Pop by for some Shake Shake popcorn at 2017 CarSifu Auto Show

                KUALA LUMPUR: Pop in for some flavourful Shake Shake popcorn at the 2017 CarSifu Auto Show that’s taking place at the Mid Valley Megamall here until Oct 29.

There are three delectable flavours to choose from: Cendol, Green Tea and the ever-popular Cheesy Cheese .

Courtesy of Golden Screen Cinemas, visitors to the show can get their own regular-size bag of nibbles at the popcorn stall located on the ground floor of the South Court entrance.

Worth RM11.50 each, the bag of ‘lite and sweet’ popcorn comes with one of your preferred flavour sachets to be poured into the bag and then shaken before munching, The popcorn product was first introduced in the middle of this year.

“This is my first time trying out a bag of Shake Shake popcorn, so I decided to have the Cheesy Cheese flavour, since I personally like cheese a lot,” said Nur Amira, a 23 year-old administrative assistant.

 Nur Amira (right) with her friend Nor Atiqah.

Although it seems the majority of patrons to the popcorn stall preferred the more conventional taste of Cheesy Cheese, there were some with a more adventurous palate.

“I thought I’d try something interesting and decided to go with Cendol flavour instead,” said Chin Ai Lin, 27, who works as a purchaser.

 Ai Lin (middle) and her workmates Hazwani Binti Mior Muzamin and Abie Mosaddiq Rahim.

The Shake Shake popcorn is available daily until this Sunday. It is given out at noon to the first 60 visitors, at 3pm to 70 visitors and at 9pm to the last 70 visitors.

Those who book a car at the show stand a chance to win Sharp TV sets and ionisers. Free GSC popcorn will also be given out to the first 200 daily visitors from tomorrow until the end of the show.

The auto show, happening at Mid Valley Megamall, is open to the public from 10am to 10pm daily until Sunday. The five-day car show extravaganza is organised by Star Media Group and carsifu.my.

Thirteen brands are featured at the show namely Peugeot, Mazda, Toyota, Isuzu, Volvo, Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Infiniti, Kia, Renault, Citroen and Proton.

Some of the cars on display were winners at the Oct 5 CarSifu Editors’ Choice Awards.

Boustead Petroleum Marketing and Silverstone Marketing are the Star Media Group partners in the awards and the auto show.


Audi develops Digital Matrix LED headlights

                INGOLSTADT: Comprised of 1.3mil micromirrors per headlight, Audi's Digital Matrix LED (DML) headlights are said to operate like movie projectors.

In doing so, these headlights emit tiny unique particles or adaptable light.

The German carmaker said that at market introduction, this lighting technology will provide customers with five different welcome/leaving animations when the vehicle is parked.

And, each will have its own unique motion graphics and text selected through the vehicle’s MMI touchscreen display.

The DML full feature set includes A 50m “light carpet” that is designed to keep light within the driver’s lane and extends the carpet left or right when changing lanes and helps to avoid a “blinding” effect for oncoming traffic.

There is also low-beam curved lighting that bends below oncoming traffic and can help illuminate people or objects on the side of the road, which are otherwise difficult to detect.

Also, the headlights have electrostatically controlled micromirrors that can adjust light beam pixels by up to 5,000 times per second.

Also, there are on-ground light arrows that place the vehicle’s tyres within its lane.


VW moves to rev up sales with zero-interest promo

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Group Malaysia has announced a zero-interest financing campaign on selected models.

The zero interest offers are available until June in two financing schemes of 5-year or 7-year monthly instalments. The campaign applies to the Jetta, Golf 1.4, Passat and Tiguan 1.4.

“The ‘Zero %’ campaign is a great proposition for Malaysians to own Volkswagen cars. Anyone can take advantage of these deals as we have a whole range of car options to suit whatever your driving style, needs or preferences are,” said Volkswagen Group Malaysia managing director Armin Keller.


No interstate travel allowed during Raya

                PETALING JAYA: The ban on interstate travel will not be lifted for Hari Raya Aidilfitri, says Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

“Interstate travel is still not allowed, except between recovery movement control order states under the green travel bubble concept.

“This means travelling with an agency registered under Motac (Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry).

“However, travel between districts within the state is allowed, except in Sabah and Sarawak. based on the respective state governments’ decision, ” he said in a press conference today.
Hari Raya Aidilfitri will either be on May 13 or 14, depending on the sighting of the moon by religious authorities.

Sabri also announced that Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Penang and Sarawak will remain under conditional movement control order until May 17.


Polestar 2 model range expands to three variants

                GOTHENBURG: The Polestar 2 model range is expanding to three variants.

With two powertrains, two battery packs and optional equipment packs, the electric performance fastback now starts at around €40,000 (RM198,000) – making it accessible to a wider audience to further help accelerate the shift to more sustainable mobility.

Depending on variant, range is from 420km to 540km.

Three powertrains are now available. The existing 300 kW (408 hp) dual motor setup with a large 78 kWh battery pack, is joined by two front-mounted single motor variants – available either with the same long-range battery and a 170 kW motor, or a smaller, standard-range battery (64 kWh) and a 165 kW motor.

Exterior and interior design is largely indistinguishable between variants. They include 19-inch wheels, signature LED light designs front and rear, and Polestar’s signature frameless mirrors.

Just like the WeaveTech vegan upholstery introduced in 2020, the new standard embossed textile upholstery is a vegan material and is available in two colour executions, matched to new 3D-etched décor panels. Other notable standard features include high performance audio with 8 speakers, front- and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera.

The famed Android Automotive OS-powered infotainment system with its 11-inch centre display and 12.3-inch driver display is featured as standard on all variants. Integrated into the new Polestar app with other vehicle functionality controls is the new Polestar Digital Key, which is also included as standard, as is Over-the-Air updatability which allows Polestar to release software updates to owners remotely on a regular basis. The new Polestar app and Polestar Digital Key begin rolling out to all Polestar 2 owners OTA from May 2021.

Polestar 2 was awarded a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating in March 2021, thanks to innovative structural safety developments, eight airbags, and safety assistance features which include vehicle, pedestrian, cyclist and road edge detection support.

Having launched in all Polestar’s global launch markets in the latter half of 2020, Polestar 2 has received high praise from customers and press alike, winning a number of awards. The latest award comes from Red Dot, where Polestar 2 has been named “Best of the Best” in the Product Design category for 2021.

To further improve accessibility, optional equipment packs have been designed to add value without plaguing the ordering process with too many single options. The existing optional Performance Pack remains available for the Long range Dual motor variant only, and includes adjustable Öhlins dampers, Brembo brakes, forged 20-inch alloy wheels and signature ‘Swedish gold’ details inside and out.

The Plus and Pilot packs, which have previously been standard on the launch version, are now optional.

The Plus Pack includes high-level premium equipment like the full-length panoramic glass roof, premium Harman Kardon audio system with 13 speakers, WeaveTech upholstery, Black Ash deco panels, fully-electric heated front seats with memory, heated rear seats, steering wheel and wiper blades, and a new heat pump.

The heat pump reduces the need to use valuable battery capacity to prepare and sustain the cabin climate. It capitalises ambient heat, as well as residual thermal energy from the drivetrain, to reduce climatisation load by as much as 50%.

In colder climates and most effectively between 5-15 degrees Celsius, as much as 10% can be gained in range. Constant development also means that future improvements and more significant gains can be deployed via OTA updates.

The Pilot Pack includes enhanced safety and driver assistance features, such as the Pixel LED headlights with LED front fog lights, Driver Assistance with Adaptive Cruise Control and Pilot Assist, a 360-degree surround view camera, all-round parking sensors, and Driver Awareness including Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with steering support, Cross Traffic Alert with brake support, and Rear Collision Warning.

A handful of specific single options remain available, including ventilated Nappa leather upholstery (requires Plus Pack), metallic paint, 20-inch alloy wheels and a semi-electric folding tow bar.

The Polestar 2 variants will realise Polestar’s original pricing range between around €40,000 and €60,000 (between RM198,000 and RM297,000).

Order books for the new variants are open in Polestar’s launch markets. These markets include China, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Britain and Switzerland. Order books in the United States and Canada will open at a later date.

Customers order exclusively online at Polestar.com – and will be able to see and test drive the new versions of Polestar 2 in person from September 2021, where safe and permitted, at one of the over 40 Polestar Space retail environments across all 10 markets.


Hyundai launches foldable 7.7kg electric scooter for last-mile trips

                SEOUL: Hyundai Motor Group unveiled on Aug 26 the latest prototype of the compact electric scooter concept first announced in 2017.

The model boasts a 20km range and can be folded up and carried into the office.

At the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Hyundai introduced the world to a foldable electric scooter concept complete with a small digital dashboard between the handles, and a set of lights on the front and back ends.

The 7.7kg model is powered by a 10.5Ah lithium battery, which delivers energy to the rear wheel; in contrast, the concept featured front-wheel drive. Shifting the drive to the rear will allegedly make the scooter both more stable and more safe. While the model is still equipped with a set of front and rear lights, those on the prototype are more "stylish" than those of the concept.

According to Hyundai, there are plans to integrate the scooter with future Hyundai and Kia vehicles which will automatically charge the micro-vehicle "using electricity produced while driving."

The company claims that with a full battery, the prototype can reach a top speed of 20kph and achieve a range of 20km.

Hyundai is said to be looking at integrating regenerative braking into the model as well, which could potentially increase its range by 7%.

No launch timeline has been disclosed.


Glove craze out, electric vehicle craze in

                PETALING JAYA: Two years ago, Malaysia saw a flurry of companies rushing into glove manufacturing as they tried to get a slice of the pandemic-driven demand.

But the craze quickly died out and this year, an increasing number of listed companies are instead jumping on the electric vehicle (EV) bandwagon.

Companies are looking to cash in on the projected future demand for EVs, as they are expected to replace the traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles on the road.

In addition, the venture into EV also makes companies’ environmental, social and governance (ESG) profile more appealing.

However, one wonders whether the transition away from ICE vehicles could take place fast enough to provide a bankable market for the new EV players.

Another big question is, are some companies announcing their EV ventures just to create positive news flow?

After all, some of the listed players who have announced their EV-related deals are companies that are financially weak.

