouds and translucent running water.

The rear waterfall features a spectacular scene of atmospheric clouds rendered in minutely detailed embroidery using Photoflash technology.

On the fascia, the Piano Milori veneer is embellished with a satellite image of the Middle East, so realistic that it appears to be a photograph but in fact is skilfully air-brushed.

The Bespoke Starlight Headliner is embroidered to show all the planets of solar system, centred on the Sun.

Other bespoke details include treadplates, a clock with metal radial background, and inlays showing the planets in silver, with planet Earth accentuated in gold.

“We’re used to clients bringing us grand visions for their bespoke commissions, but this provided a new perspective altogether," said Rolls-Royce lead bespoke designer Michael Bryden.

"We’ve worked at both the ‘macro’ level, referencing the sun and planets of the whole solar system, and the much more personal ‘micro’ level, centring our view of the world on the place the customer calls home.”


More aggressively-styled Honda CR-Z pops up in Indonesia

                JAKARTA: The Honda CR-Z has been launched in Indonesia, priced from RM168,000.

The hybrid sports some exterior and interior changes, and promises better handling and sportier driving.

The CR-Z now comes with sportier exterior design, featuring more aggressive front and rear bumpers with sporty garnish, new LED headlights, new 17" alloy wheels, and the addition of a multi-view rear parking camera.

The interior gets a new black-orange colour scheme and hairline style metal interior garnish. The cabin is also equipped with an array of new advanced features such as smart entry, one-push ignition system, electric parking brake, hands-free telephone steering switch, 7.0” touchscreen AV system with mirroring (additional cable required) and one HDMI port and two USB ports.

The CR-Z is powered by 1.5 litre i-VTEC engine combined with Integrated Motor Assist (IMA), resulting a maximum power of 116hp at 6,600 rpm for CVT type with great fuel efficiency.

In addition, it also features 3-driving modes to adjust to different daily driving conditions namely Normal, Sport and Econ.

The CR-Z made its debut in Indonesia at the 2012 Indonesia International Motor Show. The latest CR-Z represents the second refresh for the model.

 The old look as seen in the 2013 CR-Z (also below).


China considers plan to ease controls over new car licences, says mag

                BEIJING: China is considering plans to relax controls over the issuance of new car licences in major cities to boost flagging auto sales, financial magazine Caixin reported today, citing a draft document by the country’s state planner.

Caixin said China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) had issued a document containing the proposals on April 11, without saying how the magazine had obtained it. Copies of the document were widely circulated on Chinese social media on Wednesday.

According to the document, the NDRC is considering plans to increase the number of newly issued automobile licences in big cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou by 50 percent this year, and double that next year, from current 2018 levels, Caixin said.

It also said local governments should not implement traffic restrictions and curbs on buying electric vehicles, and should remove relevant measures if already taken.

Efforts by Reuters to reach the NDRC for comment were unsuccessful outside business hours. Caixin said people close to NDRC’s policymaking department did not deny the authenticity of the document.

Beijing has been trying to boost consumption of goods ranging from eco-friendly appliances to big-ticket items such as cars to fire up growth, as the world’s second-largest economy is expected to slow further in 2019.

Auto sales in China, the world’s largest car market, contracted for the first time last year since the 1990s but executives said this week that they expect the market to return to growth this year, thanks to government support.

Official data showed earlier today China’s economy grew at a steady 6.4 percent pace in the first quarter, defying expectations for a further slowdown, as industrial production jumped sharply and consumer demand showed signs of improvement.


Volkswagen's biggest brand to by-pass Paris auto show

                BERLIN/PARIS: Volkswagen will not display its core brand at the Paris Motor Show this year, the latest and most prominent carmaker to swerve the biennial industry gathering.

Europe’s largest automotive group has scaled back brand presentations at traditional car shows, including Detroit and Frankfurt, since the VW emissions scandal erupted in 2015.

This has partly been seen as a cost-cutting measure for VW which has been reducing spending to counter the multi-billion dollar costs of dealing with the fallout of cheating diesel emissions tests, but it also mirrors a wider sector trend.

Jean-Claude Girot, the head of the Paris show organisers told Reuters his department has an agreement with VW that the German brand will take a stand at the next exhibition in 2020.

“This is a one-off decision rather than a permanent loss of interest on VW’s part,” Girot said. “When a brand decides not to book a stand it’s usually to reduce costs.”

Many of the traditional industry gatherings have registered a drop in visitor numbers since 2000, forcing carmakers to rethink how they spend their marketing budgets.

“The Volkswagen brand is continually reviewing its participation in international motor shows,” it said on Thursday, adding it could instead host “various communications activities” in the French capital, including test drives.

Whether or not VW will return to Paris in 2020 “will be assessed in due course,” it said.

Other brands staying away from the Oct 2-3 Paris show include Ford, PSA Group’s Opel, Nissan, its premium brand Infiniti, Mazda Motor Corp and Volvo Cars, owned by China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, according to Girot.

VW’s luxury division Audi gave up its own pavilion in Frankfurt, which hosts Europe’s largest auto show in alternate years, for the first time in many years in 2017.

Audi will also skip the 2019 Detroit show, which the VW group attended with a significantly reduced line-up this year, underlining the wider shift away from such gatherings.

Besides shouldering costs for the “Dieselgate” scandal, VW’s five main car brands are pushing cost savings to help fund a strategic shift to zero-emission and self-driving technology.

