Perodua SUV expected in 2nd half 2020, says research house

                KUALA LUMPUR: There are plans for the compact 5-seater Perodua SUV, based on the Daihatsu Rocky (also offered as the Toyota Raize in Japan), to surface in the second half of 2020, according to a Kenanga Research report.

The research house noted that the Perodua SUV will indirectly compete against the Proton X50 SUV (based on the Geely Binyue), which is also expected to be launched in the second half of 2020 (2HCY20).

A new Proton multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) based on the Geely Jiaji is also in the pipeline for 2HCY20.

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Meanwhile, Proton sales in 2020 should be lifted by the likely launch of the locally assembled X70 SUV in the first half.

The Kenanga Research report says car sales in 2020 should be boosted by other upcoming launches of the face-lifted Honda Accord and Civic, Mazda CX-30, new Honda City and Nissan Almera.

"Industry sales in 2020 is envisaged at 612,000 units. We believe the weak macroeconomic condition, and possible delays in new car launches given the backlog of pricing approvals (3 to 5 months) will be offset by exciting new launches, especially by the non-national brands and better incentives programme under National Automotive Policy (NAP 2020) - tentatively to be unveiled in the first quarter."

The report said the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) has decided to increase the frequency of the monthly meetings held by the Automotive Business Development Committee (ABDC), chaired by MITI, from once to twice a month to speed up the vehicle pricing approval process.

Also, MITI has established a trade and advisory council (TIAC), which will discuss issues on subjects ranging from foreign direct investment (FDI) and domestic direct investment (DDI) to the National Automotive Policy (NAP) in its upcoming meetings (with a minimum of four meetings/year).


VW gets rude awakening in China after sluggish start for electric car series

Potential customers checking an ID.4 X electric vehicle displayed inside an ID. Store X showroom of SAIC Volkswagen in Chengdu. — Reuters
SHANGHAI: Volkswagen AG's ID series - the backbone of its electric vehicle ambitions - is off to what even company sources call a worryingly slow start in China.

Sales in May of two ID.4 electric SUV models, launched only two months earlier, came to a mere 1,213 combined. And that was about 200 fewer than in April, according to auto consultancy LMC.

The sales fall far short of initial hopes, four people with knowledge of the matter said, and what some other automakers have achieved with early sales of flagship EV offerings in the world's largest auto market.

Volkswagen's venture with state-owned SAIC Motor, which makes the slightly bigger ID.4 X model, had been targeting sales of 50,000-60,000 vehicles this year, according to comments by Yang Siyao, a company marketing executive, in Chinese media in March.

A separate venture between the world's No. 2 automaker and FAW which makes the ID.4 CROZZ had similar targets, one of the sources said. Those goals now seem unrealistic.

Furthermore, both ventures' EV plants are running at below 10% of production capacity, according to three of the people.

The sources blamed the less than auspicious debut on a lack of smart tech features, fierce competition, a late launch compared to Tesla Inc and Chinese EV makers as well as hiccups with its new EV sales network.

"Sales so far are behind our earlier expectations. We've had to dial down production plans for the ID.4 again and again," said one person, who like the other sources was not authorised to speak to media and declined to be identified.

"This is not healthy, but at the moment customers are not coming to buy them."

In another sign of sales stress, SAIC-Volkswagen has suggested staff members buy ID.4s, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters.

By comparison, Tesla sold 6,612 of its Model Y in China in the first two months after its launch.

The ID.4's sales performance in China also contrasts sharply with Europe, where it is a top-selling electric car with 12,101 sold in the first two months post-launch, according to JATO Dynamics.

Volkswagen said in a statement to Reuters that ID. China sales were in line with expectations as it builds up production and a new sales network, adding it does not view Tesla's Model Y as a direct competitor for the ID.4, which occupies a different vehicle type segment.

It also said it was confident the two ID.4 models would see sales growth and noted plans for three more ID models to be launched this year in China.

Not smart enough?

More than any other country, China has aggressively pushed for the adoption of electric cars, introducing sales quotas as it seeks to cut pollution, encourage the growth of its auto industry and reduce reliance on oil.

Volkswagen, the country's biggest foreign automaker with 3.85 million vehicles - mostly gasoline - sold last year, has more riding on successfully transitioning its customers to EVs than the average automaker.

It has also declared its intention to surpass Tesla as the world's top EV maker by 2025, ensuring that China will become a crucial battleground.

But getting customers on board is another matter altogether.

 People walking past an ID. Store X showroom of SAIC Volkswagen in Chengdu. — Reuters

At a shopping mall in western Shanghai last week, David Qian, a 50-year-old engineer, was looking for an EV for his wife but found he was not drawn to the ID.4 X, which starts at just under 200,000 yuan (RM129,000).

"The car looks okay but I know it is not smart enough," said Qian, who owns a Tesla Model 3 and lauds its assisted driving technology.

Unlike Tesla models and a growing number of vehicles from Chinese electric car makers like Xpeng Inc and Nio Inc, the ID.4 cannot park itself and does not offer advanced self-driving features or advanced voice-controlled functions.

"Chinese consumers value the sense of technology and science fiction of electric vehicles, and brand loyalty has always been low which is completely different from the European market," said Yale Zhang, head of Shanghai-based consultancy AutoForesight.

And unlike Europe, electric car competition is already cutthroat in China, where a plethora of manufacturers compete and the top-selling Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV, an entry-level sedan made by a General Motors joint venture, costs just 28,800 yuan (RM18,470).

At the shopping mall where Qian checked out the ID.4, the SAIC-Volkswagen showroom is right next door to a store run by Xpeng and close to rival stores belonging to EV startup Neta and Huawei, which sells an electric car in partnership with automaker Seres. A store for Chinese EV maker Aiways is also set to open nearby soon.

"Compared with Europe, this car has too much competition and they are all new models with a strong tech sense," said Zhang.

Volkswagen said in its statement it would be offering new software feature updates in the future and with newer models.

Teething problems

Volkswagen has been faster than some other foreign automakers in China with EV development such as Toyota Motor Corp and Ford Motor Co, but sources say ideally it should have moved quicker.

Its joint ventures' EV plants, which can each build 300,000 vehicles per year, were ready for mass production in early 2020 but time taken to develop the vehicles in Germany meant the new ID.4s did not get regulatory approval until July, they added.

At the distribution level, Volkswagen is grappling with the introduction of new sales strategies popular with pure-play EV competitors.

Rather than relying predominantly on its existing roughly 2,000-dealer network, it is shifting to an agency sales model for EVs where showrooms are typically located in shopping malls, prices are fixed and there is no inventory for showroom operators.

The lack of inventory, however, has meant that staff who are used to the pressure inventory brings have less financial motivation to sell product, people familiar with the matter said.

Volkswagen said in its statement that production at its EV plants was running on schedule and that internal feedback on its new agency model was positive.

It had 12 ID. stores in China as of end-May and plans to have more than 100 stores by the end of this year. It is also boosting its number of ID. sales agents to more than 1,000 by the year's end from 825 currently.


Automakers, suppliers team up to share costs of self-driving cars

                LAS VEGAS: Automotive suppliers and automakers are expanding alliances to develop self-driving car technology that can serve multiple automakers, as the race to put such vehicles on the road separates companies that can go it alone from those that need help sharing the financial and technical burdens.

While some companies, such as Tesla Motors, General Motors and Ford Motor, are trying to develop proprietary driverless systems, a larger group of automakers appears to have decided it makes more sense to develop self-driving technology in collaboration with suppliers – as many other features such as anti-lock brakes or radar-enabled cruise control already are.

"What's going on in the industry right now is like a hyper version of musical chairs - and the music is still playing," said Gill Pratt, chief executive officer of Toyota Research Institute. "Everyone is changing partners."

Several suppliers - notably Mobileye, Nvidia and Delphi Automotive - are among the more popular technology partners in the self-driving race, with multiple alliances around the globe.

"If you want to build a truly autonomous car, this is a task for more than one player," said Amnon Shashua, chief executive of Mobileye, an Israeli-based supplier of mapping and vision-based sensing systems.

"The technological challenges are immense," Shashua said. "I would compare it to sending a man to the moon."

Mobileye supplies cameras, chips and software for driver assist systems - the building blocks for self-driving cars - to more than two dozen manufacturers around the globe. The company was an early supplier of vision systems to Tesla, but the two companies had an acrimonious and public breakup last summer after the driver of a Tesla Model S was killed while operating his vehicle using Tesla's Autopilot system.

Since the break with Tesla, Mobileye has secured two critical partnerships to develop self-driving systems: With German automaker BMW and US chipmaker Intel, and with longtime supplier Delphi.

The Delphi-Mobileye alliance involves a turn-key system that the partners plan to offer to smaller automakers that lack the resources to develop such systems on their own. It will be ready for production by 2019, said Jeff Owens, Delphi's chief technology officer, with a projected wholesale cost of about US$5,000.

The alliance with BMW and Intel is expected to draw additional vehicle manufacturers and suppliers, according to Elmar Frickenstein, BMW's senior vice president for automated driving.

"We would like to create a standard system for everybody to use by 2021," Frickenstein said. "That would share the costs and speed up the process of development and adoption."

Eventually, BMW and its partners could offer self-driving hardware and software sets or an entire driverless system on a non-exclusive basis to companies ranging from Uber to Google, Frickenstein said.

A blueprint for collaboration is BMW's joint ownership with Daimler AG and Volkswagen AG's Audi of Here, the mapping company acquired in late 2015 from Nokia. Since then, both Intel and Mobileye have teamed with Here to pool and share data.

Chipmaker Nvidia also is ramping up its partnerships in self-driving technology and systems, this week announcing deals with Audi and Here, as well as German suppliers ZF and Bosch.

"We're not looking to develop a proprietary system," said Dirk Hoheisel, the member of Bosch's board of management who oversees autonomous driving. "We want to work with others to develop a standard platform and open standards for self-driving systems, especially around data and mapping."