The new-found craze for EV is not surprising, especially with global EV sales growing exponentially.

According to the International Energy Agency, global sales of electric cars – including fully electric and plug-in hybrids – had doubled in 2021 to a new record of 6.6 million units, which is almost 9% of global car sales.

China alone accounted for about half of the total global sales.

However, in Malaysia, the EV market is still in its infancy, despite the fact that there are some listed companies indirectly involved in the EV sector via manufacturing of components, machineries’ fabrication processes and solutions for global EV makers.

Undeniably, costs and infrastructure are major roadblocks to the adoption of EV in Malaysia.

The good news is that the country is seeing active efforts in building an expansive EV infrastructure nationwide, beginning with key cities.

For example, Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS), via its clean energy company Gentari Sdn Bhd, has been setting up its EV charging stations in several locations.

In line with the growing demand for EVs, a number of listed companies in Malaysia are embarking on EV-related businesses.

Automotive parts manufacturer EP Manufacturing Bhd (EPMB) had, in October 2022, announced its venture into electric car manufacturing, about a month after the group received the government’s approval to license its first-ever electric two-wheeler.

EPMB signed a memorandum of agreement with California-based Saean Group, aiming to mass-produce 20,000 units of five-door, four-seater A-segment cars annually for the South-East Asian market.

Under the partnership, Saean will offer technical and design know-how, while EPMB will provide support through resources and market information for the project, as well as to “actively strive for mass production, supply and sales.”

Electric bikes

With regard to two-wheeled EVs, EPMB is working towards manufacturing and distributing Blueshark-branded electric bikes for the Malaysian and other South-East Asian markets.

Ni Hsin Group Bhd, a manufacturer of premium cookware, has also diversified into the business of EV bikes.

In November 2022, Ni Hsin Group launched its TAILG EBIXON EV bikes and aims to sell 15,000 units a year.

Via its subsidiary Ni Hsin EV Tech Sdn Bhd (NH EV Tech), the group will be assembling the electricity-powered motorcycles at its manufacturing facilities in Seri Kembangan, Selangor.

“There are lots of opportunities for the use of EVs, with the government providing incentives in the form of tax reliefs for the assembly or manufacturing of EVs, component parts and the development of EV ecosystems such as charging facilities.

“Also, the global electric scooter and motorcycle market is estimated to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 10.2% to US$93.9bil (RM415.37bil) by 2031 from US$35.3bil (RM156.15bil) in 2021,” NH EV Tech managing director Khoo Chee Kong said earlier.

It is noteworthy that both Ni Hsin and EPMB are loss-making companies. In the third quarter ended Sept 30, Ni Hsin recorded a net loss of RM2.57mil while EPMB posted a net loss of RM1.9mil.

Interestingly, both companies have spoken about their carbon-credit trading ambitions as they announced their respective EV ventures.

The companies are eyeing for a “green” revenue stream whereby their EV businesses could generate carbon credits or offsets that can be sold to other companies – typically carbon-intensive industry players – to reduce their carbon footprint.

Carbon credits

The carbon credits can be traded via a carbon market such as Bursa Carbon Exchange, which was launched on Dec 9.

Among other listed companies that are embarking on EV-related deals are Computer Forms (M) Bhd, CSH Alliance Bhd and Solarvest Holdings Bhd.

Loss-making Computer Forms, which prints and distributes computer forms and stock forms, announced in September 2022 that it will be joining hands with Thailand’s Energy Absolute Pcl to “maximise opportunities” in the production and distribution of EV-buses, EV-cars, EV-trains, EV-bikes and EV-boats.

Group managing director Datuk Justin Lim Hwa Tat said the joint venture will invest an estimated RM5bil in stages into the collaboration and other ventures.

This includes developing energy storage and charging platforms as well as producing lithium-ion batteries to support the EV ecosystem in Malaysia.

Porcelain and ceramic products maker CSH Alliance Bhd also announced its shift to the EV sector this year on the heels of its decision to scrap its plan to construct a glove manufacturing plant.

The company, which is also loss-making, was appointed by BYD Malaysia Sdn Bhd in April 2022 as the distributor of the latter’s commercial electric vans.

In May, CSH Alliance announced that its EV unit is buying three plots of industrial land measuring 55.32 acres in Tanjung Malim, Perak, for RM12mil to build an EV assembly plant.

It is worth noting that Sime Darby Motors, the automotive arm of Sime Darby Bhd, has been appointed as the official exclusive distributor of BYD passenger EVs this month.

A total of RM500mil will be invested over two years to establish a wide network of BYD showrooms and also the charging facility.

Meanwhile, clean energy specialist Solarvest announced this month that it is venturing into the EV charging-port market, with the launch of EV charging and mobility solutions called PowerBee.

Target markets

The company said it will be focusing on three target market segments – the residential segment with seven to 22 kilowatt (kW) alternate current charger; commercial and industrial with slow charging of 11 to 22kW or fast charging of 30 to 60kW; and highways with 60 to 180kW.

Speaking with StarBizWeek, an analyst says EV ventures may not be necessarily lucrative but points out that they present huge growth potential moving forward.

“Malaysia is still in the nascent stage of EV adoption, so we are unsure how the margins would look like.

“The early entrants into the sector will enjoy the first-mover advantage, although this will erode as more companies jump on the bandwagon.

“For those companies venturing into building EV infrastructure such as charging stations, I believe they will see a greater demand in the medium term as more EVs come onto the road,” the analyst says.

Looking ahead into 2023, it is expected that more listed companies – including non-automotive players – would enter the EV business.

The revised Budget 2023, which will be tabled next year, could provide better incentives for companies to explore EV-related projects.

Once the government starts to actively deal with EV-related costs and infrastructure issues, the adoption of EV is likely to accelerate in Malaysia.


Mazda to appoint former North America head Moro as next CEO

Moro will officially take over pending the approval of the shareholders and board in June. — Reuters
TOKYO: Mazda Motor Corp will appoint 40-year company veteran Masahiro Moro as its new president and CEO, the Japanese automaker said today, as it ramps up spending to electrify its vehicles and considers investing in battery production.

Moro, 62, currently a director and senior managing executive officer, had previously served as the head of the automaker's North America operations. He will officially take over pending the approval of the shareholders and board in June, the company said.

Current president and CEO Akira Marumoto, who took up his role in 2018, will step down from his posts at that time, Mazda added. Marumoto would continue to serve as an adviser, the Nikkei newspaper reported separately today.

The leadership shake-up comes as the company, which is 5.1%-owned by automotive giant Toyota Motor Cor, laid out a 1.5 trillion yen (RM50bil) spending plan in November to increase electrification of vehicles.

"Our business in the United States is currently growing very strongly," Moro said during a news conference in Mazda's home base of Hiroshima, as he pledged to work out the automaker's mid-term strategy in detail.

 Donnelly (left) and Guyton.

Moro said he hoped Mazda will expand its US business by upgrading dealer stores, which number around 360, and have each of those stores sell 1,000 vehicles a year initially. "If that can be done, next would be to work to 1,200 units," he said.

Mazda also nominated Jeff Guyton, 56, senior managing executive officer and its current North America head, as chief financial officer and assistant to the president pending the June approval of the shareholders and board. Tom Donnelly, currently senior vice president of retail operations, will take over as new head of North America operations.

The company has sought to strengthen its position in the US market with Toyota's help, making Mazda CX-50 crossovers at a plant it built in Huntsville, Alabama, with its much larger compatriot.

Mazda, which saw global annual sales of 1.25 million vehicles in the financial year to end-March 2022, is facing growing competition in the US and China, as well as fallout from the global chips shortage.

The company forecast last month that it would sell 6% fewer cars in the United States and 48% fewer in China in the current financial year, setbacks that would be partly offset by higher expected sales in Japan.


Kia showcases Forte sedan and Forte5 hatchback

                DETROIT: KIA’s Forte5 and Forte sedan has been revealed sporting an exterior design inspired by the all-new Optima at this year’s North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) and both are due to go on sale in the first half of 2016 in the US.

The Forte5 hatchback gets three trim levels starting with the entry level LX, EX and range-topping SX, whereas the Forte sedan has the LX, S and EX.

Both hatchback and sedan has a front clip that’s highlighted by a wider version of the signature “tiger nose” grille, similar to the one found on the all-new Optima that connects the rearward-sweeping redesigned headlights.

And depending on variants, LEDs are used for the rear light cluster as well as daytime running lights.

The entry-level Forte5 LX gets projector beam headlight, keyless entry with trunk opener, blind-spot detection with lane change assist and rear-cross traffic alert, while the EX gets LED taillights, leather seats, heated front seats, push-button start with Smart Key, and perimeter approach lighting with front-door pocket lighting along with UVO services.

Kia’s UVO infotainment system offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlayTM (late availability) compatibility, and is displayed on a seven-inch colour touchscreen and both platforms allow drivers to stay connected, while behind the wheel.

The range-topping SX adds on 18-inch alloy wheels, unique front and rear fascias with red accents and dual exhaust tip finishers along with an exclusive new colour - Orange Color Pack that includes orange leather seat inserts and contrasting stitching on the seats and shifter.

Under the hood lies a 2.0-liter Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine that’s mated to a six-speed manual transmission or an available second-generation six-speed automatic transmission.

However a 1.6-litre turbocharged GDI engine is also available that paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission but Kia is keeping mum about the performance figures till closer to the launch date.

As for the Forte sedan, it comes in three variants starting with the LX, S and the range-topping EX – all of which will be produced at the Korean carmaker’s new manufacturing facility in Monterrey, Mexico, which will begin in he first half of 2016.

As standard, the Forte gets a 2.0-liter Atkinson I-4 engine mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox or an available second-generation six-speed automatic transmission.

Furthermore, it gets crammed in with additional advanced driver assistance features such as autonomous emergency braking, rear cross traffic alert, front collision warning, and dynamic bending lights.

As for the S variant, it adds a sport-tuned suspension, 16-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, rear spoiler, and a chrome exhaust tip.

But, the range-topping EX trim comes standard with LED taillights, dynamic bending light technology, Smart Key with perimeter approach lighting and front door pocket lighting, and new 17-inch alloy wheels.