“Excessive costs and very poor benefits for customer ties and image building simply don’t justify the effort,” said Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, director of the Center for Automotive Research at the University of Duisburg-Essen. “Car shows are doomed unless they find a new approach.”

Dudenhoeffer, a former marketing chief at Porsche, said VW group probably spends up to 50 million euros on its Paris show presence. VW declined comment.

Among the reasons for the decline of the shows is the emergence of technology as the main battleground for connected, autonomous cars, which has drawn exhibitors to competing events such as the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas and the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Girot said the duration of the Paris show has been reduced slightly after many exhibitors had asked for a shorter event to keep costs in check, adding that some first-time participants including Guangzhou Automobile Group had been signed.

But carmakers cannot afford to skip China’s annual event, alternating between Beijing and Shanghai, as it showcases the latest tech and trends in the world’s largest vehicle market which experts view as a leader in electric and self-driving cars, Stefan Bratzel, head of the Centre of Automotive Management think-tank near Cologne, said.

A spokesman for VW’s French operations said other Volkswagen brands including Audi, sports car maker Porsche, Czech division Skoda and Spanish unit Seat are still due to attend Paris.


Subaru of America launches all-new 2023 Forager Granola for life’s crunchiest pursuits

                PHILADELPHIA: Subaru of America, Inc. announced that as part of its commitment to be "More Than a Car Company", the automaker will do just that this April.

For those who like their snacks to be as crunchy as they are, Subaru is entering the granola business with the debut of the all-new Subaru Forager Granola.

The closest thing you’ll find to eating compost for breakfast, Subaru Forager Granola is a companion snack to power you through life’s crunchiest pursuits.

The ultimate driver’s seat treat (just ignore the crumbs) Forager can power even the busiest days, whether you’re scouting out trees to hug, talking to plants, or searching for a spot for your latest bumper sticker.

“At Subaru, we’re committed to being More Than a Car Company, and now, we are literally More Than a Car Company, because we’re making granola,” said Moe Muesli, Head of Texture and Granularity at Subaru of America, Inc. “We know Subaru drivers have a reputation for being ‘crunchy,’ and now we have a snack that is as crunchy – or perhaps crunchier – than they are.”

Subaru Forager Granola blends wholesome grains, nuts, dried fruits, and the promise of the open road, offering all of the goodness of nature in one tasty package (may also contain dog hair, but it should come off with a lint roller).

Because each journey is unique, Forager is customisable with any ingredients. Subaru recommends fresh steam from Old Faithful, crunchy macrobiotic twigs, and even (maybe?) those berries you found in the woods.

And with packaging made from 100% Recycled Good Vibes, consumers can eat Subaru Forager Granola and feel good about their environmental footprint. Empty bags can be placed right back into the earth. As they break down, you’ll be putting good vibes back into the soil of your local community.

Subaru Forager Granola was set to launch on April 1, but because this is an April Fool’s Day joke, it won’t be hitting grocery shelves or Subaru retail locations any time soon. But for all those living on the crunchier side of life, Subaru will always be there to fuel your trip.

Stay crunchy, and April Fools!


Flying car's wind tunnel tests completed by Brazil's upstart Eve

                SAO PAULO: A flying car is one step closer to airborne reality following successful wind tunnel testing for the futuristic vehicle being developed by Brazilian electric plane maker Eve Holding Inc, the firm announced today.

Eve, controlled by aircraft manufacturer Embraer, said it expects to start commercial operations of its fully electric vehicle in 2026.

The concept, called an electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle, or eVTOL, has been dubbed a flying taxi.

The completed wind tunnel tests are seen as key for certification by regulators, as well as future production and sales to buyers worldwide.

"The information we obtained during this phase of development has helped us further refine the technical solutions of our eVTOL, before committing to production tooling and conforming prototypes," said Luiz Valentini, Eve's top technology officer.

The company expects to conclude the selection of main equipment suppliers in the first half of this year and start building its first full-scale prototype in the second half. Additional testing is planned for 2024.

Eve holds a backlog of nearly 2,800 orders before starting production, with development backed by investors such as United Airlines and Rolls-Royce.

The wind tunnel tests were completed in Switzerland using an eVTOL scale model, which the company said helped it investigate how components such as its fuselage and wings will perform in flight.

Eve, which debuted last year on the New York Stock Exchange, has signaled that certification is one of its most pressing targets, Reuters reported in February.

Analysts see the firm on track to meet its lofty plans even if its not the first flying car to take off.

"The Eve eVTOL is unlikely to be first to market, although the order pipeline provides runway to capture market share of the emerging eVTOL market," according to Jefferies analysts.


Tyre change via MisterTyre app: RM30 off for Carsifu readers

                KUALA LUMPUR: In conjunction with the upcoming Raya festivities, the MisterTyre smartphone app is offering Carsifu.my readers a RM30 discount.

From May 23 till July 31, Carsifu.my readers get a RM30 discount from the MisterTyre smartphone app via a STAR30 promo code (applicable only in the Klang Valley).

With the MisterTyre smartphone app, you get the convenience of changing your car tyres, batteries and engine oil right at your door step, instead of passing your precious time waiting at a car workshop.

The app also offers a best price guarantee, and is presently only for Klang Valley users.

A mobile van will arrive at customer's homes to perform the services.

For high-rise or condominium residents, the MisterTyre mobile team services the car outside the building as the mobile van is too tall and cannot enter the covered car park structure.

The MisterTyre app can be downloaded at:

For iOS users: click HERE.