While pursuing similar partnerships with suppliers, Audi sees its role as a vehicle manufacturer evolving to that of systems integrator.

"There's not one supplier out there who can provide the whole solution - no one who knows everything, every part of what's needed to make an autonomous car," said Alejandro Vukotich, Audi's head of development for driver assistance systems.

Some key components of self-driving systems - cybersecurity, for instance - should remain the responsibility of vehicle manufacturers, said Guillaume Devauchelle, head of innovation and scientific development at French supplier Valeo.

But carmakers also will continue to rely on suppliers to provide specific self-driving technologies, he said.

"There will be a mix because it's quite a complex system (with) sensing, data fusion, artificial intelligence, connectivity, man-machine interface and so on," Devauchelle said. "Those are big blocks."


Porsche Malaysia introduces 350kW DC charging for Taycan customers

                PETALING JAYA: Porsche distributor Sime Darby Auto Performance (Porsche Malaysia) has upgraded the direct current (DC) chargers at two outlets and will complete the upgrade for two others by next month.

In addition, the company has also introduced a solar carport at its Penang outlet.

The enhancements are part of Sime Darby's move to achieve a 30% reduction in emissions by 2030.

The 350 kW capable charging facility is now available at Porsche Centre Ara Damansara and Porsche Centre Penang. They will soon be made available at Porsche Centre Sungai Besi and Porsche Centre Johor Baru next month.

The upgraded charging facilities feature twin-175 kW DC chargers, offering up to 350 kW charging speeds. The chargers allow two Taycan to be charged simultaneously at up to 175 kW each or one at 350kW.

This is the first time such charging capabilities are available within a dealership facility.

According to Porsche, a Taycan takes less than 23 minutes to charge from 5% to 80% at 350kW.

Porsche Malaysia first introduced 175kW charging at its dealerships in 2020 with the arrival of the Taycan in the country.

The fast chargers are restricted for use to Taycan owners. In addition, customers at Porsche Centre Ara Damansara get to enjoy gourmet refreshments at its lounge, while waiting for their Taycan to be charged.

As for the solar carport, Porsche Centre Penang has installed solar panels at its car park.

With 151 panels generating up to 81.51 kWp, the new solar carport could lead to an average reduction in electricity consumption of 30%, supporting the company’s ambition to reduce its carbon footprint. The chargers at Porsche Centre Penang will also be powered in part by solar energy.

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Enhancements for Toyota Fortuner and Innova

                SHAH ALAM: UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has announced enhancements for the Toyota Fortuner and Innova.

Joining the colour range for the Innova and Fortuner is a new colour – Phantom Brown –a new exterior finish that Toyota introduced for the models internationally.

The Phantom Brown colour is also available on the Hilux pick-up truck.

Meanwhile, now standard for all four variants of the Fortuner are Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Brake Assist (BA), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) and Active Traction Control (A-TRC).

A-TRC is a more recent development that provides more effective traction control in slippery conditions, such as during drives in off-road conditions when there may be muddy terrain.

A-TRC detects wheel spin and distributes torque between front and rear wheels to suppress unnecessary wheel spin and control skidding.

The system can detect when one or more wheels have lost traction and automatically applies the brakes to the wheel with no traction, allowing it to send power to the wheel with traction.

This way, the vehicle’s stability is maintained and the driver can safely drive around a turn.

The Fortuner and Innova comes with a spacious cabin that can fit 7 persons and up to 8 persons for the latter.

This latest generation has more features such as power-operated rear cargo doors and cruise control (for Fortuner only), Smart Entry and Start system, LED headlamps and 8-way power adjustment for the driver’s seat.

Prices inclusive of sales and service tax (SST) without insurance are RM170,500 to RM 195,600 (Fortuner - 4 variants); RM107,280 to RM 132,400 (Innova - 4 variants).


Malaysia still backing biodiesel policy

                PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will maintain the status quo on its biodiesel mandate, says Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin.

She said the Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry assured the Malaysian Biodiesel Association (MBA) that it was all ears to the group’s proposal that Malaysia should retain its existing biodiesel mandate.

The association has highlighted why Malaysia should not reduce or stop its biodiesel mandate, as the biodiesel industry hardly consumed one million tonnes of palm oil annually as opposed to over 40 million tonnes used globally.

It said that any knee-jerk reaction to banning biofuels derived from vegetable oils would cause havoc in the global vegetable oil market.

Bernama reported Zuraida as saying in a statement yesterday that the ministry would also remain committed to implementing Malaysia’s National Biofuels Policy (NBP) which was rolled out in March 2006.

The NBP remains committed to reducing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions rate in line with the country’s aspiration towards achieving its GHG emissions reduction target of 45% of gross domestic product by 2030.

It is also committed to expanding the use of downstream palm oil products and becoming an initiative to increase the income of oil palm smallholders through palm oil market price control mechanisms and reducing the country’s dependence on fossil fuels as one of the energy security initiatives, she said.

In a recent statement, MBA said Malaysia should not stop or reduce its biodiesel mandate.

“The situation for Malaysia is completely different. We are mainly an export-oriented market with a very small domestic market,” it said.

The MBA, in its statement, had urged the Malaysian Palm Oil Board to engage the biodiesel industry before taking any precipitative action.

“The palm oil industry as a whole, both upstream and downstream, would suffer from any such action, as it would result in the crude palm oil price crashing to a very low level. This, in turn, would affect over three million smallholders globally,” it had said.


Battery makers descend on Australia, Canada cobalt developers

                MELBOURNE/VANCOUVER (Reuters) - Nervous Asian battery makers are turning to early-stage cobalt projects in Australia and Canada to lock in supplies of the critical battery ingredient ahead of expected shortages as demand for electric vehicles revs up.

Mine developers say interest from Japanese and Korean firms is particularly strong as they compete with rivals from China, which has built deep supply chain ties with the Democratic Republic of Congo, the world’s top producer.

The central African country accounts for nearly two-thirds of global cobalt output and production is set to rise despite concerns over the use of child miners and rising royalties.

“We are starting to see the first signs of an arms race to secure long term cobalt supplies,” said Joe Kaderavek, chief executive of Australia’s Cobalt Blue.

“With over 85 percent of new global cobalt supply over the next decade coming from Africa, in a region where the Chinese have entrenched relationships, the Korean and Japanese cobalt processing industries are very focused upon Australian and Canadian projects.”

South Korean battery maker SK Innovation Co Ltd locked in a seven-year supply deal with Australian Mines last month, helping to win funding for a project that has yet to make a final investment decision and does not expect to produce any cobalt until at least 2020.

At least half a dozen Australian and Canadian mine developers are currently in talks on potential supply deals with battery and automakers for production at some point beyond late 2019-2021, company executives told Reuters.

These include Australia’s Aeon Metals, Northern Cobalt and Cobalt Blue, and Canada’s Ecobalt and Fortune Minerals.

China’s Beijing Easpring Material Technology Co, which makes products for battery makers, has also signed a binding five-year deal with Australian mine developer Clean Teq.

“We are speaking to a number of parties about the balance of the offtake - that includes not just Chinese potential customers but also customers from other parts of the world,” Clean Teq’s CEO Sam Riggall told Reuters.

In an indication of heightened demand, Riggall said automotive companies were also showing interest, along with cathode manufacturers, the direct users of cobalt, a key material in lithium-ion batteries.

In the DRC, production is set to rise sharply driven by commodity giant Glencore Plc, the world’s biggest producer, and Russia’s ERG, taking DRC’s share of global output to over 75 percent by 2023, according to UK-based Darton Commodities.

Glencore last week agreed to sell around a third of its cobalt production over the next three years to Chinese battery recycler GEM Co Ltd.

Developments in Australia and Canada will be small to mid-size, producing around 1,000 to 5,000 tonnes each, in a global market expected to swell to some 157,000 tonnes by 2023.

Fortune Minerals said it has signed 25 confidentiality agreements, while Australia’s Ardea Resources said it has seen significant interest.

“Certainly some of the groups that we have spoken to have said that they won’t look at DRC sources, they want clean ethical sources of cobalt,” said Ardea Managing Director Matthew Painter.

Japan’s Panasonic, the main battery supplier to Tesla Inc, said it was aware of issues in the DRC and was looking to source some material elsewhere, and it was also looking at lowering its dependency on cobalt.

“Regarding concerns about procuring cobalt and other raw materials, we are addressing this by establishing advance procurement contracts and developing new procurement routes,” the company said in emailed comments.

South Korea’s Samsung SDI and LG Chem declined to comment specifically on procurement but also said they were looking at other methods to source cobalt and to reduce usage.

Despite surging share prices for some cobalt developers, analysts warn the projects are not without risk, given fickle technology and the high cost of processing out contaminants like arsenic, found in some North American operations.

Clean Teq shares more than doubled in the second half last year, but have since slipped 20 percent, partly because it has twice delayed the date of its definitive feasibility study, said Larry Hill, an analyst with Canaccord Genuity in Australia.

Still, the company easily raised A$150mil (RM452mil) this month, and pulled forward its production timeline by a year.

“There’s still a lot of upside in any cobalt supply that is ex-DRC,” said James Eginton, an investment analyst with Sydney’s Tribeca Global Natural Resources Fund, which took part in the raising.

“The challenges of the DRC make anything that comes out of anywhere else a lot more attractive.”


BMW headquarters turns into a 'battery' to celebrate electrification milestone

                MUNICH: With Dec 25 round the corner, the BMW headquarters didn't lit up like a Christmas tree. But it did lit up like a battery.

The move was to celebrate the company achieving its pledge to deliver 100,000 electrified vehicles in 2017.

To mark the important milestone, the iconic BMW “Four-Cylinder” headquarters tower was transformed by a lighting installation into four upright batteries. The special illumination was projected onto the building on Monday from 8pm until midnight and represented the technological change taking place in mobility.