Within the cabin, both the LX and S trims get upgraded cloth materials for the seats, while the S trim features an exclusive black fabric seats with white contrasting stitching, as well as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.

The EX now comes standard with leather seats with heated front seats, 10-way powered driver seat with a two-position memory setting, dual-zone automatic temperature, rear vents, and a push-button start with Smart Key.

As for infotainment, both the S and EX trims come standard with UVO33 telematics, which is displayed on a seven-inch colour touch screen as well as sat nav, drive mode select of Normal, Eco or Sport.

KIA FORTE5

KIA FORTE SEDAN


Get ready for Ford Ranger Raptor bi-turbodiesel launch from June 8

                KUALA LUMPUR: Due to popular demand from local Ford Ranger Raptor fans, the rugged pick-up truck will soon be equipped with a 2.0-litre bi-turbodiesel engine.

Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC), the sole distributor for Ford in Malaysia, said the diesel version of the Ranger Raptor will be available starting June 8.

On Oct 7 last year, SDAC introduced the petrol variant of the Ranger Raptor featuring a 3.0-litre V6 Twin Turbo EcoBoost engine that cranks out 392hp and 593Nm of torque.

The new bi-turbodiesel Ranger Raptor will come with the same bold, high-energy exterior and interior styling, integrated technologies, and advanced safety features similar to that of the V6 twin-turbo Ranger Raptor.

In conjunction with its launch, the first 300 bookings of the bi-turbodiesel Ranger Raptor will come specially fitted with the Kenwood DRV-A700W dashcam system, which features a Wide-Quad HD (WQHD, 3.7MP) front camera and Full HD (FHD, 1080p) rear camera for dual-channel recording.

 Ranger Raptor V6.

It is equipped with a three-axis G-Sensor designed to detect a collision and a built-in wireless smartphone link for easy management of recorded videos and dashcam settings.

The built-in GPS receiver automatically records driving information and location tracking, while the polarised filter allows for more vivid and clearer images.

Designed and engineered as the ultimate Ranger model with Ford’s Performance DNA at its core, the Ranger Raptor has exceeded expectations, setting new benchmarks as the only factory-built performance truck for high-speed off-roading.

The latest milestone is the vehicle’s successful completion of last year’s gruelling SCORE International Baja 1000 in Mexico which is said to be one of the toughest off-road endurance races in the world.

The Ranger Raptor used in the race was from the production line of the same factory in Thailand that builds all the Rangers and Ranger Raptors.

Completing the course in 26 hours and 21 minutes, the Baja-race-prepared Ranger Raptor was the only entrant in the stock mid-class category, which is designed to showcase the capability of stock road-legal trucks.

This means the only modifications made were to meet race safety regulations.

 Ranger Raptor V6.

All other engineering and design aspects are the same as every Ranger Raptor coming straight off the production floor, including the engine, transmission, suspension and driveline.

SDAC-Ford managing director Turse Zuhair said the company had received requests for different drivetrains after the V6 Ranger Raptor was launched locally last year.

“We are responding by adding the formidable, tried and tested 2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel engine variant to offer another ownership option for Raptor lovers and other high-speed off-roading enthusiasts,” he said.

The bi-turbodiesel Ranger Raptor will be available for the public to experience in conjunction with its official launch at MRANTI Open Space, West Entrance (formerly known as Technology Park Malaysia) from June 9 to 11.

The location was selected to provide a test-drive experience covering different terrains of tarmac, dirt and rocky surfaces.

 Ranger Raptor V6.

The vehicle will also be going on tour with the Ford Experience Hub to the northern and southern regions of Peninsular Malaysia, in addition to Sabah and Sarawak.

To keep updated on schedules and locations of the bi-turbodiesel Ranger Raptor and Ford Experience Hub tour, visit the Ford Experience Hub webpage.

The first 300 bookings will enjoy an additional RM500 discount on a Ford Ranger Getaways, which can be redeemed upon vehicle delivery.

Other customers who made early bookings at the official launch event at MRANTI from June 9 to 11 will also get an exclusive Raptor Winter Vest upon vehicle delivery.

Chat via WhatsApp with the Ford Digital Salesperson who will connect you to your preferred dealership.

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


Shell Helix and Waze launch accident-prone spots alerts

                KUALA LUMPUR: Shell Lubricants Malaysia and Waze have launched Asia’s first accident-prone spots alerts.

The collaboration aims to make roads safer for drivers in the Ramadan and Aidilfitri season.

From May 16 till July 15, 2017, a special alert from Shell Helix will pop up on Waze to remind drivers to be extra vigilant when their cars approach any of the 50 accident-prone spots across Peninsular Malaysia.

The locations are based on historical accident data submitted by Waze users.

The message is only displayed when the car is stationary to avoid distracting the driver.

Also, during the pre-peak travel period, Shell Helix will also be running a special oil change promotion for Waze users and the public who catch its Aidilfitri video on YouTube or Facebook to remind car owners to service their cars before going on a "balik kampung" trip.

By presenting a unique promo code that will be flashed on the Waze app and also in the video, car owners will enjoy up to RM30 off when they bring their cars in for an oil change service at participating Shell Helix branded workshops and Shell retail stations’ Lubebay service outlets.

"This cooperation with Waze reflects our desire to take our commitment in road safety to the next level by engaging drivers in real-time,” said Shell Lubricants Malaysia and Singapore marketing manager Alex Lim.

"By reducing crashes, we also reduce traffic jams and this benefits everyone,” added Waze Malaysia business manager Edward Ling.


Toyota promotes talking vehicle technology

The Toyota Concept-i is the type of driverless car that will need to communicate with others.
TOKYO: A big part of vehicles becoming truly driverless is them eventually having the capability to communicate with other vehicles in the vicinity and various elements of infrastructure. Toyota is therefore looking to start selling models in 2021 that can talk to each other using short-range wireless technology, which could potentially prevent thousands of accidents each year.

The Japanese auto giant is looking to get a lead over its rivals by getting its own version of the technology accepted first to give it the very best chance of becoming the standard used by everyone. After all, at some point all the vehicles on the road will have to communicate with each other and that means the need for a recognized industry standard.

At the moment, the US transportation department is considering whether to adopt a pending proposal that would eventually require all vehicles to be fitted with this advanced technology.

Toyota is hoping to adopt this short-range communication system across most of its US new vehicle portfolio by the mid-2020s and that other manufacturers will then do the same.

Back in December 2016, the Obama administration came up with a proposal where all automakers would be required to adopt such a technology, and it was suggested they be given a period of at least four years to comply. The detail of the proposal insisted all vehicles "speak the same language through a standard technology."

A specific bandwidth was previously allocated to automakers for such a technology, which was then referred to as "vehicle-to-vehicle" (V2V) and "vehicle to infrastructure" (V2I) communications. Studies have gone on for more than a decade now, but the 5.9 GHz bandwidth has gone largely unused and some in Congress now think it should be allocated for other uses.

General Motors started offering such a technology in its Cadillac CTS models last year, but it's still the only commercially available vehicle at the moment to have such a system. However, Toyota has now deployed its own technology in more than 100,000 vehicles in its native Japan since 2015.

Last year, major automakers, state regulators and others urged the US Transportation Secretary to finalize standards for the technology and therefore protect the reserved spectrum, stressing the need to expand deployment and use of the traffic safety technology. Toyota will be hoping that standard is eventually the one it already operates and that other markets will then follow suit.


Open payment system at 12 highways from September

                KUALA LUMPUR: The open payment system, which allows road users to pay tolls using debit and credit cards, would be implemented starting September at 12 highways.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said they were the Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (Akleh), Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE), Sungai Besi Expressway (Besraya), New Pantai Expressway (NPE), Penang Bridge (JPP) and Butterworth-Kulim Expressway (BKE).

Others are the Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP), Western Kuala Lumpur Traffic Dispersal Scheme (SPRINT), Shah Alam Expressway (Kesas), SMART Tunnel, Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya Expressway (MEX) and Duta-Ulu Klang Expressway (DUKE).

"The system is one of the efforts and initiatives of the government that is committed to the transition towards the implementation of the multi-lane fast flow (MLFF) toll collection system which is expected to be realised in stages by the end of 2024," he said when opening the second phase of the Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang Expressway (SUKE) at the Alam Damai Toll Plaza here today.

He said all the toll plazas on the SUKE expressway have been equipped with the MLFF system.

The open toll payment system is a government initiative to provide payment options for users besides paying in cash, using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Touch n Go cards and SmartTag.


2017 Tokyo Motor Show: Honda gets sporty with EV concept

                TOKYO: It hasn't been too long since Honda brought its Urban EV Concept to the Frankfurt Motor Show, and now the Japanese automaker has turned up with another electric car concept at its home show here this week. But this is one enthusiasts have been waiting for, because the somewhat unimaginatively named Sports EV Concept is just what it sounds like, which is an all-electric sports car.

There's no ignoring the fact that this one owes a good deal of its styling cues to the Urban EV Concept, such as the black panels housing the headlights and taillights, the implied but not present grille, the lights themselves, the wrap-around windscreen and black bars on the sides of the vehicle.

Whether fans of electric cars like to admit it or not, there are still obstacles to overcome before they're going to be seen as a genuine alternative to combustion engine-powered cars. The headline issues are the limited driving ranges most currently offer, the amount of time it takes to recharge one, and the practicality issues many people face when it comes to accessing electricity supplies to recharge an EV. But there are other issues that need to be addressed, which are styling, affordability and desirability. And that's where the Honda could come in.

Although Honda has so far declined to comment on details about the powertrain and performance, it has admitted the Sports EV shares a platform with the Urban EV, which gives hope that the Sports EV might actually see the light of day eventually.

 Image: Bloomberg

Though the EV looks like it could be amusing to drive, it also has an artificial intelligence (AI) system on-board called the Honda Automated Network Assistant. According to the manufacturer it's designed to "create communication that unites driver and car." Honda also added that it's designed to deliver "a one-ness between driver and car;" hopefully that means it's about making the car even more nimble and fun to drive.

 Image: Bloomberg Image: Bloomberg Image: Bloomberg Image: Bloomberg


Honda Malaysia opens RM19mil 3S centre in Semenyih

                KUALA LUMPUR: Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd today launched a RM19 million sales, service and spare parts (3S) Centre in Semenyih, Selangor, with 14 service bays to accommodate up to 30 cars daily.