For Android users: click HERE.

"It is essential for drivers to be on the road with tyres in good condition, especially during this rainy season," says MisterTyre Malaysia Sdn Bhd chief operating officer Suman Mathevan.

It offers services consisting of tyre change and rotation, and front wheel alignment, battery change and engine oil change.

Customers pay in advance via credit card or direct debit.

Services are available seven days a week, and bookings can be made from 8am to 10pm.

For tyre rotation, balancing and alignment services, customers need to book at least an hour in advance.

For tyre, battery and engine oil change, customers need to book at least six hours in advance.


Tesla's Model 3 earns insurance industry's top safety rating

                SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla Inc’s Model 3 electric sedan has earned the top safety rating from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), becoming the first Tesla to do so.

The IIHS has given the Model 3 its highest rating, top safety pick+. It said the Model 3 earned good ratings across the board for crashworthiness.

The car’s structure held up well in the driver-side small overlap front test, IIHS said.

Last month, Tesla said it was launching an insurance service designed to give drivers in California, its biggest market, lower rates because of safety features on its electric vehicles.

Tesla chief executive officer Elon Musk has been one of the strongest proponents of the idea that car insurance rates should plummet as driver-assist and self-driving technology become standard.

The company’s cars generally rank among the most expensive vehicles to insure due to their high repair costs for components and sensor equipment, according to safety researchers and insurance providers.


Vespa S125 scooter launched at RM13,100

                PETALING JAYA: NAZA Premira, the sole distributor of Vespa in Malaysia, has launched the S125 scooter with an i-GET motor.

The new scooter is priced on-the-road with GST and insurance at RM13,100 and is available in four colour options of Verde Matt, Rosso Matt, Grigio Titanio and Arancio Taormina.

Its new good looks comes from newly added aesthetics which includes a new mask and tie located on the front shield, instrument panel graphics and footboard plastics.

The 114kg scooter sports a 7.0-litre petrol tank that feeds the EURO3 124.5cc single-cylinder four-stroke motor with fuel-injection to produce 10.2hp at 7,600rpm and 10.2Nm at 6,000rpm, while mated to a continuously variable transmission.

Size-wise, the scooter comes with a 1,280mm wheelbase and measures 1,770mm-long and 7.5mm-wide, putting the saddle height at 785mm.

For grip, it rolls on 11.0-inch (front) and 10.0-inch (rear) wheels fitted with 110/70 (front) and 120/70 rear tyres while stopping power comes from a 200mm front disc and 110mm rear drum brakes.

Handling comes from its front single arm with helical spring and single double-acting hydraulic shock absorber and rear shock with four pre-load settings.

For added convenience, it offers riders an under-seat compartment capable of fitting two half-helmets.


Toyota contest winners announced

                PETALING JAYA: Three lucky people drove home with a brand new Toyota Vios J (AT) each as they were the winners of the 'Toyota Buy & Win' contest.

The winners were Leong Yeen Yin from Penang, Hei Lay Tin (Johor Bahru) and Lau Er Kheng from Kuala Lumpur.

The contest was for all Toyota customers who placed their orders at the Toyota WOW Road Tour that ran in six locations nationwide from May to June 2015.

“This contest win was especially sweet for me as it was my first ever personal car purchase of a Toyota model. For obvious reasons, I am both happy and excited, and I still can’t believe that I have won a car. With this newly-acquired prize, I plan to embark on a trip to make this win worthwhile,” said Leong.

“I am happy that I won the Buy & Win contest. Due to this, I have encouraged my colleagues to buy Toyota cars too. On top of that, my husband is a loyal fan of Toyota, and has not switched brands ever since owning a Toyota car,” said Hei.

While Lau said he will let his family use the brand new Toyota Vios.

The Toyota WOW Road Tour also included such activities as Drift Taxi Ride with the Toyota 86, Vios and Hilux, and On-Road Test Drive which drew excitement from customers.

The Toyota WOW Road Tour  was held in Juru Astro City in Penang, East Coast Mall in Kuantan, Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Sutera Mall in Johor Bharu, Stadium Likas in Kota Kinabalu, and Batu Kawa New Township in Kuching.


Crash data soon may be shared among makers of self-driving cars

                WASHINGTON: Automakers and technology companies working on autonomous vehicles could begin sharing data about crashes and near-misses later this year, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s outgoing chief said.

In its guidance on self-driving cars released in September, NHTSA called on companies working on the vehicles, such as Uber Technologies Inc., Tesla Motors Inc. and Ford Motor Co., to share data about so-called edge cases.

Those are the most challenging scenarios faced by their automated vehicles in the real-world, often involving a collision.

NHTSA administrator Mark Rosekind, who will leave his post on Friday, said in an interview here that the agency has been discussing data sharing with carmakers and technology companies. Rosekind said he “wouldn’t be surprised” to see a pilot programme to test a potential data-sharing framework in the works or in place later this year.

NHTSA’s autonomous vehicle deployment guidance is non-binding, but if companies agree to share data with their competitors, it would mark a significant change for technology companies and automakers who guard their data fiercely.

”Whatever that circumstance is should be shared with absolutely everybody else, and no other vehicle makes the same mistake,” he said. “In an autonomous vehicle, that should happen only once.”

Rosekind said the agency has been refining the types of data it wants to be shared, acknowledging concerns of companies about sharing confidential business information. He drew a line between data necessary to understand crash scenarios such as speed and direction, and commercially-sensitive data.