In conjunction with the celebration, an 80-year-old German customer collected his i3 in Protonic Blue at BMW Welt in Munich on Monday, making him the 100,000th customer worldwide to choose an electrified BMW Group vehicle this year.

BMW chairman Harald Krüger welcomed Wilhelm Schulten to the BMW Welt and personally handed over the keys to the new car, commenting, “the excitement connected to electro-mobility is felt by all generations and handing over the 100,000th electrified car we’ve brought to the streets this year is a very special moment for me.”

Apart from the nine electrified four-wheel vehicles offered, BMW also makes the electric C evolution scooter, which has a 160km range.

Electro-mobility is part of the NUMBER ONE > NEXT corporate strategy, which envisions the company offering 25 fully electric and plug-in hybrid models worldwide by 2025.

The fifth generation of electric drive train and battery technology, available from 2021, uses scalable, modular electrification kits that will allow all model series to be fitted with every type of drive train. For its BMW i electric brand, which was founded in 2011, the company has already secured the naming rights from BMW i1 to i9, as well as from BMW iX1 to iX9.

Next year will see the launch of the BMW i8 Roadster, followed in 2019 by a fully electric MINI; in 2020, by the electric version of the BMW X3 and in 2021 by the brand’s new technology flagship, the BMW iNext, which will combine electro-mobility with autonomous driving and new interior connectivity options for the first time in a series-production model.

The BMW Group went the electro-mobility route in 2007. By the following year, electric test fleets took to the roads worldwide in the largest wide-scale EV field trial in automotive history. Series production of the fully-electric i3 began in 2013.

 Kruger handing over the i3 to Schulten on Monday.

According to the independent POLK/IHS Report, published on Dec 7, the BMW Group is way ahead of its competitors in selling fully-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in Europe, with a market share of 21%. This translates to a share of the electrified vehicle segment that is more than three times its share of the market for traditional models.

While electrified vehicles now account for 2% of new vehicle registrations across all manufacturers in Europe, the BMW Group figure is 6%. Globally, the company has a 10% share of the electrified vehicle market.

Electrified models are in especially high demand in western Europe and the United States, for example, where they account for 7% of total BMW brand sales in both markets.


Breitling celebrates Continental Supersports with special watch

                LONDON: Bentley and Breitling are introducing the Breitling for Bentley Supersports B55 watch to mark the launch of the Continental Supersports, the fastest Continental ever made.

Only 500 examples will be produced.

The new Continental Supersports develops a mighty 700bhp and 1,017Nm of torque, and features unique exterior and interior styling cues. These customised design elements have influenced the look of the Breitling for Bentley Supersports B55.

A titanium case – copied from the titanium exhaust option available on the Continental Supersports – provides a tactile reminder of the car’s performance. The lightweight case frames a dial in carbon fibre, a material widely used in the car. The watch comes with a double-layer red-edged and lined black rubber strap.

The watch features an electronic movement, the first time Breitling is using it. The Bentley Supersports B55 features a new version of Breitling’s B55 connected calibre, which includes a lap timer and electronic tachymeter.

It also has a "Chrono Rally" setting, which can record up to 30 rally stages, complete with the departure date, the start time and duration of each stage – as well as intermediate times for each stage – while automatically adding in any penalties incurred.

"Chrono Race" mode is designed for track races and enables the wearer to record the split times for each lap and calculate the average lap speed. The "Regularity Rally" function (useful in competitions in which the objective is to cover a given distance in a specified time) enables the wearer to predefine target times (or intermediate times) from the total, and then check at the press of a button whether these goals are being achieved.

An app has been created to allow owners to store and transmit all of the data recorded via a smartphone connection.

The connected watch features two LCD screens equipped with a backlighting system that can be activated by pressing the crown or by tilting the wrist.


2016 Geneva Motor Show: Subaru XV Concept previews design direction

                GENEVA: Subaru today unveiled the Subaru XV Concept at the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show, previewing the design direction for the next generation of Subaru vehicles, including an all-new XV compact crossover.

The XV Concept is a design study that embodies Subaru’s next-generation ‘DYNAMIC X SOLID’ design philosophy, with a solid, robust appearance and raised ground clearance that references the go-anywhere all-wheel drive capability of every Subaru vehicle.

The cabin silhouette tapers and tightens slightly as the bodywork flows towards the rear, leaving an impression of energy and athleticism without compromising practicality. The muscular body surfacing is divided by two strong character lines – one extending from the front bumper, along the doors and into the rear shoulder; another rising from the lower half of the doors towards the rear of the car.

At the front, the concept features the company’s signature hexagonal grille and ‘hawk-eye’ headlamps. Matt black body cladding – which can shrug off light impacts and scrapes in rural or urban environments – runs from the front bumper, over the wheel arches and side sills, and into the rear bumper.

The rear of the 4.5m car echoes the same wide, low and highly stable stance portrayed by the front, with powerful shoulders over the matt black-clad rear bumpers which rise to meet the car’s rear combination lamps. The rear lights share the same design motif as the ‘hawk-eye’ headlamps.

Subaru has given the concept an exclusive new paint finish, ‘Glacier Khaki Silica’ – a newly-developed blue-grey tone created to evoke the appearance of glacier ice. Orange accents appear on the grille, front and rear bumpers, 19-inch aluminium wheels and roof rails. It rides on 19-inch wheels.


Naza Kia Malaysia appoints auto sales veteran as new CEO

                KUALA LUMPUR: Naza Kia Malaysia has a new CEO.

Ivan Kuan Thai Woon will oversee the Kia brand and report directly to Naza Corporation Holdings group chief executive officer (automotive group) Datuk Samson Anand George.
 Kuan.
In a brief statement, Naza Kia Malaysia said Kuan brings with him vast experience in sales and distribution channel management including marketing and brand management exercises.

His career in the automotive industry began in a family business, securing distributorships and expanding the network of the business. His last position at MyEG Trade Sdn Bhd saw the development of the car leasing portfolio under the brand.


BMW starts production of all-electric iX1

                REGENSBURG (Germany): BMW has begun production of the fully-electric iX1 here in a move to ramp up electromobility.

The start of production for the new iX1 means BMW Group Plant Regensburg is now making all drive technologies on a single line as part of its flexible production process – for combustion-engine, plug-in hybrid and fully-electric models.

As announced almost two years ago, all German plants can now produce electric cars. By 2024, one in three BMWs from Bavarian plants will be electric

The Regensburg plant, 124km north-east of BMW's headquarters in Munich, is a trailblazer for digitalisation.

As part of a recent pilot project, the plant was digitally mapped. The resulting digital twin enables highly efficient planning of future plant structures and production facilities.

The plant’s paint shop, for instance, relies on artificial intelligence: paint surfaces are scanned to ensure flawless quality and then finished using a fully-automated programme customised for each vehicle.

Artificial intelligence is also used in vehicle assembly – specifically, AI-supported image recognition methods that assist employees with quality inspections.

The AIQX (Artificial Intelligence Quality Next) computer system that is used for this learns to recognise objects such as a person from sample images, making it a useful supplement to conventional, camera-based quality inspections.

Predictive maintenance ensures that technical faults, e.g. in conveyor systems, are detected early, before system downtimes can occur. Installations and machinery are monitored through automated evaluation of process data.

To date, €1.6 billion (RM7.7bil) invested in electric components at German sites in Dingolfing, Leipzig and Regensburg. Over 3,300 employees work in BMW Group electric component production at those sites.


Romp with the BMW 125i

Looks can be deceiving. Such is the case with the 1 Series in hand.

Viewed square-on, the front evokes a facade that appears to be that of the typical BMW sedan.

But it presents itself as a hatch once you start eyeing it from other angles.

Think BMW and it’s usually its range of sedans and coupes that spring to mind. Some are even surprised that the German company makes hatches.

Oh yes, it does, alongside SUVs, roadsters and the fiery M cars. The line-up will only get more diversified as BMW pokes its proverbial finger into every pie – heck, even front-wheel drive MPVs are coming as well.

Let’s not even go into its other sub-brands.

The 1 Series range used to include coupes and convertibles, until BMW decided of late to make them bigger and call them the 2 Series.

So now the 1 Series is all about hatches – 3 or 5-door, please.

For whatever reason, BMW Malaysia has been late in bringing in the F20 1 series, as it was already selling elsewhere in 2011.

Launched locally only in September last year, the 1 Series comes in five variants and all are five-door hatches, priced from RM170,800 to well past RM200,000.

As the entry-level model, the hatch takes some getting used to.

The front with its upright grille looks decent enough, if not as character-ful as the bestseller 3 Series or even the 2 Series that arrived in Malaysia last month. Black-out grille slats and chrome lines along the fog light level add a dab of sporty sophistication to the 125i Sport Line tester.

No complaints about the side view that has crisp surfacing and natty 17-inch alloys coupled with a roofline that slopes ever so gently to the rear.

The back is where one starts to gripe after taking in the whole proportions of the car. Despite tail lights that are spaced wide apart to impart the sporty effect, the rear looks, well, ho-hum. The compact snout begs for a protruding rump to complement it instead of one that is roundly sliced off.

The rear, in short, undercuts the cohesion of the exterior styling. But maybe such knackered view is because we are so used to seeing Bimmers with fleshed-out butts.

In contrast, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo do a better styling job with their respective A-Class and V40.

On the bright side, the 125i hews to the Munich car maker’s credo, featuring wheels with short overhangs, and rear-wheel drive that it has always touted as being so intrinsic for great driving dynamics.

In fact, the 1 Series is the only rear-wheel drive car in the segment as BMW is quick to point out in its 1 Series list of unique selling points.

As a premium compact hatch, the interior shows that off nicely. Dashboard and instrumentation have a clean layout. The centre console is oriented towards the driver and meter cluster has large, clear dials with chrome surrounds.