It said in a statement that the centre, managed by SAG Ultimate Sdn Bhd, had a total built-up area of 22,000 square feet and spread over about 61,000 square feet of land.

Managing director and chief executive officer Yoiciro Ueno said the new facility is designed to offer a comfortable and conducive atmosphere for customers.

SAG Ultimate is the first Honda dealer based on the company's new dealership facility programme to enhance the operation standards for all dealerships.

From January to October this year, Honda Malaysia sold 74,920 units, translating to a 19 per cent jump compared to the same period last year, reinforcing its top position in the non-national car segment.

With 86 dealers to date, the Japanese car maker is optimistic of achieving its target of 90 by 2016.

 Ueno (second from left) with (from left) SAG Ultimate director-cum-CEO Eric Quah, Honda Malaysia president-cum-COO Roslan Abdullah and SAG Ultimate director Justin See.


McLaren Elva test: What it's like to drive a supercar with no windows

                Put on your goggles, because McLaren is taking you on the ride of a lifetime. The British maker has gone ballistic with the Elva which offers amazing performance while cutting the one feature you thought no car could do without: windows.

After all, who needs them? Or a roof or even side-screens, for that matter. When blasting through the landscape, they would just increase the drag on the slippery carbon-fibre on a car designed to deliver speed and excitement.

Anyone spotting a parked Elva would be tempted to take a photograph but the chances of seeing this rarity from Britain are minimal.

Production has been pegged at strictly 149 examples and with a price tag of €1.7 million (RM8.4mil) its appeal to all but the fabulously rich, is also limited.

The radical concept of the Elva makes it unique in the automotive universe. The cockpit features twin bucket seats with fabric woven from naturally black carbon-fibre and there are tasteful white gold and platinum applications.

The lithe bodywork seems to offer scant protection from the elements and McLaren strongly suggests you don some safety goggles and a tailor-made helmet before dashing off.

The shape of the curvaceous bodywork with various slits and grilles has been finetuned in a wind tunnel and the Elva features what McLaren calls its active-air-management system.

The high-tech helper is a 15cm long front spoiler which raises a flap about 15 centimetres into the air. This reduces the blast of air onto driver and passenger and it pops up automatically at 50kph when things get windy.

So what's it like with no windshield in front of you?

You certainly feel the speed more intensely, but the airflow feels more like a stiff breeze than the hurricane-like turbulence you might expect.

The system is good but once the flap withdraw and the speedometer shows 200kph this Elva runs the length of its wildness. At this pace the buffeting gets brutal.

Driver and passenger feel the full brunt as the car pierces the air like a jet fighter. McLaren recommends switching off the air management at high speed.

Driving this thing fast is for hardcore fans only. On hilly roads it's like being strapped into a roller-coaster cabin as the car plunges up hill and down dale with its occupants strapped in at the sharp end.

The spectacular performance is a result of feather-like weight mated to the mind-bending 815 horsepower pumped out by the twin-turbocharged 4-litre engine.

The 100kph mark flashes up after 2.8 seconds and it takes only 6.8 seconds to double the speed. For the brave who want to test the limits of this rocket, the Elva only run out of steam at 327kph.

The Elva is an extravagant roadster for enthusiasts. Unpractical for daily use, it's more toy than serious car. That is what makes it so fascinating.

Owners will take it out in the pouring rain and come back with a wide grin on their faces - after all, you an outrun almost any rain cloud with the ferocious performance on tap.

McLaren Elva Specifications

Engine: 3,994cc V8 direct injection petrol
Capacity:
Max power: 815hp
Max torque: 800Nm
Power-train: Rear-wheel-drive
Transmission: Seven-speed twin-clutch
Length: 4,611 metres
Width: 1,944 metres
Luggage space: 50 cubic metres
Performance:
Max. speed: 327 km/h
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 2.8 s
Fuel consumption: Not given
C02 emissions: Not given
Price: €1.7m
Safety: Twin airbags, ESP, air brake
Comfort: Air-conditioning, rear-view camera, wind deflectors


Subaru takes slow lane for self-driving cars, says costly for buyers

                TOKYO: While major automakers race to develop driverless cars, Subaru is taking a slower approach, saying its vehicles may be less advanced than its rivals' by 2020 as autonomous features remain costly for the buyers of Japan's smallest carmaker.

Automakers such as Ford Motor Co, General Motors Co and Nissan Motor Co are increasingly looking beyond conventional vehicles to survive in an industry that is moving into electric and self-driving cars.

Smaller players are doing the same, but automakers like Subaru with limited research and development resources than their bigger rivals are showing caution in committing to advanced technologies on their own.

At a recent demonstration of its driving assist system "Eyesight", Subaru said its goals for autonomous driving were modest versus bigger rivals, some of which aim for self-driving cars on city streets by 2025.

"We're looking at how to develop (more advanced)capabilities, but we believe such functions will remain beyond the reach of Subaru customers," Tetsuo Onuki, chief general manager at Subaru's technical research centre, said last week in comments for publication on Monday.

"We're not aiming to develop driverless cars. What we're trying to do is make driving safer for people."

Subaru's new automated cruise control system can track cars travelling in front at low speeds, building on a similar feature marketed by bigger rival Nissan last year.

The automaker has said it will continue to develop automated functions on its own, tapping outside technology as needed.

It has plans to start developing an all-battery electric car this year, but it will use technology developed by Toyota Motor in a plug-in hybrid model planned for release in 2018.

"The risk Subaru runs with tempering their ambitions is that, if the market wants (more sophisticated technologies) ... and they don't make it on their own, they'll have to buy it off the shelf from a supplier," CLSA analyst Chris Richter said.

He added that an increased dependence on suppliers would leave Subaru with less control over developing new technologies.

Other smaller Japanese automakers have also acknowledged the challenges of competing with bigger rivals on advanced technologies given their relatively limited budgets.

Mazda Motor Corp has yet to announce plans to develop self-driving cars, while it will draw on its partnership with Toyota to develop electric cars.

Mitsubishi Motors Corp has said its takeover by Nissan last year had given it access to Nissan's automated driving technology, something it had lacked the resources to pursue on its own.


Stellantis plans a profitable goodbye for combustion muscle cars

                DETROIT: Stellantis NV's Dodge brand plans to squeeze maximum profit from the farewell party for its petrol-burning Challenger and Charger muscle cars, which are scheduled to go out of production at the end of next year, the company said on Monday.

Dodge will offer seven low-volume "heritage-influenced" versions of the Charger and Challenger at certain dealerships - previewing them under cover at events starting Monday in a throwback to marketing tactics that were old when the brand's current leaders were starting their careers.

The final run of the current Dodge muscle cars will be allocated to dealers all at once, said brand chief Tim Kuniskis to reporters. Customers will be able to see which dealers will get a car they want.

With their retro-styling and gasoline-burning six and eight-cylinder engines, the Challenger and Charger are throwbacks to Detroit muscle cars of the 1960s and 1970s. And like their forebears, the current Dodge muscle cars are getting run off the road by regulations aimed at curbing pollution.

Stellantis ranked last among major US automakers in corporate average fuel economy in 2021, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.

US regulators earlier this year said they would increase penalties for failing to hit CO2 emissions targets, a decision that could cost Stellantis as much as US$572 million.

Dodge brand executives are betting customers will see the last of the current Chargers and Challengers as collectible vehicles worth paying a premium to own.

"The thing I don't want is for some customer who wants one to order 10," Kuniskis said.

Stellantis has said that starting in 2024 it will spend US$2.8 billion to retool the Brampton, Ont. factory that builds the Charger and Challenger to assemble vehicles that "support the company's electrification plans."


Mitsubishi ASX - Moving up the value chain

                The locally assembled Mitsubishi ASX mid-sized sport utility vehicle (SUV) has been a hit among Malaysian motorists.

Assembled at the Segambut plant of Tan Chong Motor Assemblies, the ASX is a well-packaged car with nice comfort and safety features, even for the more affordable two wheel-drive variants.

It was designed for those who want a car with higher ride height, as well as the comfort and maneuvrability of a sedan.

Late last year, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia introduced its most affordable ASX variant, namely the 2WD GL at RM104,791.87 on-the-road without insurance.

At the same time, the ASX range was also enhanced with features like daytime running lights, rear reclining seats and a shark fin antenna.

Our test drive unit is the top-of-the-range ASX 4WD which has seven airbags and two-toned 17-inch alloy rims.

It’s also in a new colour - Sporty Blue.

The ASX comes in three variants, and the top two variants get a few extras like a touch screen display, GPS navigation, front parking sensors and a reverse camera.

One reason the ASX is a hit among car buyers is its high equipment level.

Standard kit for all three ASX variants include leather seats, keyless entry, rain sensing Wipers, automatic air conditioning, a CD audio system with MP3, AUX, USB and VAPS (Virtual Acoustic Positioning System) which provides surround sound stage experience, steering wheel audio control, coloured multi-info display and powered adjustable folding side mirrors.

With the base ASX variant priced below RM105,000 on-the-road, it provides plenty of bang for the buck.

In terms of standing out on the road, this is where the ASX is designed well.

We think it has sporty lines, and a dynamic-looking honeycomb grille that has a timeless athletic style.

Inside the ASX, the black-themed cabin is comfortable and the materials don’t look cheap.

Drivers will like the tilt and telescopic steering, which also has integrated audio and cruise control switches.

The 4WD (four-wheel-drive) button is conveniently located between the front seats, and you can push it when you want more traction on slippery roads.

However, urban drivers will probably never need to push this button except perhaps on badly flooded and muddy terrain.

For more natural light in the cabin, or to get a better view of that stylish skyscraper, just retract the sunshade, and you get a full glass panoramic sunroof.

There is a lot of grunt from the 2.0-litre 16-valve DOHC MIVEC ((Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control) engine, which is also found in the Mitsubishi Lancer GTE.

The INVECS-III CVT (continuous variable transmission) with Sports Mode, is said to have been enhanced for better acceleration response and fuel economy.

We certainly had no complaints about acceleration response, and the ASX has a 1,475kg kerb weight.