Lucky winner takes home Honda Jazz 1.5

From left: Honda Malaysia  president and COO Roslan Abdullah, MD and CEO Toichi Ishiyama and Honda Jazz 1.5 winner Hasmawati

SETIA ALAM: In conjunction with Chinese New Year this year, Honda Malaysia previously held a ‘SMS & WIN’ contest to celebrate and reward all its customers.

The company today celebrated the winners contest at an official handover ceremony held at Tiong Nam Motor for the Grand Prize winner and five Golden Prize winners.

"This Chinese New Year ‘SMS & Win’ contest was held because we want to celebrate the festive season with all Honda customers,” said Honda Malaysia managing director and CEO Toichi Ishiyama

The company presented the a 1.5-litre Jazz to the Grand Prize winner - Hasmawati Hussin, while five Golden Prize winners walked away with an iPhone X each.

“I was truly surprised when I received the exciting news that I won a Honda Jazz. I have always loved the spaciousness and sporty looks of the Jazz, especially the stylish Lunar Silver Metallic colour.

"Besides its unique features of being fun and fuel efficient, the feature I love most is the flexible cargo space with versatile ULTRA Seats which can be converted into four configurations. This makes the Jazz a very practical car for family outings while staying nifty and fun to drive in the city.” said Hasmawati who currently drives a Honda City.

The contest was held from Jan 22 to Mar 11 and was open to all Honda owners, which garnered over 43,000 submissions, of which 1,006 of them were selected to win various prizes worth a total of RM198,255.

The prizes included a Honda Jazz, iPhone X and Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) Premium Savings Certificate.

The third-generation Jazz has seen optimistic growth to-date, with more than 57,000 units sold since 2014.

 From left: Hasmawati with husband and their new Honda Jazz 1.5

The model contributed 13% of total Honda Malaysia sales in 2017 and continues to lead in the hatchback segment, bringing the ‘Joy of Driving’ to
its many owners.

Since the first Generation Jazz was introduced in Malaysia in 2003, a total of more than 89,000 units have been sold in Malaysia.

Designed with the concept of ‘Man Maximum, Machine Minimum, the Jazz delivers a compact and highly efficient package through maximising the space for occupants while minimising the space utilised by the car.

The versatility of the Jazz provides customers with the convenience of space maximisation without compromising comfort in the vehicle.

Additionally, the Jazz is the only hatchback that makes creative use of space with the ULTRA Seats.

The four modes of ULTRA seats – Utility, Long, Tall and Refresh are useful at different times such as long distance travelling, city driving, family getaways and more.

Powered by Honda’s signature 1.5L i-VTEC engine coupled with Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) that was developed under Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology, the Jazz offers fuel efficiency and optimal performance.

“As a Honda Dealer, we are honoured to be part of this significant moment in celebrating the handover of the Honda Jazz to the Grand Prize Winner, Hasmawati who is our long-time customer. We look forward to providing all our customers with excellent after sales services as well as ensuring the “Joy of Buying” experience at our Honda dealership," said Tiong Nam Motor director and owner Yoon Wai Cheong

For more information, log on to www.honda.com.my, call toll free 1-800-88-2020 or visit the nearest Honda authorised dealer.


Join the Ford Experience Hub in Ipoh from June 27-July 2

                KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC), the sole distributor for Ford in Malaysia, is taking the Next-Generation Ranger Raptor 2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel on a nationwide tour with the Ford Experience Hub starting the end of this month.

The first stop for the Ford Experience Hub is Ipoh Parade Mall at its Ground Floor Atrium, from June 27 to July 2.

Visitors can go for off-road test drives of the Ranger Raptor 2.0L bi-turbodiesel as well as the Next-Gen Everest premium seven-seater SUV at the event.

They can book their test drives early as slots are limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.

To sign up for a test drive, visit the Ford Experience Hub webpage.

The first 300 customers nationwide to book the Ranger Raptor bi-turboDiesel will enjoy, upon vehicle delivery, a specially-fitted Kenwood dual-channel digital video recorder with a built-in wireless link, a bespoke Ranger Raptor winter vest and a gift of RM500 discount on a Ford Ranger Getaways.

Buyers can also use their Inner Circle privilege card code to enjoy a 30% discount on one Ford Ranger Getaways trip.

A Ford Concierge will also be set up at the venue to assist with any inquiries about Ford vehicles, book a test drive, learn and understand more about the Ford Ranger Getaways, as well as view and purchase exclusive Ford lifestyle items.

Sime Darby Auto ConneXion-Ford managing director Turse Zuhair said the Ford Experience Hub now has a richer and more interactive experience.

"That will allow us to connect better with more customers, prospects, and consumers in general. It is a space where people can come and engage with the Ford brand and our family of Next-Generation vehicles,” said Turse.

To keep updated on schedules and locations of the Ford Experience Hub tour, visit the Ford Experience Hub webpage.

For more information about the Ranger Raptor bi-turbodiesel, WhatsApp Chat with a Ford Ranger Specialist.

For more information about SDAC and Ford, follow the Ford Malaysia Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and https://www.youtube.com/c/fordmalaysia channel or visit www.sdacford.com.my.


Mitsubishi readies coupe-like SUV

                TOKYO: Mitsubishi Motors is coming out with a sporty, coupe-like SUV which it will showcase at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show.

Mitsubishi promises that the new vehicle will have a striking design and will broaden the brand's appeal as it sidles up alongside the ASX and the Outlander.