The ubiquitous iDrive keeps clutter to the minimum. But mister, RM240K doesn’t buy you sat-nav; you have to cough up RM15K more to get that feature in the M Sport-kitted 125i.

Both fully imported by the way. The cheaper 118i Sport, 118i Urban and 116i are locally assembled.

Cabin space in the second-generation 1 series is a little bigger, giving ample room for front row and a tad more head and legroom in the back. The car can seat five people, but a centre transmission tunnel messes up comfort for the middle guy in the rear.

Rear-view vision is great though the thick C-pillar is a major blind spot when reversing the car.

In tune with the Sport Line trim, the dash has glossy black paneling and front row gets figure-hugging sports seats (albeit in fabric).

The cabin is also replete with red highlights that appear on dashboard, dials, seats, steering wheel and even the key fob, energising a space that would otherwise look sombre. Ambient lighting softens the mood at night.

Glove box is small, but the 1 Series compensates with numerous nooks and crannies to store knick knacks. In addition, the boot space is generous and can be enlarged further via the 60/40 foldable rear seats.

Fit and finish get top marks and everything looks nailed down for perceived quality.

On to the driving experience.

The turbocharged 2.0L engine drums up 218hp at 5,000rpm and 310Nm of torque from a lowly 1,350rpm to 4,800rpm. It goes from 0-100kph in 6.2s and tops out at 243kph.

EfficientDynamics means there’s four drive modes – Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport and Sport + – auto start/stop and an eight-speed auto gearbox, that bring about a reasonable fuel economy of 6.3l/100km.

A competent engine delivers acceleration that is smooth, rapid and linear. Unfortunately, there’s none of that snarly exhaust note to cause the heart to skip a beat.

The four-cylinder petrol mill sounded disconcertingly like a diesel at low tick, but the roughness fades away at higher speeds.

As the main touchpoint, the leather-wrapped, multi-functional steering wheel feels meaty in the hand. Paddle shifters are available to play with if the driver is so inclined.

Suspension is on the firm side. Coupled to a light accurate steering, the car can be tossed around corners in a controlled manner, with some oversteer thrills in Sport+ mode.

Ride quality is supple; the dampers absorb most road irregularities except for the bigger potholes.

Enhancing comfort levels is a well-insulated cabin that screens out most road and wind noises.

The auto start-stop feature is not as refined as we had hoped, with the whole car feeling as if it had been shaken up from slumber every time it is driven off at the stop light or when turning the steering wheel at idle.

If it proves bothersome, switch it off. This is a small car so perhaps you can’t shake off that “shaken feeling” until better technology comes along.

The 125i caters to those with a youngish mindset who gravitates to such a bodystyle.

They can live without sedan-size practicalities, placing priority on performance and fun in small packages. It also speaks to the step-up crowd looking to upgrade from their Japanese or Korean makes.

No car is above reproach.

There are quibbles about the 125i as stated earlier, but if you can live with them, it’s one of several able models from various premium marques that deliver a nimble ride while serving as a daily-use city car.


Volkswagen challenges sister brand Audi with new China-only model

                BEIJING: Volkswagen will launch a top-end sedan in China on Friday that will compete directly with sister brand Audi and is aimed at buyers looking for luxurious yet less-flashy cars amid a nationwide crackdown on conspicuous consumption.

Chinese president Xi Jinping's sweeping war on deep-seated graft and extravagant lifestyles since assuming power almost four years ago has made the country's consumer more wary about displaying wealth when buying anything - from fancy cars to designer handbags and fine wines.

Volkswagen hopes the Phideon, a luxury-style sedan from a brand that has a mass-market image unlike automakers such as BMW or Mercedes-Benz, will help it cash in on buyers' sentiments and drive sales in China - the world's top auto market.

"Shiny, blingy showing-off is no longer the behaviour in the (larger) cities," said Holger Santel, vice president of sales for SAIC Volkswagen, VW's joint venture with SAIC Motor. Customers are increasingly saying "I don't want Audi, Benz, BMW. I don't want to show off."

VW displayed the Phideon alongside Audi's A6 sedan, BMW's 5 series and Daimlers' Mercedes-Benz E-Class at a media event in Shanghai, indicating it expects the Phideon to compete with these German luxury marques.

"We definitely believe that our models are positioned in their own market segments," an Audi spokesman said, adding Audi does not comment on VW models as a matter of policy.

Audi first rose to prominence in China as the vehicle of choice for government officials and some of its association with government excesses persists to date.

The Audi A6 has a flashier price tag than Phideon but could cost the same after dealership discounts, auto experts say.

VW, which is still associated with its low-end Santana sedans that have dominated the Shanghai taxi market for decades, will not offer discounts or push sales volume targets on the Phideon model to keep the focus on quality, Santel said.

Phideon is the second flagship sedan experiment for VW after the Phaeton, a global model in the same class as the Audi A8, that was discontinued earlier this year after it failed to meet sales targets in its roughly 13 years of existence.

The smaller Phideon differs in that it is being launched as a China-only model, but a VW spokesman said the firm does not rule out exporting to other regions in the future.

Phideon's fate will depend on its price, said Yale Zhang, the managing director of consultancy Automotive Foresight.

Ford's launch of Taurus as a flagship sedan for China last November was a success, with its sales outstripping that of its entire Lincoln luxury brand in the first half of 2016, according to data from consultancy JATO Dynamics.

But the Phideon's 359,000 yuan (RM223,000) starting price is roughly 100,000 yuan (RM63,000) more than the Taurus and according to Zhang there is a risk the VW sedan could find a similar reception as the expensive Phaeton.

Zhang predicts sales of 1,000-2,000 Phideons annually.


Honda Malaysia merchandise available on Shopee

PETALING JAYA: Honda Malaysia announced that its line of Honda Official Merchandise, the TEI Series is now available on e-commerce platform Shopee.

TEI represents ‘Trust, Equality & Individuality’ which is inspired by Honda’s philosophy and the merchandise series features 21 items in four different collections namely Corporate, Lifestyle, Activewear and Travel.

In conjunction with the launch, Honda Malaysia announced a one-day only, five-pronged attractive deals which are offered on July 25, 2020.

Customers will enjoy RM10 store wide vouchers, Shopee Coins Cashback Vouchers, 10% shocking sales, 10% mall sales and RM7 deals for selected items.

The RM7 deals are for selected items with limited quantity, and on a first come first served basis.Items available for this deal are as follows:

Honda Official Merchandise, Crossbody Bag, Umbrella (30”), Key Ring and Key Pouch Set, Cap, Shoe Bag, Collapsible Water Bottle, Unisex Hoodie (M size).

Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Toichi Ishiyama said, “Since we introduced the ‘TEI’ Series in March 2020, it has been well-received by Honda enthusiasts and fans in Malaysia for its trendy, appealing designs and excellent quality.

"We are delighted to expand our line of Honda Official Merchandise on Shopee, making it readily available to everyone especially the digital savvy customers who prefer online shopping. We are confident that Malaysians will appreciate the convenience of shopping at their fingertips, especially in this challenging time of the COVID-19 pandemic where digitalisation has been greatly accelerated.”


Mercedes unveils new GLC crossover

STUTTGART: The Mercedes-Benz GLC made its world debut on Wednesday, touting state-of-the-art assistance systems and outstanding energy efficiency.

The GLC, the successor to the mid-sized G-Class, promises driving comfort with a sporty touch while appealing to the eye, and aims to give the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 a run for the money.

Key to high comfort is the AIR BODY CONTROL suspension which combines excellent driving stability and sporty agility with optimum comfort and outstanding off-road capabilities. The new GLC features the AGILITY CONTROL suspension with steel springs and a variable damping system as standard. The GLC is the sole model in this market segment to offer the option of fitting the chassis with a full-support multi-chamber air suspension system and electronically controlled, continuously adjustable damping.

The new GLC offers the DYNAMIC SELECT handling control system with five driving programs as standard - ECO, COMFORT, SPORT, SPORT+ and INDIVIDUAL.

In Sport mode, the GLC's occupants feel as if they are sitting in a sports car with a high level of lateral dynamics due to the tauter connection of the chassis, which is lowered by 15mm. Comfort mode focuses on comfortable running with soft connection of the chassis.

If fitted with optional offroad package, the AIR BODY CONTROL optimises the wheels' ground contact, ensuring good progress in off-road terrain by raising the driving level by up to 50mm and providing for soft tuning.

Further benefits of the system include reduced rolling during cornering, automatic level control and lowering of the load compartment sill for convenient loading and unloading.

The offroad package adds five off-road driving programs - Slippery, Off-road, Trailer, Incline and Rocking Assist.

A key focus of the new interior design is the dashboard and the centre console with its flowing lines, with a large, one-piece console panel performing an elegant sweep from the centre air vents to the armrest, creating a sense of open space.

The touchpad in the handrest over the rotary pushbutton  in the centre console allows for simple and intuitive operation of all the head-unit functions using finger gestures. The touchpad also permits letters, numbers and special characters to be entered in handwriting – in any language supported by Audio 20 or COMAND Online.

A centrally positioned media display is partially integrated above the centre console. Five round air outlets with metallic "cool touch" effect lend the dashboard a sporty air and create a contrasting effect.

In comparison to its predecessor, the new model is more spacious for front and rear occupants alike because the GLC is now longer. With 34mm more foot space, entry and exit space for rear passengers have been improved.

The rear bench features a 40/20/40 split and offers a cargo position which increases the load capacity by locking the backrests at a steeper angle. The load capacity behind the rear bench increases by 80 to 110 litres, to a total of up to 580 litres. The GLC 1600 is able to transport up to 1600 litres – 50 litres more than was previously possible.

The car is also more aerodynamic than the old GLK with a Cd value of 0.31 (GLK 0.34) and total aerodynamic drag of 0.794 (GLK 0.87).