While the ASX has a fuel efficiency rating of 13.2km per litre, we did not achieve this as we are quite heavy-footed drivers.

It has a front MacPherson strut, and a multi-link rear suspension which help to provide a ride quality that is on the soft side, and absorbs road imperfections rather well.

The ASX has a respectable 2,670mm wheelbase and we did not find cabin leg room to be lacking.

The ASX felt agile and the powered rack and pinion steering was not heavy, and it has a class-leading turning radius of 5.3 meters.

We think the ASX ticks all the right boxes for those looking for a value-for-money SUV.

With the enhancements, it continues to offer a very attractive package in the RM105,000 to RM125,000 SUV price segment.


Thailand International Motor Expo 2017: Suzuki Ciaz

                BANGKOK: Meet the Suzuki Ciaz that's defined as a premium sport eco-car in Thailand and gets showcased at this year's Thailand International Motor Expo.

This 'eco-sedan' has been re-introduced to include a few new features at the same price of 675,000 Baht (RM85,000) - adding 5,000 Baht (RM630) gets it in white.

The added features include air vents and an electrical outlet at the centre console for better practicality.

The Ciaz is the SX4's replacement in the Asian and Latin American region with a 1.4-litre K14B engine,  producing 91hp at 6,000rpm and 130Nm of torque at 4,000rpm, while married to a four-speed automatic.

The show opens to the public from Nov 30 to Dec 11 at Impact Arena, Muangthong Thani from 12pm to 10pm daily.


Honeybees inspired Ford EcoSport honeycomb cargo shelf

                DETROIT: Ford has released a video clip to highlight the fact its honeycomb cargo shelf in the Ford EcoSport was inspired by honeybees.

The insect lend their design to the recycled paper honeycomb material that gives the shelf its unusual strength.

“The hexagonal design of honeycomb is a testament to nature’s ingenuity,” says Mike Mazzella, Ford EcoSport assistant chief engineer. “Not only is it strong, it’s superlight. Customers can slide the shelf into multiple different slots like an oven rack; even store it on the back of the seats. It helps make EcoSport super-flexible in everyday use.”

Honeycomb is one of several useful details that make the EcoSport an engineering and design powerhouse – a highly functional package in a vehicle just smaller than the Escape. The adjustable floorboard will debut as an all-new feature when EcoSport arrives early next year.

For years, honeycomb has been used to create the strong structure under the skins employed in high-end sporting equipment like skis, as well as aerospace frames. To create the adjustable floorboard for the EcoSport, a layer of hexagon-shaped cells made of 100 percent recycled paper and water-based glue is sandwiched between two layers of composite material. It’s able to hold more than 100 times its six pound (2.7kg) weight in cargo.


Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland driven

History has a way of repeating itself. My last review was on the descendant of the progenitor of all 4WDs and now I’m looking at a vehicle who can trace its roots back to the first-ever compact SUV.

The Grand Cherokee Overland is the result of this other “first” for Jeep.

According to former car executive Bob Lutz, who worked, headed and chaired in all America’s Big Three motor companies, American Motors Corporation (AMC) invented an all-new automotive segment, the compact sport utility vehicle with the Jeep Cherokee two- and four-door models.

He said this in a book he wrote that has an awkwardly long title, as most business related auto-biographies are wont to do, so I’ll just let you dear reader take my word for it.

AMC owned Jeep at the time and after its introduction of the Cherokee in 1984, it launched the Grand Cherokee almost a decade later in 1993.

Like its predecessor, the fourth generation Grand Cherokee Overland has a unibody construction. Just like the Wrangler, it boasts a 3.6l Pentastar V6 VVT engine that generates 284 horses at 6,350rpm and 347Nm of torque at 4,300rpm.

Though from my experience with this SUV, the engine seems to be tuned to be more nippy and agile than the Wrangler’s.

It had good acceleration making over-taking a breeze on the highway and the SUV felt for more nimble and agile than its brute of a brother.

I think this was also partially due to the SUV’s air suspension system which, according to blurb, raises and lowers the vehicle at highway speeds to help reduce drag.

You can also manually operate the Quadra Lift system depending on your needs. You can make the wheels rest almost on its arches to aid loading stuff into the back, or in my case, a very pregnant wife in the front (bless her). You can also raise it by up to 66mm to tackle obstacles offroad, but I’ll get into that later.

What I found good about the SUV in city traffic was that it felt and behaved more like a sedan than a truck. Making U-turns was a breeze as it has a relatively tiny turning radius and its power steering was tight and very responsive.

Maybe a bit too responsive for me as I’m used to vehicles needing more grunt to turn.

I had a few hairy experiences trying to fiddle with the radio while driving. All it took was a slight nudge of the wheel as I leaned over to swap from the unbearably “pop” station that always seems to be tuned into the radio of every test car I drive to something more pleasant to switch lanes.

This would not be a problem for me after more experience with the SUV but it is something to think about if it is your first time driving it.

Talking about the radio, the Grand Cherokee Overland sports a mean entertainment system.

It has an Alpine nine speaker system attached to a 7-inch multi-view display that controls the vehicle’s entertainment as well as its communication, navigation and climate control systems.

What makes it cool for me, is that you can pair it to two different devices via Bluetooth, meaning that you can have your phone connected and your MP3 player as well.

I had it set up to receive calls through my phone and play music from Spotify on my tablet.

The sound system does seem a bit bass heavy which is cool if you’re listening to rock or hip-hop, but not so cool for instrumental or jazz but that could just be me being incompetent with the equalizer.

But seriously, prepare your eardrums when your favourite artist decides to “drop the bass”.

My fillings are still rattling after a particularly heavy rendition of “Highway Star”.

For something this ultra-luxe I decided to drive to Cameron Highlands to have Earl Grey tea and scones, because that’s what posh people do, and the 400km return trip to Kuala Lumpur would give me a good estimation of what the Grand Cherokee was like.

What I found on my drive was that the Grand Cherokee made for a very comfortable cruiser.

It can be fast if you need it to be, but the default drive experience was of having one hand on the wheel, the other resting on the side while you listened to your favourite tunes the SUVs pumping sound systems.

While it is a very large vehicle, at cruising speed (circa 120kph) it is very responsive, nimble even, so navigating through the thick week-end traffic on the North-South Highway was a breeze.

Once we turned off from the highway at Tapah on the old trunk road leading up to Tanah Rata was when the Grand Cherokee came into its own.

The windy road leading up into the highlands was a dream to drive with this vehicle.

I have moaned many times in the past about sun-roofs being redundant in Malaysia’s hot and sticky climate, but this was the one time where a sun-roof seemed rational.

Cool air plus smooth driving leads to a happy car reviewer!

The Grand Cherokee performed well along the twisty road heading up into the highlands.

The car took corners in its stride making each turn seem to melt into the next.

Don’t get me wrong, there was no high revving engine nor screeching of tyres.

This SUV makes you want to savour the scenery and contemplate the road as you travelled onwards.

We decided to drive up Gunung Brinchang when we hit Tanah Rata to take the car through its motions. Just then the sky opened up and pelted us with buckets of rain, and I was glad that Ringlet was a couple of clicks behind me.

I have to give it to the Grand Cherokee, it took the tight and narrow semi-flooded road up to the peak in its stride.

At no point did I feel that my vehicle was going to lose control of the situation regardles of the water and loose gravel.

After out water-logged trip to the top and a few oohs and ahs at the scenery, we meandered back down the road to Tanah Rata for our afore-mentioned scones and tea.

All in all, I was very impressed with the Grand Cherokee.

In my previous review of the Wrangler, I said that it was a bit over-priced for its category. In the case of the Grand Cherokee, I would say that it is considerably under-priced.

For all its capabilities plus its bells and whistles, you would expect a price tag of at least RM100K if not more than its RM468K price tag.

Its imposing looks, performance and features places it in a class above its price tag and I do feel that many Malaysians would agree with if they gave it a chance. - NIKLAS ALBAKRI


New Mercedes E-Class to get online world debut on April 25

                STUTTGART: The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class will make its digital world premiere on April 25.

The 5pm (CEST or 11pm in Malaysia) reveal will be streamed simultaneously on numerous Mercedes-Benz channels such as Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Mercedes said the completely redesigned E-Class combines the unique "at home" feeling that customers have loved for decades with a new dimension of integrated digital luxury.

It touts groundbreaking technologies that make it the most intelligent and personal E-Class in the long history of the model series. With consistent electrification, it promises new standards in efficiency and also enables locally emission-free driving.

The world premiere can be followed live at https://media.mercedes-benz.com/e-class.


Toyota offers its Guardian driver assist system to rival car brands

                LAS VEGAS: Toyota has announced plans to offer its driver assist system Guardian to other car manufacturers.

It's an unusual move for a car company, as they normally try and keep all their cards close to their chest.

Speaking at CES here, Toyota's manager Gill Pratt did not name any conditions for other companies using Guardian, and also did not say if Toyota was already in talks with other manufacturers.

Whereas many car companies have been focusing on developing automated driving technology, Toyota has been investing heavily in its Guardian programme, which is designed to help the driver as much as possible with artificial intelligence.

Pratt explained how Guardian works by showing an accident which happened to a Toyota test vehicle: The car had several sensors and was being driven by a human on a road in the US, when another car drove into its back and pushed it onto the barrier. Due to the many sensors, the company was able to collect masses of data from the accident.

When the company re-enacted the accident after further developing Guardian, it found that the driver assist system was able to detect the other car coming and accelerate enough in time so that the accident did not happen again.

Toyota also presented a new test vehicle for developing driver assisted cars and robot cars.


Ferrari goes up in flames

                GEORGE TOWN: When a car burns, it’s news. When a super car burns, it’s bigger news.

A Ferrari sports car was destroyed by fire in Jalan Kebun Bunga here on Saturday.

Social media lit up over the combustible incident with photos and video being shared. The black car with Kuala Lumpur-registration number appeared to be a mid-engined F430, a Pininfarina-designed sports car that was produced from 2004 to 2009. It has a 4.3-litre V8 petrol engine yielding 490hp and 465Nm of torque.

The F430 takes 3.9s to sprint from 0 to 100kph and has a top speed of over 315kph. But it wasn't doing any of that in this instance.