Mitsubishi described the compact SUV as having a sharper design than a conventional coupe. It will feature highly chamfered contours with a wedge-shaped belt line and a distinctive V-line in the rear quarter stemming from the forward-slanted C-pillar and the chunky, muscular rear fenders.

Watch out for it on March 7 in Geneva.


Tesla founder Musk will only be paid if firm meets goals

                NEW YORK: Tesla has announced that founder and chief executive Elon Musk would get “no guaranteed compensation” from the fast-growing electric automaker unless the company achieves certain milestones in the coming years.

Compensation for Musk, 46, will be based on a new 10-year performance stock award “entirely contingent on achieving market cap and operational milestones that would make Tesla one of the most valuable companies in the world,” according to a company statement on Tuesday.

For Musk to get the maximum, Tesla’s stock market value would have to grow to US$650 billion, an increase of some US$600 billion from current levels, and certain revenue and profitability goals would also have to be achieved.

The new package, using shares which “vest” based on certain criteria, is modelled after a similar deal created in 2012, after which Tesla’s market value increased by more than 17-fold.

”Elon will receive no guaranteed compensation of any kind — no salary, no cash bonuses, and no equity that vests simply by the passage of time,” the statement said.

”Instead, Elon’s only compensation will be a 100 percent at-risk performance award, which ensures that he will be compensated only if Tesla and all of its shareholders do extraordinarily well.”

The new performance-based package includes a 10-year grant of stock options which vests in 12 tranches.
To meet the first milestone, Tesla’s current market cap must increase to US$100 billion. Eleven additional milestones are set at increments of US$50 billion.

For each of the 12 tranches achieved, Musk will get stock awards of one percent of Tesla’s current total outstanding shares. If none of the tranches is achieved, he won’t get anything.

The package is contingent on Musk remaining as Tesla’s CEO or as executive chairman and chief product officer.
”This ensures that Elon will continue to lead Tesla’s management over the long-term while also providing the flexibility to bring in another CEO who would report to Elon at some point in the future,” the statement said.

”Although there is no current intention for this to happen, it provides the flexibility as Tesla continues to grow to potentially allow Elon to focus more of his attention on the kinds of key product and strategic matters that most impact Tesla’s long-term growth and profitability.”

Tesla shares were up 0.2 percent at US$352.30 in late morning trade on the news, giving the automaker a market capitalisation of some US$59 billion.

Musk’s net worth is estimated by Forbes magazine at some US$21 billion, making him one of the 100 wealthiest on the planet. He also runs the private space firm SpaceX.


CarSifu drives the latest Toyota Prius in Japan

READ ALSO:5 facts on the new Prius

TOKYO: Having made its name as the world's best-selling and best-known petrol/electric hybrid vehicle since its introduction in 1997, the Toyota Prius now enters its fourth generation with the aim of providing better eco-friendliness with fun-to-drive factor and safety.

We sat in on a briefing and a test drive on the new Prius at a recent Toyota media tour in the Fuji Speedway, close to two hours’ drive from the Japanese capital.

For those who loved their third generation Prius, they will be fall in love again with the all-new Prius which is streets ahead in styling and technology.

At a glance, the new Prius has some resemblance to the older car but looks sleeker with a rising belt and character lines.

Curved  triangular LED head, tail and clearance light add a new level of aggressiveness to the Prius’ styling.

Despite having the same wheelbase of 2,700mm with the out-going model, the new car is still spacious inside as it is wider and lower.

Although the roofline is lower, the interior height is similar with older car as the new Prius’ floor is also lowered as well.

The new Prius’ body is shaped by wind-tunnel testing and now has lower co-efficient of drag at 0.24 which is better that the previous model’s 0.25.

Built on the latest Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), this integrated development programme for powertrain components and vehicle platforms, the new Prius gets a lower centre of gravity for less bodyroll during cornering.

The body is also much stronger with a redesigned frame, greater usage of laser screw welding and more high tensile steel.

Inside, the new Prius is roomy with ample leg/headroom and comes with a centrally-located colour LED digital instrument panel.

The car also comes with a colour head-up display, a first for a Toyota model.

Powering the car is the same 1.8-litre VVT-i  Atkinson-cycle petrol engine (2ZR-FXE) that has been re-engineered for improved smoothness, fuel efficiency and reduced weight.

While producing the same amount of power (97hp) and torque (142Nm) with the older Prius, the car’s peak torque now comes in earlier at 3,600rpm instead of 4,000rpm.

 The Prius we tried out in Japan had the main display covered up but shown below is what it should look like. The dash layout of the third-generation Prius.

Toyota claims the improved Prius engine delivers a thermal efficiency of 40%, the world’s highest for mass produced engines. (thermal efficiency refers to how much fuel an engine could convert into energy to propel a car.)

This improvement was enabled in part through the use of a large-volume exhaust gas recirculation system and improvements in combustion efficiency.

Meanwhile, the hybrid system comprising the electric motors, transaxle, power control unit and hybrid batteries are now smaller and lighter, improving fuel efficiency and making excellent use of space.

The transaxle also boasts a more compact design, and achieves approximately 20% loss reduction compared to the old Prius.

Probably for better fuel economy, the drive motor outputs 71hp and 163Nm of torque, compared with 79hp and 207Nm in the older Prius.

The end result is a higher fuel economy of 40km per litre versus the old model’s 32.6km per litre under the Japanese JC08 test cycle.