The characteristic SUV front with a short overhang, upright, three-dimensional radiator grille with a twin louvre and centrally positioned brand star follows the new design line. Headlamps, optionally available as LED High Performance lamps, lend the GLC a self-confident look which is further emphasised by their distinctive night design. The bumpers with integrated underguard come in three variants: in addition to the base version there is a version optimised for off-road use with a larger angle of approach/departure, plus a sporty AMG variant.

The side view showcases the almost coupé-like greenhouse, which together with the 118mm larger wheelbase lends the GLC an elegant long profile, reinforced by the gently sloping dropping line. Matt black cladding in the wings, wheels up to a size of 20 inches and the optional side running board hark to the GLC's off-road abilities.

The rear is characterised by the broad, muscular shoulders, the horizontal orientation of the contour lines and the split LED rear lamps featuring a distinctive night design. As on the front, the different bumper variants are available. By integrating all the antennae into the exterior mirrors and the roof spoiler, it has been possible to do away with the fin which has featured on the roof to date.

The GLC line-up will have two diesel, one petrol and a plug-in hybrid (see table above). The hybrid is able to travel  34km in full electric mode. The 2.1-litre diesel engine will be offered in two states of tune, while the petrol variant will get a 2.0-litre turbo powerplant that is also used in the hybrid that is mated to a 85kW electric motor.

All models will be four-wheel drive comply with the EU6 emissions standard and offer a start/stop function.

The GLC is expected to sell at 44,500 euros (RM188,000) in Europe and will be one of four crossovers (GLE Coupe included) to be launched later this year.


Toyota eyes cost cuts, scale with first of EV-only bZ series

                TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp disclosed on Friday the driving range and other specifications of its bZ4X sport utility vehicle (SUV), the first in a series of EV-only models it plans to launch globally to catch up in the zero-emissions market.

The world's top-selling carmaker has said it will launch 15 battery EV (BEV) models worldwide by 2025, but so far its plans seem modest compared with those of US automakers such as General Motors Co and Ford Motor Co.

Toyota did not announce a price range or sales target for the bZ4X but said joint development and procurement of core components with affiliate Subaru Corp would help rein in the normally high cost of producing BEVs.

The model would also initially be built on a mixed line with gasoline-engine cars, both in Japan and China. It will be sold in Japan, North America, China and Europe starting in mid-2022, the company said.

The car will be offered in front-wheel and four-wheel drive versions, with a driving range of about 500km for the latter.

An optional roof-mounted solar panel can be used to charge the battery in the absence of a charging station or in disaster conditions, Toyota said.

A latecomer to the mass BEV market, Toyota has long touted the merits of hybrid vehicles, a category it has dominated for more than 20 years, for their lower price and accessibility and by extension, a greater role in cutting CO2 emissions.

As governments tighten zero-emissions regulations, Toyota has said it would invest US$13.5 billion through 2030 on EV batteries and introduce seven bZ series models by 2025.


Rated to the ma-X by BMW

                CHIANGRAI, THAILAND: BMW sees its X Series range generally as a lifestyle option for those who want such motoring alternatives to endorse their status quo with a premium brand.

Although the X Series models are used mostly, if not always, on paved roads rather than be taken off road to check out one’s plantation or construction site, these Bimmers would hold their own when coming across muddy patches or tackling off-road slopes.

Corporate Affairs Director of BMW Group Asia Sethipong Anatarasoti says that while the BMW X Series might not be designed to tackle serious off-road terrain, its all-wheel drive platform should take one through general off-road conditions with relative ease.

“We have observed that our X Series customers generally do not take their cars off paved roads but they should find it relatively easy to drive through mildly flooded stretches during incidents of flash floods,” he notes.

To provide the regional media an idea of the versatile quality of the X Series range, he organised a two-day drive in Chiangrai, Thailand, that is considered the ‘perfect venue to showcase the BMW X cars with its challenging mountain roads and B-roads’.

This event covered almost all the models in the X Series family, save for the X1, the latest version of which was recently launched and had yet to be introduced in our region.

The other exception was the X5 that was an sDrive25d (rear-wheel drive) as BMW Bangkok didn’t have an xDrive model at the time.

That gave us an opportunity to make a comparison between an all-wheel drive and a rear-wheel drive through the paved road course, except for the challenging off-road sector on the first day.

The xDrive models were two X3 xDrive20d, an X4 xDrive20d and one X6 xDrive30d; yup, they were all diesel powered SAVs (Sports Activity Vehicles) that were probably deemed best suited for the twisty roads to the west of Chiangrai on day one and mostly highways on day two to the east.

Another common feature was the eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission, with Sport mode and paddle shifters; the X3 and X5 had similar transmission ratios with different final drives while the X6 had taller gearing.

The 2.0-litre diesel four-cylinder engines powering the X3 and X4 were TwinPower Turbo with variable inlet geometry and common rail direct injection, and outputs of 190hp and 400Nm torque from a low 1,750rpm to 2,500rpm.

Both the X3 and X4 (which is an M Sport model) have the same kerb weight of 1,730kg (DIN) and that means the power-to-weight ratio was the same between them.

The 2.5-litre diesel of the X5 has two turbochargers with the smaller one having variable geometry, and outputs of 218hp and 450Nm of torque from 1,500rpm; it tips the scales at 1,995kg (DIN).

Boasting the biggest engine is the X6 with its 3.0-litre with variable geometry turbocharger, boosting outputs to 258hp and 560Nm coming in at 1,500rpm.

It is also the heaviest of the lot at 2,065kg (DIN) but the high torque output that develops early made the X6 a charger through the winding sections.

The family image is consistent with the ‘six-eye’ look, a reference to the six headlights, two of them being the smaller foglights, with different apron styling for the vents to cool the engine and front brakes.

This family touch is closer at the rear as the design of the taillights are fashioned on similar outlines with the distinct touches in the door lines and lower aprons to accommodate the exhaust pipes.

Likewise, stepping into the respective X models, one can’t help but identify them as a BMW from the standard dashboard layout, with a large info display in a central area.

They smell similar due to the common use of chemicals to cure the wood and leather, the adhesives to keep items in place and paints, among others.

Our first SAV was the X5 sDrive25d and there was no shortage of grunt with the 450Nm coming in early to move briskly from the traffic lights as we headed towards Doi Mae Salong that borders Myanmar to the north.

We also used this strong torque to push the X5 quickly through corners, and the electric power steering that is standard in all the models gave us good directional input to steer the dimensionally large X5 without too much drama.

The drive was conducted in a convoy format with experienced instructors but the pace was reasonably quick for us to enjoy the respective X Bimmers.

The few times that we tried to throw the X5’s rear in an oversteer through a few tight corners proved futile although on day two, another media team had the car drifting sideways before the SAV’s active dynamic systems restored its poise from the accidental spin.

We drove to a height of about 3,000 metres and a fair bit of the road that wound up and down had gradients of eight degrees or less; that was how steep the gradient was in some places.

After lunch, we headed to a tea plantation (which used to grow poppy as the area was part of the Golden Triangle) where we had the off-road experience.

Under the guidance of the instructors and using the Hill Descent Control (with which we could increase or decrease road speed using the cruise control function on the steering wheel), the X3, X4 and X6 SAVs proved their mettle going up and down the steep and muddy roads, thanks to rain the day before.

Our next Beemer was the X6 xDrive30d and the 560Nm torque made it a ‘point-and-shoot’ experience; just aim, step on the accelerator pedal and scoot away.

Being an all-wheel drive, it also felt more planted on the road as the engine torque and power could be transferred to the respective wheel as per the demand for road traction.

Like the X5, the body lean was well controlled and we could carry a lot of speed through the winding stretches, tyres squealing and all.

By comparison, the X3 and X4 with the lower torque output, and slightly poorer power-to-weight ratio against the X5 and X6 felt tamer but were no less slow; we just had to work the accelerator a bit more to get going at the same pace.

There was also less body mass to move through the corners and we didn’t feel the shifting load as we took the final winding stretch down from our final stop for tea at the Doi Tung Royal Villa.

Day two was mostly highways and secondary roads, taking us to the Hall of Opium on the eastern side of Chiangrai where we ‘flowed’ along with the Mekong River for a few kilometres, looking across to Myanmar on the left and Laos on the right.

We did have a spot of muddy off-roading just before lunch at a ‘longan’ plantation in PB Valley.

The mud holes were big and deep enough to plough through and splash mud all over the vehicles, including the X5 sDrive25d, as we slithered along.

The final exercise was a slalom run on an old airfield where we pitted our skills against our co-driver, a fellow Malaysian journo, in the two X3 xDrive 20d.

The slalom drive reaffirmed our conviction in the high dynamic performance of these Bimmers.

Despite being SAVs, the strong and short stopping distance on hitting the brakes hard at the end of it demonstrated a positive aspect.

We came away convinced from the Chiangrai drive that the X Series range was every bit a BMW in the strong driving road performance while being just as impressive taking to muddy terrain up and down steep inclines as a display of its versatility.


Volkswagen's iconic Beetle inspires local artists

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has embarked on an art campaign with nine Malaysian artists to celebrate the iconic Beetle.

Aptly named the #BeetleInspired campaign, the collaboration delves into the creative minds of these artists as they work on interpreting the Beetle through their respective mediums.

A variety of artworks were produced - ranging from graffiti, paintings, calligraphy, doodles, illustrations, pins and various other forms of artistry that showcases Malaysia's home-grown talents at their finest.

The nine artists who participated in the #BeetleInspired campaign are Afiq Afify, Dudude Doodle, Eleanor Lim, Kupeh Rodriguez, Kenji Chai, Pestle & Mortar, Pantun Pins, Shani Ahmed and Zami Musa.

Artists around the world have been using the Beetle that was designed by Ferdinand Porsche in 1938 as their blank canvas for decades.

“We are delighted to be able to provide this platform for local artists to showcase their talents, and it’s been amazing to see all the great Beetle-inspired work these creative individuals have produced. We hope to continue to inspire people through our cars and designs,” said VPCM managing director Erik Winter.