As indicated in the video, flames were seen coming out of the engine bay.

A Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said a fire engine with seven firemen from Bagan Jermal rushed to the scene after receiving a call.

He said the car, which was parked at the car park in Jalan Kebun Bunga here, was engulfed by flames when the firemen arrived there at about 5.30pm. The flames were put out in about 30 minutes.

“The car owner was not at the scene and the cause of the fire is still being investigated,” the spokesman said.

(All images below from Kelab Info Malaysia)


Hyundai gets nod to build South Korea's tallest skyscraper for Gangnam HQ

The 569-metre Hyundai headquarters will break ground in the first half of 2020 in the affluent district of Gangnam (shown here). — Reuters
SEOUL: The Seoul city government said today that it has approved the long-delayed construction of Hyundai Motor Group’s new headquarters in the affluent district of Gangnam, which is set to be South Korea’s tallest skyscraper when completed in 2026.

The 569-metre building will break ground in the first half of 2020, Seoul city said in a statement.

The approval came more than four years after Hyundai Motor Group, South Korea’s second-largest conglomerate, offered to buy the site with US$10 billion in 2014, more than triple its market price, outbidding Samsung Electronics Co Ltd and sparking a stock sell-off.

The construction, originally scheduled to start in 2016, was delayed partly due to security concerns raised by South Korea’s air force, which said the building would interfere with radar and military operations, a Seoul city official said.

Hyundai signed an agreement with the defence ministry to resolve operational restrictions until the construction of the building has reached around 260 metres high, the official said, adding that the construction can be suspended should Hyundai fail to do so.

The building, consisting of 105 floors, will house not only offices, but a car theme park, a hotel, a concert hall and a convention centre, according to its 2014 plan. It will be home to 18,000 employees from 30 affiliates of the conglomerate, it said at the time.

Hyundai Motor said in March that it was in talks with potential investors to share additional investment costs worth about 3.7 trillion won needed to develop its new headquarters, following a call by US hedge fund Elliott Management Corp to drop the controversial project.

Hyundai Motor is trying to rebound from its sixth consecutive annual profit declines, while accelerating its investments in future technologies.

Hyundai said it “will continue to work closely with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to proceed with the project in compliance with the administrative procedures.”


2018 updated Mazda CX-3 launched: RM121K, more refined

                PENANG: The updated 2018 Mazda CX-3 SkyActiv-G 2.0L was launched today by local distributor Bermaz Motor Sdn Bhd, and it promises better driving performance and efficiency.

Imported from Japan, it is priced at RM121,134 on-the-road, inclusive of GST (0%) without insurance.

It is sold with a 3-year or 60,000km (whichever is first) free maintenance package, and a 5-year or 100,000km (whichever is first) manufacturer warranty.

An optional item is the Skytint safety tint film which costs RM1,792.45.

Exterior updates on the 2018 Mazda CX-3 include a new front grille design with double chrome slats, rear tail lights redesigned with a sharper styling, and a new rim design.

As for interior enhancements, the new CX-3 receives an updated dashboard, new red accent on the air conditioner louvers, and most remarkably – the adoption of electronic parking brake which allows for a new centre console, armrest and significantly greater storage space.

Other updates include redesigned front seats for greater comfort and support, and a new rear seat centre armrest with built-in cup holders.

Also, the CX-3 has improved NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) as improvements for sound insulation have been made with thicker door panels, outer glass and headliner door seals; resulting in a more refined and quieter cabin.

Meanwhile, the suspension was retuned for a smoother ride, and the power steering and chassis recalibrated for a more enjoyable driving experience.

It is powered by a SkyActiv-G 2.0-litre petrol engine, paired with a SkyActiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift and sport modes, along with Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control (GVC) technology which improves handling, stability and comfort.

Fuel efficiency is rated at 6.3 litres per 100km on the combined cycle.

The safety kit includes Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).

BSM helps detect and alert drivers to the presence of vehicles in the blind spot area on either side by displaying an icon in the respective door wing mirrors.

If the driver indicates to change lanes with a vehicle in the blind spot, the icon flashes and a warning beep is sounded.

As for RCTA , it alerts the driver when it detects vehicles approaching from either side during reversing operations.

The updated 2018 Mazda CX-3 is available in six colour choices: Soul Red Crystal, Ceramic Metallic, Machine Grey, Deep Crystal Blue, Jet Black Mica and Snowflake White Pearl.

2018 updated Mazda CX-3

- 2.0-litre DOHC 4-cylinder petrol engine, direct injection, with VVT
- 6-Speed Automatic gearbox with Manual Shift Mode
- 154hp at 6,000rpm
- 206Nm at 2,800rpm
- all-round disc brakes
- Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS)
- 215/50 R18 tyres
- LED headlights with auto On/Off function and auto levelling
- LED Daytime Running Lights and fog lights
- LED taillights
- Rain Sensing wipers
- Keyless Entry
- Engine Start/Stop Button
- Electronic Parking Brake
- Active Driving Display (Head-Up Display)
- Gear Paddle Shifters
- Leather seats
- Powered front seats
- MZD Connect Infotainment System With Voice Command
- 7-inch Full Colour Touch Screen
- CD & MP3 Player, Bluetooth
- 6 audio speakers
- 4 USB ports
- Reverse Camera
- Mazda i-Stop Idling Technology
- Mazda G-Vectoring Control Technology
- 6 airbags
- Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
- Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
- Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD)
- Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
- Traction Control System (TCS)
- Emergency Stop Signal (ESS)
- Hill Launch Assist (HLA)
- Auto Hold Function
- Walk Away Lock
- ISOFIX Child Restraint Anchor Points And Top Tethers
- Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)


Allianz Partners-Waze roadside rescue service comes to Malaysia

                KUALA LUMPUR: Allianz Partners and Waze have announced an expansion of their partnership to provide roadside assistance services to over 10 million Waze users across Asia Pacific.

The countries covered are Malaysia, Singapore, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Australia.

Drivers will be able to access an on-demand roadside assistance service provided by Allianz Partners in real-time, by one click on the Roadside Help ("SOS") button in the Waze app, and get support from either a digital platform or call centre.

Wazers will be assisted anywhere, 24/7, in the event of a breakdown, flat tyre or dead battery.

Allianz Partners - a player in the B2B2C insurance and assistance field - and Waze had initially offered the service across 20 European countries in 2018, benefiting 22 million Waze users.

This expansion builds on an existing partnership launched in July 2018 across 20 European countries, giving over 22 million Waze users access to on-demand roadside assistance. The countries where it's available are France, Italy, Greece, United Kingdom, Turkey, Russia, the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Ukraine, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Austria, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Ireland and Germany.

"Together, Allianz Partners and Waze will focus on making the drivers’ experience even safer, more secure, and more convenient, anytime and anywhere," said Allianz Global Assistance CEO Sylvie Ouziel in a statement issued on Wednesday.

“Waze is a community-driven app that does more than help everyone beat traffic — it also leverages the power of crowdsourced data to support drivers in times of need and distress,” said Waze APAC head K.K. Kumar. “Working closely with Allianz Partners enables us to make our Roadside Help offerings even more comprehensive across Asia Pacific."


Volkswagen in advanced talks to buy Europcar, say sources

                PARIS: Volkswagen is in advanced talks with the hedge fund owners of Europcar about buying the French car rental company after a first bid from the German automaker was rejected in June, according to two sources close to the matter.

Volkswagen, which has owned Europcar in the past, is exploring an approach at about 0.50 euros per share, following its last offer at 0.44 euros, which would value Europcar's equity at close to 2.5 billion euros, the sources said.

The tie-up could be announced as soon as Wednesday if talks about an agreement in principal are successful, although no deal has been reached yet, the sources added.

They said the price could still evolve or include sweetener clauses if acceptance levels reach a certain threshold. One of the sources said the companies' boards were due to meet separately on Wednesday.

Volkswagen declined to comment, as did Anchorage, the lead fund that took control of Europcar last year along with other investment firms.

The European leader in car rentals, which was hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic as international travel ground to a halt, will release first-half results on Wednesday after the market close. Volkswagen's first-half earnings are due on Thursday.

Volkswagen said at the end of June it was considering buying a majority stake in the French company, together with investors Attestor and Pon Holdings, as it seeks to tap into the trend for consumers to rent rather than own a vehicle. read more

Its proposal was deemed too low by the funds that control the Paris-based company. Investment funds Anchorage, Attestor, Diameter, King Street Capital and Marathon agreed to shrink Europcar's debt load in exchange for equity last November.

Volkswagen sold the company to French financial investor Eurazeo in 2006 for 3.3 billion euros, including debt.

But industry sources have said it could now find value in using Europcar's network of rental stations to help it become a broader provider of different transport options, especially at a time when it is pivoting towards electric vehicles.

"(...) it could be a strategic move to place BEVs (battery electric vehicles) and achieve its fleet CO2 average objectives," Kepler analysts said in a note in June.

Europcar's revenues plunged 45% in 2020 when the pandemic hit, and it fell to a 645 million euros net loss.


USB stick, CD or Spotify: The best ways to get a playlist on the road

                BERLIN: Cars have been playing music as long as they've had windows, and the idea of driving to songs has been around for a century.

But although we've come a long way from the trusty tape deck, bringing along a decent playlist to fit your route and mood is no simple matter, even in the age of the digital cockpit.

The classic way to bring your favourite music into the car is to rip the tracks from your CD collection and convert them into a digital format.

"New devices still have CD and DVD drives, often also connections for SD cards and USB sticks," says car hi-fi specialist Michael Zeitler. But don't expect to find any more CD changers.

The easiest way to get digital music files into the car is on a USB stick. A 64 GB stick costs less than 10 dollars and can hold thousands of songs.

And yet more and more often, the music played in cars is streamed over the internet, as the number of people subscribed to Spotify and other streaming services continues to rise.

The trend away from bringing music files into the car will only continue, Zeitler predicts. "In the long term, all of the music will be stored in the cloud or loaded by streaming services."

There are differences in sound quality between streaming and listening from files, as well as between the individual music file formats, although in reality most listeners won't notice.

If you're keen on getting the best sound from a decent sound system in a car, you might want to avoid ripping CDs into MP3s.