The battery powering the hybrid system could be either the nickel metal hydride or the lithium ion type depending on the sales region.

In our two laps with the Prius on the Fuji Speedway, the Prius took  off in electric mode before the petrol engine kicked seamlessly in at higher speeds.

Power delivery was quiet, smooth and linear similar to the performance of larger engine capacity car.

Steering was well-weighted for feel and the new Prius handled itself quite well at a slalom course with traffic cones.

This improved handling could be due to car’s lower platform and its rear double wishbone suspension. The old Prius is equipped with rear torsion beam suspension.

The Prius felt stable and rock planted at 130kph but this was achieved on a super smooth race track.

We look forward to the opportunity to test the car’s handling and ride comfort on normal roads.

The new Prius goes on sale in Japan next month with launches in other markets to follow.

The new Prius would easily cost around RM200,000 if sold in Malaysia without hybrid tax breaks and incentives.

Malaysian hybrid car lovers are sure to be delighted if UMW Toyota Motor is able to introduce this new Prius locally at favourable prices.

READ ALSO: Third-generation Prius driven


Shell launches more affordable car engine oil

                KUALA LUMPUR: Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd has launched the new low viscosity Shell Helix HX8 0W 20 passenger car fully synthetic engine oil at RM199 per 4-litre pack and RM53.90 for a one-litre pack (RRPor recommended retail prices).

Consumers are advised to buy from Shell Helix branded workshops and Shell retail stations, and look out for the ‘Untuk Pasaran Malaysia’ label to ensure product authenticity.

The new engine oil joins two other Shell Helix HX8 variants – the 5W 40 (RRP: RM165 per 4-litre pack) and 5W 30 (RRP: RM180 per 4-litre pack).

All three genuine "Made for Malaysia" Shell Helix HX8 products now come with attractive new ‘skyline’ labels.

In conjunction with the launch, Shell Malaysia is offering RM25 off for any of the three Shell Helix HX8 variants upon the buyer registering the purchase on the Shell Advantage and Rewards (SHARE) loyalty programme.

The promotion is valid until 30 November 2019.

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The new Shell Helix HX8 0W 20 promises to deliver maximum performance, improved fuel economy and better engine protection during cold starts.

Shell Helix HX8 protects the engine with its adaptive Flexi Molecule Technology, and car owners enjoy longer engine life with lower fuel consumption, longer oil drain intervals and lower maintenance costs.

Shell Lubricants marketing general manager May Tan said Shell was always developing innovative products to meet the market’s evolving needs.

“Globally, there is a continuing migration to low viscosity passenger car motor oil with many car manufacturers converting their factory first fill and service fill requirements to these low viscosity grade products. The new Shell Helix HX8 offers premium fully synthetic engine oil performance at an affordable price,” she said.

For information on SHARE and the promotion, visit https://share.shell.com/consumer/my or call the Shell Customer Service Hotline at 1300 88 1808.


Continental launches Hari Raya safety campaign

                PETALING JAYA: To ensure a safe trip during the Hari Raya festive season, Continental Tyre PJ Sdn Bhd and Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd have jointly organised a nationwide tyre safety check campaign from June 5 until July 5 at selected Shell petrol stations.

This campaign is in line with the efforts of the Jabatan Keselamatan Jalan Raya (Road Safety Department) to promote road safety awareness and education.
Participants who bring in their cars for the safety check will have the air pressure of the tyres checked and the level of the tread depth to ensure the tyres are roadworthy.

They will also receive a booklet from Continental on tyre maintenance tips, Continental premiums and a RM50 voucher for Continental tyre purchase.

 (From left) Henry, Jasmi and Wilson at the launch of the Hari Raya Tyre Safety Check Campaign 2015.

“We believe that by conducting the Hari Raya Tyre Safety Check Campaign, it will assist the government in promoting awareness of road safety and will reduce road accidents during the festive season,” said vice president, marketing and sales PLT & TT Malaysia, Continental Tyre PJ Malaysia, Cameron Wilson at the launch event.

“Correct tyre inflation and suffcient tread depth are essential in ensuring safety. By ignoring these, emergency stopping distances will be longer resulting in collisions at higher impact speeds. As such, correct tyre inflation and tread depth as well as choosing quality tyres can be the difference between life and death,” said Wilson.

Also present at the event was director, policy and innovation division, Jabatan Keselamatan Jalan Raya (Road Safety Department), Tuan Haji Jasmi Yusoff and Continental Tyres PJ Malaysia Sdn Bhd CEO Benoit Henry.

The awareness campaign will be held at 21 Shell petrol stations nationwide every Friday to Sunday until July 5, from 12pm to 6pm.


Lexus teases in China and launches in India

An NX teaser image.
BEIJING: Toyota's luxury marque has confirmed that its next-generation NX crossover will be making its global debut at the 2017 Auto Shanghai and has also revealed its initial model line-up for its long-awaited move into the Indian market.

It's hard to believe that despite being in business since 1989, it has taken Lexus 28 years to open its first dealership and put together its first official model line for India.

However, according to the company, it has been bidding its time until wealthy younger Indians' automotive tastes were more clearly defined.

"How India experiences luxury is evolving with its affluence," said Lexus India senior vice president Akitoshi Takemura. "We are excited about what we can bring to the luxury market in India, where we see opportunities mapped to the remarkable growth the country is experiencing."