VPCM is also currently running an online #BeetleInspired contest from now till Dec 4 for those interested to try their hand at creating their own Beetle artwork.

Participants simply need to download an empty template of the Beetle and design it based on their inspiration according to the contest themes of “Love” or “Fun”.

Winners will be announced in December, and will win exclusive and limited edition merchandise from the artists of the #BeetleInspired campaigns, such as Pestle & Mortar shirts and cute Beetle pins by Pantun.

Members of the public keen to participate in the #BeetleInspired contest, please visit https://www.instagram.com/volkswagenmalaysia/

The completed Beetle artwork by the artists can be viewed on VPCM's  Facebook and Instagram page.


Broadly lower car prices as GST kicks in

> Toyota & Lexus GST Price Reduction Summary

> Summary Mazda Selling Price with GST-West M'sia

> KIA New Price Lists Inclusive GST

> Perodua's Updated Price List Post GST

> Isuzu D-MAX Pricing as of 1 April 2015

UPDATE: BMW Malaysia has announced at the BMW World Malaysia show on April 16 that it is revising the prices of all its BMW and MINI vehicles lower by up to 1.9% following the GST implementation. BMW Motorrad prices are also lower by up to 18%.

KUALA LUMPUR: Toyota and Lexus cars will see price reductions of up to RM4,000 or 2%, with the implementation of GST (goods and services tax) on April 1.

In a statement, UMW Toyota Motor president Datuk Ismet Suki said, "UMW Toyota Motor will pass 100% of the cost savings to the customers upon buying Toyota and Lexus models during the new tax structure’s implementation.”

Ismet added that the company would be transparent in its business transaction and it would strictly adhere to the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2014.

National automaker Proton also announced price reductions of up to RM1,475 or 3.25% per unit on selected variants.

The new on-the-road prices are for all Proton cars.

Proton CEO Datuk Abdul Harith Abdullah said, "For example, now consumers can buy a Saga from as low as RM33,242.40 or a Preve 1.6L Turbo at RM61,023.46. All these prices have taken into account the 6% GST and are the on-the-road prices.”

Perodua reduced its vehicle prices by 0.1%-1.6% depending on models, following the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST).

Perodua said in a statement that it would maintain its spare part prices, while absorbing the impact of GST.

“We had repositioned the price of some of our models and added value ranging from 3% to 12% since 2013. In addition all our models have a 5-year warranty for the peace of mind of our customers,” president and CEO Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said.

TC Euro Cars Sdn Bhd, the local distributor of Renault cars, also announced price reductions for the French marque.

For example, the locally assembled two-litre Fluence sedan which was priced at RM115,000 on-the-road without insurance, at its launch nearly a year ago, sees a minor price drop to RM113,888.

READ: Honda brings good tidings
Mitsubishi, Nissan and Volkswagen positions

Mercedes-Benz car prices will also be reduced, following the implementation of the GST.

In a statement, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Sdn Bhd CEO and president Roland Folger said, "We have good news for the market. For example, the Mercedes-Benz E300 is now priced at RM338,888."

Meanwhile, a spokesman from BMW Group Malaysia said there are no changes in prices for the German marque.
"Should there be any price changes, this will be announced at the BMW World Malaysia showcase at Bukit Kiara Indoor Arena in mid-April," said the spokesman.Volvo said some models  were now cheaper while others remained unchanged. (see below).Mazda echoed Volvo's strategy, where some cars were cheaper while others were unchanged.Except for the Picanto, all the other models sold by Naza Kia have seen a dip in prices, with the biggest change in the Sorento, which is now RM2,088 cheaper. Naza Kia also sells the Rio, Cerato, Optima K5 and Sportage.Other car makers such as Nissan and Volkswagen were not available for comment at press time. But we will update the site as and when more information becomes available.
BMW is the only marque so far that has said its prices remain unchanged.


Ferrari Portofino M launched from RM998K

                PETALING JAYA: The Ferrari Portofino M is launched today in Malaysia at a base price of RM998,000 (before duties, options, taxes and insurance).

Highlights are the redesigned powertrain, a brand-new eight-speed gearbox and the five-position Manettino that includes a Race mode, a first for a Maranello GT spider.

The "M" in the car's moniker stands for "Modificata", which in Ferrari nomenclature refers to cars that have undergone an evolution that has significantly boosted their performance.

Engine

The Portofino M’s 3,855cc engine belongs to the V8 turbo family voted “International Engine of
the Year” on four consecutive occasions (2016-2019).

The power unit can punch out 612hp at 7,500rpm, 19hp more than the Portofino.

To achieve these performance levels, the Ferrari engineers used new cam profiles to increase valve lift and optimise combustion chamber filling.

A speed sensor was also added to the turbocharger assembly to measure the turbine revolutions.

This in turn allowed the maximum revolutions per minute of the turbine to be increased by 5,000 rpm.

Lastly, to comply with the strictest pollution emissions standards, a Gasoline Particulate Filter has been included in the exhaust system.

The GPF allows the car to comply with the strictest European anti-pollution standards (Euro-6D) without compromising driving pleasure.

The 8-speed gearbox is a completely new unit compared to the previous 7-speed version and is based on a dual-clutch oil bath architecture. It differs from the SF90 Stradale’s 8-speed transmission in its longer gear ratios and the introduction of a mechanical reverse gear.

The new layout and integration of its components have also optimised the gearbox’s size and its installation in the car.

Like all the other turbo cars in the range and in line with the “zero turbo lag” concept, the Ferrari
Portofino M delivers instantaneous throttle response throughout the rev range.

Vehicle dynamics

The Portofino M sports the vehicle dynamics control system known as Side Slip Control (SSC), which incorporates an algorithm that delivers an estimate in real time of the side slip angle to all the various on-board control systems.

The SSC coordinates all the vehicle dynamics interventions as the systems are all integrated using shared data.

Now in its sixth generation, the SSC integrates the E-Diff, F1-TCS, SCM-E Frs and the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE) control systems.

The FDE is a lateral dynamics control system that uses Ferrari software to adjust the hydraulic brake pressure at the callipers on all four wheels.

On the Portofino M, it is available only when the Manettino is in Race mode. The FDE is designed to make the car’s lateral dynamics more predictable both through and exiting corners by ensuring the steering wheel and throttle are more intuitive for the driver to use.

The FDE is not a stability control system and flanks rather than replaces the traditional VDC and stability control system (ESC).

Another noteworthy factor is the more modulable brake pedal pressure which, when combined with a reduction in pedal travel of around 10%, delivers more precise, instantaneous responsiveness to inputs during braking.

The aim of the five-position Manettino, a first on a Prancing Horse GT spider, is to make the Ferrari Portofino M’s handling and grip even more accessible by extending the setting ranges still further with the introduction of the Race position.

Supported by the introduction of the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer, that position focuses on maximising driving pleasure.

Below are the five positions on the Ferrari Portofino M’s Manettino and their respective performance goals:

Wet — Maximum stability and control
Comfort — Normal use on dry roads
Sport — Sporty driving
Race — Maximises driving pleasure
ESC-Off — VDC and F1-TCS both deactivated

Exterior

The fact that the Portofino M’s performance is more powerful than the Portofino resulted in the Ferrari Styling Centre’s designers making very precise, targeted adjustments to highlight the model’s characteristics and underscore its sportiness.

The wraparound front bumpers incorporate imposing, sculptural air intakes that lend a decisive,
aggressive look to the front of the car. They also feature a new air vent at wheelarch height, added
because of the need to reduce the car’s overall drag.

Part of the air flow coming off the front radiating masses is directed towards the new vents and then accelerated up as it exits, boosting its extraction power.

The resulting improvement in aerodynamic performance is underscored by a slash on the front bumper that flows into the design of the flanks, adding visual harmony to the side view of the car.

The grille features new aluminium slats with contrasting faceted tips that highlight this noble material.

At the rear, the new exhaust system has allowed the removal of the silencer assembly, making the
Ferrari Portofino M’s tail more compact. The result is that the rear bumpers are now more streamlined and sculptural.

The rear diffuser has been completely redesigned and is now separate to the bumpers. This allows
clients to be able to specify it in carbon-fibre, which further underscores the car’s sporty character.

Specific diamond-finish wheel rims were designed for the Ferrari Portofino M. Their styling references that of the car’s flanks.

Interior

With the top down, occupants will realise how compact and organic the whole car feels.

The crafting of the interior began with a multi-level dashboard structure comprising an upper half and then an intermediate gap designed to lighten the perceived mass of the lower half.

The breaking up of the dash into different levels allowed the designers to organise the technical elements and in-car devices in a rational way while defining its signature full-width architecture.

A central horizontal aluminium blade divides the instrument panel, air conditioning vents and passenger display into separate areas in the upper section.

The other control functions are located in the scooped section below, with a 10.25” touchscreen at the centre.

This layout is designed to involve the passenger and is underscored in the styling of the door panels, handles and various controls and devices available, including the central and passenger touchscreens.

The seats have an innovative magnesium structure. Different density padding and an ultra-compact seatback profile have freed up space for rear occupants too.

Also available is three-level ventilation for the seat and backrest, and the popular neck warmer for
use in winter months.

The latter offers a choice of three heat levels and the system constantly adapts the speed of the warm air flow from the headrest to ensure it is proportional to the car’s speed, outside
temperature and the position of the retractable top.

Infotainment accessibility

The Portofino M’s HMI (Human-Machine Interface) centres on a digital cluster with dual TFT displays arranged around the analogue rev counter in a generous circular, anti-glare binnacle.

Located on exactly the same axis as the multifunctional steering wheel, this cluster allows the driver to interact more easily and intuitively with the car by delivering optimal driving feedback.

The infotainment system functions are controlled via the touchscreen located at the centre of
the dash within easy reach of both driver and passenger.