"Music fans who value the maximum quality of their music collection should save the songs in FLAC format," advises Zeitler. This format compresses the music losslessly, unlike MP3 or AAC.

If you subscribe to a music service such as Spotify you can also stream music in your car via your smartphone, provided you have an internet connection. A stable mount for the phone and a power supply to keep the battery charged will also come in handy.

It won't matter whether you connect to the hi-fi system via a USB cable, aux input or Bluetooth, Zeitler says.

If you don't want to use up all your monthly data allowance you're better off using the streaming service's offline feature and downloading the music at home via wi-fi before your trip. Spotify allows you to automatically download its changing smart playlists, meaning you won't have to listen to the same songs over and over.

You should also be careful not to overdo your music listening while driving. A rolling disco can not only potentially damage your hearing, but can be dangerous and annoying for other road users.

"Drivers always have to make sure that they can still hear traffic while driving and listening to music," says Kay Schulte, head of accident prevention at the German Road Safety Council.

"This includes horns from other vehicles, sirens from emergency vehicles and the bell ringing of bicycles," she says.

Regarding how loud you can play music in the car, "there is no exact decibel number," according to Schulte. If the driver and front passenger can still talk without shouting, the volume is usually fine.

In addition, "it is important that the driver can still hear background noise outside the car," the expert says.

Schulte warns against wearing headphones in the car because the driver is then dangerously isolated from outside noise.


Ren supercar producer Techrules aim big with micro-turbine generators

                BEIJING: Techrules, best known for its revolutionary Turbine-Recharging Electric Vehicle (TREV) system in the Ren supercars, will start producing and selling a 45-kW turbine in small series in June 2020.

The 45KW turbine runs on renewable fuels and can be used as stand-alone power generator to provide electricity, heating or cooling wherever it is needed.

A smaller 15 kW turbine will follow in 2021, specifically developed for use as range extender in passenger cars, while the 45 kW version is more suitable for use in commercial vehicles since these require more power.

TREV delivers unprecedented levels of efficiency and performance, and its environmental impact is ultra-low, especially when renewable fuels are used such as biogas, methanol or ethanol.

Although the company still has plans to become an automotive  producer, the key focus is on developing, producing and selling micro-turbines first.

The inventor of the micro-turbine, Chief Technology Officer of Techrules, Matthew Jin, said: ‘Especially when it’s running on renewable fuels, our technology helps to fight global warming as it substantially reduces the output of CO2  by stimulating the cultivation of plants to produce biofuels. It is therefore no real surprise to us that the use of our technology as a range extender and also as a charging station for electric vehicles has created massive interest from companies and institutions around the world. As a range extender, the smaller 15kW and 45 kW turbines are more suitable for use in passenger cars and commercial vehicles, as opposed to the 80 kW version that we used in the Ren supercars. However, this will require co-development with interested OEMs which, in turn, will require massive resources from our end. That’s why we have decided to focus our efforts on the 45 kW turbine initially, which is almost ready for production here in China and for sales markets around the world.’

The 45 kW turbine can be used as a generator to provide heating, cooling and electricity in remote areas or as a support and back-up for large power plants.

The turbine is far more efficient than the diesel generators that are currently widely used, because it runs efficiently on a variety of fuels including renewable fuels such as biogas, ethanol and methanol.

It also has a high tolerance of hydrous or low heat value fuel and requires hardly any maintenance.

To generate heat, the 45 kW turbine efficiently burns fuel such as ethanol, methanol or biogas to produce electricity and uses heat recovery devices to capture the heat from the turbine.

This heat is converted into useful thermal energy, usually in the form of steam or hot water and used for purposes such as commercial buildings, residential areas, colleges and universities, hospitals, prisons, military bases, local energy systems, wastewater treatment facilities, schools and production facilities.

This reduces emissions and pollutants because less fuel is required to produce a given energy output, and the method cuts out the transmission and distribution losses that occur when electricity travels over power lines.

Matthew Jin: ‘The mass production of micro-turbines is only possible because of our innovative hybrid air bearing system. The fact that it can run on renewable fuels means that we can help to facilitate a smooth transition from the age of fossil fuels to the age of electricity,

anywhere in the world. For us, this is an extremely meaningful way of helping to combat global warming and reducing CO2 levels in our atmosphere.’

Matthew Jin concludes: ‘We are currently in discussion with a number of potential customers in and outside of China. Selling the 45 kW turbine as a power generator will allow us to build up production volume quickly, which we expect to reach around 100,000 units over time. We are now finalising negotiations with local municipalities regarding the site of the plant and are looking forward to starting production of the largest micro-turbine generator facility in the world.’


Nissan tests fully autonomous prototype tech on streets of Tokyo

TOKYO: Nissan today demonstrated a prototype of its most advanced autonomous driving technology, planned for real-world use from 2020, on public roads here.

Nissan tested the next-generation ProPILOT technology on a modified Infiniti Q50 sports sedan. The technology enables the vehicle to operate autonomously on urban roads and freeways, beginning when the driver selects a destination using the navigation system, until arrival.

The prototype’s artificial intelligence uses input from 12 sonars, 12 cameras, nine millimetre-wave radars, six laser scanners and a high-definition map to analyze complex scenarios in real time and navigate smoothly through challenging city conditions – such as crossing busy intersections. These hardware upgrades, along with software improvements, also ensure smooth transitions when encountering obstacles in the road. This results in a human-like driving feel that gives passengers peace of mind.

“Our next-generation ProPILOT prototype showcases technology that will be available for real-world use from 2020," said Takao Asami, Nissan’s senior vice president in charge of research and advanced engineering.

The demonstration follows the recent launch of the new, zero-emission Nissan LEAF, equipped with ProPILOT technology that enables single-lane autonomous driving on highways. Nissan’s growing lineup of models with ProPILOT also includes the Serena, X-Trail and Rogue and will be joined by the Qashqai in 2018.


Audi's new flagship electric is the e-tron GT

INGOLSTADT: The e-tron SUV and its coupe-like sister model, the e-tron Sportback, are currently rolling off the Audi production line in purely electric form.

In the second quarter of 2021, they will be joined by a new flagship electric sedan with more muscle.

Technically closely related to the Porsche Taycan, but visually clearly different and produced in-house, the car will be available in two versions as the e-tron GT and the RS e-tron GT, Audi has announced.

Prices in Europe start at €99,800 and €138,200, the manufacturer says.

The four-door car is characterised by flowing lines and a length of almost 5 metres, housing two electric motors that together produce 476hp or 598hp. In the following months, 530hp will also be an option in the basic model and 646hp in the RS.

These engines accelerate the Gran Turismo, which weighs well over two tonnes, from a standstill to 100kph in 3.3 seconds, while top speeds are put at 245 and 250kph respectively.

The electric motors are powered by a rechargeable battery, which should enable a maximum WLTP range of 488km for both versions.

Recharging with a maximum of 270kW, you can hit 80 per cent of battery in 23 minutes, under ideal conditions, according to Audi. Charging at this rate, the e-tron GT can also draw enough power for 100km in just five minutes.

This new ride also comes with a new ambience in the interior, bringing large displays and sparse switches, even if it all looks somewhat less futuristic than in its Taycan twin.

With a wheelbase of 2.90 metres, it should also offer ample space for passengers. In addition to the 405-litre luggage compartment in the rear, there is a second storage compartment in the front that holds a further 81 litres.


Mercedes-Benz and Rivian plan JV to make electric vans in Europe

                BERLIN: Mercedes-Benz Vans and Rivian have signed a memorandum of understanding for a joint venture to produce electric vans in a factory in central or eastern Europe within the next few years, Mercedes-Benz Vans said today.

The companies are planning ways to produce both of their models on a joint production line, Mercedes-Benz said, adding it was also developing a new all-electric van architecture of its own called VAN.EA.

The two companies will make two large vans — one based on Mercedes-Benz's VAN.EA platform and the other based on the Rivian Light Van electric platform — at the plant, the statement said, without disclosing the precise location.

Mercedes also said it would restructure German factories that currently build Sprinter vans to offset higher costs for electric vehicles.

The collaboration with Mercedes comes at a crucial time for Rivian. The electric van and adventure vehicle company has struggled to ramp up production at its Illinois factory as supply chain disruptions and rising materials prices forced it to cut staff and delay product programmes. read more

Sharing the costs of a European assembly plant with Mercedes should help the startup, which burned through US$1.2 billion in the second quarter, conserve cash and save for its second US assembly plant planned for 2025.

Rivian is in a crowded field of startups trying to cash in on demand for electric commercial vans under pressure from established automakers who have moved quickly to counter the threat with electric vans of their own.

Ford Motor Co re-engineered its popular gasoline-fuelled Transit van to run on batteries, and now claims leadership in the US electric commercial van market with nearly 4,000 electric Transits delivered this year.

Mercedes-Benz Vans said in April its order books were full but factories were struggling with supply chain difficulties.


Hino Total Support Centre flush with trainees

                PETALING JAYA: The number of trainees at the Hino Total Support Customer Center (HTSCC) in Sendayan has hit the 10,000 mark, higher than the original expected target.

The establishment of HTSCC is one of the catalysts for customers and those in the region to improve the cost, range and quality of services in their business, and also the acknowledgment of road safety.

In Malaysia, HTSCC is the only training center for the commercial vehicle industry and the first Hino training center that is built outside its home country.

Operating since 2015, HTSCC is constantly updating its programs and increasing the list of training courses according to the industry needs.

At HTSCC, customers and drivers have the opportunity to undergo training programs that are emphasized on safety driving skills, driver familiarisation and so forth.

All the curricular and practical training is aimed to minimize cost and decreasing operational cost.

Heading to 2019, Hino is able to reach its goal in after-sales values and bringing up the awareness on safer roads involving commercial vehicles, as the training center had received a fortuitous number of trainees that undergo the training program throughout the year 2018.

HTSCC is deemed in giving constant exposure on the importance of safety driving skills and the right techniques on vehicle operation, which ultimately will bring understanding on fuel-saving consumption and expertise to reduce the risk of an accident.