The company has decided that it should lead with hybrids as environmental responsibility is seen as an element of Indian affluence and so the initial line-up will consist of the RX 450h and the ES 300h, with the third model, the LX, being offered in 450 diesel form.

"This is just the beginning, we look forward to bringing more exciting products to India in the future," Takemura said.

Lexus this week also confirmed that the latest generation of one of its most popular models, the NX compact crossover, will be appearing first at the Shanghai motor show. The original's combination of ease of use in urban environments, strong visual style and top-notch comforts has helped Lexus grow its market share globally. The new version is expected to pick up where the old one left off but there is no word on whether it will be coming to India in the future.

However, one Lexus that will be added to the Indian line-up within the next 12 months is its flagship LS executive sedan. In the days leading up to Lexus's official Indian launch, it has been showing off the LS to potential owners and gauging reaction.

To entice well-heeled drivers into a Lexus and out of a Mercedes or BMW, the company is setting up what it is calling guest experience centres in New Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai and Bangalore, where potential owners will be able to try out the cars and get a feel for them as well as of course sign on the dotted line.


Waze Local marketing to benefit small/medium companies in Malaysia

                KUALA LUMPUR: Waze in Malaysia is now targeting owners of small and medium-sized businesses (SMB) with its new Waze Local service.

Owners of small and medium-sized businesses (SMB) in Malaysia will now be able to drive in-store traffic and increase awareness of their store locations with the new Waze Local marketing offering.

Similar to seeing physical billboards on the road, targeted advertisements on the Waze map inform drivers about nearby businesses and offers.

These advertisements are integrated into the map and navigation experience in a relevant way, allowing for geographic targeting and the ability for businesses to select peak traffic hours to reach out to more customers.

Waze also enables businesses to track the number of potential customers who have engaged with the advertisements.

This provides relevant and quantifiable marketing metrics for local businesses, which regularly face challenges in increasing location awareness and driving in-store traffic, especially when competing with more established brands.

Out-of-home advertising allows brands to reach people who are on the move, but it has historically lacked the ability to target and optimize based on consumer behavior.

Mobility can change that, especially in partnership with Waze, a global leader in mobility marketing, and a trusted co-pilot for the driving community.

Today, with more than 100 million monthly active drivers around the world, Waze Local is able to drive customers straight to the front doors of local businesses, helping them bridge mobile experiences and real-world marketing and decision making. Malaysia records the highest number of Waze users in Asia, and is home to around 5.9 million monthly active users.

With Waze Local, advertisements appear on the Waze app in three different formats.

They can be displayed as “PROMOTED SEARCH”, in which a business will be given priority rankings in drivers’ search results.

The “BRANDED PIN” function raises driver awareness of nearby stores, while “ZERO-SPEED TAKEOVER” helps to drive in-store navigations to businesses by showing Waze users an advertisement when they are in stationary mode, for instance, when they are at a complete stop for more than 3 seconds.

Getting started on Waze Local is easy. Start driving traffic to your business in 3 simple steps:

Step 1: Go to waze.com/business and sign up for an account.

Step 2: Provide some business information such as business name, a description and your location. Once you’ve signed up, you will be directed to the setup page. Start with inserting your Business Name.

Step 3: Waze Local uses a Cost Per 1,000 Impressions (CPM) model of advertising, so choose your daily budget. You can have a daily rate for as low as USD$2 and pay with your credit card.

Packages start from as low as USD$2 per day. Join the future of advertising and see what Waze Local can do for your small or medium-sized business.

For more information or to sign up for the program, visit https://www.waze.com/business/.


Policeman fined for using phone while driving

                PETALING JAYA: A policeman seen on video using his mobile phone while driving, has been issued a summons.

Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Mohamad Fakhrudin Abdul Hamid said police detected the viral video at 8.28pm on Sunday.

"The video showed the policeman in a Proton Preve using his mobile phone while driving.

"He was seen heading towards Petaling Jaya. The video has since gone viral on social media," he said in a statement today.

The policeman has also been called up to assist with an investigation into the matter, he added.

"We also issued him with a summons for the offence," he said.

ACP Mohamad Fakhrudin said the police would not compromise in taking action against any of its personnel or officer who has committed any offence.


Swiss police switch from Mercedes to Tesla for patrol vehicles

                GENEVA: Switzerland's police force has unveiled a blue, yellow and white 525-hp Tesla X 100D models as its new staple for patrols from spring 2019.

Switzerland announced its Alarmpikett police force would update its squad, currently comprised largely of Mercedes models, with Tesla electric-powered vehicles kitted with radio equipment and blue lights starting next year.

The cars cost 140,000 Swiss francs (RM592,000) each — which is 50,000 francs (RM212,000) more that comparable diesel vehicles — but the reduced operating and maintenance fees mean they are the cheaper option overall, said police commander Martin Roth.

The Teslas can drive for a distance of around 85km after only one hour of charging. They will be used on patrol and for car chases.

The Basel police will have around 190 Tesla vehicles in its fleet, four of which won't be added until the autumn.

Several countries already use Teslas for their police forces, including in the US cities Denver and Los Angeles, Canada's Ontario and in Luxembourg.

Until now, the force has largely been powered by upgraded version of the Mercedes E350 4-matic T-Modell estate.


Goodyear Assurance ComfortTred: More comfort in your ride

                GOODYEAR Malaysia recently offered CarSifu the opportunity to review its all-new premium Assurance ComfortTred, the latest member of the Assurance family of passenger car and sports utility vehicle (SUV) tyres.