Designed to be as quick and accessible as possible in terms of usage and content, it includes a full HD multi-touch capacitive screen with Split View to allow different types of content to be viewed simultaneously. Both Apple Car Play and Android Auto are also available.

The advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) available as optional items for the Portofino M are: Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop&Go function for driving in traffic; Predictive Emergency Brake System; Blind Spot Monitoring; Lane Departure Warning; Automatic High Beam; Traffic Sign Recognition; Surround View with 3D display; and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Like all other models, the Portofino M comes with an extended seven-year maintenance programme.


Nissan touts new petrol engine that could make diesel obsolete

                ATSUGI (Japan): Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co has come up with a new type of petrol engine it says may make some of today's advanced diesel engines obsolete.

The new engine uses variable compression technology, which Nissan engineers say allows it at any given moment to choose an optimal compression ratio for combustion - a key factor in the trade-off between power and efficiency in all petrol-fuelled engines.

The technology gives the new engine the performance of turbo-charged petrol engines while matching the power and fuel economy of today's diesel and hybrid powertrains - a level of performance and efficiency the conventional petrol engine has so far struggled to achieve.

The potential breakthrough technology comes at a time when diesel engine technology has been tarnished by Volkswagen's emissions cheating scandal.

The German automaker admitted last year to using secret software to cheat exhaust emissions tests on its diesel cars, affecting millions of vehicles worldwide, and prompting the departure of the company's CEO and other executives.

"Diesel engine is a hot topic globally. We believe this new engine of ours is an ultimate petrol engine that could over time replace the (advanced) diesel engine of today," Kinichi Tanuma, a senior Nissan engineer who leads product development for the premium Infiniti brand, told reporters at a pre-launch briefing last month.

"Everyone's been working on variable compression and other technologies to significantly improve petrol engine fuel economy ... at least for the last 20 years or so," said James Chao, Asia-Pacific managing director at consultant IHS.

"Increasing the fuel efficiency of internal combustion engines is critical to automakers. Not all consumers will accept a battery electric vehicle solution. But significant challenges remain, such as increased complexity and cost, as well as potential vibration issues."

The new Variable Compression-Turbo (VC-T) powertrain, expected to be officially unveiled at next month's Paris motor show, will initially be showcased in an Infiniti car to be unveiled next year, Nissan engineers said, without elaborating. Eventually, it's expected to be used in Nissan cars and possibly by its alliance partner Renault.

The turbo-charged, 2-litre, four-cylinder VC-T engine averages 27 percent better fuel economy than the 3.5-litre V6 engine it replaces, with comparable power and torque. Nissan says the new engine matches the diesel engine in torque - the amount of thrust that helps determine the car's acceleration.

The engine is also cheaper than today's advanced turbo-charged diesel engines, Nissan engineers said at the briefing at the company's technical and design centre in Atsugi, south of Tokyo. They said it should also meet nitrogen oxide (NOx) and other emissions rules in certain markets without requiring costly treatment systems.

The compression ratio measures how much the air-fuel mix is reduced, or compressed, in the petrol engine's cylinders before it's ignited and produces energy. The higher the ratio, the more efficiently the engine works, producing better fuel economy and, with the addition of a turbo-charger, more power.

Traditionally, design engineers had to fix a petrol engine's combustion compression ratio, essentially deciding whether to go for power or economy.

Nissan says the new VC-T engine can choose an optimal compression ratio variably between 8:1 and 14:1. That compares with mainstream production petrol engines that run at compression ratios of 8:1 to 10:1. Exotic sports cars and racing cars run at 12:1 or more.

"We think the VC-T engine could replace or become an alternative to some of today's advanced diesel engines," Tanuma said, noting the new engine's fuel economy and performance could be significantly boosted by coupling it to a petrol-electric hybrid system, an option Nissan said it's considering.


Silicon Valley's SF Motors electric SUVs to go on sale in 2019

                SAN FRANCISCO: While the auto industry's attention has been focused on New York this week, a Chinese-backed Silicon Valley startup has become the latest to introduce its first entrants into the burgeoning EV universe.

Hardly a day goes by now without another relatively unknown company claiming to be on the verge of launching new EVs with breathtaking power ratings, though not many of them are actually on our roads yet.

California-based, Chinese-backed startup SF Motors is the latest of these, unveiling its new electric vehicles, theSF5 and SF7 electric SUVs, at a special launch event this week.

Both models share a common platform, and they have been put together using batteries and motors developed in-house by the company.

The mid-size SF5 will be the first to go on sale, starting delivery in 2019. The full-size SF7 will follow later.

What's new here is the fact that SF Motors will offer the electric SUVs to buyers with a choice of powertrain configurations, ranging from one to as many as four electric motors. Those equipped with a full complement of four motors will boast a total output of more than 1,000hp, which should translate into sub-3 second 0-to-100kph times.

The liquid-cooled battery pack should be good for a 480km driving range, and an onboard range-extender will be included to make these genuinely usable daily drivers.

Of course, there will be a healthy dose of cutting-edge semi-autonomy and driver-aids, and a little extra excitement will come in the shape of a thrilling ride, courtesy of big wheels, multilink suspension, air springs with continuous damping control, rear steering and all-wheel-drive torque vectoring.

The only big unanswered questions are how much these EVs will cost, and whether the eventual production versions will have the same somewhat questionable styling.


2015 Bangkok motor show girls

BANGKOK: The Bangkok International Motor Show is an iconic symbol of Thailand’s automotive industry, and attracted 1.78 million visitors last year.

Organised by Grand Prix International Co Ltd, this year’s event marks the 36th edition.

The 12-day show is being held at Challenger Hall, Impact Muang Thong Thani from March 25 till April 5.

“This year, the show has a Art Of Auto concept. The concept reflects the art in the world of automobiles, with no boundaries and endless creativity for exterior and interior design, body lines, engine performance, and suspension systems,” said Grand Prix International president Dr Prachin Eamlumnow.

More than 30 automobile and nine motorcycle brands, as well as vehicle audio and accessories’ distributors are exhibiting their latest products, together with lots of sleek and stunning brand ambassadors.


Hyundai to debut first fully electric model in January

                SEOUL: Porsche wants to do it. So does Hyundai.

We are referring to electric cars, of course. Set to launch in 2016, the Hyundai Ioniq is Hyundai Motor's first all-electric vehicle, just as the Mission E will be for Porsche.

In addition to the electric model, the new design will also be the first ever car to become available in three power options, including hybrid and plug-in hybrid. Each model possesses the same body and is equipped with lithium-ion batteries.

The Ioniq chassis is optimised to deliver responsive handling while remaining efficient in each of its three powertrain configurations.

In its fully-electric (EV) form, the  Ioniq is powered by a high capacity, ultra-efficient lithium ion battery. The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version combines a fuel-efficient energy with battery power obtained by charging the car with electricity, boosting its range while cutting its emissions. Finally, the hybrid (HEV) uses the gasoline engine and motion of the car to charge the on-board battery, which returns enhanced efficiency by supplementing the engine’s power.

Named after a combination of the words "ion" and "unique", the Hyundai Ioniq will premiere in South Korea in January and will be revealed both at the Geneva International Motor Show and the New York Auto Show in March 2016.

Shown below is the Ioniq Concept which was displayed at the 2013 KL International Motor Show.


Denso may consider spinning off chip business, says report

                TOKYO: Denso Corp may consider spinning off its chip business, a top executive of the major Japanese maker of semiconductors used in automobiles and a main supplier to Toyota Motor Corp told Bloomberg News today.

"We need to think about whether the time will come when we sell semiconductors, alone, externally," Bloomberg quoted Denso's chief technology officer, Yoshifumi Kato, as saying in an interview.

Nothing had been decided on a split and the company's focus for now was on meeting internal chip demand, Bloomberg cited Kato as saying.

Denso is not considering spinning off the semiconductor business at this moment, a company spokesperson said.

Kato said last week the company expected demand for auto chips to be about a third higher by 2025 than it was in 2020, as the key component was increasingly used in fossil-fuel cars, electric vehicles and autonomous drive technology.

A global chip shortage has plagued companies from smartphone makers to consumer electronics firms and car makers following a surge in demand after the Covid-19 pandemic eased in many places.

The shortage has forced companies, including Toyota, to repeatedly cut production.


New Tesla Model D software update will boost acceleration

                SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla's fastest car is about to get faster still, and all existing owners will have to do to unlock this extra turn of performance is ensure their cars receive an upcoming software update.

Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, confirmed the news via Twitter, explaining that an over-the-air software update which is being pushed out in the coming days will shave another 0.1 seconds off the car's already impressive 0-100kph time.

The Model S P85D, to give it its full name, was only unveiled at the end of December in front of a specially invited audience of existing Tesla owners. When Musk announced the car's performance figures, executives at BMW, Mercedes and even Ferrari could be heard taking a collective gulp.

The fire-breathing version of the Tesla Model S all-electric executive sedan has two motors for delivering all-wheel drive for even better traction off the line, in the bends and in inclement conditions.

However, most importantly, the car boasts a 0-100kph time of just 3.2 seconds, putting it on a par with a Ferrari, a Porsche or Lamborghini and ahead of any comparatively sized BMW, Mercedes, Audi or Jaguar.

And once the software update is installed, that time will drop to 3.1 seconds.

Companies that build gas-powered sportscars can spend months stripping down cylinder heads, adjusting crankshafts and fiddling with the engine mapping in order to find an extra fraction of a second's performance or an increase in horsepower that doesn't melt the engine.

Tesla has just managed the same thing by tweaking an algorithm and then hitting "send" on a computer keyboard.

Perhaps best of all, owners of P85 Model S Teslas will also be getting an over the air software update that will also marginally tweak acceleration.


Audi halts A4, A5 production over parts shortage

                INGOLSTADT: German luxury carmaker Audi will halt production of the A4 and A5 luxury models at its Ingolstadt base this week until Thursday due to a parts shortage after a fire at a supplier, it said today.