“When road accidents happen, apart from the tragic loss of lives, not many people are aware of the cost to businesses. These costs can be in the form of repairing the said vehicle, the insurance paid out to the affected families, the domino effect and disruption to business flow when traffic came to a halt and most importantly the reputation cost to the said company or brand and the country in general,” said Ken Iwamoto, the Managing Director of Hino Motor Sales Malaysia.


MG's electric Marvel R has a 400km range and 200kph top speed

                MUNICH: The former roadster brand of MG is launching its first ever car designed as a through-and-through electric.

Until now, the old British brand, which has since emigrated to China, has only been selling combustion engines converted to run as electric cars.

But now the Marvel R, specially developed only for electric mobility, is due to roll up to the charging station as a 4.67-metre SUV, putting it in the same league as the VW ID4 or Skoda Enyaq.

This also goes for the ambience and equipment, with luxury materials, an almost 20-inch touchscreen in the cockpit, 15 assistance systems and comfort features such as the panoramic roof or the electric tailgate as standard.

With a wheelbase of 2.80 metres, the futuristic and sleekly designed Marvel R offers space for five people. According to MG, the boot holds 357 to 1,396 litres. In addition, some variants have a 150-litre "frunk" for extra storage.

The basic version is powered by two electric motors with a combined 180hp on the rear axle. For a higher price, MG will install a third motor in the front. This turns the Marvel R into an all-wheel drive vehicle and raises its output to 288hp.

The entry-level model can sprint from 0 to 100kph in 7.9 seconds. But pay for that extra motor up front and the spec sheet then lists only 4.9 seconds.

The top speed for both variants is 200kph, according to MG - significantly higher than most European competitors in this segment.

Energy is supplied by a battery with a capacity of 70 kWh. Depending on the configuration, this lasts for 370 to 402km and it can also deliver its power to external devices such as a pedelec.

After that, the Marvel R has to be plugged in and charges with a maximum of 92kW. If you can charge that fast, you'll need about three quarters of an hour to get from 0 to 80 per cent.

Prices in Europe start at €42,990 (RM207,000), according to the manufacturer. For just under €8,000 (RM39,000) more, MG will install a third motor in the front.


Lidar laser-sensing startups seeking uses beyond self-driving cars for survival

                DETROIT/LAS VEGAS: Self-driving cars employ lidar, a remote sensing technology using pulsed laser light the way radar uses radio waves, and lidar makers waiting for the automotive market to take off are courting new customers who would use the technology for everything from monitoring cattle to helping a disc jockey synchronize dance music.

Ouster, a San Francisco tech startup, is tapping new markets including delivery robots, disaster relief and even an approach from the disc jockey. Another Bay area startup, AEye, is talking to a bank that wants to monitor cattle growth to ensure the financial health of a rancher who is a loan customer.

Alternative uses and customers are needed to keep revenue flowing at lidar startups waiting for the expected boom in self-driving cars, which still looks to be years away.

“We never took an exclusively automotive view of lidar,” said Angus Pacala, Ouster chief executive and co-founder. “We always expected to be operating in many different markets.”

Companies also are working to cut the cost of lidar sensors, currently anywhere from about US$1,200 to more than US$12,000. Lower prices will make lidar more attractive for new markets.

Lidar pioneer Velodyne on Tuesday unveiled its smallest sensor to date called Velabit at a price tag of US$100. Chief executive officer Anand Gopalan said it was the first time Velodyne listed a lidar price in its press release because it wanted to show it has “reached a level of scale both from a technology perspective and a manufacturing perspective.” He said applications include driver assistance systems.

China’s DJI, the world’s largest drone manufacturer, also unveiled a low-cost suite of Livox lidar sensors at CES ranging in price from $599 to $999. The lower price makes them practical for markets beyond the robotaxi and self-driving truck markets. They can be used on robots that scrub floors, deliver groceries and mow the lawn, and on drones mapping fields, forests or construction sites.

For smaller lidar companies backed by venture capital, developing new markets is key.

Ouster has more than 550 customers in 50 countries, said corporate development head Raffi Mardirosian. In addition to small delivery robots and drones, its sensors are being used for disaster relief and rescue on robots that resemble small dogs, Pacala said. Ouster technology is also being used in security systems at nuclear waste facilities.

Ouster CEO Pacala said the disc jockey customer “wanted to use our sensors in dance music contests to sense what the crowd is doing” to help sync the music to the light show.

A future application, Mardirosian said, could be “some kind of super immersive virtual reality experience” such as “an automated tour of the Louvre.”

Ouster rival AEye is trying to focus on applications close to its core automotive business, according to Akram Benmbarek, head of business development. Those uses include automated trains, intelligent highways and smart cities, and machinery used in construction and mining.

AEye has an inquiry from the bank looking to monitor its cattle rancher loan customer by “scanning his cows in real time and tracking their growth.”

“Our tech could handle that,” said Benmbarek. “But we really want to stay focused and prioritize opportunities that are aligned with our automotive road map.”

AEye also has been approached about using its sensors even farther afield, including to track performances at various sporting events “where moving objects are hard to detect by other sensors,” he said.


Cyclist charged after throwing bicycle at car

                SINGAPORE: A cyclist who allegedly threw his bike at a car after believing its driver was honking his horn at him has been charged in court with mischief.

Canadian Jason Blair Unger, 39, allegedly threw the bicycle on the bonnet of Woo Wing Onn’s car on Selegie Road on Oct 17 last year.

Dents and scratches were caused to the front part of the vehicle, resulting in damage costing about SS$2,220 (RM5,900).

Unger sought an adjournment to engage a lawyer.

His bail was extended and he will be back in court on Jan 28.

The incident was caught on Woo’s in-car camera and he posted the video on citizen journalism website Stomp four days later.

Woo said he was driving home with his wife when he honked at a taxi which was travelling slowly and hogging the road.

But a cyclist who was just up ahead thought he was honking at him instead and became enraged.

The maximum penalty for mischief is two years’ jail and a fine.


Carmakers head to Frankfurt for IAA, with eye on China

                FRANKFURT: Eco-friendly models and futuristic technology like automated driving look set to dazzle at the IAA auto show in Frankfurt this week, although slowing sales in China could cast a shadow over resurgent demand in Europe, analysts said.

Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to crowd into the massive exhibition halls of Frankfurt's sprawling trade fair from Sept 19-27 to catch a glimpse of the latest models and high-tech innovations.

The world's press will get a two-day sneak preview starting Tuesday of the International Motor Show, which is held every two years, alternating with the car show in Paris.

The organisers, the German carmakers' association VDA, said the 2015 show promised 210 world premieres and an "amazing display of innovations" from 1,100 exhibitors from 39 countries, in a space the size of 33 football pitches.

"The atmosphere promises to be excellent, with lots of new products and new ideas," said EY analyst Peter Fuss.

In the mass-market class dominated by Volkswagen's Golf, Renault's Megane 4 and Opel's Astra 5 will both be vying for attention. The French carmaker will unveil a new version of its Talisman, while German top-of-the-range maker Audi will present the next generation of its A4.

But it will be the urban 4x4s, the market's darlings, that are likely to steal consumers' hearts, with Volkswagen and Ford presenting more affordable models such as their Tiguan and Edge, while Jaguar will show off its luxury F-Pace and Bentley its ultra-exclusive Bentayga.

For those opposed to the fuel-guzzlers, there are more ecologically-minded models -- particularly interesting for drivers in Europe, which already has the most stringent transport CO2 emission goals in the world and could see them tightened at the COP21 summit in Paris in December.

Toyota has chosen Frankfurt to lift the veil on the fourth generation of its flagship hybrid, Prius. BMW will also present a series combining both electric and petrol engines.

Another key focus at this year's IAA will be exciting new technologies such as automated driving, said Elmar Kades, auto specialist at AlixPartners.

For the first time, around 30,000 square metres (32,300 square feet) of exhibition floor space will be given over to new forms of mobility, from the connected to the self-driving car.

 Brighter outlook in Europe

When the last IAA was held in 2013, the market had hit rock-bottom after five years of crisis, with car sales slumping from 16 million to just 12 million units.

Carmakers reacted by restructuring their operations and shifting their production away from Western Europe to emerging markets.

But following these bleak years for Europe, the stage appears to be set this year for a rebound in demand, with new registrations in the region rising 8.2 percent in the first six months.

The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association ACEA is pencilling in growth of around five percent for the whole year.

Nevertheless, "carmakers will no doubt err on the side of caution" at the IAA in view of the slowdown in emerging markets, said Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, an auto industry expert at the University of Duisburg-Essen.

After years of double-digit expansion that turned it into the world's biggest car market, China has seen a brutal slowdown this year, with growth projected to reach up to only three percent, or even a meagre 1.4 percent, according to market consultants IHS.

"Slower volume growth, added to ferocious competition, means lower margins and lower profitability," and that poses "a big challenge, particularly for German makers which have benefitted greatly from growth on the Chinese market," said Flavien Neuvy, auto expert at Observatoire Cetelem.

German giant Volkswagen, which looks set to overtake Toyota as the world's biggest car-maker this year, generates 36 percent of its sales in China, compared with 35 percent for General Motors.

But foreign joint ventures in China have lost ground to wholly-owned Chinese makers, whose products are frequently cheaper.

"It was an Eldorado. It will be less so. but when you look at the rate of car ownership, there is no cause for concern about the future of the Chinese market," said Yann Lacroix of Euler Hermes.


2019 Bangkok Motor Show: BMW X7 M50d

                BANGKOK: BMW Group Thailand brought in the 3.0-litre diesel quad-turbocharged X7 M50d at the 40th Bangkok International Motor Show 2019.

Priced at nearly 9 million baht (RM1.156 million), the largest BMW X model has three rows of seats, massive 22-inch wheels, and air suspension with automatic elf-levelling.

Its 6-cylinder M Performance TwinPower Turbo engine, with four turbochargers, and mated to a 8-speed Steptronic transmission, produces 400hp at 4,400rpm and 760Nm of torque at 2,000 – 3,000rpm.

Fitted as standard on the BMW X7 M50d is the M Sport differential at the rear axle, which brings electronically controlled locking.

The X7 on display at the motor show has Merino leather upholstery, four-zone automatic climate control, a three-section panoramic glass roof, and ambient lighting including the Welcome Light Carpet and Dynamic Interior Light.