For the last 30 days, I have been driving with test tyres of 245/45 R17 size fitted to an Audi A4 and I must admit that they offer a comfortable ride and excellent handling capabilities, both in wet and dry conditions.

Let’s go straight to the review.

The Assurance ComfortTred comes with Advance Noise-cancelling (ANX) Technology incorporated in the tyre design to reduce road noise and vibration, making it an ideal choice for drivers who prioritise comfort.

The tyres come with closed shoulders and narrower lateral grooves which reduces the air pumping noise caused by pressure variation when the tyres roll contact with the road.

Hence, I experienced a quieter and more enjoyable ride.

While driving in heavy rain on the highway towards Ipoh from Kuala Lumpur at 80kph, the Assurance ComfortTred tyres performed well in wet conditions, thanks to its new generation tread compound with high levels of silica and resin, which provided additional stability.

The tyre’s braking performance in the rain is also noteworthy, with its tread pattern and high-silica compound providing good grip and road contact on the tyres with effective water evacuation.

When it comes to taking corners on winding hilly roads, the Assurance ComfortTred tyres did a great job, especially during a trip to Genting Highlands where the tyres provided excellent handling and grip in tight and sweeping corners.

The larger rib design in the centre of the tread and the tread pattern work together to improve fast cornering performance.

The Assurance ComfortTred tyre is available in 12 sizes ranging from 16-inch (215/55 R16) to 19-inch (245/45 R19) with prices from RM420 to RM860.

The design is suitable for a wide selection of popular passenger vehicles using petrol and diesel engines as well as electric vehicles.

Among the suitable models are those from Honda, Toyota and BMW as well as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Audi A6 specifically.

After clocking about more than 1,500km on these tyres covering most types of roads including during dry and wet occasions, I must admit that the Assurance ComfortTred tyre is an excellent choice for drivers looking for a comfortable and safe driving experience.

Its key features such as the ANX Technology for a quieter ride, improved rib design for better handling around corners and a new generation tread compound for better road grip should make it a reliable tyre and a popular choice for drivers.

For details, log on to www.goodyear.com.my.


Mazda previews CX-3 compact crossover at 1Utama, estimates price from RM121k

                PETALING JAYA: Bermaz will be previewing the updated Mazda CX-3 compact crossover at its roadshow in 1Utama Shopping Centre, Petaling Jaya from June 27 to July 1.

The new 2018 CX-3 will be making its first public appearance in Malaysia since its international debut at the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) in March this year.

The roadshow at the Oval Concourse, opens from 10am to 10pm.

Although the new CX-3 has not been officially launched in Malaysia, customers will be able to get up close with the vehicle and also place a booking.

The front wheel-drive compact sport utility vehicle with G-Vector Control is tentatively priced at RM121,134 (on-the-road without insurance and 0% GST in Peninsular Malaysia for private registration).

In Sabah and Sarawak, the CX-3 is priced similarly at RM123,788.

Features include a 2.0-litre direct injection engine with 154bhp and 204Nm of torque, a six-speed Skyactiv Drive automatic transmission with manual shift mode, 18-inch wheels, six airbags, walk away lock, anti-lock braking system, dynamic stability control and reverse camera with guidelines among others.

Among the new features are the redesigned grille, front LED and rear  (bulb) lights and wheels as well as added chrome accents for the lower bumper corners and side-skirts.

Inside, the cabin receives a new dashboard and electric parking brake.

Optional items include a Mazda navigation system costing RM1,198 and Skytint safety tint priced at RM1,792.

The new CX-3 comes with a three-year or 60,000km free maintenance and a five-year or100,000km manufacturer’s warranty.

At the roadshow, booking any model being showcased entitles the customer to sign-up for a gift and to stand a chance to win some Mazda Official merchandise by joining in an exciting game of “Goal!” during this World Cup season.

For more details, visit Mazda Malaysia’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mazdamy/.


All-new Hyundai Sonata uses new vehicle platform

PETALING JAYA: Hyundai Motor announced that it has implemented its third-generation vehicle platform to the new generation Sonata scheduled to go on sale later this month.

The new platform will improve the market competitiveness of Hyundai’s newest Sonata and future vehicle models with greater flexibility for vehicle development, which dramatically enhances overall design, safety, efficiency, power and driving performance.

The new generation Sonata offers reduced weight and improved fuel efficiency while also achieving stronger durability with the new platform.

The platform builds on the former platform’s core advantages, enabling a stable design with a lower center of gravity. The third-generation platform also allows Hyundai to implement sporty and stylish design elements to the new Sonata.

READ MORE: Hyundai Sonata's new Bose system promises life-like audio experience

The platform also delivers a significant improvement in collision safety through the adoption of a multi-load path structure, ‘Hot Stamping,’ and super-high tensile steel plate.

The sophisticated multi-load path structure increases the energy absorbed by the vehicle in a collision, improving safety with minimization of collision impact into the passenger cabin.

The platform is designed so that the tires move outward during a small overlap collision to maximize customer safety. Such technology inhibits vehicle from spinning and prevents possible secondary collisions.

The extended application of Hot Stamping also prevents deformation of the passenger room, thereby further improving vehicle safety.

The all-new Sonata equipped with the new platform is also expected to improve power and driving performance. It has been developed for possible application of Hyundai’s next-generation engine called the Smartstream Powertrain.

Noise reduction is also improved with enhanced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) performance through reinforced sound- absorbing systems in vibration-sensitive parts.