Audi produces 1,400 A4 and A5 models per day at the plant, its largest, so it will lose 5,600 vehicles this week. A fire at a supplier making front wall cladding had disrupted parts deliveries, a spokesman said today.

About 8,500 of the 43,000 workers Audi employs at the plant will be affected and will not be working between Monday and Thursday, she said. Production of A4 and A5 models at a plant in Neckarsulm had not been affected.

German news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported the stoppages earlier today.


Jaguar offers insight into design with masterclass films

                NEW YORK: Jaguar is giving insight into its design process with a series of masterclass films produced to encourage creativity and skills development at home.

Hosted by Jaguar designers, the four-part series follows the progress of the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE through the initial design stages, with expert advice and tips from each of the disciplines featured in the films.

Just like in the design studio, the process begins with sketching. Chief Creative Designer Dominic Najafi gives a tutorial on sketching the I-PACE with a pencil and paper before handing over to Matthew Beaven, Chief Exterior Designer, who then transforms the preliminary sketch idea into a professional digital render using Photoshop.

The third film follows Chris Scholes, Senior Alias Modeller as he creates an exterior design proposal, taking the 2D digital render and developing it into 3D surfaces using Autodesk Alias software.

Finally, CG Artist Elliot Brett from the Design Visualization team brings the I-PACE to life, detailing how it is taken from storyboard through to animation.


Crowdfunding raises US$200,000 for US man with long commute

                WASHINGTON: The story of a Detroit man who walked 33km to work each day sparked a flood of donations to a crowdfunding campaign, raising more than US$200,000 (RM714,000).

The donations from over 8,000 people will be more than enough to buy a car for 56-year-old James Robertson, the subject of a Detroit Free Press article Sunday about his arduous daily commute in the US state of Michigan.

“At the beginning, my goal was just US$5,000 (RM18,000),” said Evan Leedy, who launched the campaign on the GoFundMe website.

 The website has managed to attract over  US$271,000 for Robertson at the time carsifu posted this story.

“I just wanted to get him a car to get back and forth to work, but thanks to everyone’s generous donations, this is skyrocketed into more than just a car. I want to thank everyone for their continued donations. Every penny will help James in any way that he needs it.”

The article described Robertson’s daily trek which involved bus rides which only cover a small portion of his commute to his factory job in suburban Rochester Hills, Michigan.

He has made the daily commute mostly on foot for a decade since his 1988 Honda broke down, according to the article, unable to afford a vehicle with his hourly wage of US$10.55 (RM38) an hour.

Leedy, a 19-year-old student at Wayne State University, told the newspaper he began the campaign with his phone after reading the article and quickly raised several thousand dollars.

The money is aimed at paying for a car and covering costs for insurance, fuel and other expenses.

One auto dealer, Rodgers Chevrolet of nearby Woodhaven, offered to give Robertson a car, either a Chevrolet Cruze or Sonic, The News-Herald newspaper reported.

Even though the fundraising goal was surpassed - with US$226,000 (RM806,000) late Tuesday - some people kept donating, inspired by Robertson’s story.

“What an inspiration,” said Jason Fisher, as he donated US$10 (RM36).

“I donated because if I am going to continue complaining about capable people choosing not to work... I need to reward the people that have good excuses but choose to overcome by pure determination.”


Tesla hiring servicing staff in 'unsupportive' Singapore

                SINGAPORE: Tesla Inc has advertised for servicing staff in Singapore, a country previously criticised by chief executive Elon Musk as unsupportive of electric vehicles.

Listings for five jobs in Singapore on networking website LinkedIn are mainly in servicing and repair, such as a service technician and parts adviser.

It was not clear where in Singapore the new hires would be based, or whether the U.S. automaker currently has any employees in the country.

Tesla did not respond to a request for comment on its Singapore plans.

Singapore is one of the world’s most expensive places to buy a car and has few electric vehicles. It aims to phase out petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040, and make a bigger bet on electrification to cut greenhouse gases and slow climate change.

Two years ago, Musk responded to a Tesla admirer in Singapore who asked the executive to make the automaker’s vehicles available in the city-state. “We tried, but Singapore govt is not supportive of electric vehicles,” Musk tweeted.

Unlike traditional automakers, Tesla prefers to sell its cars directly through its own showrooms.

Local dealership Hong Seh Motors on its website said it is Singapore’s only retailer of Tesla cars. It did not respond to an emailed request for comment.

In related news, Bloomberg reported that Tesla has lowered the deposit that buyers in China have to put down on its cars, seeking to keep sales momentum in the face of intensifying competition and reductions in the government’s electric-vehicle subsidies.

Tesla now requires a 1,000 yuan (RM608) non-refundable deposit for the Model 3 sedan, Model X SUV and Model S vehicle, a company representative in China said in a message today. Buyers were previously asked to pay a refundable deposit of as much as 20,000 yuan (RM12,155).

While the US company has increased its lead in China’s EV market in recent months, competition is heating up. Local champion NIO Inc. has been energized by a capital injection from a regional government and a fresh credit line from six banks, while global peers including BMW AG and Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler AG are bringing out new EV models.

The deposit cut coincides with the latest reduction in China’s electric-car subsidies kicking in — a move that effectively increases the price of some vehicles. While Tesla lowered the price of its locally built basic Model 3 in April to meet the tighter subsidy criteria, some of its models are no longer eligible for the government handouts.


Hyundai delays launch of upgraded Nexo hydrogen car, says paper

                SEOUL: Hyundai Motor Co has decided to delay the launch of its upgraded hydrogen-powered Nexo SUV to 2024 due to issues with its fuel cell development, a South Korean newspaper reported today, citing the auto parts industry.

The South Korean automaker had planned to kick off mass production and sales of its new Nexo in the second half of next year, but has decided to postpone to 2024, the Seoul Economic Daily reported. The Nexo was launched in 2018.

The report also said the launch schedule for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles at Hyundai Motor's premium brand Genesis had not been decided yet, as the project to develop the first Genesis brand fuel cell vehicles was suspended late last year.

Hyundai Motor did not have comment.

Hyundai sold 3,978 Nexos in South Korea and exported 120 between January and May this year, according to the company's sales data.

In September, Hyundai Motor Group, which houses Hyundai Motor, Kia Corp and Genesis, announced plans to offer hydrogen fuel cell versions for all its commercial vehicles by 2028, adding it would develop fuel cell vehicles for Kia and Genesis that could be launched after 2025.

Analysts said Hyundai would be reevaluating its hydrogen fuel cell business, especially for passenger cars, because of the slow growth of the hydrogen fuel cell car market and the need to focus on the transition to electric vehicles (EVs).

"With the growing global EV market, it would be likely that Hyundai could be reassessing its priority list as demand for EVs continues to grow, while the market for hydrogen cars still remains relatively small," said Co Soo-hong, an analyst at NH Investment & Securities.


VW will cover some costs of hardware retrofits for diesel cars, says German minister

                BERLIN: German carmaker Volkswagen has agreed to cover some but not all of the costs for hardware retrofits of diesel cars, Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer said on Monday, adding the German coalition still needed to decide how to plug the funding gap.

“We have a commitment from Volkswagen for hardware retrofits,” Scheuer said in a live video chat on Instagram.

“A retrofit costs around 3,000 euros. VW will cover 2,400 of that. Now we have to discuss in the coalition how we handle the gap of 600 euros.”

He said his party, the Christian Social Union — Bavarian sister party to Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats — did not want diesel drivers to face any additional burdens.


BMW 330e gets Touring variant

                MUNICH: BMW's 330e Saloon plugin-hybrid will no longer be lonely in the coming months.

The German automaker based in Munich will soon be welcoming a Touring (wagon) variant to take on the 330e nomenclature.

Additionally, both Saloon and Touring will have an optional xDrive all-wheel-drive system for choice - bringing the total number of variants up to four.

The Touring variant uses the Saloon's powertrain in which it too will have a total system output of 292hp and 420Nm.

This allows the Touring variant to sprint from 0 to 100kph in 6.1 seconds and onwards to a top speed of 222kph while having the ability to travel up to 55km - emissions-free.

With the xDrive system, acceleration for the Touring variant stakes 0.1 seconds more at 6.2 seconds before reaching Vmax at 216kph.

This is the first time a BMW Touring variant gets equipped with an electrified drive system.

Much like all of BMW's plugin hybrid models, the 330e Touring will be fitted as standard with active pedestrian protection where an unmistakable sound designed specifically for electrified BMW models is generated at speeds of up to 30kph.

Standard equipment for the electrified 3 Series models includes a tri-zone automatic air conditioning and auxiliary air conditioning.

Also included are automatic anti-dazzle interior mirror alongside anti-dazzle power-folding exterior mirrors, Parking Assistant, reversing assistant, BMW Live Cockpit ConnectedDrive with voice control navigation, Remote Services, Apple CarPlay and Connected Music.

Within the popular M Sport Plus package, this includes the Adaptive M suspension system with a Variable Sports Steering system and the M sports braking system and Driving Assistant Professional among others.


Ducati Smart Service campaign aims to reel 'em in

                KUALA LUMPUR: Ducati distributor Next Bike Sdn Bhd has introduced the Ducati Smart Service campaign to cater to new Ducati customers.

The nationwide campaign aims to offer a better Ducati ownership experience.

Next Bike said that from this month on, new Ducati customers will receive for two years  free parts and free lubricants, or up to 30,000km including DESMO service, whichever comes first. Labour charges will still be imposed.

Terms and conditions apply. This offer is on top of the current two-year unlimited mileage warranty every new Ducati owner gets.

Next Bike said the new campaign is expected to boost demand for Ducati motorcycles ahead of the introduction of six 2017 models namely the Multistrada 950, Monster 797, Supersport , Supersport S, Scrambler Café Racer and Scrambler Desert Sled.